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Humanities & Society

WUSTL professor excavates ‘gold mine of archeology’ in China

An archeologist at Washington University in St. Louis is helping to reveal for the first time a snapshot of rural life in China during the Han Dynasty. The rural farming village of Sanyangzhuang was flooded by silt-heavy water from the Yellow River around 2,000 year ago. Working with Chinese colleagues, T.R. Kidder, PhD, professor and chair of anthropology in Arts & Sciences, is working to excavate the site, which offers a exceptionally well-preserved view of daily life in Western China more than 2,000 years ago.
Business & Entrepreneurship

Octogenarian receives diploma 63 years late

At age 84, James Martin Wybar of Philadelphia was the first in line to receive his diploma at Olin Business School’s 2010 Commencement May 21. Wybar is the oldest graduate in the school’s history. He finished his courses in 1947, but didn’t have time to collect his diploma until this year.

Staff Day 2010 offers an array of activities

Staff Day is back, and Danforth Campus employees are invited to relax, have fun and celebrate with co-workers Monday, May 24. Drawings, golf and tours are just a few of the many activities offered at Staff Day. 

John McDonnell, JSM Charitable Trust give $60 million to WUSTL

John F. McDonnell and the JSM Charitable Trust have made a $60 million gift commitment to Washington University in St. Louis, according to Stephen F. Brauer, chair of the Board of Trustees. Most of the gift — $48 million — will create the McDonnell Academic Excellence Fund. Income from this unrestricted endowed fund will enable the university to respond to new academic opportunities and to launch new initiatives that build on its strengths and maximize its impact on the world.  
Medicine & Health

Scientists decode DNA of microbes from humans

As part of the Human Microbiome Project (HMP), scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and their colleagues have decoded the genomes of 178 microbes from the human body, they report in the journal Science.
Campus & Community

‘Help save the world,’ Chu tells graduates

In a stirring address to Class of 2010 at Washington University’s 149th Commencement ceremony, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu says a second industrial revolution is needed to provide for the world’s future energy needs and urges graduates to “do something that matters and help save the world.”