Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

Meet Mark Smith, JD, director of the Career Center and failed candidate for Congress. Smith’s story is the first in a new video series called “Fail Better,” which showcases Washington University in St. Louis faculty, staff and students who have failed big, sometimes in very public, humiliating ways.

​Many college students dodge risks, but innovation and self-discovery often spring from failure, says Dedric A. Carter, PhD, associate provost and associate vice chancellor for innovation and entrepreneurship“Fail Better,” a new video series, will showcase Washington University staff, faculty and students who have failed big — sometimes in very public, humiliating ways.

FoodShare is a new app that allows users to donate a meal for every meal purchased at a participating restaurant. Developed by Washington University junior Andrew Glantz, the app ​is a finalist for the Mobileys, a nationwide competition that honors entrepreneurs who make a difference through mobile innovation.

​Connie Diekman, director of university nutrition at Washington University in St. Louis and a leading national food expert, offers five tips for parents who want a healthy Halloween season. Among them: set portions, avoid demonizing sugar.

​A new report from a universitywide socioeconomic advisory group provides Washington University in St. Louis a roadmap to better serve its growing number of low-income and first-generation students. Recommendations include helping students better transition to college life, providing the resources students need to engage  in academic and campus life and creating a university culture that welcomes and values every student.

The National Digital Stewardship Alliance has awarded “Documenting Ferguson,” an initiative of Washington University Libraries,​ a 2015 Innovation Award​.

This past summer, a group of students from Washington University in St. Louis traveled to Guatemala to repair medical equipment at the nation’s largest public hospital. The trip was part of the Washington University Guatemala Initiative, supported by the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement.

​As a high school student in Connecticut, Sean Clarke had no idea where he would attend college. He only knew where not to go – Washington University in St. Louis. But after visiting campus, Sean decided to join his brothers, junior Matt Smith and senior Julian Clarke. 

AT&T, through its signature education initiative AT&T Aspire, has committed $400,000 to the College Prep Program at Washington University in St. Louis. The program helps low-income students from across the St. Louis region connect with other talented students and prepare for success in college.

​The Washington University community is invited to create a time capsule for the cornerstone of the Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center, set to open late next summer. When it is opened in 2065, this time capsule hopefully will fare better than its predecessor – the recently recovered 1902 time capsule from Francis Gymnasium that sustained water damage.