Award-winning poet dies at 79

Donald Finkel, poet-in-residence emeritus of English in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008, of complications from Alzheimer’s disease at the Schuetz Manor in St. Louis County. He was 79. Finkel joined the Washington University community in 1960 with his wife, the late poet Constance Urdang. He was the author of more than a dozen books of poetry. An obituary will appear in the Dec. 4 issue of the Record.

Time for tea

A new weekly “Tuesday Tea at 3” program begins Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Danforth University Center (DUC). Faculty, staff and students are invited to come to the DUC each Tuesday afternoon from 3-5 p.m. for free tea, snacks and conversation. “I think this will be a great opportunity for members of the campus community […]

Vitamin A deficiency influences nerve development in the bowel

In their efforts to understand the cells involved in normal bowel function, researchers at the School of Medicine have found that a common nutrient — Vitamin A, or its metabolite, retinoic acid — has a direct effect on the development of nerve cells, or neurons, in the bowel wall that control gastrointestinal function.

Trustees grant faculty promotions, tenure

At recent Board of Trustees meetings, the following faculty members were promoted with tenure, appointed with tenure or granted tenure effective July 1, 2008, unless otherwise noted. Appointment with tenure Ross C. Brownson, Ph.D., as professor of social work Kathryn Anne Dean, as associate professor of architecture, effective Aug. 1, with tenure effective Oct. 3. […]

Book on Biblical humor is ‘gospel according to Peters’

To most, the Bible is a somber work, full of such serious melodramas as Abraham intent on carving up his son at God’s demand, Job enduring his many burdensome troubles, and powerful, piercing language, such as the immortal line: Jesus wept. To David A. Peters, Ph.D., McDonnell Douglas Professor of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, the Bible indeed is a beautiful work that is sprinkled liberally with, at times, rollicking humor. Peters, whose academic expertise is aeronautics, particularly helicopter mechanics, has written a book, The Many Faces of Biblical Humor (Hamilton Books, 2008) that overwhelmingly backs his claim.

Construction update

Construction Update is published periodically and provides information about the progress of major building and renovation projects. Information is provided to the Record by facilities management. Danforth Campus South 40 utilities Chiller and cooling tower bids are under analysis. The sewer at Beaumont and Rubelmann houses is 50 percent completed. Workers continue to install louvers […]
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