Founders Day 2011

Alumni and friends gathered for the Founders Day dinner Nov. 5, 2011, at the St. Louis Union Station Marriott. Doris Kearns Goodwin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, was this year’s guest speaker.

Pions don’t want to decay into faster-than-light neutrinos, study finds

In the December 24 issue of Physical Review Letters, WUSTL physicist Ramanath Cowsik and his collaborators put their finger on a problem with the now-famous OPERA experiment that reported faster-than-light, or superluminal, neutrinos last September. Cowsik raises theoretical considerations that would make the creation of superluminal neutrinos impossible.

WUSTL celebrates Martin Luther King Day

The 25th annual Martin Luther King Jr. commemoration will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, in Graham Chapel. This year’s theme is “Creating a Community of Access, Inclusion and Excellence for All … Fear is Not an Option.” WUSTL alumnus Ron Himes, founder of the St. Louis Black Repertory Company, will be presented with the Rosa L. Parks Award for Meritorious Service to the Community.

Campuswide blood drive set for Jan. 31

Washington University’s next campuswide blood drive will take place Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012, at eight locations throughout all WUSTL campuses and at a variety of times to accommodate busy schedules. Collection also is taking place Jan. 30 on the Medical Campus.

Moving Brian Brooks dance piece Motor makes ‘spirit soar’

With the delicacy of a spider web and the rigorous logic of a chain reaction, three miles of sky blue cord stretch outward from the stage and into the seats, enveloping dancers and audience alike. Choreographer Brian Brooks is known for creating works defined by their cheeky wit, audacious visuals and superhuman endurance. In January, the Brian Brooks Moving Company will present Motor, a major new piece exploring notions of time, entropy and perpetual movement, as part of the Edison Ovations Series.

Making the most of winter break

Sleep may be priority No. 1 for many college students who are finishing finals and returning home for winter break. Advisers from the Career Center at Washington University in St. Louis suggest students use the time, not only to recharge, but to reflect and self-evaluate. The extended break is an ideal time to think about options, update resumes, network and put career plans into action.

Students get up-close view of Israeli high-tech innovation

With a concentration of high-tech startups second only to America, Israel — which has the second-most number of companies on the NASDAQ stock exchange — is considered the world’s next Silicon Valley. Twelve students from Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis will get a chance to view that innovation up close when they travel to Israel Jan. 5-12, 2012 as part of a venture advising course aimed at exploring the country’s venture capital market.

Richard Stang, professor emeritus of English, 86

Richard Stang, PhD, professor emeritus of English in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died Dec. 14, 2011, of pancreatic cancer. He was 86. Stang specialized in 19th-century English literature, particularly the Victorian period.

Marketing trends in 2012: viral promotion, product placement, crowdsourcing

Traditional product advertising — full-page magazine ads and 30-second television commercials — may be going the way of the rotary phone. Emerging concepts such as crowdsourcing, viral Internet campaigns, product placements and guerilla promotions will dominate the marketing and advertising landscape in 2012 and beyond, says a marketing expert at Washington University in St. Louis.

Toys for Tots 2011

Students, faculty and staff at the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis assist the Marine Corps with their annual Toys for Tots drive to help families in the St. Louis area. Monica Matthieu, PhD, research assistant professor at the Brown School, and SSgt. Scott Hogle, USMC, comment on the school’s successful effort.