Congratulations to the following designers, who took first place honors in ASID Missouri East chapter’s inaugural 2015 Design Excellence Awards: Emily Castle of Castle Design, Carole Hiatt of Carole Hiatt Design Associates, Marcia Moore of Marcia Moore Design, Robert Idol of Idol Design, Amy Herman of Gateway Interior Design, Jennifer C. Rapp of JCR Design Group, Kay Hagan of Hagan Associates, Lori Olsen McElvain of Castle Design, and student Tyson Baker of St. Louis Community College. They were honored at a recent gala celebrating the chapter’s 40th anniversary. Look for complete coverage of the winning designs in our June 
3 issue.
Washington University will award five honorary degrees at its 154th commencement May 15. Filmmaker Ken Burns, referred to by The New York Times as “the most accomplished documentary filmmaker of his generation,” will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary doctorate of humanities. Other honorees include distinguished scientist Mary-Dell Chilton, renowned neuroscientist Gerald Fischbach, music icon Herbie Hancock, and local rabbi Susan Talve of Central Reform Congregation.
Award-winning local author Terry Baker Mulligan recently celebrated her birthday at the Missouri Athletic Club with a private launch of her second novel, Afterlife in Harlem. Mulligan, a St. Louis resident for more than 40 years, was born and raised on Harlem’s Sugar Hill, and her writing incorporates her upbringing and childhood neighborhood. The book is available locally at Left Bank Books, The Book House and Barnes & Noble, as well as online.
Year-end totals are in, and it’s clear that the folks at Wells Fargo Advisors really believe in giving back to their communities. The firm contributed $8.4 million to more than 250 nonprofits in 2014, and one-third of its Missouri employees volunteered nearly 50,000 hours at various nonprofits across the state. Locally, the financial services company received honors for its philanthropy efforts from the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, St. Louis Crisis Nursery, Gateway to Hope, Great Circle and Paraquad. Way to go!
The Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University has received a major donation from philanthropist and art collector Peter Norton. The gift includes more than 50 contemporary pieces (sculptures, videos, photographs, installations and multimedia works) by 40 internationally known artists. A small portion is currently on display, and a second exhibition will take place this fall. Norton is founder of Peter Norton Computing. Pictured above: Renée Cox, “It Shall Be Named” (1994) Gelatin silver prints, mahogany, and plexiglass, 105 x 104 1/2 x 4 ¾”(framed). Peter Norton Collection.
