Record

Today’s issue marks the last daily Record email of the academic year. Beginning Wednesday, May 29, the Record shifts into its summer schedule.

This morning, more than 2,700 degree candidates will gather in Brookings Quadrangle for the 152nd Commencement ceremony, surrounded by family and friends, to celebrate and remember before embarking on the next part of their journey. Newark, N.J., Mayor Cory A. Booker will deliver the commencement address.

At the 46th annual Eliot Society banquet, held April 30 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, members gathered to enjoy an evening of fine dining, engage in conversation and honor the members of the Steinberg and Weil families who were present to receive the society’s highest honor. They were also treated to an inspiring address by General Stanley A. McChrystal, the former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan and former commander of the Joint Special Operations Command that oversees the military’s most sensitive counter-terrorism units. ​​

The Class of 2013 has left its mark on Washington University in St. Louis, and now the graduates are preparing to step out and make an impression in the larger world. They are scholars and athletes, inventors and entrepreneurs. They have trained not only to succeed professionally, but to make a difference in their communities.

Two WUSTL graduate students are competing in a National Science Foundation essay contest, the Innovation in Graduate Education Challenge. They propose a new course to teach graduate students how to communicate their work to the general public. Vote for their idea online now through May 29.

Catherine “Kate” Appleton, MD, discusses her work as a breast cancer radiologist and how her patients, family and mentors have influenced her career.

A meeting to help Danforth Campus employers learn the process and benefits of hiring Federal Work-Study Program students as employees next fall will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 23, in Wilson Hall. Student Financial Services will host the meeting.

Edward S. Macias, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, offers graduates some thoughts on the meaning of commencement. He steps down as provost at the end of this academic year.

Jim Burmeister has been the director of Commencement for more than 40 years. On the eve of his retirement, he talks about logistics, tradition and Washington University culture.

Geetha Sant, JD, soon will become co-director of Washington University School of Law’s Intellectual Property & Nonprofit Organizations Law Clinic. She will begin her duties July 1, succeeding Peter H. Ruger, JD, who is retiring.