A group of WashU Philanthropy Lab student “Ambassadors” traveled to Texas last month to pitch for funding for St. Louis organizations — one of whom landed $50,000 for LifeWise STL. Luc Neacy ‘27, Tanya Keskar ’27 and St. Louis Fellow Grace Whitter ’26 attended The Philanthropy Lab’s 2025 Ambassadors Conference, June 19 through 22, to present […]
Author: Scott Allen
WashU Philanthropy Lab course grants $71K to STL orgs
On Thursday, April 24, a closing ceremony event for Philanthropy Lab — a WashU Sociology course co-sponsored by the Gephardt Institute — granted $70,900 among 22 local nonprofit organizations. That’s in addition to $62,500 already granted to St. Louis nonprofits in 2025 via the course, which was championed by former students of the course who were […]
Fellow helps bring urban farm fare to St. Louis tables
Garlic must be cut, even in rainstorms. St. Louis Fellow Mia Phutrakul ‘25 knows that well after spending a few such rainy days last summer preparing picked crops. Phutrakul spent their summer internship — a central component of the St. Louis Fellows program — as an apprentice at EarthDance Organic Teaching Farms in Ferguson, Missouri. […]
Sophie Jeffers ’25 named to Student Voting Honor Roll
This month, WashU and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) honored Sophie Jeffers ‘25 as part of the fourth annual ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll. The 2025 ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll recognizes college students at participating campuses who have gone above and beyond to advance nonpartisan student voter registration, education […]
Five Gephardt students join SU to act on their civic education
This month, the WashU Student Union inaugurated its newest slate of representatives — including five student leaders who are involved in Gephardt Institute programs. Elections for Student Union (SU) — the representative government of the undergraduate student body at the university — were held the first week of March, and the winners took office on April 10. Ashton […]
For first time, new Civic Scholars cohort includes first-year students
After an application cycle that ended in January with a record number of applicants, a packed week of interviews, and a selection committee that faced choices from an abundance of talented, passionate students, the new cohort of 18 Civic Scholars was selected this month. “We’re so thrilled to welcome and learn with them!” said Alannah […]
Eight community exemplars honored at the Gerry & Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards
The 22nd Annual Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award ceremony recognized the efforts and dedication of eight members of the WashU community on April 1 at Stix House. “It’s a happy occasion,” said Bob Virgil, to a crowd of more than 100 gathered. “It’s one where people are looking forward. They’re not wringing […]
WashU hosts municipal polling place for 2nd time
In the effort to help WashU students build a habit of voting in every election and to provide a convenient outlet for faculty, staff, and other St. Louis County voters, the Gephardt Institute — for the second time — hosted a polling place on April 8 for Missouri’s Municipal Election. “It was great honor to host an […]
WashU earns fifth Voter Friendly Campus nod
Last week, WashU was again named a Voter Friendly Campus, one of 272 campuses in 39 states and the District of Columbia by Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. The initiative recognizes institutions that have planned and implemented practices that encourage their students to register and […]
2025 Civic Action Week Events Calendar
Date and Time Title Link to Event Page Feb. 17, 2025 at 12 p.m. Civic Action Week: Amplify Your Voice: Best Practices for Effective State-Level Advocacy https://gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/calendar_event/civic-action-week-amplify-your-voice/ Feb. 17, 2025 at 2 p.m. Civic Action Week: Connecting Campus to Community with the Campus Y https://gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/calendar_event/civic-action-week-campus-y/ Feb. 17, 2025 at 6:30 p.m. Civic Action Week: Interwoven […]
Please Help Honor Jane Gephardt
Matching Gift Opportunity to Support the St. Louis Fellows Program January 13, 2025 marked the one-year anniversary of the passing of Jane Gephardt, Congressman Dick Gephardt’s wife of 57 years. Jane played a key role in the establishment of the Gephardt Institute. To honor Jane, we have a goal of establishing the Jane Gephardt Memorial Fellow […]
In massive third year increase,Civic Action Week hosts 28 events
The Gephardt Institute hosted its third annual Civic Action Week last week, Feb. 17-23, to highlight civic and community engagement opportunities and topics across campus in events largely proposed and hosted by WashU student groups, schools and departments. The first two years of Civic Action Week saw 12 and 16 events, respectively. But in 2025, […]
St. Louis Fellows Program grows again, reaches 45 students
After a record number of applications, a packed week of back-to-back interviews, and a rigorous selection process, the Gephardt Institute announces its largest class of St. Louis Fellows in the program’s nearly 20-year history. “WashU is in St. Louis and for St. Louis,” said Executive Director Stephanie Kurtzman. “The St. Louis Fellows Program offers a […]
Snowy Missouri immersion trip brings Civic Scholars together
This month, just days after a storm blanketed Missouri in snow, the Civic Scholars Classes of 2025 and 2026 embarked on their annual immersion trip. From Jan. 7 to 10, and with an itinerary that required flexibility due to the weather, the Civic Scholars met with community organizations, local elected and city management officials, and […]
Students experience Ferguson through lens of tragedy and revival
This month, a group of WashU students took an Engage STL trip to Ferguson, Missouri, and learned about the community through the honoring of the life of Michael Brown Jr. 2024 marks the 10th year since Michael Brown Sr. buried his 18-year-old son, after Michael Brown Jr. was shot and killed by a Ferguson police […]
Gephardt, WashU go big on voter engagement throughout 2024
The 2024 General Election is almost here, and as the nation focuses on the issues, the candidates, and the politics, the Gephardt Institute has also spent thousands of staff hours encouraging civic engagement, helping students get ready to vote, and preparing to host campus polling places. When November ends, the Gephardt Institute will have hosted […]
Gephardt connects with students as institute launches 2024-2025 year
In addition to several major events that made for a memorable start to the Fall 2024 Semester, the Gephardt Institute made a big effort to connect with students and let them know their opportunities for involvement at WashU. Clockwise from upper left, Community Engagement Manager Sarah Nash talks with a student about Gephardt’s fall programming […]
Visiting Civic Fellow Isikoff draws student crowds, sparks civic engagement
It was my experience at Washington University that really gave me my appreciation for the democratic process.” Michael Isikoff AB ’74 This month, the Gephardt Institute hosted investigative journalist Michael Isikoff AB ’74, a WashU alumnus and Visiting Civic Fellow. An award-winning journalist and bestselling author who worked as an investigative reporter for The Washington […]
‘Ready, Set, Vote’ effort nets more than 200 new voter registrations
Staff and faculty joined the Gephardt Institute in running “Ready, Set, Vote,” a university-wide event spotlighting National Voter Registration Day, Tuesday, Sept. 17, to encourage voting and spread the word on voter registration deadlines and requirements. National Voter Registration Day is an annual holiday to remind eligible voters to register, check local voting requirements, and […]
Three classes of Civic Scholars gather to celebrate, advise, build community
The Gephardt Institute celebrated three classes of Civic Scholars last month during the annual “All Civic Celebration” event. Held on Sunday, April 21 in Umrath Lounge, the annual program brings together graduating seniors, juniors who are about to begin their Civic Summers, and sophomores who are new to the Civic Scholars Program to celebrate their […]
Student artists selected for inaugural Atkin Residency in the Art of Democracy
Two rising seniors earned the distinction of being named the first recipients of the new Atkin Residency in the Art of Democracy. Madison Brown ’25 and Atalya Magdalena ’25 were selected through a competitive application process to be the inaugural Atkin Residents. The yearlong Atkin Residency in the Art of Democracy provides a platform […]
Yelamali brings healing through the arts program to Children’s Hospital
During the COVID pandemic, Aditya Yelamali ’24 was worried that patients at St. Louis Children’s Hospital lacked interaction and stimuli that could help them heal. Yelamali, a 2023 Fandos Fellow in the St. Louis Fellows program, created Hearts for Arts as a patient-driven solution that would transcend the pandemic. “We coordinated with Melody Deweese, a […]
Spring trainings equip St. Louis Fellows with community-engaged best practices
The 2024 St. Louis Fellows have completed their spring training, immersive and experiential symposia that help equip them with the community engagement tools and knowledge to contribute to change efforts in the region this summer. With the program expanding to a record 40 Fellows this year, Community Engagement Manager Sarah Nash was grateful that the […]
Institute announces new classes of Civic Scholars, St. Louis Fellows
A record number of WashU students committed to leading change now and throughout their lives by joining the Gephardt Institute’s Civic Scholars and St. Louis Fellows programs. The announcement of the new cohorts of civic leadership programs follows a recruitment cycle that began last fall and saw more applications than ever before. “We’re particularly excited […]
Gephardt, university partners host WashU’s first Municipal Election polling place
The Gephardt Institute hosted WashU’s first-ever Municipal Election polling place this month, advancing the institute’s commitment to drive voter participation in every election. With support from a growing number of university partners and voter engagement efforts from the WashU Votes student group, Missouri’s Municipal Elections were held on Tuesday, April 2, and WashU was able […]
Five honored with Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards
In an inspiring show of support and love, family, friends, collaborators, and fans turned out in droves to celebrate the commitment to service of five WashU community members. Andrew de las Alas ’25, Sneha Chaturvedi ‘19 (MD/PhD candidate), Bella Gomez ’26, Adjunct Instructor Dr. Dwayne T. James, and Dr. Professor Susan Stiritz PhD, MSW, MBA, […]
Philanthropy Lab students grant more than $68,000 to St. Louis nonprofits
Students in Philanthropy Lab, a WashU Sociology course supported by the Gephardt Institute and The Philanthropy Lab national organization, granted $68,000 to nonprofits in the St. Louis region during an event held at Stix House last week. WashU Chancellor Andrew D. Martin and Lisa Weingarth, Senior Advisor for St. Louis Initiatives, joined the Philanthropy Lab […]
Watch: Elliot H. Stein Lecture in Ethics with Dr. Richard Haass
On April 1, 2024, as part of our Engage Democracy 2024 Series, the Gephardt Institute hosted Dr. Richard Haass — veteran foreign diplomat and author of “The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens” — for an Elliot H. Stein Lecture in Ethics. About Dr. Haass: Dr. Richard Haass, a veteran diplomat and […]
Notables: Da’Juantay Wynter; Spectrum Awards
Gephardt-involved WashU students and alumni — including Student Engagement Specialist Sophie Devincenti, Donovan Dixson ’24, Sophie Lin ’26, Aspen Schisler ‘26, Charlie Shaw ’24, Laken Sylvander ‘17, Pat Wang ’24, and Da’Juantay Wynter ‘26 — were honored recently for their civic engagement efforts and community contributions. Da’Juantay Wynter ‘26, a Mosbacher St. Louis Fellow, was […]
Philanthropy Lab students learn the ropes of supporting and vetting organizations
Donating to causes can be simple, but responsible philanthropy — especially when the goal is community improvement — requires building partnerships, vetting organizations, and an analytical eye. It’s a lesson that Professor Barbara Levin works to instill in students through Philanthropy Lab, a Department of Sociology course that she teaches each spring. The class, which partners with […]
Voting activist Brown urges citizen engagement in WashU Votes event
Black Voters Matter co-founder LaTosha Brown spoke at WashU this month at an event co-hosted by WashU Votes, the Association of Black Students and the Social Programming Board. “Empowering Black and Brown Voters: Fireside Chat with Black Voters Matter Co-Founder LaTosha Brown” was held in Holmes Lounge on Wednesday evening, March 8. Her talk was […]
Updated “In the Lou” features students, alumni, and new interactive content
As part of the Gephardt Institute’s efforts to acclimate WashU students to St. Louis and encourage them to engage in the community, the institute’s “In the Lou” guide is updated for 2024 to feature more neighborhoods and include more tools to help WashU students engage in the region. “In the Lou” resources help WashU students learn […]
Institute awards over $30,000 to fund students’ STL community projects
The Gephardt Institute is pleased to announce the inaugural recipients of the Transform Grant, the largest award in the Institute’s newly launched St. Louis Impact Fund. In the 2023-2024 cycle, the Institute will award over $30,000 to five projects co-designed by Washington University students and community organizations aimed at advancing regional priorities. “The Transform Grant […]
Tori Harwell ‘24 named a Rhodes Scholar
For Victoria “Tori” Harwell ’24, a 2022 St. Louis Fellow, their stellar success invokes not only celebration, but also reflection on the monumental hurdles their ancestors faced to create opportunities for their descendants. On Saturday, Nov. 11, at an announcement event in Washington, D.C., Harwell learned that they were one of just 32 students in […]
Pearson reflects on Gephardt Institute’s impact
By Le’Aysha Pearson AB ’19A 2018 Civic Scholar, Le’Aysha contributed the following reflection about her experience with the Gephardt Institute, and how her civic journey that started here continues to shape her path. My journey began with the Gephardt Institute’s Civic Scholars Program and a passion for civic engagement, and has led me to the fulfilling civic […]
Notables: Luka Cai ’20
News from Gephardt Institute alumni Luka Cai ’20 was recognized for their work in co-founding SQSH, the St. Louis Queer+ Support Helpline, by STLMade, a magazine that highlights the community and culture that make St. Louis a great place to live and work. Luka was a Fox-Clark Civic Scholar with the Gephardt Institute while at WashU, and […]
Fellows build community while becoming champions for St. Louis
The 2023 St. Louis Fellows shared their experiences and learning from their summer internships with local nonprofit and government organizations. It was part of Civic Action Week held this month. Community partners, family, friends, supporters, and the WashU community were invited to the first St. Louis Fellows Showcase, held on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Stix […]
Photos: Students connect with civic-focused groups at Civic Engagement Fair
On Friday, Sept. 13, the Gephardt Institute hosted it’s annual Civic Engagement Fair, in which nearly 50 WashU students groups and community organizations that promote community service and civic engagement sought members and helped students find a civic interest. A beautiful afternoon for the fair, students also enjoyed ice cream and the music of On […]
“The Longest Table” hosts 150 students for dinner and civic dialogue
In its inaugural event for WashU, The Longest Table was a hit as students gathered en masse to share a meal and talk with each other about their civic interests and visions for their communities. “We talked about how to improve society in terms of general hopes, and I guess fears about what’s going on, […]
Tishaura O. Jones shares journey to STL mayor’s office in special Civic Café
As a special part of the Gephardt Institute’s Civic Café event series, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura O. Jones spoke to a crowd of more than 100 WashU students on Tuesday about the journey that inspired and led to her political career. “I wake up every day excited to go to City Hall, because I get […]
Artists, curators reflect on “The Little Things” in new video
St. Louis Fellows’ first days on the job
The 2023 St. Louis Fellows—the largest group ever, with 33 students representing the WashU Classes of 2024, 2025 and 2026—began their summer internships with 29 organizations in the St. Louis region at the beginning of June. Their internships involve analyzing data about marginalized populations, meeting with local officials about legislation, working with patients with Alzheimer’s and […]
Fond farewells for 2023 graduates
On Monday, May 15, the Gephardt Institute joined the Washington University community in congratulating the Class of 2023 on their hard work—much of it under the trials of the COVID pandemic—and their collective commitment to the betterment of our world.
Alumni Spotlight: Kevin Tsay ’07
Civic and community engagement can spark a passion in students that they carry throughout their careers. We caught up with one such alumni, Kevin Tsay, who graduated from WashU in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies and Organization & Human Resources and now calls Seattle home. Tsay currently serves as a […]
Nash well suited for Gephardt community engagement role
In what might be a perfect match between a job description and an employee, Sarah Nash is the Gephardt Institute’s Community Engagement Manager. Since joining the Gephardt Institute in July 2022, Nash leads program strategy and implementation to foster mutually beneficial community engagement between WashU students and community partners in the St. Louis region. Nash […]
Comeaux’s commitment to St. Louis service highlighted in Class Acts
As one of 12 WashU graduates featured in the university’s annual Class Acts piece in The Source, St. Louis Fellow alumni Blake Comeaux reflected on his experiences over his last four years. In addition to his experiences as an Ervin Scholar and varsity athlete, Comeaux credits the Gephardt Institute with making his undergraduate experience even […]
Institute celebrates 2023 graduates and wraps up school year
On Monday, May 1, students gathered with Gephardt Institute staff on the Stix House patio for our Year-End Celebration, which brought together the whole Gephardt community of changemakers. The celebration recognized all students who have participated in Gephardt Institute programming over the course of their time at WashU, and honored our 2023 graduates. Whether they […]
Students grant $40,000 to local nonprofit organizations
A WashU sociology course supported by the Gephardt Institute presented $40,000 in funding to four local nonprofit organizations to bolster their work in the St. Louis community. Philanthropy Lab, a course in Arts & Sciences’ Department of Sociology taught by Barbara Levin and David Rigby, gives students a theoretical and practical understanding of philanthropy today. […]
Civic Scholars celebrate end of school year, next stops on civic journeys
The All Civic Celebration is a unique event that brings together all current students in the Civic Scholars Program—newly selected sophomores, juniors and seniors—to facilitate relationships and celebrate major milestones in the Civic Scholar experience. This year’s event took place on Sunday, April 30, in the Women’s Building Formal Lounge. “It has been such an […]
Ethic of Service Award celebrates 20 years of honorees
The Gephardt Institute hosts the Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Awards each year. Here, our 2023 honorees were honored on April 25, 2023, at Washington University’s Stix House. Click on the icons to view more photos and honoree bios. Photos by Sid Hastings/WUSTL Photos “The Ethic of Service Award recognizes those in the […]