Campus & Community

Graduate student speaker Donald Gerke’s Commencement speech will focus on the importance of perseverance, finding strength to continue working in challenging times, and the importance of continuing to push for social justice throughout students’ lives.

In an effort to better accommodate pedestrians and cyclists, Washington University in St. Louis will replace the Forest Park Parkway bridge with a new bridge that is wider, safer and easier to access. Demolition work on the current bridge will begin Monday, May 21. The new bridge is set to open in October.

Images from in and around the Washington University campuses.

How five Langsdorf Scholars in the School of Engineering & Applied Science kept searching for an answer to an urgent global problem: clean water for children. Their project, WOOTA, draws moisture from the air and re-condenses it into drinking water. The prototype was recognized as the winner of the 2016 Discovery Competition.

To prepare for a career treating and studying global malnutrition, Zach Linneman has completed the post-baccalaureate premedical program in University College in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. It’s another step toward his goal of alleviating childhood hunger and he’s another of our Class Acts of 2018.

A variety of distinguished speakers, faculty members and student leaders will take part in Commencement-related events for Class of 2018 graduates and their families and guests next week at Washington University in St. Louis.

Sarah C.R. “Sally” Elgin, of Arts & Sciences, knew from an early age that she wanted to be a scientist. In her time at Washington University, the Viktor Hamburger Professor has worked to make sure kids like her would be encouraged to pursue science.

Jessi Gray graduates this month with a degree in computer science from the School of Engineering & Applied Science and is one of four valedictorians. It’s an impressive achievement, but not the one that matters. After struggling with identity for years, Gray is proudly living her life as a transgender woman.

The Brown School’s Najjuwah Walden, once of the system, aims to take on institutional violence as part of the system. Her post-graduate career will focus on reproductive and sexual health, particularly as it relates to institutional racism and economic stability.

From peer leadership in a groundbreaking campus group to netting a legendary goal for the women’s soccer team, Megan Wolf, math major, worked many angles to make Washington University a better place than she found it.