Newsroom Stories

What’s more important for a child’s success: Learning math or learning resiliency? Veteran journalist and educational reform advocate Paul Tough will discuss his new book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, at Washington University in St. Louis.

Gerald Early, director of the Center for the Humanities at Washington University in St. Louis, and Leslie Berlowitz, president of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, will host the third national meeting of the Academy’s blue-ribbon Commission on the Humanities and Social Sciences. The event, which will take place at the Missouri History Museum Sept. 7, will feature more than a dozen  local arts leaders testifying to the importance of the humanities and social sciences in public life and lifelong learning.

Researchers from the new interdisciplinary Center for Biological Systems Engineering at Washington University will host its inaugural symposium, sponsored by Lockheed Martin, from 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7, in Whitaker Hall, Room 100. Rohit V. Pappu, PhD, professor of biomedical engineering, directs the new center. Lockheed Martin is sponsoring the symposium.

New freshman Angela Lee wears a crown to signify her Brookings Residential College mascot, the “kings,” during Convocation Aug. 23. Incoming students sit with fellow members of their residential colleges during the annual orientation event, which formally welcomes new students and their parents into the WUSTL community. Festivities include a torchlight procession into Brookings Quadrangle for Ted Drewes.

First-day-of-school pictures — showing smiling little kids carrying brand-new backpacks — are an annual tradition for many families. Fortunately, for family members of WUSTL students, staff members are keeping the tradition alive. Part of  “First 40” programming, staff members take students’ photos and hand out free school supplies. Right, junior Jeannette Mundy is one of many upperclassmen who still observe the tradition.

William Chapman has been named as the Eugene Bricker Chair of Surgery at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Twenty-five WUSTL middle- and senior-level managers have been named to the 2012-13 Professional Leadership Academy & Network (PLAN), a yearlong professional development program. PLAN is intended to cultivate future WUSTL leaders who can contribute to university-wide initiatives and projects. (Right) PLAN participant Danielle Bristow, director of WUSTL’s First Year Center programs, talks to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton during an Aug. 22 reception.

The football team opens its 116th season of college football Friday, Aug. 31, at home against No. 1-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. at Francis Field.

Modern dance solos and duets will share the stage with hip hop, ballet, flamenco, West African and classical Indian dance when Washington University presents Dance CloseUp Sept. 6-8. The intimate, informal concert — which has helped launch St. Louis’ fall performing arts season since 1995 — showcases new and original works by dance faculty in the Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences.

Victoria J. Fraser, MD, has been named head of the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.