This semester, Teach for America (TFA) has employed a set of aggressive recruiting tactics for Wash. U. seniors. TFA liaisons—undergraduate Washington University students hired to recruit students for Teach for America—are paid to run through lists of student group leaders and mark potential candidates with a priority level for the organization.

As the school year comes to a close, seniors can be heard chatting around campus about their post-graduation plans. Usually about 30-40 percent of graduating students enroll in graduate or professional school for the year following their graduation, according to Mark Smith, director of the Career Center. Another third of the students enroll in graduate school within five years of graduation.

Transcript of Wendy Kopp’s address at Washington University’s 2009 commencement ceremony, as prepared for delivery.

On Friday, May 15, 2009, 2,642 students received 2,765 degrees at the 148th Commencement ceremony.