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Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis recognized the achievements of five alumni and a special friend at 4 p.m. May 18 in the Arts & Sciences Laboratory Science Building. Edward S. Macias, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor, dean of Arts & Sciences and the Barbara and David Thomas Distinguished Professor in Arts & Sciences, presented Distinguished Alumni Awards to Mel F. Brown, J.D., (A.B. ’57, J.D. ’61); Alvin Rabushka, Ph.D., (A.B. ’62, M.A. ’66, Ph.D. ’68); Ronald M. Rettner (A.B. ’72); Pepper Schwartz, Ph.D., (A.B. ’67, M.A. ’69); and William Jay Smith (A.B. ’39, M.A. ’41). Macias also presented the Dean’s Medal to Harriet K. Switzer, Ph.D., secretary to WUSTL’s board of trustees, for her support and dedication to Arts & Sciences.

Tim Russert, managing editor and moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and political analyst for “NBC Nightly News” and the “Today” show, delivered Washington University’s 2007 Commencement address May 18 in Brookings Quadrangle. More than 14,000 people, including some 2,600 graduates, were on hand to hear Russert’s speech, titled “A View From Washington.”

The children are our future, said Tim Russert to the Class of 2007 during the 146th Commencement ceremony at Washington University in St. Louis. The host of NBC’s “Meet the Press” clarified, telling the audience of more than 14,000 that while this year’s some 2,600 graduates have done well and have the world at their feet, one of their real responsibilities is to take care of the world’s children and give them every opportunity to succeed. “If we are serious about remaining the world’s premier economic, military and moral force in the world, we have no choice. We need all of our children contributing, and prospering and competing,” Russert told the assembled crowd in Brookings Quadrangle during the May 18 ceremony.

Washington University’s 146th Commencement will be held at 8:30 a.m. Friday, May 18. The university will bestow degrees on more than 2,600 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. The university also will bestow honorary degrees on six individuals, including Tim Russert. Russert, managing editor and moderator of NBC’s “Meet the Press” and political analyst for “NBC Nightly News” and the “Today” show, will deliver the 2007 Commencement address. His talk is titled “A View From Washington.”

Jackson Baranyi, 8 months, reaches for a costumed character of “The Battling Bear,” the University mascot, to the delight of parents Deanna (’97) and Jeff Baranyi of Arvada, Colo. The family took part in a Baby Bears Brunch for children of the Class of 1997, held April 21 in the Women’s Building Formal Lounge.

Photo by Robert BostonGraduating medical student Leana Wen was selected through an essay contest to spend three weeks in Africa with a columnist for The New York Times before beginning a Rhodes Scholarship this fall.

The northeast corner of the parking lot and the fire lane south of the School of Law and the stairs between the Law School and the Knight Center will be closed through Aug. 3.

School of Medicine researchers found that in some cases, one spouse’s excesses with alcohol could protect the other from alcohol dependence.

Thomas M. Morgan, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics (PEFA), has received a three-year, $300,000 grant from the Children’s Discovery Institute for research titled “Consanguinity Mapping of Genes for Congenital Heart Disease.”… Henric S. Krawczynski, Ph.D., assistant professor of physics, has received a one-year, $150,000 grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for research titled “Test of 1.5cm and 3cm Thick CZT Detectors and Study of their Internal Backgrounds in High-altitude Balloon and Space Environments.”… David Gutmann, M.D., Ph.D., the Donald O. Schnuck Family Professor of Neurology, has received a one-year, $270,000 grant from the Brain Tumor Society for research titled “Identification of Key Genetic and Growth Control Pathway Changes in JPA that Represent Potential Molecular Targets for Therapeutic Intervention.” He also received a one-year, $40,000 grant from the Children’s Tumor Foundation to support the Neurofibromatosis Clinic. … Sachiko Amari, Ph.D., researcher in space sciences, has received a three-year, $55,000 grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for research titled “Search for the Carrier of Heavy Noble Gases in Meteorites.”

A School of Medicine study investigating bone loss in women with breast cancer who take aromatase inhibitors is seeking volunteers.