At its fall meeting Thursday and Friday, Oct. 1 and 2, the Washington University in St. Louis Board of Trustees heard special reports on the university’s endowment and the plan to transform the east end of the Danforth Campus.
The board also received a report from Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton that included updates on administrative appointments, admissions, athletics and construction.
Henry S. Webber, executive vice chancellor for administration, presented a report in which he outlined the plan that will transform the east end of the Danforth Campus. The board gave final approval on the project.
Webber noted that in May 2017, Washington University will begin one of the most significant capital projects in recent history when construction begins on the east end of the Danforth Campus.
The comprehensive plan includes new academic facilities to support the university’s core missions of teaching and research and expansive green space that better connects academic programs and provides a more inviting, relaxed gathering place for the university community and visitors to campus.
Kimberly G. Walker, chief investment officer, presented a report on the university’s endowment, sharing that the total return for the endowment was 4.4 percent for the year that ended June 30. As of that date, the value of the endowment was $6.9 billion, an increase of about $170 million, net of spending. Spending from endowment was about $266 million during fiscal year 2015.
Chancellor’s report
In his report to the board, the chancellor noted that the Admissions Office enrolled one of the largest and most diverse classes in university history. Some 1,730 first-year students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and 23 countries moved into their residential colleges Aug. 20.
The Class of 2019 is also the most racially diverse class in university history. Approximately 18 percent are underrepresented minority students, which is up from 11 percent last year.
This academically strong class includes a higher percentage of federal Pell-grant students (approximately 11 percent versus 8 percent last year) as a result of the university’s goal to increase its socio-economic diversity and its continued commitment to making the university accessible and affordable for all qualified students.
In administration news, Wrighton announced that John A. Berg, vice chancellor for admissions, will retire at the end of the academic year, June 30, 2016. Berg, who has been at the university for 29 years, has led the admissions team for 22 of those years.
Wrighton said that no one has done more than Berg to enhance the stature of Washington University’s undergraduate program. “He has placed the university in an enviable position internationally, and today we are far more visible and attractive thanks to his leadership,” Wrighton said. A national search for Berg’s successor will be conducted.
He also said that search committees had been formed to identify candidates for two key positions with the recent announcements that Barbara A. Feiner will retire Dec. 31 as vice chancellor for finance and chief financial officer after 19 years at the university and that Edward F. Lawlor, PhD, dean and the William E. Gordon Distinguished Professor at the Brown School, will step down as dean at the end of the academic year. Lawlor will remain at the university as the Gordon Professor.
Wrighton noted that David H. Perlmutter, MD, is returning to the university Dec. 1 as executive vice chancellor for medical affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. A former medical school faculty member, Perlmutter will succeed Larry J. Shapiro, MD, who is stepping down after leading the School of Medicine for 12 years.
Perlmutter is a distinguished professor and the Vira I. Heinz Endowed Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and physician-in-chief and scientific director of Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Wrighton noted the university’s recent participation in the Association of American Universities’ (AAU) comprehensive survey about sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses. After the AAU released its survey findings Sept. 21, the university held an open forum Sept. 24 where the survey results were discussed and university leaders expressed their commitment to curtailing sexual assault and misconduct on campus.
The chancellor also gave an update on diversity and inclusion efforts on campus, noting that the university’s Steering Committee for Diversity & Inclusion had recently issued a report and recommendations. A forum to discuss the committee’s report and recommendations will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, in the Clark-Fox Forum in Hillman Hall.
Wrighton also noted the recently released report by the Ferguson Commission, which made nearly 200 “calls to action,” ranging from overcoming health disparities to spurring new employment opportunities. He noted an upcoming forum to be held at the university Oct. 23 to discuss ways the university community can become more engaged in the community.
Athletics update
Wrighton recognized the national rankings and strong starts of several of the university’s athletic teams, including the No. 2-ranked volleyball team that has a 14-1 overall record; the No. 7-ranked women’s soccer team, which has won six straight games and has an 8-1 record; the football team, with a 2-1 overall record; and the No. 14-ranked men’s soccer team, with a 6-1-2 overall record.
He also noted that alumna Lucy Cheadle, who graduated last May with a chemical engineering degree and is the most decorated runner in Washington University history, is a top-30 finalist for the 2015 NCAA Woman of the Year Award. Cheadle also was recently featured in Sports Illustrated as part of its “Faces in the Crowd” section.
Construction updates
During his report, Wrighton gave updates on construction projects on both the Danforth and Medical campuses.
On the Danforth Campus, work continues on the Gary M. Sumers Recreation Center, which will add more than 60,000 square feet to the Washington University Athletics Complex.
The North Colonnade, the new entrance to the Athletics Complex, is complete, as well as the newly renovated plaza just in front of the North Colonnade. The Auxiliary/Varsity Practice Gym, formerly known as the Recreation Gym, is finished and in use by the varsity teams, recreation intramurals and club sports. The expansion project, which will be completed by August 2016, now has roof decking, insulation and roofing material in place.
Phase Two renovations of Simon Hall were completed this summer, Wrighton noted. Planning continues for renovations to Olin Library and the replacement for Rubelmann House on the South 40. Construction is underway on renovations to Urbauer Hall.
Wrighton also gave updates on construction projects at the School of Medicine, including completion of a new employee garage on Duncan Avenue, infrastructure upgrades at 4511 Forest Park Parkway and a new facility for Environmental Health and Safety.
Planning continues for the Mid Campus Center administrative office building to be used jointly by BJC and the School of Medicine. Several floors of the Center for Outpatient Health are being repurposed for School of Medicine faculty and physician offices as well as ambulatory clinics.
He noted that work continues at the Medical Center’s Siteman Cancer Center for expansion of medical oncology and at the South County location, where a new medical office building is being constructed.
Siteman Cancer Center also plans to expand cancer services and facilities at Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital in St. Charles County. The $13.1 million project will expand the existing facility from 19,500 square feet to 30,750 square feet.
The School of Medicine and St. Louis Children’s Hospital opened a new pediatric medical center — the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Specialty Care Center — at Interstate 64/Highway 40 and Mason Road in west St. Louis County. The center welcomed its first patients June 2.
In his remarks to the board, Wrighton highlighted a number of recent university successes, including numerous faculty awards and recognitions, professorship installations, research awards and achievements, and student activities and achievements. He also noted the Commission on Presidential Debates’ recent selection of Washington University as host of the Oct. 9, 2016, presidential debate.
Tributes
The chancellor also noted the recent deaths of eight members of the Washington University community: Timothy Blair Burnight, 28, a doctoral candidate in the Program in Physical Therapy at the School of Medicine, who died Sept. 4; Neil Bernstein, JD, 83, professor of law emeritus, who died Aug. 7; Ernst K. Zinner, PhD, 78, research professor emeritus of physics and of earth and planetary sciences, both in Arts & Sciences, who died July 30; Frank K. Flinn, PhD, 76, adjunct professor of religious studies in Arts & Sciences, who died July 4; Barry R. Schactman, 85, professor emeritus of art, who died July 3; Jacques de Villiers, 21, a rising senior, who died July 3; Marie Cendrine Taris, 46, assistant to the chair of the Department of Mathematics in Arts & Sciences, who died June 2; and James “Ely” Shrauner, PhD, 82, professor emeritus of physics in Arts & Sciences, who died June 1.
The trustees also observed a moment of silence and passed a memorial resolution in honor of trustee emerita Mary Dell Olin Pritzlaff, 85, who died July 18. Pritzlaff, who served on the Board of Trustees from 1980-2002, received the university’s William Greenleaf Eliot Society’s Search Award in 2000, recognizing her exceptional service to the university.
Student representatives to the board provided comments. Presenting were senior Scott H. Jacobs, a history and political science major in Arts & Sciences, and Avik Som, a fifth-year MD/PhD candidate, who is pursuing his doctorate in biomedical engineering.
In addition, the trustees, under Chair Craig D. Schnuck, chairman emeritus of Schnuck Markets Inc., heard reports from the following committees: audit, development, educational policy, global engagement, university finance and the Alumni Board of Governors, and received written reports from the medical finance and university finance committees.