Author: Susan Killenberg McGinn

Rebecca Messbarger & Mark Pegg are two of 10 national winners of the Mellon Foundation’s highly selective New Directions Fellowship.

One of 16 scholars selected in this highly competitive fellowship program, he’ll study themes focusing on Islam & the modern world.

Washington University will bestow honorary degrees on five notable people during its 144th Commencement on May 20. The university will also bestow academic degrees on more than 2,300 students during the ceremony, which begins at 8:30 a.m. in Brookings Quadrangle. Richard A. Gephardt, former U.S. House minority and majority leader, will deliver the Commencement address.

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and members of the Student Worker Alliance will announce at a media briefing that Washington University and the Student Worker Alliance have reached an agreement and the students will end their occupation of Brookings Hall and the Quadrangle.

The North Brookings Hall is locked as a precaution against further unauthorized occupation by students or others.

We have received calls from media asking if there is a meeting between Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and SWA students at 3 p.m. today. In case you have received this erroneous information, this is to confirm that there is no meeting at 3 p.m.

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton talked briefly with the SWA students this morning (Wednesday) to reiterate that he is prepared to meet with them after they discontinue their sit-in at South Brookings Hall and the Brookings Quadrangle — as previously agreed.

Being honored at the May 20 ceremony will be William Gass, Richard Gephardt, Emily Pulitzer, Robert Roeder and James Stowers Jr.

She was the wife of Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth and first lady of Washington University for nearly a quarter century.

The fund-raiser is considered a vital source of support for the center; more than 300 items are being auctioned.