WashU campus sign with tulips blooming in front

Exploring WashU: Images from the 2023 Summer

Introducing our students to the beautiful WashU campus is one of our favorite ways to spend the summer. Here students share some of their favorite photos and most memorable moments of exploring campus.

Located in a quiet suburban neighborhood seven miles west of downtown is the Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis. Featuring predominantly Collegiate Gothic architecture, the campus is  reminiscent of great European universities. The Danforth Campus is where our pre-college students take classes, enjoy meals, and spend time with friends.

Ridgley Hall on WashU's Campus
Ridgley Hall. Photo credit: Vera Kanu

Filled with grassy areas and quiet nooks with benches and flowers our pre-college students enjoy soaking up the sun while studying, walking, or just relaxing outside in the summer. They spend their time exploring the seven campus libraries or sipping coffee under the shade of an American Basswood tree. Brookings Hall is a favorite photo spot. Once known as University Hall, Brookings Hall was completed in 1902 and serves as the administrative center of WashU.

Student taking photo of Brookings Hall
Brookings Hall. Photo credit: Anne Colina-Valeri
Brookings Hall
Brookings Hall. Photo credit: Cristel Diaz

Scattered across campus is a growing collection of public artworks by nationally and internationally recognized artists made possible by the Art on Campus program. We will often find our students starring wide-eyed at Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle's Weather Field No. 2 located in Millstone Plaza or meeting up with friends at Tom Friedman's Swamp Creature Friends located on the South 40 Swamp just outside Umrath House.

Swamp Things Sculpture on WashU Campus
Swamp Creature Friends. Photo credit: Bella Behrle

Some of the most special moments of summer happen in the residence hall. As students gather with friends over pizza or a favorite TV show, laughter radiates throughout the building. We enjoy listening to students share stories about their day and help them to make plans for the weekend. There is even the occasional birthday celebration!

students sitting on the floor
Photo credit: Brooklyn Thompson
Group of students smiling getting ready to enjoy a birthday cake
Photo credit: Bella Behrle

Life at WashU over the summer is truly a memorable experience. We look forward to welcoming new and returning pre-college students to campus next year!