In 2013, Lars Etzkorn, AB ’87, founded the Washington University Pride Alumni Network (WUpan) to support and cultivate community amongst LGBTQIA+ students and alumni. Today, WUpan honors Etzkorn’s original vision with its mission to foster fellowship and promote well being across the WashU LGBTQIA+ community, from current students and alumni to faculty and staff. 

WUpan hosts an annual reception for alumni at WashU Reunion in April and celebrates Pride Month each June at St. Louis PrideFest’s Pride Parade. Each year, the group also honors one undergraduate and one graduate student with the WUpan Leadership Development Award. Recipients of the scholarship award are either members or allies to the LGBTQIA+ community who successfully demonstrate a commitment to leadership through co-curricular engagement.

Stay in the know

All alumni in the area should receive notices of events, but we can’t send them to you if we don’t know where you are! Update your alumni profile to stay connected.

Update your profile
Make career connections through WashU CNX
Subscribe to The Record
Upcoming Network Events
View all events

WUpan’s commitment to student learning, civic engagement

Initially launched as a social outlet, WUpan has expanded its activities and investment in current students through the WUpan Leadership Development Award and a WUpan-sponsored fellowship with the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement

Read more about WUpan’s student support

WashU Pride Alumni Network | 2024 Reunion Reception Welcome

Becky Chmielewski, BFA ’04, WashU Pride Alumni Network City Representative – Chicago, welcomes guests to the WUpan reception at the 2024 WashU Reunion at Thurtene Carnival.

A conversation with Mario Treto, AB ’07

WashU alumni, parents, and friends from across the country joined us on October 15 for this inspiring virtual talk with Mario Treto Jr., AB ’07, secretary of the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Treto shared his journey of self-discovery, growth, and passion for making a positive impact while navigating his intersecting identities. The engaging conversation was moderated by Julia Macias, PhD ’20, director of student leader development for the George and Carol Bauer Leaders Academy and founding member of the La Comunidad Steering Committee.

View photos from WUpan events

WUpan Leadership Development Award recipients

2024

Transcending Gender

Learn more
2022
Undergraduate student recipients

Melissa Gibson
Arts & Sciences Class of 2024

Braxton Sizemore
Arts & Sciences Class of 2024

Graduate student recipients

Iulia Tothezan
Brown School Class of 2023

2019
Undergraduate student recipients

Luka Cai, AB ’20
Brown School Class of 2022

Graduate student recipients

Riott Kochman, MSW ’20

2018
Undergraduate student recipients

Kris Wilson, AB ’20
Brown School Class of 2021

Graduate student recipients

Anya Fisher, MSW ’19

Additional resources for more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at WashU

Academy for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Center for the Study of Race, Ethnicity & Equity (CRE2)
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion