Liz Colletta, longtime accounting employee, 55

Elizabeth Colletta, a WashU employee for 31 years, died April 15. She was shot at her St. Louis home in an incident of domestic violence. She was 55. As co-manager of Sponsored Projects Accounting, she helped manage nearly $1 billion in university awards, grants and contracts.

Knight appointed executive director of George and Carol Bauer Leaders Academy

Here and Next graphic
Andrew Knight, vice dean for education and globalization and professor of organizational behavior at Olin Business School, has been named executive director of WashU’s George and Carol Bauer Leaders Academy and senior advisor to the chancellor for leadership, effective July 1, announced Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. Knight succeeds Kurt Dirks, who has accepted an appointment at the University of Utah. 

Staff leadership program applications due May 31

Washington University in St. Louis staff members are encouraged to apply for the Emerging Leaders Program or the Leadership Excellence and Development Program. The programs further the missions of WashU Leads and the “Here and Next” strategic plan. The deadline is May 31.

‘The people we were meant to be’

WashU graduates of Prison Education Project
The School of Continuing & Professional Studies Prison Education Project held its first commencement May 16 at the Women’s Eastern Reception, Diagnostic and Correctional Center in Vandalia, Mo. The ceremony followed a May 15 commencement, the project’s third, at the Missouri Eastern Correctional Center for men in Pacific.

XL-Calibur telescope set for balloon flight from Arctic Circle

XL-Calibur
Scientists from Washington University in St. Louis are preparing to launch a balloon-borne telescope to unlock the secrets of astrophysical black holes and neutron stars. The telescope known as XL-Calibur could be launched from Esrange Space Center in Sweden as early as Wednesday, May 29.

Subtle cognitive decline precedes end to driving for older adults

older woman driving car
Even slight cognitive changes can affect an older person’s decision to stop driving, according to a new study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The findings suggest that routine cognitive testing could help older adults and their physicians make decisions about driving that maximizes safety while preserving independence as long as possible.