News

Washington University has renewed its commitment to the American Talent Initiative (ATI)’s Accelerating Opportunity campaign, a nationwide effort to graduate an additional 50,000 low- and moderate-income students from ATI member colleges and universities by 2025.

The first time Joe Beggs graduated from Washington University, he was alone in his St. Louis apartment, watching Chancellor Andrew D. Martin’s recorded address on YouTube. “It was hardly the Commencement I dreamed about,” Beggs said. “When Andrew Martin said, ‘Will the graduates please stand?’ I stood up in my boxers and my cap and flipped my tassel. Today was better.”  

At the 160th Commencement — a Commencement like no other in the storied history of Washington University in St. Louis — National Basketball Association great and social justice advocate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar told members of the Class of 2021 to write their own story — but to make sure it went beyond themselves.

Washington University in St. Louis alumnus and emeritus trustee John Dains has made an $8 million commitment to support an undergraduate student success fund at his alma mater, announced Chancellor Andrew D. Martin.

Chancellor Andrew D. Martin and four other faculty members of Washington University in St. Louis were elected members of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, the academy announced April 22. The others are Deanna Barch, John Baugh, Pascal Boyer and Holden Thorp.

Julie L. Gerberding, MD, the first woman to serve as director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), will deliver the address to the returning graduates, Chancellor Andrew D. Martin announced in a video message to members of the class.

NBA great and social justice advocate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar will deliver the 2021 Commencement address for Washington University in St. Louis, Chancellor Andrew D. Martin announced in a video message to members of the class.

Julie Hail Flory, interim vice chancellor for public affairs at Washington University in St. Louis, has been appointed vice chancellor for marketing and communications, effective April 1, according to Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. Flory succeeds Jill D. Friedman, who left the position in December 2019.

Anna Gonzalez, vice president for student affairs and dean of students at Harvey Mudd College, has been appointed vice chancellor for student affairs at Washington University in St. Louis, effective July 1, according to Chancellor Andrew D. Martin. Gonzalez will succeed Lori S. White, who left the position last July to become president of DePauw University.

With an aim to be bold, transformative and collaborative, Washington University in St. Louis has officially begun its strategic planning process to develop a roadmap that will guide the university’s future over the next decade. “WashU Strategic Planning: Defining Our Vision for Washington University’s Future” will be an 18-month endeavor, heavily informed by feedback from members of the university and St. Louis communities.