Humanities & Society

Three beloved longtime Brown School faculty — representing 102 years of scholarship, research and collaboration — were elevated to new positions within the faculty April 2 during an installation ceremony in Brown Lounge.

Washington University will conduct a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony for the Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center at 4 p.m. Friday, April 11.

Rubelmann House residential adviser Michael Land is organizing farewell events for “Ruby” alumni and residents, starting on Saturday, April 12. Rubelmann will be replaced with a new residence hall, slated to open in August 2015.

On Friday, April 11, Washington University in St. Louis will break ground on the new Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center. The center is part of a $54 million renovation and expansion of the university Athletic Complex — the first significant update since 1985.

In an American Academy of Arts & Sciences report called “The Heart of the Matter,” the academy argues that the humanities and social sciences are necessary for a vibrant, competitive and secure nation. This is not the usual argument for the humanities, and that’s a good thing, according to WUSTL Provost Holden Thorp, PhD. He will give the annual Phi Beta Kappa/Sigma Xi lecture on April 17, titled “From Salesman to Hamletmachine: The Need for the Humanities.”

Celebration Weekend starts today and runs through Saturday, April 12. About 600 students and their families will tour campus, meet current students and faculty, learn more about research and academic opportunities and enjoy performances from a variety of multicultural groups.

Scallion pancakes, Strange donuts and deep-fried anything are among many delicacies to be dished out on campus this weekend during Thurtene, the nation’s oldest and largest student-run carnival. Rides, games and student performances will add to the fun.

Employees and students are encouraged to try different forms of alternative transportation to campus during Car-free Month. Events include free bike tune-ups, a self-guided Metro scavenger hunt to the South Grand neighborhood and the  inaugural Bikes in Bowles Block Party

A symposium exploring social and cultural issues at the intersection of professional sports, race, gender and sexual identity will attract leading scholars and book authors to Washington University in St. Louis on April 11.

The Brown School bestowed one Distinguished Faculty Award and five Distinguished Alumni Awards during its annual alumni awards celebration dinner March 26 at the Palladium Saint Louis. Among the five, two alumni were selected as outstanding Graduates of the Last Decade.