Newsroom Stories

WUSTL researcher Stanton Braude, Ph. D., lecturer in biology in Arts & Sciences, says the secret to a long life in humans might exist in the wrinkled body of one of the world’s ugliest animals — the naked mole rat.

Poet Thomas Sayers Ellis will read from his work at 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, for the Writing Program in Arts & Sciences. Ellis, a native of Washington, D.C., is the author of The Maverick Room (2005), a collection exploring the city’s social, geographical and historical neighborhoods. His Breakfast and Blackfist: Notes for Black Poets, is forthcoming from the University of Michigan Press’ Poets on Poetry Series.

The University marked the acquisition of its “One Hundred Years of Little Black Sambo” collection with a reception Oct. 12 at Olin Library. Most of the collection’s 234 items — which include books, puzzles, dishes, games and figurines — were created between 1899 and 1999.

Six faculty from the School of Medicine have been named fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest general scientific society. The highest honor awarded by AAAS, the rank of fellow is bestowed upon members by their peers in recognition of scientifically or socially distinguished efforts to advance science or its applications.

The Olin Business School has appointed a new associate dean and director of the undergraduate degree program. Jeff Cannon will take the reigns from Gary Hochberg on Jan. 1, 2008. Hochberg is stepping aside after overseeing the BSBA program for 25 years and helping it attain international recognition for excellence.

Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 astronaut and moonwalker, will discuss “A Journey to the Moon!” on Nov. 1 in Brookings Hall, Room 300, at Washington University. His talk, which is free and open to the public, will immediately follow a public ceremony at 2:30 p.m. in which he will present WUSTL Arts & Sciences senior Lonia Friedlander with a $10,000 scholarship from the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

• Lane closures are scheduled between the Highland Terrace bridge and Bellevue Avenue through Oct. 26. • Eager Road will be closed Oct. 27 at the I-170 intersection for the installation of a sewer line.

The Office of Human Resources has announced several enhancements to the health plans for faculty and staff that will be effective Jan. 1, 2008. It also will hold 14 informational meetings to give faculty and staff a chance to ask questions about health benefits during open enrollment, which begins Nov. 1 and ends Nov. 30.

The following incidents were reported to University Police Oct. 19 – Oct. 23. Readers with information that could assist in investigating these incidents are urged to call 935-5555. This information is provided as a public service to promote safety awareness and is available on the University Police Web site at police.wustl.edu. Oct 19 12:42 p.m. […]

Social activist and Black Entertainment Television commentator Jeff Johnson will present the annual Black Arts & Sciences Festival lecture at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 31 in Edison Theatre. His talk, sponsored by the University’s Assembly Series and the Association of Black Students, will suggest strategies for developing effective organizations for future leaders: “BECOME Activists: Building Effective Campus Organizations and Maintaining Excellence.”