Arts & Sciences

Arthur Holly Compton, WashU’s ninth chancellor, conducted X-ray scattering experiments in 1922 that demonstrated the particle nature of electromagnetic radiation. At the time, the idea that light had both wave and particle properties was not easily accepted. His discovery stimulated the development of quantum mechanics and was recognized with the Nobel Prize in 1927.

After two years of pivot and patience, three reunion classes — the Classes of ’70, ’71 and ’72 — got together to celebrate 50th reunions at this year’s Commencement.

Andia Augustin-Billy, MA ’09, PhD ’15, was the first Black faculty member to receive tenure in the 196-year history of Centenary College. Now, she strives to be a mentor to younger faculty like she was mentored while she was at WashU.

As founder and CEO of City Winery, a national chain of music venues that offers wine and fine dining, Michael Dorf, AB ’84, BSBA ’84, has made it his mission to provide an experience that will “indulge the senses.”

Arts & Sciences students Sam Ko and Dev Mukundan earned full scholarships to attend the SEEDS Leadership Meeting this month at the Arizona Institute for Resilient Environments & Societies at the University of Arizona.

Manel Errando in Arts & Sciences is part of a team that determined that particle acceleration within black hole jets is best explained by a shock wave within the jet.

Patrick Hill, in Arts & Sciences, received a three-year $237,970 grant from Velux Stiftung, a Swiss science-funding foundation, for research on future time perspective as a motivator for healthy aging practices.

Combining experts in wildlife ecology, animal movement and veterinary medicine, the new Forest Park Living Lab examines wildlife health, behavior and interactions in the mosaic of ecosystems in Forest Park. The project received a Living Earth Collaborative seed grant in 2020.

The “Divided City” initiative at Washington University has awarded 2022 faculty collaborative grants to develop a documentary on local bus stops and to plan an Indigenous STL conference for summer 2023.

Philip Skemer, a professor in Arts & Sciences, won a $321,515 grant from the National Science Foundation to support collaborative research on subduction zones.