Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton praised Eberlein and Peck for their success in creating one of the leading cancer centers in the country and the recognition it has received in being designated a Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.

"The combination of major support from Al and Ruth Siteman, the leadership of Tim Eberlein and Bill Peck, our partnership with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the outstanding work of a dedicated faculty and staff already have made the Siteman Cancer Center a major force in medical care and research," Wrighton said. Alvin J. Siteman is an emeritus trustee of the University.

In his report to the trustees, Wrighton opened his comments by thanking R. Gilbert Jost, M.D., the Elizabeth E. Mallinckrodt Professor of Radiology and head of that department, for his presentation that morning to trustees regarding the dramatic and far-reaching developments in medical imaging now taking place at the School of Medicine and the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology. Jost's presentation demonstrated why the Department of Radiology is a world-recognized leader in medical imaging, including MRI, CT, PET and other diagnostic systems in which his department has played a significant role.

Wrighton reported on the agenda and itinerary for the March 17-23 meeting in Shanghai and Beijing of the International Advisory Council for Asia (IACA). Attendance by IACA members is expected to be the highest in its seven-year history.

More than 80 persons will attend the meetings, including all school deans and several prominent members of the University faculty, who will give presentations on their research and scholarship. In addition, visits will be made to China's three leading universities -- Fudan, Peking and Tsinghua universities, as well as to the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the Chinese Academy of Science.

On another international front, Wrighton thanked Murray L. Weidenbaum, Ph.D., the Edward Mallinckrodt Distinguished University Professor and honorary chairman of the Weidenbaum Center on the Economy, Government, and Public Policy, for his presentation on "Globalization: Wonderland or Wasteland," which was the T.S. Eliot Lecture at the University of London in January. Wrighton also noted the opportunity he had at that event to meet with three Washington University Rhodes Scholars currently attending Oxford University -- Ben Cannon, Sarah Johnson and Ian Klaus.

Plans are taking shape for the celebration of the University's 150th Anniversary during the 2003-04 academic year under the leadership of a Sesquicentennial Commission chaired by Trustee Robert L. Virgil. Two meetings of the commission already have been held. Plans preliminarily call for a University Founders Week to kick off a yearlong series of activities and events commencing during the week of Sept. 14-20, 2003.

Wrighton noted that a 150th Anniversary Web page, 150.wustl.edu, will be up and running before the end of the current semester. Currently in the early stages of production is a 150th Anniversary history book of the University, which will be available in mid-2003.

On a facilities update, it was noted that progress continues on schedule for the completion of both the Uncas A. Whitaker Hall for Biomedical Engineering and the Arts & Sciences Laboratory Sciences Building, both of which are slated for completion by the middle of the next academic year. Wrighton also said that the renovations to Givens and Bixby halls as part of Phase I of the Visual Arts & Design Center (VADC) should be done by the end of March, when the access "links" between those two buildings and Steinberg Hall will be completed.

Fund-raising for the next stage of construction for the VADC will begin soon, as designs for two new buildings are being reviewed. The Earth and Planetary Sciences Building is now in the design phase.

On academic matters, Wrighton reported that five distinguished faculty have been honored with endowed professorships created through support for the Campaign for Washington University -- new professorships that now exceed 100 in number.

He also announced the creation of the new Center for Aging under the leadership of John C. Morris, M.D., the Harvey A. and Dorismae Hacker Friedman Professor of Neurology. The Friedmans provided a major gift to support a University-wide effort to enable older adults to remain engaged and live happier, healthier and longer lives.

Wrighton closed his comments by noting that both the men's and women's basketball teams, each undefeated champions of the University Athletic Association, were to play NCAA Division III playoff games March 2 in the Field House.

In other action, the trustees received reports from the following standing committees: Audit, Development, Educational Policy, Hilltop Finance, Medical Finance, Investments, Student Affairs, Research-Graduate Affairs, and the Alumni Board of Governors.