The Insider: 1.7.15

Twenty-year-old Brittany Packnett rubbed elbows with the VIPs in Washington, D.C. As a representative of the Ferguson Commission, appointed by Gov. Nixon, Packnett met with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. She is the daughter of Gwen Packnett, director of multicultural relations for the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Pictured, above: Ferguson Commission representatives Brittany Packnett and Rasheen Aldridge with vice president Joe Biden.

Dr. Katie Plax’s commitment to improving the health of disadvantaged children earned her the Dr. Corinne Walentik Leadership in Health Award from The Missouri Foundation for Health. Now in its second year, the award honors those who exemplify the passion of its namesake. Plax designated her $25,000 gift to The SPOT, a nonprofit she founded that provides free health care, social support, counseling and more to at-risk youth.

Join the book club! The following books by St. Louisans have hit the shelves: Twigs & Moss, Lasting for More than a Season by Resito Pecson; Max Starkloff and the Fight for Disability Rights by Charles Claggett Jr. and Richard Weiss; St. Louis: An Illustrated Timeline by Carol Ferring Shepley; It’s Time to Look Inside by Pamela Dunn; and Made by Raffi by Craig Pomranz.

Longtime philanthropists and civic leaders Elizabeth and James McDonnell have pledged $25 million to endow The Genome Institute at Washington University School ofMedicine. The facility will now be called The Elizabeth H. and James S. McDonnell III Genome Institute and will pursue innovative research on the genetic origins of diseases like cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

The Saint Louis Art Museum has started construction on a new sculpture garden, thanks to a $5 million gift from philanthropists Barbara and Andy Taylor. The garden will include pieces from the museum’s collection and more than 450 new trees. In addition to construction costs, the gift will be used to establish an endowment for future maintenance and fund additional outdoor improvements. Barbara is president of the museum’s board of commissioners, and Andy is executive chairman of Enterprise Holdings.