Michele Hall receives inaugural McLeod Scholarship to attend Washington University in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS, MO (07/07/2010)(readMedia)-- Michele D. Hall, daughter of Cornelia Porter-Hall of Annapolis, Md. (21409), and Dennis Hall of Bowie, Md. (20715), has been named an inaugural McLeod Scholar at Washington University in St. Louis. Hall, a 2010 graduate of Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Md., will be a freshman at the university when the fall semester begins Aug. 31.

McLeod Scholars are selected on the basis of academic achievement, commitment to serving others, leadership potential and character.

Hall participated in her high school's drama program and choir and played clarinet in the school band. Her commitment to dance earned her a full apprenticeship with the Ballet Theatre of Maryland. Through these experiences, she has served her peers and the underserved of her community. Hall is also the recipient of an Ervin Scholarship at Washington University.

Washington University established the scholarship last year to honor James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, whose 35 years of invaluable contributions, inspiration, devotion and guidance to the university community have made an indelible mark.

McLeod's effect on the Washington University community has been profound. As dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, WUSTL's largest undergraduate school, and vice chancellor for students, he and his colleagues have built a warm, supportive and challenging student culture that is unique in the nation. His goal to have every student "known by name and by story" has set the tone.

His wisdom, steadiness under pressure, generous spirit and strong values have guided and influenced many generations of students, faculty and staff at the university.

Recognized as one of the university's most effective leaders, McLeod has spearheaded many successful undergraduate efforts, including developing a residential college approach to dormitory living; strengthening the undergraduate advising system; constructing new small-group housing; advising the new undergraduate curriculum effort in Arts & Sciences; enriching the mix of seminar experiences for freshmen; establishing and building the John B. Ervin Scholars Program; and helping initiate and shape the expanded study-abroad program.

A native of Dothan, Ala., McLeod joined the WUSTL faculty in 1974 as an assistant professor of German. His other positions at the university have included serving as assistant dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences; assistant to then-Chancellor William H. Danforth; and director of African and African-American Studies in Arts & Sciences.

Washington University in St. Louis

Washington University is counted among the world's leaders in teaching and research, and it draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 125 countries. The total student body is more than 13,500 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

The approximately 3,290 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law, School of Medicine and George Warren Brown School of Social Work. Twenty-two Nobel laureates have been associated with Washington University, with nine doing the major portion of their pioneering research here.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.

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