Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

Welcome to WashU Spaces, a new series that showcases the offices, laboratories, studios and living quarters of the students, staff and faculty of Washington University in St. Louis. We kick off the series in the office of Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, who was inaugurated as chancellor Oct. 6, 1995, 22 years ago. 

Shayel Patnaik, a senior majoring in history in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. His life will be honored at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, in the Women’s Building Formal Lounge.

With a PhD in neuroscience, Thi Nguyen aspired to earn a tenure-track position and run her own lab. But events both good and bad led her to a new career path. Today, she is associate dean for graduate career and professional development at the Graduate School at Washington University in St. Louis, where she helps students prepare for a job market where tenure-track jobs are few but demand for highly educated workers is high.

The College Prep Program is accepting nominations for its fifth cohort of scholars. The free program serves talented, low-income students from the St. Louis region. Scholars apply as high school freshmen and spend three summers living and learning on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis.

Employees are encouraged to give their time and financial support to the annual United Way Campaign. For the second year, Human Resources and the Gephardt Institute are helping employees find volunteer opportunities in the St. Louis region.

In commemoration of the 16th anniversary of 9/11,  Washington University in St. Louis will lower the American flag and ring the bells of Graham Chapel 16 times at 9:28 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, marking the moment the north tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.

Members of the Washington University in St. Louis College Republicans will plant 2,998 flags — one for each victim of the 9/11 attacks — on Mudd Field at 8:15 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. This is the fourth year the group has commemorated 9/11 and the first time the students have planted flags to honor first responders and others who have since died of cancer due to exposure to toxic materials at the site. 

This past weekend, all new undergraduate students at Washington University in St. Louis attended “The Date” and a post-performance conversation about sexual assault. Part of new student orientation for 16 years, the play is written, produced and performed by students. 

Members of the Washington University in St. Louis community are encouraged to download the free personal safety app SafeTrek. The university is providing the service, essentially a mobile “blue light,” for free to students, faculty, staff and basic service contractor employees.

The 1,780 members of Washington University in St. Louis’ Class of 2021 came together for the first time at the end of Move-In Day, Aug. 24, for an evening of house cheers and family hugs. The annual Convocation also provided an opportunity to reflect on the events of Charlottesville and to commit to a Washington University that is diverse and tolerant.