Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton and McDonnell Scholars to ring Wall Street’s opening bell March 10

On Monday, March 10, Washington University in St. Louis Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton, McDonnell International Scholars Academy director James V. Wertsch and 10 students from 10 different countries will ring the New York Stock Exchange’s opening bell at 9:30 a.m. EST. The students are all members of WUSTL’s McDonnell Academy.

Headquartered at Washington University in St. Louis, the McDonnell International Scholars Academy enrolls exceptional international graduate and professional students from partner institutions across all graduate disciplines at the university. The McDonnell Academy not only provides them rigorous graduate instruction in their chosen degree areas but, uniquely, also steeps them in a cultural, political and social education program designed to prepare them as future leaders knowledgeable about the United States, other countries and critical international issues.

The goals of the Academy are to:

• Provide an opportunity for talented international graduate and professional students to join the Washington University community

• Provide an on-campus experience that assists scholars in understanding U.S. culture, history, and politics, as well as international issues

• Build stronger ties between Washington University and leading research universities around the world

• Strengthen relationships between Washington University in St. Louis and alumni, parents, friends, corporations, and governments of the scholars’ countries

Those helping to ring the bell March 10 are:

Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton

James V. Wertsch, Ph.D., director of the McDonnell International Scholars Academy

Tya Agastya (Indonesia)

Moshe Barak (Israel)

Wei-Jen Chua (Taiwan)

Vikram Govindan (India)

Hye Young Kim (Korea)

Ekrem Mehmet Morali (Turkey)

Chiaki Sato (Japan)

Karavikar Svetasreni (Thailand)

Tsz Nga Wong (Hong Kong)

Ming Zu (China)

Washington University in St. Louis

Founded in 1853, Washington University, a medium-sized, independent university, is dedicated to challenging its faculty and students alike to seek new knowledge and greater understanding of an ever-changing, multicultural world. The University is counted among the world’s leaders in teaching and research, and draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 125 nations. The University is highly regarded for its commitment to excellence in learning. Its programs, administration, facilities, resources, and activities combine to further its mission of teaching, research and service to society.

Washington University’s 11,010 full-time students represent all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. There are also nearly 2,400 part-time students. Students and faculty come from over 125 countries around the world. Approximately 90 percent of undergraduates come from outside Missouri; nearly 60 percent come from more than 500 miles away.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Washington University’s undergraduate programs 12th in the nation for 2007. Twenty Washington University graduate and professional programs are ranked in the top 10. The School of Medicine is tied for number four in the nation, and 13 of the departments and programs in medicine are ranked in the top 10.

Editor’s Note: The New York Stock Exchange events website will have photos and a video of the bell ringing by 10:30 a.m. EST March 10. Broadcast quality high-resolution video will be available through Ascent Loop #1630 or by calling (212) 656-5483. WUSTL Public Affairs will have high-resolution photographs available the morning of March 11.