What’s new at WashU? - Alumni and Friends - Washington University in St. Louis

WashU’s new Bachelor of Science in Data Science degree is a collaboration between the Department of Computer Science & Engineering in McKelvey Engineering, and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in Arts & Sciences. Students interested in the program will gain the foundation to understand the applicability and consequences of the various approaches to analyzing data with a focus on statistical modeling and machine learning.

The new “Morality and Markets” course helps students gain an understanding of business situations through fiction and gauge how they would ethically approach things that would challenge their beliefs and biases.
“The Endgame of Entrepreneurship: Leveraging Capitalism for Good” allows students to look at capitalism from a fresh perspective. Students will gain the knowledge of how entrepreneurship and the negativities aligning with it can actually turn the motive of profit into solutions for global issues.

Constance Vale has been named chair of undergraduate architecture at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Vale takes on this new role while continuing her work in research, practice, and teaching.
Following 25 years of experience in higher education, Dr. Anna Gonzalez has been appointed vice chancellor for student affairs. Gonzalez’s primary focus in her role as vice chancellor will be on support and leadership of the university’s renowned Division of Student Affairs, engagement with students to recognize and understand their needs to enhance their experiences, development of effective means to support and assess the co-curricular learning of students, and providing a sense of community.

Former dean of the College of Arts &Sciences, Jen Smith, has been appointed vice provost for educational initiatives, focusing on enhancing equity in undergraduates’ academic opportunities, experiences and outcomes; deepening student research experiences; assessing educational programs; and fostering innovation in educational programs and practices.
St. Louis native Shantay Bolton joined Washington University as executive vice chancellor for administration and chief administrative officer where she will spearhead improvement strategies in human resources, information technology, and Danforth Campus operations and facilities.
Anthony J. Azama has been appointed as associate vice chancellor for student affairs, adding to his existing title of John M. Schael Director of Athletics. Azama will work closely with the newly appointed Dr. Gonzalez.

Class of 2025 is the largest, most diverse class in WashU history. With 1,994 first-year students representing 49 states and 20 countries, the cohort consists of 17% Pell Grant eligible, 12% are the first of their immediate families to attend college, 49% identify as students of color, and 5% are international students.
Continuing the holistic approach of the application review process during unprecedented times, WashU has extended the test-optional policy for applicants, waiving the requirement of ACT or SAT standardized test scores for students applying for admission to the class of 2026.
As part of the application for admission, in addition to the personal statement, we also require a short answer question (maximum 200 words): Please tell us what you are interested in studying at WashU and why.
The University Scholars Program in Medicine is being phased out after the current group of scholars enters medical school. It is, therefore, no longer possible to apply for this program. For the class entering in Fall 2022, students who are interested in a career in the health sciences should select their major and an interest in pre-health sciences in the pre-professional category of the application. Admitted students will learn more about our pre-health advising program and how to make the best use of their undergraduate studies to prepare for eventual admission to medical school.

The recently updated Alumni and Friends website allows visitors a clean, simple way to easily navigate ways to engage with the university. The APAP homepage was also redesigned as part of this project.
The Office of Alumni Relations is now Alumni and Constituent Engagement (ACE), led by Associate Vice Chancellor Susan Cohen. APAP is part of ACE.

Broken up into eight ceremonies over two days at the end of May 2021, commencement allowed students and families from both the classes of 2020 and 2021 to celebrate the major milestone both in-person and virtually while following CDC guidelines. NBA star and social justice advocate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar delivered the Commencement address virtually to Class of 2021 graduates.

The university began the life-changing, nomination-based College Prep Program in 2014 to assist talented first-generation St. Louis high school students with limited financial resources get to and through college, with no cost to them or their families. Six members of the inaugural cohort recently graduated from WashU.

Two WashU Bears have been drafted to Major League Baseball teams. Caleb Durbin will be joining the Atlanta Braves, and Ryan Loutos is an undrafted free agent for the St. Louis Cardinals.

To protect the health of our community, all students and employees are required to receive full COVID-19 vaccinations.
Different from the beginning of the previous academic year, most new incoming students have been assigned a double room with a roommate. Continuing students in Residential Life have been assigned to single or double rooms.