Leslie Gibson McCarthy

1 week ago | source.washu.edu | Leslie Gibson McCarthy

On Oct. 3, 2022, as the world was continuing to emerge from the grips of a global pandemic, Washington University unveiled a bold and ambitious strategic plan called “Here and Next.”Developed through a process that included 18 months of listening, outreach and work sessions — most of it on Zoom — and incorporating feedback from thousands of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community partners, the plan mapped out a path forward for WashU for the next decade.

1 week ago | source.washu.edu | Leslie Gibson McCarthy

One visit was all it took for Jay Kaiser, MD ’72, to choose WashU’s School of Medicine. “I was accepted at three medical schools, but once I saw WashU, I didn’t care about the others,” he says. “I knew I wanted to be at a place that offered such a high level of teaching and patient care. And they made it clear that economics were not going to prevent me from going there.”Scholarships and loans made it possible for Kaiser to attend and helped pave the way for a distinguished career as a radiologist.

1 week ago | source.washu.edu | Leslie Gibson McCarthy

In the fall of 2023, Jen Padgett, MA ’12, PhD ’18, was appointed the Wingate Curator of Craft at the world-renowned Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas — the museum’s first endowed curatorial position.

1 week ago | source.washu.edu | Leslie Gibson McCarthy

Lydia Paar has spent the better part of four decades in the American workforce, beginning as a 14-year-old “sandwich artist” at Subway and leading up to her current position teaching writing at the University of Arizona. In between, she worked as a Blockbuster video clerk, bartender, waitress, factory worker, hostel cleaner and the human behind a chatbot — to name a few.

1 week ago | source.washu.edu | Leslie Gibson McCarthy

Singer and songwriter Dolly Parton has become an American icon over her 60-plus-year career, which also includes acting, business ventures and philanthropy. But beyond her obvious talent and charm, there is something about Parton that transcends cultural barriers. “What is it about her that connects to everyone?” asks Will Bonfiglio, MA ’23, lecturer in American culture studies in Arts & Sciences.