Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

As study-abroad students at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU), WashU seniors Marielle Morrow and Cole Bernstein wrote, directed and edited “A Bird in the Field.” The movie screens at the St. Louis International Film Festival Nov. 15.

The theme of this year’s Diwali performance is “Dhamaka,” the Hindi word for explosion or blast. Director Mythili Kartik says the concept captures the pride she feels bringing her South Asian culture to the WashU community. This year’s performance runs Nov. 7-8 at Edison Theatre.

An initiative of the Bauer Leaders Academy, the Leadership Development Badge provides WashU students with new skills through workshops, personalized coaching and applied leadership experiences. The program is available to all undergraduate students at no cost. This month, the Bauer Leaders Academy hosts WashU Leadership Week.

Washington University in St. Louis has launched WashU Serves, a new year-round volunteer initiative that reflects the university’s “In St. Louis, For St. Louis” commitment to strengthen the region. In partnership with the United Way of Greater St. Louis, WashU Serves offers the university community more ways to get involved.

Well-being Wednesdays, a Student Affairs initiative, offer the WashU community an opportunity to learn about wellness-related programs, buy fresh produce, enjoy a free cup of coffee and take a moment to relax.

Led by members of the women’s tennis team, the WashU chapter of Second Serves hosts tennis clinics for the local community and provides donated rackets and covers, shoes and tennis bags for children.

If you happened to be in New York City last weekend, perhaps you saw a Times Square billboard promoting a very WashU pastime: Student Life Games. There, smiling from the 55-by-31-foot digital display, were crossword creators and founders of the newspaper’s games page, recent graduate Alex Nickel and sophomore Rena Cohen. 

WashU students, faculty, staff and alumni are invited to break out their U-Passes on Thursday, Oct. 2, to compete in the annual College Transit Challenge, an annual celebration of public transportation sponsored by Citizens for Modern Transit.

More than 200 local elementary and middle school students from St. Louis schools heard Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s inspiring story about love, kindness and forgiveness at the WashU Field House.

Emily Martin, a prospect management consultant with University Advancement, has been selected for Focus St. Louis’ fall 2025 Women in Leadership cohort.