Author: Susan Killenberg McGinn

Photo by David Kilper

Kim G. WalkerKimberly Gayle Walker has been named chief investment officer at Washington University in St. Louis, effective Nov. 1, 2006. Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton announced the appointment. Walker comes to the university from her position as president and chief investment officer of Qwest Asset Management Company, part of Qwest Communications International Inc., where she oversees $14 billion in retirement and other assets and leads a staff of 23.

The following are high-resolution images available for media use of the Danforth Campus naming.

Washington University’s Hilltop Campus officially takes the name “Danforth Campus” during a dedication ceremony recognizing the role that Chancellor Emeritus William H. “Bill” Danforth, the late Elizabeth “Ibby” Gray Danforth, the Danforth family and the Danforth Foundation have played in the evolution of Washington University in St. Louis. The ceremony is from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, in Graham Chapel.

WUSTL ArchivesWilliam H. (Bill) Danforth, his late wife, Elizabeth (Ibby), and John C. Danforth at the 1995 Commencement. On that day — May 19 — Bill presided over his last Commencement; Ibby received an honorary doctor of humanities; and John delivered the Commencement address.In recognition of the role that Chancellor Emeritus William H. “Bill” Danforth, the late Elizabeth (Ibby) Gray Danforth, the Danforth family and the Danforth Foundation have played in the evolution of Washington University in St. Louis, the Hilltop Campus — home to six of the university’s seven schools — will be named the Danforth Campus. An official dedication ceremony will be held in Graham Chapel from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 17, when the new name takes effect. Update 9-17 8pm • Photos of the event • Audio of the event

Steven J. Givens has been named associate vice chancellor for public affairs and executive director of University Communications at Washington University in St. Louis, effective Jan. 1, 2007. M. Fredric Volkmann, vice chancellor for Public Affairs, announced the promotion. Givens, who serves as assistant vice chancellor and special assistant to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, will succeed Judy Jasper Leicht, who announced she plans to retire at the end of the calendar year.

Steven J. Givens has been named associate vice chancellor for public affairs and executive director of University Communications at Washington University in St. Louis, effective Jan. 1, 2007. M. Fredric Volkmann, vice chancellor for Public Affairs, announced the promotion. Givens, who serves as assistant vice chancellor and special assistant to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, will succeed Judy Jasper Leicht, who announced she plans to retire at the end of the calendar year.

Social Thought & Analysis (STA), an interdisciplinary degree program in Arts & Sciences, has moved to American Culture Studies, according to Henry L. “Roddy” Roediger III, Ph.D., the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and dean of academic planning in Arts & Sciences.

The look of the Washington University Hilltop Campus is changing as it prepares to name the campus the “Danforth Campus” in recognition of the role that Chancellor Emeritus William H. “Bill” Danforth, the late Elizabeth “Ibby” Gray Danforth, the Danforth family and the Danforth Foundation have played in the evolution of Washington University in St. Louis.

Invasive surgery — and anesthesia — has come a long way.While searching for answers to what it means to be Jewish — and at the same time completing a neuroscience course requirement — a doctoral student at Washington University in St. Louis came across what may be one of the earliest documented cases of brain surgery. And he found it in, of all places, the ancient texts of the Talmud. “Although this account raises several questions about the ailment itself, it provides us with a rare look at invasive cranial surgery dating nearly 2,000 years,” writes Adam Weinberg, a doctoral student in psychology in Arts & Sciences and author of an article on the surgery in the current issue of the Journal of the History of the Neurosciences. More…