‘Mom’s Idea’ Yields New Genetic Counseling Program at Washington University

Twenty years ago, Erin Linnenbringer’s mother suggested she start a genetic counseling program at Washington University in St. Louis. “I laughed it off as a crazy mom thing,” she says, “and then suddenly it wasn’t.” This fall, under Linnenbringer’s guidance, the program welcomed its first cohort of students.

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From Classroom to Studio: 10 Insights for Aspiring Architects

As an acclaimed architect and professor, Gary Wang, AIA, is in an ideal position to help architecture students successfully make the transition from the classroom to professional practice. Here are 10 things he believes architecture students need to understand before entering the profession.

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Why I Want to Be an Architect: A Student’s Perspective

From the time I was a little kid, I loved creating, building, inventing. I took after-school classes on robot making, spent hours building with Lego and creating Rube Goldberg machines, and invested even more time playing Minecraft. Today, I’m a sophomore in the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture, which is ranked in the top 25 percent of architecture programs in the U.S.

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Writing During COVID-19: How the Pandemic has Boosted this Author’s Creativity

For New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center, the global health crisis has upended her typical writing process. Despite the distractions, she finds inspiration in the stories happening around her—and this unique period in history has become a highly creative time for her.

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The Pandemic Hasn’t Stopped this Food Critic from Writing About St. Louis’ Food Scene

On Friday, March 13, Cheryl Baehr ventured out to sample a new St. Louis restaurant as food critic of the Riverfront Times (RFT), a weekly alternative newspaper. A few days later, as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened, she was a casualty in a layoff that impacted most of the paper’s editorial staff. Baehr has since been rehired and continues to write about St. Louis’ diverse food scene.

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Former Cardinals Pitcher Makes Off-the-Field Impact in Haiti and St. Louis

If you ask Kyle McClellan what his greatest accomplishment has been, he won’t cite being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002 or serving as a relief pitcher on the Cardinals’ 2011 World Series championship team. Instead, he’s most proud of making a positive impact on the lives of others through his community organization: Brace for IMPACT 46.

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Journalist’s Investigative Reporting Inspires Netflix Episode on Wrongfully Convicted Man

Emilie Lounsberry’s high-profile assignments have included covering the Bill Cosby trial for Variety, but her greatest storytelling legacy might be the role she played in freeing Chester Hollman III, a man who served 28 years in federal prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Her work is documented in The Innocence Files, episode 7, on Netflix.

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Pastor and Wife Deliver Hope to the Community During COVID-19 Crisis

About 40 volunteers from MiddleTree Church in St. Louis join Pastor Brian Schmidgall and his wife, Mary, in delivering “Boxes of Hope” to community residents and their families who need practical food and supplies during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Meet an Urban Planner Who Helps Coastal Communities Adapt for the Future

Reema Shakra helps coastal cities develop strategies to plan for erosion and flooding caused by sea-level rise. As senior managing associate in ESA’s Los Angeles office, she works with hydrologists and coastal engineers to develop options that help cities mitigate the increased risk of storm damage.

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She Builds Buzz to Build Brands

After 20 years working in public relations and advertising, Suzy Wagner launched Brand & Buzz, a boutique Washington, D.C.-based strategic communications consultancy, in 2013. When she and her team aren’t creating campaigns for local, national or global clients, Wagner enjoys “playing tennis badly” and writing children's books.

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A Professor Who Inspires Future Architects to Ask the Right Questions

Moh’d Bilbeisi is a licensed architect, illustrator, artist and Eminent Professor of Architecture at the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture. He encourages the next generation of architects to be reformers who express themselves using their hands, their pencils and their minds.

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Putting a Human Face on Construction

Bulldozers, excavators and backhoes are the tools of the trade for Castle Contracting. But the heart of the company isn’t found on huge steel machines; it’s the people who operate, maintain and support them. I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with JM Films in capturing on-the-job perspectives from Castle Field Manager Roy Hardester.

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Paper Dreams: An Entrepreneur Who Helps People Cherish Life’s Milestones

Cheree Berry honed her graphic design skills at Pentagram, Toth+Co and Kate Spade New York before moving back to St. Louis and opening Cheree Berry Paper in 2006. The firm, which designed Chelsea Clinton’s wedding invitation, continues to create invitations for special milestones and events.

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Designed for Transformation: This Strategist Keeps His Eye on the Future

Transformation has been a recurring theme throughout Scott Wickstrom’s career, and it’s central to his current role as chief strategy and operating officer at Gallagher & Associates. Wickstrom’s current position is the culmination of a 20-year career defined by sharp—often surprising—left turns.

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A Catalyst for Connecting High School Students with Real-World Experiences

Through the Catalyst program, Clayton High School business teacher Justin Hildebrand connects St. Louis-area high school students with authentic career experiences and opportunities. His goal is to guide students to be well-rounded individuals who use their intelligence, creativity and initiative to enrich the world.

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Lured by Architecture, Captivated by Interior Design

Growing up in St. Louis, Shelley Niemeier spent hours immersed in the pages of Architectural Digest. But an opportunity to work in interior design and a chance encounter on Twitter changed both her career path and marital status. She now works as an interior designer and project manager at SPACE Architecture + Design.

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