The American dream still possible, but more difficult to achieve, students discover

In a modern society struggling to loose the grip of a lengthy economic recession, is the American dream really attainable? The dream may still be possible, though much more difficult to achieve, say a renowned macroeconomist and one of America’s foremost experts on poverty, co-teachers of a course on the American Dream this semester at Washington University in St. Louis.

Emerson Charitable Trust commits gift for auditorium in Olin Business School’s new Knight Hall

At the groundbreaking ceremony May 7 on Washington University’s Danforth Campus for two new buildings — Knight Hall and Bauer Hall — needed to address the growth of the Olin Business School’s graduate business education programs, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton announced a commitment of $3 million from Emerson Charitable Trust. Emerson’s gift is designated for an auditorium for the growing number of special events, lectures, conferences, and student activities offered by Olin. The 300-seat venue will be located on the first floor of Knight Hall.

Model of mentoring

The Graduate Student Senate of Arts & Sciences honored seven faculty members with Outstanding Faculty Mentor Awards during its 13th annual awards ceremony and reception April 11 in the Women’s Building Formal Lounge. The awards recognize faculty members whose dedication to mentoring PhD students and commitment to excellence in graduate training have made a significant contribution to the quality of life and professional development of students in the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Special recognition for excellence in mentoring went to nine other faculty members at the ceremony.

Outstanding Graduate David Levine:School of Medicine

David Levine is a former high school teacher who saw a need to serve people with limited access to health care. The Record’s Outstanding Graduate from the School of Medicine, he will graduate May 18 with a medical degree and is headed to New York University in July to begin a residency in internal medicine-primary care.

Inaugural Ferencz essay contest at Washington University School of Law focuses on crimes against humanity

Individuals interested in addressing the relationship between crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression are invited to participate in the inaugural Benjamin B. Ferencz Essay Competition hosted by the Whitney R. Harris World Law Institute at Washington University School of Law. Contestants are encouraged to register for the competition at the competition’s website as soon as possible. The deadline for submission of entries is Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, at 5 p.m. (Central Daylight Time).

Forsyth to close this summer during replacement of underpass to South 40

Forsyth Boulevard between Olympian Way and Wallace Drive will be closed to through traffic from May 22 through August as WUSTL partners with the city of Clayton to replace the Forsyth bridge. Construction will officially begin on the project in late May following Commencement. Forsyth is anticipated to reopen in August, which is planned to coincide with the reopening of the underpass to pedestrian traffic.

Outstanding Graduate Vivian Gibson: University College in Arts & Sciences

A lifetime of entrepreneurship and tenacity drives Vivian Gibson, senior director of volunteer recruitment at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri. Gibson, the Record‘s Outstanding Graduate from University College in Arts & Sciences. will receiver her master’s degree in nonprofit management May 18.

Washington University School of Law goes online with LLM in U.S. Law

Washington University School of Law will begin offering its Master of Laws in U.S. Law for Foreign Lawyers (LLM) in a new and innovative online format. Called @WashULaw, the program is the first and only top-tier online LLM in U.S. law. @WashULaw will allow foreign lawyers to complete an LLM degree in U.S. law without leaving their law practices or relocating to the United States.

Privacy law expert warns of the perils of social reading

The Internet and social media have opened up new vistas for people to share preferences in films, books and music. Services such as Spotify and the Washington Post Social Reader already integrate reading and listening into social networks, providing what Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg calls “frictionless sharing.” “But there’s a problem. A world of automatic, always-on disclosure should give us pause,” says Neil M. Richards, JD, privacy law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis.