Author: Leslie Gibson McCarthy

Oh, for a bit of wrought iron. Using tried-and-true triangular trusses, Lesley Olson (right), a junior in chemical engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, helps high school girls compete to erect the tallest marshmallow and toothpick tower during Engineering Olympics Feb. 25, the final day of EnWeek. The week, intended to inspire current and future engineers, began Feb. 19 with a variety of activities intended to make increase awareness in engineering as a profession.

The current controversy over the Barack Obama administration’s birth control policy is not, contrary to some arguments, a matter of constitutional law, says Gregory P. Magarian, JD, constitutional law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. It is however, a matter of Constitutional principle, Magarian says.

Five student-athletes earned individual University Athletic Association titles to lead the Bears to a sweep of the men’s and women’s team conference championships Feb. 26 at the New Balance Track & Field Center in New York. Updates also included on men’s and women’s basketball season finales; swimming and diving; men’s tennis; and the opening series of the baseball season.

Clarissa Cagnato, a doctoral student in the Department of Anthropology in Arts & Sciences, was among more than 60 graduate students who presented research during the 17th annual Graduate Research Symposium Feb. 18. The symposium provides graduate students an opportunity to present their research to a broad and diverse audience and gain important communications skills in the process.

Chancellor Marks S. Wrighton slices the cake in celebration of George Washington’s birthday Feb. 20 in Tisch Commons, Danforth University Center. George Washington Week, an annual tradition celebrating the university’s namesake, is sponsored by the sophomore honorary Lock and Chain.

The No. 24 men’s basketball team scored the last 11 points of the game and clinched the 2012 University Athletic Association (UAA) championship with a 74-68 victory at New York University Feb. 19. Updates also included on women’s basketball, track and field, swimming and diving and women’s tennis.

The annual George Washington Week, sponsored by the sophomore honorary Lock & Chain, kicks off on President’s Day, Monday, Feb. 20. This year’s theme is “Who is WU?” Carriage rides, keynote speakers, community service and silent auctions all are being organized with a focus on diversity and heritage on the WUSTL campus and in the greater St. Louis area community.

Deanne Bell, an alumna of Washington University in St. Louis and host of popular science and technology-themed television shows, will share her love for a profession that she finds fun, creative, and critical to innovation, in an Assembly Series presentation at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24.

The Gephardt Institute for Public Service at Washington University in St. Louis has announced faculty scholars receiving Innovation Grants for Community-Based Teaching and Learning. The grants provide faculty members with financial support for curriculum development and implementation.

Hundreds braved an arctic chill the evening of Feb. 10 to experience the warmth generated by Parker Palmer, best-selling author and educator, who teamed up with singer/songwriter Carrie Newcomer inside Graham Chapel to deliver a unique message of delivering democracy with an open heart. The event was the opening of the spring 2011 Assembly Series.