Newsroom Stories

Photo by Irene LindgrenEgon Schwarz, Ph.D. (left), the Rosa May Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in the Humanities and professor emeritus of German in Arts & Sciences, is presented the Austrian Great Cross of Merit by Eva Nowotny, Austrian ambassador to the United States, in a ceremony Sept. 17 at the Austrian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

The stock market might be nervous due to the subprime loan mess, but Stuart Greenbaum, Ph.D., former dean and Bank of America Professor Emeritus of Managerial Leadership for the Olin Business School, is bullish on the situation. Despite the circumstances, this is not a time to panic, says Greenbaum.

Photo by Robert BostonMary Klingensmith, is part mentor, part den mother, part disciplinarian

To help curb the expanding waist lines of her constituents, south Los Angeles City Councilwoman Jan Perry has proposed a two-year moratorium on new fast food restaurants in her district. If enacted in Los Angeles, or any other American city for that matter, would the plan work? Don’t count on it, says Connie Diekman, R.D., director of University nutrition and president of the American Dietetic Association.

The Center for the Study of Ethics and Human Values is sponsoring and essay contest “Are Rules Made to be Broken?” Students are invited to submit essays about the issue of cheating in sports.

Judy Pfaff, *Neither Here Nor There,* 2003.Judy Pfaff is one of the most celebrated artists of her generation, known for crafting large-scale installations that combine local materials with elements of painting, sculpture and architecture. In October Pfaff — a 1971 graduate of Washington University — will return to St. Louis to discuss her work for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts’ fall Visiting Artist Lecture Series.

What mental impact do disasters have on victims?Hurricanes, earthquakes and other major disasters take their toll not only on buildings and infrastructure, but also on the mental health of victims and volunteers. Monica M. Matthieu, Ph.D., disaster mental health expert, says, “It is important to realize that the community relationships and social network that we have before a disaster is the one that we will draw on for support and care after a disaster.” She is available to discuss the impact of disasters on victims, mental health professionals and volunteers; volunteering after a disaster; important disaster-related community resources; and how to develop a community network before a disaster.

Active guidance is key when helping kids make diet and exercise changes, according to a new study.A little health information is not enough to help obese children get into better shape, according to a recent analysis. Moreover, children who do not receive an offer for intervention or who receive information only tend to experience weight gains. Children given guidance that is more direct get into better shape, according to the review. “Providers make the assumption that providing information leads to changes,” said Denise Wilfley, Ph.D., lead author and professor in the department of psychiatry at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “Providing information is a necessary component, but it’s not sufficient.”

Jeri Sedlar, author of “Don’t Retire, Rewire!” will lead an interactive session to help people define what kind of work is best for their retirement given their passions and interests, and how to go about obtaining it. The talk will take place Friday, Oct. 5, 2007 at 4 p.m. in Simon Hall’s May Auditorium on the Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis.

Lane closures scheduled through Sept. 28.