Newsroom Stories

The dark clouds of volcanic ash that have closed airports and stranded travelers for days on end may have a silver lining, suggests an expert on human creativity from Washington University in St. Louis. Like it or note, stranded travelers around the globe are suddenly finding themselves with a lot of unscheduled time on their hands, and idle time is a key ingredient to becoming more creative in your personal and professional lives.

Congress recently passed the much anticipated and greatly debated health reform legislation, but what does this mean for the St. Louis region and the rest of the country? The Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis will host a public panel discussion titled “What to Expect from Health Reform: Implications for the Region and the Nation,” at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 28, in Steinberg Hall Auditorium.

The Center for the Humanities in Arts & Sciences has announced its first grant recipients for two newly established programs: the Faculty Seminar Grants and the Reading Group Grants for Faculty and Graduate Students.

Washington University in St. Louis School of Law celebrated the outstanding achievements of six individuals at the annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner April 9 in the Crowder Courtyard of Anheuser-Busch Hall.

Should movies and television shows be free on the Internet? Which business models will benefit artists, producers and distributors? Questions such as these are being pondered in a popular course at Olin Business School, “The Economics of Entertainment.” Industry executives visit the class to provide corporate insights about the challenges facing film and music makers in the Internet age.

“The myth is a public dream.” So argues playwright Mary Zimmerman in Metamorphoses, her hypnotic, Tony Award-winning adaptation of myths by the Roman poet Ovid. Beginning Friday, April 23 and for two consecutive weekends, the Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences will present Metamorphoses, perhaps the most acclaimed theatrical work of the last decade, as its spring Mainstage production. 

Washington University in St. Louis has released its Strategic Plan for Environmentally Sustainable Operations. The plan details the university’s sustainability achievements, aspirations and challenges in terms of energy and water use, food sources, recycling and transportation, among others.

The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) honored seven faculty members with Outstanding Faculty Mentor Awards for their dedication to graduate students and commitment to excellence in graduate training. Special recognition for excellence in mentoring went to 14 other faculty members during GSS’ 11th annual awards ceremony and reception, held April 14 in the Danforth University Center.

More than 80,000 people are expected to attend the annual Thurtene Carnival Friday through Sunday, April 23-25. The event, which features carnival rides, games, food, theater, dance and music, is the oldest and largest student-run carnival in the United States.

More than 200 people participated in the Take Steps for Kids 5k run/walk April 17 to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters. Hosted by the Wash U Undergraduate Running Club, the race began and ended in Brookings Quadrangle. All proceeds from the race were donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri.