William H. Danforth

There are lots of kindly encomiums for persons of distinction: brilliant, wonderful, generous and so on. But it is a rare person who can be described as great. Dr. Danforth was such a person. He was great, truly great.

Mary Langston Parker, MD, a dedicated physician, researcher and director of student health services at Washington University, died Saturday, May 24, 2014, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Parker was an associate professor emeritus of preventive medicine and a mother of five.

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton has announced the creation of new four-year fellowships in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, made possible by a generous gift from William H. Danforth. Danforth hopes the new fellowships will attract highly motivated students to this field of study and foster a culture of intellectual entrepreneurship focused on research and innovation in plant sciences.

Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth, MD, spoke about the contributions of Robert S. Brookings to Washington University, St. Louis and the United States during the June 23 dedication of the Brookings star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Brookings served as president of WUSTL’s Board of Trustees from 1895-1928. Brookings’ star is located on the corner of Delmar and Skinker boulevards, just outside WUSTL’s Corner Building.

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.

Washington University’s Hilltop Campus officially takes the name “Danforth Campus” during a dedication ceremony recognizing the role that Chancellor Emeritus William H. “Bill” Danforth, the late Elizabeth “Ibby” Gray Danforth, the Danforth family and the Danforth Foundation have played in the evolution of Washington University in St. Louis. The ceremony is from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, in Graham Chapel.