The Graduate Center (TGC) at Washington University has planned a slate of events to celebrate Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week, including raffles, guided meditation, and a pizza lunch, April 1 to 5. 

The Graduate Center serves as a resource for graduate and professional students across all seven WashU schools: School of Medicine, School of Law, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School, Brown School, McKelvey Engineering, and Arts & Sciences. Graduate and professional students make up approximately 50% of WashU’s total enrollment, or 8,900 students. 

The Graduate Center began the celebratory week, which was hosted in collaboration with the College of Arts & Sciences Office of Graduate Studies (OGS), by holding a Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week Kickoff Party. 

The kickoff party included a reception, a raffle, and free headshots provided by the Graduate Professional Council. Around 100 graduate students attended the event, which provided them with the opportunity to meet and network with each other.   

At the event, the Graduate Student Senate announced that Johany Glen, Graduate Student Engagement Coordinator for the OGS, is the recipient of the 2023–2024 Outstanding Graduate Staff Award. 

Director of Graduate Programming and TGC, Jessica Klingler Cissell, highlighted the important work done by TGC for graduate and professional students at WashU. 

“[The center] is like a fabric that brings together all of the graduate students from all of the different disciplines and schools,” said Cissell.   

First-year graduate student in Hispanic Studies and Romance Languages and Literature, Magdalena Suarez, attended the kickoff and said that she liked the opportunity to meet other graduate students. 

“I really appreciate these kinds of events where many graduate students can gather and share their experiences,” said Suarez. 

Other celebratory events that were held this week include a breakfast with the WUPD dogs, a guided meditation, and a 5k run in forest park.  

Additional events coming up this week include an “American-style” picnic and networking opportunity in McMillan Courtyard, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on April 5.

Students enjoy the kickoff | Photo by Lance Thurman