Washington University

Richard Epstein and bell hooks will speak Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, respectively.

In his book, the three-term former Republican senator from Missouri and ordained Episcopal priest calls for moderation and tolerance in religious and political life, and a return to the separation of church and state.

The Danforth Lecture Series continues on Monday, October 16 with a program featuring John Danforth on “Faith and Politics,” the title of his new book. The event is free and open to the public. It will be held at 4 p.m. in Graham Chapel. In his book, the three-term former Republican senator from Missouri and ordained Episcopal priest calls for moderation and tolerance in religious and political life, and a return to the separation of church and state. Decrying the narrow interpretations of religious orthodoxy, he supports an inclusive philosophy that embraces conflicting opinions and beliefs. A booksigning/reception will follow in Holmes Lounge.

Matthew Shepard’s murder in 1998 resulted in a public outcry that brought hate crimes to the forefront of the national consciousness.

As part of Washington University’s celebration of the Danforth Campus dedication, and to underscore the important role of higher education in society, a lecture series will debut on October 3. The first presentation, “Medicine & Society,” will feature Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth, M.D. He will be joined by leading St. Louis medical and health policy experts at 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 3, in Graham Chapel. The event is free and open to the public, and will conclude with a reception in the Women’s Building Lounge.

Judy Shepard, the mother of the late Matthew Shepard who was murdered for being gay, will discuss “The Legacy of Matthew Shepard” at 8 p.m. Oct. 3 in Graham Chapel. The talk is free and open to the public, although priority seating will be given to Washington University students.

Photo by Joe AngelesEliot Society President Robert L. Virgil, Ph.D., presents the *Search* Award to Murray L. Weidenbaum, Ph.D., April 26.He’s one of the country’s most acclaimed economists and a distinguished WUSTL professor for more than 40 years; the Search is the Eliot Society’s highest honor.

WeidenbaumMurray L. Weidenbaum, one of the country’s most acclaimed economists and a distinguished Washington University professor for more than 40 years, received the Eliot Society’s highest honor at the 39th annual William Greenleaf Eliot Society dinner on April 26. The event was held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Clayton and included a keynote address by the celebrated Irish singing sensation Ronan Tynan.

Arye Nehorai, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering in the School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS) at Washington University, was installed as the Eugene and Martha Lohman Professor on March 7, in a ceremony in Whitaker Hall.

The professorship is a gift of the late William H. Matheson, a professor of comparative literature and a member of the Committee on Comparative Literature.