Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

Hyflex courses. Synchronous learning. PTZ cameras. The lingo of the COVID-19 era classroom is new to many students, but not to Tom Furby, director of classroom services at the Center for Teaching and Learning at Washington University in St. Louis. In the latest installation of WashU Spaces, Furby shows off the educational technology that will support students whether they are in the classroom or around the globe.

The Institute for School Partnership at Washington University in St. Louis has launched a comprehensive COVID-19 curriculum. The free unit can be adapted for both synchronous and asynchronous learning and helps middle school students understand the history of infectious disease, the nature of COVID-19, the power and limitations of modeling and the importance of scientific literacy.

Washington University in St. Louis incoming senior Katherine Wallace has a complicated relationship with St. Louis. Is there any other kind? Wallace is one of many members of the university community working this summer to make St. Louis a stronger, safer and more equitable city.

Graham Chapel at Washington University in St. Louis will join houses of worship across the nation in honoring the legacy of civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, who died July 17, 2020. At 10 a.m. Thursday, July 30, Graham Chapel will ring its bells for 80 seconds, one second for every year of Lewis’ life.

Joe Goldberg, owner of TruFusion STL fitness studio on the West Campus of Washington University in St. Louis, was facing financial devastation when he asked the university if he could move the gym’s yoga, cycling, bootcamps and other classes to the university’s open-air garage. The university immediately approved Goldberg’s proposal and helped him execute the plan.

Ranen Miao, a rising sophomore studying political science and sociology in Arts & Sciences, has been named a Point Foundation national scholar. The honor supports outstanding lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer student leaders. 

Leon E. Ashford, an early advocate for first-generation and Black students at Washington University in St. Louis, died March 28, 2020. He was 90. Ashford worked for the university for 39 years, retiring in 1995 as director of Student Educational Services, a precursor to The Learning Center. 

Americans across the nation are documenting today’s protests through photography and video, often posting their content on Instagram, Twitter and other social media platforms. But is that the safest way to preserve these historic images? Miranda Rectenwald, curator of local history at University Libraries at Washington University in St. Louis, created a list of resources to help protest participants preserve their content for the long term. 

Three members of the Washington University in St. Louis community have been selected by Focus St. Louis for the 45th Leadership St. Louis class. They are Betsy Abente, Rebecca Brown and Marilyn Wilson.

The school year has ended, but Learning Lodge, a free online tutoring service founded by Washington University in St. Louis students, continues to help local elementary and middle school students practice math, social studies, even the bassoon.