Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

Laura Cobb was struck by a drunken driver during her senior year at Washington University in 2008. She was seriously injured and today has aphasia, which severely limits her ability to speak. But she battled back, returned to school and graduated in May. She now works as a research technician on campus.

University College, the professional and continuing education division of Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, is now offering a 50 percent discount to full-time employees of St. Louis, Clayton and University City and their school districts. Charter school employees also are eligible.

William F. Tate, dean of the Graduate School at Washington University in St. Louis, has received the 2017 Inspiring Leaders in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Tate is also vice provost for graduate education and the Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor in Arts & Sciences. 

Rob Wild and Tamara King, two student affairs veterans, are moving into new, expanded roles, announced Lori White, vice chancellor for student affairs at Washington University in St. Louis.

Recent university alumna Emma Riley is a proud graduate of Clayton High School, but her perceptions of her hometown changed after she started studying Clayton’s history. Her documentary, “Displaced & Erased,” explores how city leaders zoned Clayton’s once-thriving black neighborhood out of existence to expand the central business district.

Ashley June Moore has been appointed program director of the Washington University in St. Louis College Advising Corps, which places recent graduates into local high schools to serve as full-time college advisers.

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton presented Phyllis Jackson, associate director of Campus Life – event management, with the Gloria W. White Distinguished Service Award at the annual Staff Day celebration May 22 in Edison Theatre.

Here is the text of graduate student Wei Zhu’s message to 2017 graduates. Zhu earned a law degree.

Washington University in St. Louis has admitted 50 rising high school sophomores to its innovative College Prep Program, a multiyear initiative that prepares high-achieving students with limited financial resources for college. The students represent public, private and charter schools from across the region. They will live and learn on the campus of Washington University for the next three summers.

Senior Class President Reid Petty has spent his time at Washington University making sure his classmates enjoy their experience. The Olin student will address fellow graduates at Commencement on Friday, May 19, sharing about what made this place special for him.