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While Washington University in St.
Louis today is a world-class research university, our roots remain
firmly in our community. From our beginnings in 1853, Washington
University has had strong educational, economic, and cultural ties
to St. Louis. From the design of Eads Bridge in the 1800s to the
delivery of medical care in the 21st century, Washington University
faculty members have served and will continue serving the region.
Along with our commitment to teaching and research, Washington University
values service to the community. The sampling in this report illustrates
our contributions to the community's education, health, public service,
culture, and economy, as well as the relationships that are evolving
with St. Louis, its people, and its institutions.
Attracting Talented Students
from Around the World
Washington University in St. Louis
is a national and international resource whose 13,186 undergraduate,
graduate, professional, and evening students in academic year 2008-09
came to St. Louis from all 50 states and approximately 130 nations to
be part of one of the most talented student populations in the world.
Although about 89 percent of these students originally come from
outside Missouri, many stay here after graduation. (More
information)
Bringing Outstanding Faculty
to a Top-Ranked Institution
First and foremost, Washington
University in St. Louis is responsible for teaching and learning.
Some of the world's most talented people come to St. Louis as Washington
University faculty members. Not only do they teach and bring scholarly
recognition to the region, the faculty enrich the intellectual,
professional, and cultural life of the community. The faculty makes
the reputation of the University, attracts and educates the students,
and brings more than a third of a billion dollars in research funding
to St. Louis each year. U.S.News & World Report ranks Washington University 12th among America's best
national universities.
(More information on rankings)
(More information on faculty)
Lifelong Learning
Area residents can further their
educational pursuits. Last year nearly 5,000 evening, weekend, and
summer students attended classes in arts and sciences, architecture,
business, engineering, medicine, law, and social work, as well as
classes for seniors in the Lifelong Learning Institute. (More
information)
Alumni Staying Power
More than 32,000 Washington University
in St. Louis alumni live and work in this metropolitan area, and
a significant number have become leaders in business, education,
law, medicine, engineering, architecture, social work, and the arts.
Many St. Louis institutions, businesses, and corporations have been
founded and managed by our graduates. (More
information)
Attracting World Attention
Washington University brings the
world to St. Louis through our international students and faculty,
our distinguished visitors, and our hosting of special events such
as presidential debates. For the fifth consecutive time, the Commission
on Presidential Debates has selected Washington University to host
a debate. The vice presidential debate was held on October 2, 2008. Washington University also hosted presidential debates in 2004, 2000, and 1992. These internationally televised debates brought
wide attention to St. Louis, and community restaurants and hotels
hosted many of the guests and reporters who attended. Throughout
the year we host hundreds of smaller events, including seminars,
symposia, and special lectures, that bring people who dine, shop,
and stay in St. Louis. (More information)
Advocate for Vital Neighborhoods
Washington University in St. Louis
is committed to a vital community of businesses and residential
life near our Danforth and Medical Campuses, including Skinker-DeBaliviere,
Central West End, and Forest Park Southeast neighborhoods. (More
information)
Volunteers for St. Louis
Students, faculty, and staff regularly
volunteer for community service in such wide-ranging areas as serving
as tutors, sponsoring activity programs for at-risk children, holding
food and clothing drives, hosting Special Olympics events, assisting
the homeless, and serving on institutional boards. In all, several
thousand students, faculty, and staff donate their time and energy
for a multitude of causes. (More
information)
Proud of St. Louis
The University changed its formal
name to "Washington University in St. Louis" in the 1970s
to recognize our pride in being part of the St. Louis community,
and we have published two leading guidebooks about the region. In
addition, our institution-wide Web site address is www.wustl.edu,
which also signifies our Washington University in St. Louis name.
(More information)
New Inventions and Knowledge
As a leading research university,
Washington University makes St. Louis a major center for the nation's
research, performing basic research and helping apply that research
to practical problems, ranging from a vaccine for salmonella bacteria
to the world's first nerve transplants. According to the most recent survey conducted by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for its fiscal year 2007, Washington University in St. Loui s ranks 18th among universities in total science and engineering research expenditures and 7th among private universities.
(More information)
Serving Community Health Needs
Extremely able physicians and
outstanding hospital facilities at the Washington University Medical
Center provide St. Louis with medical care second to none. Our School
of Medicine is rated as one of the best in the nation, attracting
exceptional medical students and residents who learn and work in
hospitals and clinics managed by BJC HealthCare. More than $115 million is expended annually through the School of Medicine and the Washington Univeristy Medical Center to support uninsured and underinsured patients. The medical school also offers
wellness and preventive care programs for about 100,000 St. Louisans
each year. (More information)
K-12 Advocate and Partner
Elementary and secondary education
are vital assets to which Washington University faculty and students
contribute. We are making earnest efforts to help bring better educational
opportunity to St. Louis children and their teachers, ranging from
helping local science teachers learn the latest information about
their classroom subjects to providing summer experiences in biomedical research to underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students. (More information)
Special Educational and Cultural
Resources
Washington University's 12 libraries,
constituting the region's largest collection of books and research
materials, add immeasurably to the region's cultural and educational
resources. The University also contributes to the cultural life
of the region by sponsoring hundreds of performances, lectures,
concerts, seminars, exhibits, sports events, and other programs
that are open to the community. (More
information)
Outreach to Local Businesses
Area businesses and corporations
regularly establish cooperative arrangements with Washington University
in St. Louis, including a landmark research agreement with Monsanto
and strong participation in St. Louis' Center for Emerging Technologies.
Together with corporate, civic, and government leaders, Washington
University is committed to fueling the life sciences—both human
biology and plant science—in the region. (More
information)
Important Economic Impact:
$2.2 Billion Annually
Washington University had an annual
impact of $2.2 billion on the local economy, according to a 2003
assessment by the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association.
(More information)
- Major St. Louis Employer—With
13,463 full- and part-time employees, Washington University is
the fourth-largest private employer in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The
University paid more than $707.9 million in wages to employees living
in St. Louis City and County during fiscal year 2009. Those employees
living or working in St. Louis City paid an estimated $6.1 million in city
payroll taxes. (More
information)
- Building for a Better
St. Louis—Washington University spent $266.8 million
in construction and capital outlays during fiscal year 2009. This
construction led to the employment of an estimated 8,269 people
in the St. Louis area. (More
information)
- Research Funding Magnet—As
a national research institution, Washington University brings
significant new money into the St. Louis region. In fiscal year
2009 the University received $567.4 million in research awards.(More
information)
- Aiding Local Students—More
than $43 million in financial assistance in academic year 2008-09
was awarded to 1,418 students who were residents of St. Louis
City and County before attending Washington University.(More
information)
- Student Buying Power—The
total economic impact of spending by Washington University students—the
great majority of whom come from outside Missouri—is $72
million annually, according to the St. Louis Regional Chamber
and Growth Association. (More
information)
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