Campus & Community

Goodbye, 2021. We won’t focus on the way you left us — dealing with a new COVID-19 variant and uncertain about the future. No, we at Washington University will focus on the good — bold new discoveries, hopeful new students and a promising new direction for the university.

From the South 40 underpass to the highlands of Peru, Washington University’s top videos take viewers across the globe to showcase amazing students and groundbreaking research. Here, the Source shares the seven most-viewed videos of 2021.

Asquith S. “Sean” Armstrong joined Washington University in St. Louis as dean of University College on Nov. 1. In this video, he talks about his decision to come to WashU, his background and his commitment to University College and the success of adult learners.

Provost Beverly Wendland landed a dream job at WashU and started it in the middle of a pandemic. Fortunately, she was ready to jump in the deep end.

Washington University in St. Louis senior Kennedy Young was a finalist for the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. She has devoted her years at Washington University to studying the history of mass incarceration and working directly with those in the prison system today.

Jennifer K. Lodge, vice chancellor for research at Washington University and the David T. Blasingame Professor, will leave the university at the end of the year. Lodge will be joining Duke University as vice president for research and innovation in January.

Kevin D. McKeegan, a scientist whose analyses of meteorites and other extraterrestrial materials from space has improved understanding of the processes and chronology of the early solar system, will deliver a free public talk in November as part of the Robert M. Walker Distinguished Lecture, sponsored by the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences.

Computer scientist Chenyang Lu at the McKelvey School of Engineering has been building bridges with doctors to improve patients’ health outcomes using engineering.

The McKelvey School of Engineering has launched a new Division of Engineering Education, headed by Jay Turner, to focus on world-class education for students and tools for faculty.

Seven Washington University faculty members have been honored with 2021 Emerson Electric Co. “Excellence in Teaching” awards.