Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

In honor of the 19th anniversary of  9/11, members of the Washington University in St. Louis College Republicans will plant 2,977 flags — one for each victim of the deadly attacks — on Mudd Field on the Danforth Campus. The university also will lower the American flag over Brookings Hall and ring the bells of Graham Chapel.

With high hopes and bulk supplies of hand sanitizer, the Class of 2024 arrived at Washington University in St. Louis Sept. 4-6. “This is what we’ve all been waiting for,” said Nick Cloney, an Arts & Sciences student from Boston. “It may not be what we expected. But even in this altered world, we can still have those integral first-year experiences.” 

This summer, hundreds of faculty imagined their courses anew in “Designing an Adaptable Course,” an intensive two-week seminar offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning. Instructors studied best online pedagogy practices, created better assessments and learned technology tools.

Across campus, students, faculty and staff are finding creative ways to welcome the Class of 2024 despite ever-evolving public health directives and university policies, said Katharine Pei, director of First Year Programs. There have been calls from WUSAs, peer mentorship programs, Spotify playlists and gooey butter cake. 

Natalie Sorenson, a first-year student at the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, died May 5, 2020. She died as a result of emotional challenges during lockdown for COVID-19. Natalie Sorenson was 18.

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.