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. Photos by Sid Hastings/WUSTL Photos

Founded during Washington University in St. Louis’ Sesquicentennial year, the Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award is an annual award recognizing a select group of WashU community members who exemplify a character of service and engagement with the St. Louis region.

Any member of the WashU community, past or current, who resides in and serves the St. Louis community is eligible to receive the award. This includes students, faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, and volunteers* of the university.

Honorees are recognized during an awards ceremony each April. Nominations for the 2025 Gerry and Bob Ethic of Service Award open in October 2024.

Characteristics of Award Honorees

The award committee anticipates a broad range of nominations that define service to community in many different ways. While the committee is not looking for a specific type of community involvement, characteristics of award honorees might include one or more of the following:

  • Shows compassion for others
  • Exudes passion for a social, cultural or economic issue
  • Creates positive impact on the St. Louis community
  • Considers service to the community to be a way of life
  • Goes above and beyond professional responsibilities in their service to St. Louis
  • Is dedicated to serving others
  • Demonstrates selflessness
  • Positively influences other’s perceptions of St. Louis
  • Believes in the St. Louis region
  • Inspires compassion and action in others
We fondly remember and celebrate the life of Gerry Virgil.

December 29, 1934 – November 6, 2023

Congratulations to the 2024 Honorees

Sneha Chaturvedi

Sneha Chaturvedi

MD/PhD Candidate, Neuroscience Department, Entering class of 2020

Andrew de las Alas

Andrew de las Alas

Class of 2025, Major in Global Studies with minors in Sociology and Asian American Studies

Bella Gomez

Bella Gomez

Class of 2026, Majors in Latin American Studies and Global Studies, with a minor in Educational Studies

Dwayne T. James

Dwayne T. James

Director of Equity and Inclusion for University of Missouri Extension; Adjunct Instructor for the Civic Scholars Program

Susan Stiritz

Susan Stiritz

Alumna, Social Work and English Literature; Professor of Practice


For More Information

*For purposes of the Gerry and Bob Virgil Ethic of Service Award, university volunteers have a formal, active, and sustained role with a Washington University organization, usually in a leadership capacity, through the Board of Trustees, National Advisory Councils, or recognized university auxiliary organizations.