Civil rights era preserved through film archive at Washington University

The film adaptation of Kathryn Stockett’s The Help, which opens nationwide today, Aug. 10, depicts a fictional slice of the 1960s Civil Rights movement. Washington University in St. Louis holds one of the largest archives of civil rights media in the United States, thanks to the Henry Hampton collection and Eyes on the Prize: America’s Civil Rights Years, 1954-1965, a six-episode documentary on the American civil rights movement.

New Bank of America location opens at Mallinckrodt

WUSTL and Bank of America administrators applaud during a speech by Amy Kweskin (center), university treasurer, after a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 20 at the new Bank of America location on the first floor, east end, of Mallinckrodt Center — next to the Bank of America ATM. The full-service branch previously was located on Mallinckrodt Center’s second floor.

Exploring engineering

St. Louis-area high school student Anjali Fernandes creates a wind turbine during the School of Engineering & Applied Science’s “Explore Engineering” program July 26. The program grew out of a conversation between students who belong to the National Society of Black Engineers and Ralph Quatrano, PhD, dean and the Spencer T. Olin Professor, and seeks to give underrepresented groups exposure to engineering and to the university.

Scientists have new help finding brain’s nooks and crannies

Brain myelin maps
Like explorers mapping a new planet, scientists probing the brain need every type of landmark they can get. Each mountain, river or forest helps scientists find their way through the intricacies of the human brain. Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have developed a new technique that provides rapid access to brain landmarks formerly only available at autopsy.

Dresser appointed to NIH advisory committee

Rebecca Dresser, JD, the Daniel Noyes Kirby Professor of Law and professor of ethics in medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, has been appointed to the Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee of the National Institutes of Health. The committee serves a critical role in the oversight of federally funded research involving recombinant DNA.  

Danforth University Center birthday event Aug. 11

The Danforth University Center turns 3 years old this summer, and the DUC is hosting a birthday celebration at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, at Graham Memorial Chapel on the university’s Danforth Campus. The event is open to the public.