Artist Michael Joo, architect Lola Sheppard and designer Rob Giampietro are among the international array of cutting-edge visual thinkers who will visit St. Louis as part of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts’ spring Public Lecture Series. In all, the series, which begins Feb. 3, will feature 16 presentations by renowned artists, architects, curators and designers.

The process of truly connecting with others — no matter their differences — can be challenging, even difficult at times. Columnist and filmmaker Aisha Sultan will explore the theme of embracing others during her upcoming keynote for the university’s annual Day of Dialogue & Action on Feb. 18.

Angie L. Leahy, assistant director of tax at Washington University in St. Louis, has been named associate vice chancellor for finance and controller, announced Amy B. Kweskin, vice chancellor for finance and chief financial officer. Leahy’s appointment took effect Jan. 1.

Chancellor Andrew D. Martin will deliver the keynote address at Washington University in St. Louis’ Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 20, in Graham Chapel.

The spring session of the Public Interest Law & Policy Speakers Series kicks off at 3 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, in Anheuser-Busch Hall, with a chat with constitutional experts Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the School of Law at University of California, Berkeley, and Lyrissa Lidsky, dean of the University of Missouri School of Law, discussing the future of free speech.

Beverly Wendland, the James B. Knapp Dean of the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences at Johns Hopkins University, has been appointed provost of Washington University in St. Louis, effective July 1, according to Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.

As university archivist, Sonya Rooney is charged with keeping track of the university’s institutional history as well as helping people find answers to their research questions.

As the spring semester kicked off, Parking & Transportation Services at Washington University in St. Louis announced changes in the east end garage, WashU Rides and a revamped campus shuttle system.

A number of updates to safety and security programs at Washington University will go into effect during the spring semester. The improvements are based on recommendations from the Public Safety Working Group that was convened last fall by Chancellor Andrew D. Martin following a spike in crime in neighborhoods near the Danforth Campus. 

Washington University’s Jerome Cox and Jack H. Ladenson join a small but distinguished group of fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, the highest professional distinction accorded solely to academic inventors.