Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

Friends and fans of celebrated author William H. Gass, PhD, the David L. May Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Humanities in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, gathered Sept. 28 in Umrath Lounge to mark his 90th birthday with a special reading from his collected works. The reading, “Passages of Time,” was sponsored by University Libraries.

High school students in the Washington University College Prep program reunited at Francis Field recently to cheer the Bears football team. The students, all high-achieving sophomores, spent two weeks living and learning on campus this summer and will return the next two two summers for three-week sessions.

​Washington University in St. Louis students play glow golf in Danforth University Center during a DUC Presents event sponsored by the Inter-Fraternity Council and Women’s Panhellenic Association. The next DUC Presents event will take place Oct. 4. The International and Area Studies honorary society, SIR, will host a cultural expo.

Computer Comfort classes, offered through Olin Business School, connect local seniors with Washington University students who help them learn how to use and get comfortable with their computers — and the Internet, email and Skype, too.

Resident Ruth Groff pets Boo at a pop-up dog park constructed by Washington University staff and student volunteers Sept. 13 for “Rock The Block: A Skinker DeBaliviere Better Block Project.” The event encouraged residents to reimagine their neighborhood through temporary installations such as the dog park and other community activities.

As part of Washington University Libraries’ ongoing commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Freedom Summer, the Washington University Film & Media Archive will host a Q&A with actor Richard Beymer and a free screening of his film, “A Regular Bouquet.” The event takes place at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Steinberg Auditorium on the Danforth Campus.

The U.S. Department of Education has increased its contribution to the federal work-study program, making hiring a qualified student even more affordable for university departments. The U.S. Department of Education now covers 50 percent of a student’s pay, up from 45 percent. The university department pays the rest.

​​The community is invited to submit photos, videos, stories and other content to a digital archive at Washington University Libraries called “Documenting Ferguson.” Free and accessible to all, the online collection will serve as a lasting source of information regarding the Aug. 9 death of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and the ensuing protests and unrest.​

​Washington University in St. Louis’ Jill Stratton, the “world’s oldest RA,” hel​ps students, staff and faculty to find their joy. Stratton strives to develop common education experiences, multidisciplinary courses and expanded programming at university housing.

​The Career Center welcomes local and national organizations and schools for three events this week, starting Tuesday, Sept. 16: The Law School Fair, the STEM Slam and the Fall Internship & Job Career Fair.