Humanities & Society

Legal scholar, author and political activist Lawrence Lessig, JD, is such a popular speaker that it’s challenging to get him for one lecture, so Washington University is doubly fortunate to present an Assembly Series talk by Lessig twice in one day – Thursday, Oct. 10 — on two different subjects.

As America’s longest war comes to an end, faculty and alumni experts share perspectives on the future of Afghanistan. Topics range from human rights to economic development, from the status of U.S. involvement to the lives of returning soldiers.

George Pepe, PhD, professor of classics in Arts & Sciences, received the David Hadas Teaching Award for his commitment to and excellence in teaching first-year undergraduates. On the WUSTL faculty for nearly 50 years, Pepe received the award Sept. 9 during the annual Arts & Sciences reception, held to celebrate the start of a new academic year, introduce new faculty and recognize the Hadas award winner.

Student Johnny Lee is bringing a taste of Washington University to his native Daejeon, South Korea. Lee just opened Johnny’s Pub, a place for pizza and pint. Beers on tap include Olin, Danforth, Wydown and Brookings. Lee studied business as a freshman, but returned home fulfill his military service obligation. He plans to come back (hopefully with a few growlers of the Brookings) once his service is complete.

New alternative Transportation Coordinator Andrew Heaslet is meeting with departments and individuals to help commuters find workable options. A new website also helps commuters discover easy ways to get from there to here.

A newly launched digital archive offers a fresh look at the poetry and writing process of Pulitzer Prize winner James Merrill.

Debra Haire-Joshu, PhD, associate dean for research in the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis, is looking for mothers between the ages of 18-45 with a child 2-4 years old to participate in a study. She wants to investigate whether new Parents as Teachers family wellness information encourages families to lead more active lifestyles and lose weight.

The Brown School community celebrated its expansion Sept. 24 with a ceremonial groundbreaking for an innovative new building of approximately 105,000-square feet set to open in the summer of 2015. When completed, the new facility will double the Brown School’s footprint on the Danforth Campus and bring the school, as Lawlor said in his remarks, into a “new era.”

Just a few days after the Affordable Care Act’s mandatory insurance component becomes law, the principal architect of the Massachusetts health care system and chief advisor to President Obama’s plan will be on campus to explain how it works and how it will benefit society. MIT economist and renowned health care expert Jonathan Gruber will deliver an Assembly Series lecture on “Health Care Reform: What It Is, Why It’s Necessary, How It Works” at 6 p.m. Friday, October 4 in Brown Hall Room 100 on the Washington University Danforth Campus.

Devoted to strengthening campus experience for all students, the Mosaic Project is developing a center for diversity and inclusion. The first of two town hall meetings takes place at 8 p.m. tonight, Sept. 25 in Wilson Hall.