Author: Kelly Wiese Niemeyer

Darlene J. Schoon, a longtime accountant at Washington University in St. Louis, most recently in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, died Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, after a battle with brain cancer. Schoon, of Chesterfield, was 74. She is survived by her husband, Paul Schoon, who retired in 2004 after serving many years as director of planned giving in Alumni & Development.

The Washington University in St. Louis volleyball team will host its annual “Dig for Pink” night during its 7:15 p.m. match against University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Friday, Sept. 27. Prior to Dig for Pink night, the Bears will hold a benefit night at Chill Frozen Yogurt Tuesday, Sept. 24, in Clayton.

Marie Griffith, PhD, director of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion & Politics at Washington University in St. Louis, was installed as the John C. Danforth Distinguished Professor in the Humanities during a Sept. 4 ceremony held in Holmes Lounge. Griffith came to WUSTL from Harvard University in 2011 to lead the scholarly and educational center that focuses on the role of religion in politics in the United States. ​

The Family Learning Center at Washington University in St. Louis recently held a birthday party for children and parents to celebrate the center’s third anniversary. Here, 2-year-old Lucas Gerst enjoys bubbles. He attended with mother Kellie Gerst, a nurse anesthetist at the School of Medicine.

Inkstand is a writing workshop for people who serve (e.g., volunteers, veterans, public service professionals, etc.) and wish to reflect on their experiences through writing. Sponsored by the Gephardt Institute for Public Service, the workshop’s leaders are now recruiting for the session that begins Oct. 8. The deadline to register is Sept. 30.

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) has announced the six winners of the 2013 University Research Strategic Alliance (URSA) grants. URSA grants provide one-year, $25,000 seed funding to full-time WUSTL faculty members. The URSA program aims to encourage researchers to collaborate across disciplines and schools.

The Gephardt Institute for Public Service invites students, faculty and staff to apply for the Civic Engagement Fund. The fund provides support for civic engagement, community service, and community-based teaching and learning projects throughout the year. Students, faculty and staff can apply for up to $500 grants. The deadline for the next funding round is Oct. 4.

The STL PREP (Perception, Reality, Engagement and Partnership) orientation series will launch with a welcome reception on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 5-7 p.m. at the Moonrise Hotel Rooftop, 6177 Delmar Blvd. Interested faculty and staff are welcome to bring up to two guests. Please RSVP by Sept. 20 here.

“SPIN-IT: A Leadership Program for Women in IT” is accepting student applications through Tuesday, Sept. 3. The program aims to encourage and support female staff members and students who are interested in technology careers.

The Woman’s Club of Washington University and Risa Zwerling Wrighton will be holding a welcome luncheon for women newcomers to the university to meet current members and learn about the Club’s varied activities from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Sept. 20 in Harbison House (6420 Forsyth Blvd).