Newsroom Stories

After 24-plus years of serving the university in Public Affairs and the chancellor’s office as associate vice chancellor and chief of staff to Mark Wrighton, Steve Givens is retiring. Here’s a look back, and a look forward to his next stage of life.

Nebraska’s legislature, assisted by research and guidance from Washington University in St. Louis, on May 24 unanimously  approved a universal Child Development Account (CDA) policy that will cover every resident born in the state on or after Jan. 1, 2020. Margaret Clancy, policy director for the Center for Social Development at the Brown School, advised lawmakers on the policy.

The Academy of Science-St. Louis recently honored Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton for his leadership in science and three researchers at the School of Medicine — Susan K. Dutcher, Anne M. Fagan and Samantha A. Morris — for their work as outstanding scientists.

On May 22, the Washington University Prison Education Project (PEP) conducted its first Commencement at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center in Pacific, Missouri. Joe Angeles, director of Washington University Photo Services, documented the day.

Musicologist Todd Decker, of Arts & Sciences and author of “Hymns for the Fallen: Combat Movie Music and Sound After Vietnam” (2017), examines how films such as “Platoon,” “Apocalypse Now,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “The Hurt Locker” shape how audiences view soldiers, veterans and the experience of war.

A gift from Walter Metcalfe Jr. and his wife, Cynthia, will support the work of School of Medicine child psychiatrist Joan Luby, MD, and her collaborators. The gift was inspired by promising early findings suggesting interventions to address the impact of toxic stress on the long-term behavioral and mental health of children.

The $44 million, 15-month renovation of 4340 Duncan in the Cortex Innovation District is nearly complete, and demonstrates the connection, collaboration and community partnership taking place around innovation and entrepreneurship in the St. Louis region.

Washington University in St. Louis has admitted 49 rising high school sophomores to its innovative College Prep Program, a multiyear initiative that prepares high-achieving students with limited financial resources for college. Recent graduates of the program have been admitted to Yale, John Hopkins, Spelman and Washington University and have received millions in scholarship offers.

A new study led by the School of Medicine has found that proton therapy is associated with fewer severe side effects than conventional X-ray radiation therapy for many cancer patients.

In his message to fellow graduates at Commencement, comic book fan and Senior Class President Joey Vettiankal shared the many parallels between the Marvel universe and Washington University. Vettiankal earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Arts & Sciences.