WUSTL announced it is joining with 15 Asian universities on a new global education and research program, the McDonnell International Scholars Academy. The school has received a $10 million endowment commitment from John F. McDonnell, retired chairman of McDonnell Douglas Corp., and the JSM Charitable Trust founded by McDonnell's father, the late aerospace pioneer James S. McDonnell.
The academy will enroll exceptional graduate and professional students from the partner schools across all graduate disciplines. About 20 scholars will begin work at the academy next fall. While the first students are from Asia, the school envisions others will come from throughout much of the world.

References:

1. Oct. 19, 2005 — Wash U. program looks to educate bright, international minds in the Associated Press
2. Oct. 20, 2005 — Washington U. in St. Louis Opens Partnership With 15 Asian Universities in the Chronicle of Higher Education

and 13 others.

Former Congressman Dick Gephardt is joining a law firm where he will work as a senior counselor within its government affairs practice.
In addition, Gephardt has been named advisory board chairman for WUSTL's Richard A. Gephardt Institute for Public Service, a nonpartisan center aimed at promoting public service.

References:

1. June 16, 2005 — Ex-Congressman Gephardt to join law firm in the Associated Press Online

and 42 others.

This profile of WUSTL features numerous anecdotes from students and statements from staff explaining the university's meteoric rise to join the nation's academic elite.

References:

1. Aug. 23, 2004 — A hidden gem no more in the U.S.News & World Report

Democrat John Kerry on Thursday accepted an independent commission's schedule for three presidential debates and one vice presidential showdown.
"These commission debates have become an important tradition in presidential campaigns and voters depend on them to help inform their choice," Kerry campaign manager Mary Beth Cahill said in a statement.
The second debate, on Oct. 8, 2004, would be a town hall-style format at Washington University in St. Louis where undecided voters question the candidates on any issue.

References:

1. July 15, 2004 — Kerry OKs debates; no word from Bush in the MSNBC

and 38 others.

Photo by Joe Angeles / WUSTL Photo

Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton looks on as the Olympic torch is passed.

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A century after becoming the first American city to host the modern-era Olympic games, St. Louis once again held the flame. The route included a pass by Washington University's Francis Field, rededicated as the site of the track-and-field events of the sweltering 1904 Games.

References:

1. June 17, 2004 — Olympic flame returns to first American host city in the ESPN

and 81 others.

The Commission on Presidential Debates announced plans for three presidential debates in late September and October, along with one vice-presidential debate. All four events will be held in battleground states, where the outcome of the fall election is likely to be decided. However, only candidates who score at least 15 percent support in an average of five national polls by the time of the first debate will be invited. Under the current schedule, the second debate among presidential hopefuls would involve a town hall format and take place at Washington University in St. Louis on Oct. 8.

References:

1. June 17, 2004 — Panel announces presidential debate formats in the CNN

and 35 others.

Contributions from educational professionals topped $2.4 million during the first three quarters last year. A chart lists the top campuses -- meaning contributions by employees, not the institutions -- for donations toward Dean and Bush. WUSTL is listed No. 9 in Bush's list.

References:

1. Jan. 5, 2004 — Fundraising in academia in the The New York Times

Getting into college these days can take as much strategizing as landing a corporate job, according to an article on Advanced Placement (AP) courses published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and distributed nationally on the Knight Ridder Tribune news wire. AP has become one of U.S. education's hottest growth industries. Last year, more than 1 million high school students took one or more of these college-level courses taught in high schools — that was more than six times the number 20 years before. While the popularity of AP courses is skyrocketing, students shoud be aware that some colleges place tough restrictions on acceptance of AP credits. Washington University, for instance, gives no credit for scores of less than 4 and grants no more than a semester's worth altogether.

References:

1. April 11, 2004 — Students with eye on college say aye to AP courses in the Kansas City Star

and 14 others.

WUSTL has established stress-free zones during finals, where students can get chair massages and listen to New Age music. Addressing the notoriously poor sleeping habits of undergraduates, the university recently celebrated Sleep Awareness Week by handing out sleep quizzes and reminding residential advisers not to brag about how little sleep they can get by on.

References:

1. April 6, 2004 — Today's lesson for college students: Lighten up in the The New York Times