CELEBRATING EXCEPTIONAL MEMBERS OF THE WASHU COMMUNITY.

Founders Day logo

Founders Day is an opportunity to reflect upon the university’s many milestones and accomplishments—and the people who helped make them possible. Washington University began celebrating Founders Day in 1953 to commemorate the university’s 100th anniversary. Since then, this special event has honored WashU’s distinguished alumni, outstanding faculty, and most treasured friends.

2024 Honorees

Robert S. Brookings Award

Jeffrey T. Fort

Roy and Diana Vagelos

Distinguished Alumni Award

Charles M. Baum, MD ’87, PhD ’87
Chief Executive Officer
TERREMOTO BIOSCIENCES

Jennifer A. Behr, BFA ’96
Founder and Creative Director
JENNIFER BEHR LLC

Russell S. Schwartz, AB ’77
SVP and Head
ORIGINAL PROGRAMING BUSINESS AFFAIRS
STARZ

Bill Siedhoff, BS 68, MSW 73
Director of the Department of Human Services (Retired)
CITY OF ST. LOUIS
Founder and Administrator
WILLIAM F. SIEDHOFF FOUNDATION

Kelli P. Washington,
BSBA 94
Chief Investment Officer
THE CALIFORNIA ENDOWMENT

Leung Tung Peter Young, BS ’80
Chief Executive Officer
CHEMCENTRAL GROUP
Director of Sales Marketing
SCAPA SCANDIA TAIWAN LTD.
Chief Executive Officer
MING YUAN CHEMICALS TRADING (SHANGHAI) CO. LTD.

Distinguished Faculty Award

Robyn A. LeBoeuf, PhD
Joyce and Chauncy Buchheit Distinguished Professor in Marketing
Co-Vice Dean of Faculty and Research
OLIN BUSINESS SCHOOL

Robert D. Schreiber, PhD
Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Distinguished Professor
Department of Pathology & Immunology
Director, Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ST. LOUIS
Co-Leader, Tumor Immunology Program
ALVIN J. SITEMAN CANCER CENTER

Arthur Holly Compton Faculty Achievement Award

Fred M. Ssewamala, MSW ’99, PhD ’03
William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor
Founding Director, International Center for Child Health and Development
Faculty Fellow for Global Research Scholars Network, Office of the Provost
BROWN SCHOOL AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

Carl and Gerty Cori Faculty Achievement Award

Christina A. Gurnett, MD, PhD
A. Ernest and Jane G. Stein Professor of Developmental Neurology
Director, Division of Pediatric and Developmental Neurology
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE IN ST. LOUIS

Chief of Neurology
ST. LOUIS CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL


Take a look back: 2024 Founders Day Ceremony