Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

Iconic, awe-inspiring and, at last, more accessible. Washington University in St. Louis’ non-denominational Graham Chapel is now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays for silent meditation, reflection and prayer. The initiative is one of many supported by the Rev. Callista Isabelle, the university’s first director for religious, spiritual and ethical life. She also helped organize Interfaith Week, which runs through Friday, Feb. 21.

Alec Becker, a first-year student in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died by suicide Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in his hometown of Dallas. He was 18. Becker only attended Washington University for the fall semester, but friends and faculty who had the opportunity to know Becker say he was thoughtful, warm and spirited. 

Incomes in St. Louis are rising — for white residents. Development is booming — in the central corridor. And the population is rising — in select neighborhoods. “It really is a tale of two cities,” said Henry S. Webber, executive vice chancellor. At the Day of Dialogue & Action on Wednesday, Feb. 19, Webber and Chancellor Andrew D. Martin will ask participants for their ideas about ways to improve the region.

The annual Day of Dialogue & Action hosts “Mindfulness: Disrupting Biases With Compassion and Inspiring Positive Change,” unique sessions where participants will learn mindfulness skills and explore how mindfulness can lead to compassion.

To the 80,000 parents — um, make that students — who will compete in the upcoming St. Louis Science Fair, Washington University in St. Louis senior Sam Martorana offers this advice: Follow your passion, not the rubric. 

Washington University in St. Louis has again earned Tree Campus USA status from the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to effective urban forest management. 

In the debut of The Record’s new series, “I Made This,” senior J.T. Bridges shares the story behind his song “Discord,” which he recorded at the Harvey Media Center with the help of student group High Note Music Industry Collective. Like contemporary stars Daniel Caesar and Khalid, Bridges specializes in chill R&B with earnest lyrics and acoustic rhythms. 

“Masquerade,” Black Anthology’s 31st annual production, will question past and present ideas of utopia through the lens of Afrofuturism — a genre that fuses black culture with science fiction to create a universe where black identity is both central and celebrated. Black Anthology will be staged at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 31, and Saturday, Feb. 1, in Edison Theatre.

Travis Tucker, assistant director of leadership and LGBTQIA involvement in the Department of Campus Life at Washington University in St. Louis, has been selected to receive the 2020 Outstanding Diversity Achievement Award‐Individual from the National Association for Campus Activities, a leading campus life organization. 

In celebration of another year of change and discovery at Washington University in St. Louis, the Source shares some of its most-read stories of 2019.