Campus & Community

Senior Class President Joey Vettiankal abandoned his plans to be a doctor after observing the 2016 presidential debate at Washington University. “That’s when I realized that science had always been my interest, but politics and public policy are my passion,” said Vettiankal, who will pursue a career in law after graduation.

Terri Williams is taking her master’s degree in American culture studies from University College in Arts & Sciences, along with a passion for teaching and inspiring young people, right back into neighboring University City.

Getting a job requires more than hard work, said Mark Smith, dean of career services. It also takes a little luck. Olin Business School alumna Melanie Berkowitz learned that lesson the hard way after applying for 40 jobs.

Once undocumented, Brown’s Robert Sagastume is advocating for policies and laws that will help immigrants access higher education. Expanded access is a win-win for us all, Sagastume says. “Latinx people are very community oriented and often pursue careers in nursing and teaching — positions that are going unfilled in our state. Why wouldn’t you want to leverage all of that potential to benefit our state?”

James Schisler grew up 100 miles west of St. Louis in St. James, Mo., population 4,216. When only one-fifth of his high school class returned to college their sophomore year, Schisler was determined to find out why. He believes cohort programs, like the ones he belonged to, can help rural students access the support and resources they need.

Washington University in St. Louis will award seven honorary degrees during its 158th Commencement May 17. During the ceremony, which will begin at 8:30 a.m. in Brookings Quadrangle on the Danforth Campus, the university will bestow academic degrees on approximately 3,400 members of the Class of 2019.

Entering college, Haley Allen knew she wanted to join ROTC so she could be an officer in the U.S. Army. But an ROTC trip Tanzania sparked a passion for Swahili and East African culture and history. She graduates this month with a degree in international studies and hopes to serve in Africa after completing helicopter training at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Guangming Zhao thought he just wanted to do basic research when he came to Washington University to work on his PhD. Then he discovered his mission: to help people. His goal is to create the best imaging sensor in the world that will ultimately be able to detect diseases that current ultrasound machines can’t.

Cities are both a leading cause and victim of global climate change, but they also hold great promise. In the first installment of Class Acts, a series celebrating the Class of 2019, seniors Marissa Lerner and Alexis Vidaurreta share their optimism and respective visions for cities that protect people and resources.

Michael R. Bloomberg, 108th mayor of New York City and founder of Bloomberg LP and Bloomberg Philanthropies, will deliver the 2019 Commencement address May 17 at Washington University in St. Louis, according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton.