Newsroom Stories

Ophthalmologist Lawrence Tychsen examines a patient.A pediatric ophthalmologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and St. Louis Children’s Hospital conducts specialized testing and vision correction (refractive) surgery, on children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome and neurobehavioral disorders such as autism. To date, this is one of the only U.S. medical centers performing refractive surgery on these children and has the highest volume, operating on about 60 special-needs children a year. More…

WUSTL and Metro hope to determine the usage level of public transportation in the University community.

The Office of Human Resources has released the Fall 2006 edition of It’s Your Benefit, highlighting benefits information for all WUSTL employees.

Rhythms for Rebuilding is an a cappella benefit concert for Gulf Coast rebuilding, sponsored by Project SOS, the Office of Community Service and the WUSTL a cappella community. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 12 in Graham Chapel. All proceeds will benefit Common Ground, a New Orleans organization working to rebuild minority and disadvantaged neighborhoods.

The Board of Trustees of Washington University in St. Louis met Oct. 6 to discuss strategic planning, according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton. Three topics were considered: 1.) societal challenges that the University should address in the future, 2.) University constituencies and how well they are being served, and 3.) undergraduate enrollment issues.

Pulitzer Prize-winning fiction writer Steven Millhauser, the visiting Fannie Hurst Professor of Creative Literature in Washington University’s Writing Program in Arts & Sciences, will read from his work at 8 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 12. In addition, Millhauser will speak on the craft of fiction at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19.

Courtesy photoWilliam Jay SmithWilliam Jay Smith, a Washington University alumnus and former Poetry Consultant to the Library of Congress (the position now known as the U.S. Poet Laureate), will read from his work at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in Olin Library’s Ginkgo Reading Room. In addition, Smith will speak on “My Friend, Tom: Tennessee Williams in St. Louis” — recounting his time as a classmate of the great playwright and fellow Washington University alumnus — at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18, in Hurst Lounge, Room 201, Duncker Hall.

The Danforth Lecture Series continues on Monday, October 16 with a program featuring John Danforth on “Faith and Politics,” the title of his new book. The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at 4 p.m. in Graham Chapel. In his book, the three-term former Republican senator from Missouri and ordained Episcopal priest calls for moderation and tolerance in religious and political life, and a return to the separation of church and state. Decrying the narrow interpretations of religious orthodoxy, he supports an inclusive philosophy that embraces conflicting opinions and beliefs. A booksigning/reception will follow in Holmes Lounge.

Photo by David KilperMembers of the WUSTL community are encouraged to take part in WU Walks — lunchtime tours of the Danforth Campus — presented by Washington University Wellness Connection.

A WUSTL initiative is bringing Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) technology to students, faculty and staff and is responsible for offering the first formal introductory and follow-up GIS courses open to any major.