Nov. 5 marked the 60th presidential election in United States history, and between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., a record-setting nearly 2,100 voters flocked to WashU’s on-campus polling places to cast their ballots. “Our voter turnout on the Danforth Campus was the highest in WashU history. The vast majority of these voters were students,” said […]
Category: Engage Democracy
Telling the stories of Gephardt’s Engage Democracy pillar.
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 […]
WashU Votes co-chairs earn award, $5K grant for engagement efforts
In September, WashU Votes leaders Amelia Letson ‘25 and Hannah Pignataro ‘26 received a $5,000 grant in honor of their campus leadership. The grant came from the Student Union Leadership Award, which WashU Student Union gives annually in recognition and support of outstanding student leaders. Throughout their leadership, they have demonstrated creative problem solving and […]
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 […]
The Longest Table sees more than 200 students for dialogue and dinner
On Thursday, Sept. 5 at 5:30 p.m., 210 students gathered on Brookings Quad, ready to enjoy thought-provoking conversation with those around them and delicious food from The Vine Mediterranean Café at Washington University’s second annual Longest Table. “Dialogue events like this one feel particularly important during an election year, because of how it serves as […]
‘My job is to give back’: Campbell joins Gephardt staff
Dewitt Campbell was raised in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood, mere blocks away from the Washington University campus. He fondly recalls frolicking across the campus as a kid—using his bike to jump stairs—and notes that WashU has always been part of his life. Now, Campbell serves as the Manager of Civic Learning Initiatives at the Gephardt […]
Gephardt fall calendar packed with opportunities to engage and learn
The Gephardt Institute has a robust calendar of events and programming this fall to get students engaged. These events help students learn how they can develop their civic skills, engage with the St. Louis community, and find ways to bring their civic passions and ideas to life. The institute’s programming brings people together and provides […]
Big turnout for Missouri Primary at WashU’s on-campus polling place
Though students had yet to return to campus, WashU’s on-campus polling place saw nearly double the voter turnout in the Missouri Primary Election this month, compared to April’s Municipal Election. Though the two elections are very different in scope, races and initiatives, the steady turnout at the WashU polling place, hosted by the Gephardt Institute […]
Seminars bring fellows to Eagleton Courthouse, Democracy Panel
Experiencing the nuances of local leadership and judicial impacts are an important part of student civic learning. In the Gephardt Institute’s St. Louis Fellows Program, the Fellows engage in summer weekly seminars centered on civic engagement. While most of their sessions are at Stix House, two of the seminars took place off campus at the […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Institute to host “The Bill of Obligations” author Dr. Richard Haass on April 1
On April 1 at 4 p.m., Dr. Richard Haass will give an Elliot Stein Lecture in Ethics at the Emerson Auditorium in the Knight Center. Please RSVP. Haass, a veteran diplomat and respected scholar of international relations, will speak on his book, The Bill of Obligations: The Ten Habits of Good Citizens, and the question it […]
2024 election series launches with kick-off social
“Five, four, three, two, one” At the Engage Democracy 2024 Kick-Off Social, Associate Director for Civic Engagement Alannah Glickman led a crowded room of students through a mindful exercise focusing on the five senses. Each person focused on their surroundings to practice self-care for the election year ahead. On Jan. 25, the Gephardt Institute hosted […]
Students develop civic interests in Gephardt internships and fellowships
Behind all the Gephardt Institute does is a team of student staff doing vital work to drive the institute’s efforts. Through internship positions for both undergraduate and graduate students, the institute offers students the ability to develop and practice skills in a workplace environment on campus. These internships are perfect opportunities for students to explore […]
One year until 2024 election, Brown sets sights on voter engagement
“I love this job. I have really enjoyed getting to know our staff as a colleague and getting to know them as people more so than I did when I was a student here.” Otto Brown ‘23 may have a new title, but he is a familiar face at Stix House. From leading WashU Votes […]
WashU celebrates LGBTQ+ experiences through “Joy as Resistance” art show
Opening night for “The Queer Experience: Joy as Resistance” art exhibition was held at Stix House on Oct. 20. Curated by WashU students Chethan Chandra ‘26, Sophie Lin ‘26, and Aspen Schisler ‘26, the multimedia art exhibit showcases work by queer, trans, and other WashU students who want to highlight and uplift the LGBTQIA+ experience. […]
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 […]
Work with LGBTQ+ youth inspires “The Queer Experience” art show
By Sophie Lin ‘26 2023 WUpan Fellow St. Louis Fellowships Program This summer, I had the honor of being the inaugural WashU Pride Alumni Network Fellow through the Gephardt Institute’s St. Louis Fellows program. The St. Louis Fellowship is a 10-week summer experience in St. Louis where students receive funding to conduct unpaid internships in civic and […]
Engagement fair slated to help students find their civic interests
The Gephardt Institute’s annual Civic Engagement Fair brings together student organizations and efforts for social change in one place, at one time. On Sept. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the South 40 Clocktower Patio, students are welcome to peruse a wide range of student-led social action groups and volunteer opportunities. Featuring over 50 […]