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[Page S3158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS
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TRIBUTE TO MARK WRIGHTON
Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to honor the
work and career of Chancellor Mark Wrighton of Washington University in
St. Louis. On May 31, 2019, Chancellor Wrighton concluded his term as
chancellor after 24 years at Washington University.
In 1995, Chancellor Wrighton began his career at Washington
University in St. Louis. He was brought to St. Louis to serve as the
14th chancellor to one of the top institutions in the United States.
Consistently ranked in the top 20 for best universities and currently
ranked No. 8 for best research and medical schools, Washington
University in St. Louis's reputation has grown; and its academic reach
expanded under the leadership of Chancellor Wrighton. Although it was
already a top school when he arrived, Chancellor Wrighton had a strong
vision for boosting the full-time faculty numbers, making capital
improvements to continue the high-quality learning experience for
students, expanding their reach internationally, and enhancing the
advancements in their medical research.
Under his guidance and leadership, Chancellor Wrighton saw the
construction of 50 new buildings, including a state-of-the-art research
facility, the Debra and George W. Couch III Biomedical Research
Building that is home to top researchers involved in genetics,
genomics, and regenerative biology. In addition, one of his projects
that has arguably made the biggest impact in St. Louis and is playing
an important role in cancer research is the development of the Alvin J.
Siteman Cancer Center. His focus on capital improvements to enhance the
quality of learning and research, as well as hiring the best leadership
to oversee the faculty, doctors, and researchers at the Washington
University School of Medicine, have led to pivotal results in the areas
of treating, researching, and developing new approaches to dealing with
diseases, such as cancer and Alzheimer's. His comprehensive vision for
the best talent to work in top-quality facilities has pioneered the way
for better approaches to personalized medicine and lifesaving treatment
making a significant contribution to addressing many of the complicated
diseases facing patients and the families that love them.
In addition to medical care and research, Chancellor Wrighton had a
vision for contributing to the entrepreneurial climate in St. Louis and
supporting the St. Louis community. There have been many positive local
impacts made by Washington University, but an important commitment
Chancellor Wrighton supported as an original collaborator was to launch
Cortex. Cortex is the St. Louis home to the region's largest innovation
campus for bioscience and technology startups and companies. Chancellor
Wrighton's early and continued support of enterprises such as Cortex
and other collaborations, like the Donald Danforth Plant Science
Center, demonstrate his commitment to support local economic growth and
enhance job creation.
Over the years Chancellor Wrighton has been an instrumental leader
not just in the St. Louis region but across the country. He is not only
known for being one of the best in the field of chemistry, which is
where he started his career, but for being the best in educating our
next generation of students, researchers, and citizens to be
productive, engaged, and to make a difference.
Chancellor Wrighton has led Washington University in St. Louis with
great integrity. He has been a valuable partner to the St. Louis
community. He has been and I am sure will continue to be an important
adviser to me and to those that will seek his expertise to help address
the many issues facing our region, State, and country. He has laid the
groundwork for his successor to continue to enhance the quality
education Washington University in St. Louis has been recognized for
over the past several decades.
We thank him for his years of commitment to the University and to the
St. Louis region.
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