Author: Barbara Rea

The Assembly Series, Washington University in St. Louis’ signature lecture series, will open its fall program Sept. 7 with an event that kick-starts a universitywide, yearlong initiative to inhabit the rich and complex world of the 200-year-old story of “Frankenstein: or, The Modern Prometheus.”

Philanthropists Anne and John McDonnell became the 18th couple awarded the annual Jane and Whitney Harris St. Louis Community Service Award, which honors a St. Louis husband-and-wife team who contributed in an outstanding manner to the civic and cultural well-being of the region.

At the Chancellor’s Dinner for Graduating Seniors, held May 15 at the Marriott Grand Hotel, Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton presented 19 seniors with the university’s top student honors.

Eliot Society members gathered at their annual gala recently to celebrate 50 years of contributing time, talent and treasure to Washington University in St. Louis. This year’s recipient of the Search Award was John Biggs, an eminent economist, philanthropist and longtime trustee who has been instrumental in helping advance the institutional mission through a variety of roles and across several decades.

The university’s signature lecture series, the Assembly Series, unveils its spring 2017 semester schedule Feb. 2 with a presentation by renowned behavioral economist and TED talk favorite Dan Ariely.

Supreme Court expert Nina Totenberg will headline this year’s Founders Day celebration on Nov. 5 at St. Louis Union Station. Other highlights of the event include presentation of the university’s Distinguished Faculty Awards and Distinguished Alumni Awards.

This fall, the Assembly Series — the university’s signature lecture series since 1953 — includes several speakers who work toward advancing the cause of social justice. First up is Van Jones, activist and former green jobs adviser to President Obama, on Monday, Sept. 12.

Friends and family of Barry Weller will gather from 7 – 9 p.m. June 27 at the Webster Groves High School Auditorium for a celebration of his life. The Webster Groves High School Auditorium is located at 100 Selma Avenue.

Washington University in St. Louis is one of 10 American higher education institutions chosen to host the EducationUSA Academy this summer. The initiative, sponsored by the State Department and its cooperative partner, World Learning, provides an immersive environment designed to prepare high school students from around the globe who aspire to attend an American college or university.

Members of the Eliot Society, who provide the largest source of unrestricted support to Washington University, gathered at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel April 21. Former first lady Laura Bush was keynote speaker, and the society’s Search Award was presented this year to retired medical school dean Larry Shapiro. Eliot Society president Gil Bickel welcomed the group of 700 and introduced the keynote speaker, former First Lady Laura Bush, who is a life-long advocate for literacy and education.