Reunion at Commencement Schedule

James Merrill’s Poetic Places

Thursday, May 14 | 8 a.m.-12 a.m. | John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Newman Tower of Collections and Exploration

American poet James Merrill was a world traveler. He loved discovering new destinations and exploring new cultures, and he found deep inspiration in them. He also had certain home bases that provided frequent creative stimuli throughout his life. On the occasion of Merrill’s centenary year in 2026, this exhibition showcases six such locations, whether a house, a city, a country, or even an imaginary place that transcended the physical and defined his epic literary trilogy.
Whichever the case, these places played key roles in some of Merrill’s most cherished works and dearest relationships. With the exception of certain items on loan from the James Merrill House (JMH) in Stonington, Connecticut, all items in this exhibition are from the James Merrill Papers in WashU Libraries’ Special Collections.

Unalienable Rights: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence

Thursday, May 14 | 8 a.m.-12 a.m. | John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Thomas Gallery

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and created the United States of America. In the 250 years since, the ideals set forth in the Declaration have shaped our country and served as a reminder of the unfinished work of independence.
This exhibition features printed versions of the Declaration of Independence, including an example that traveled to the moon, along with a discussion of the document’s importance throughout history and the ways groups have sought to ensure the principles in the Declaration are upheld for all people. It also includes founding documents that showcase the early history of the United States, as well as artists’ books that interpret and interact with history, the country’s founding, and American patriotism.

Moral Tails

Thursday, May 14 | 8 a.m.-12 a.m. | John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Julian Edison Department of Special Collections Reading Room

The Moral Tails exhibition shares stories of animals in children’s literature and how animals can exemplify different human characteristics. From opportunistic crocodiles to cunning pigs and all manner of beasts in between, these creatures make sure young kids have herd (pun intended) of moral principles. These allegorical animals have something to teach us, not just about themselves, but ourselves, too.

Special Exhibits at Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Thursday, May 14 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Visit the Kemper Art Museum to see thematic presentations of artworks from the Museum’s internationally renowned collection as well as several special exhibitions. Featuring forty-three large-scale photographs created in China between 1993 and 2006, Looking Back Toward the Future: Contemporary Photography from China explores how avant-garde artists in China first engaged with photography’s conceptual and expressive potential to chronicle, critique, and reflect on the nation’s global transformation and its increasingly powerful market economy. On view for the first time at the Museum, these works are part of a recent gift that represents a significant addition to the institution’s holdings of contemporary Chinese art. Listening to the Art of German Cultures invites viewers to listen to stories of nationhood as they are conveyed through a selection of paintings, photographs, films, and sculptures spanning over seventy-five years of cultural production in the German-speaking world. This Teaching Gallery presentation offers insights into the nation’s contemporary culture and global entanglements—revealing the surprising perspectives, unheard voices, and acoustic textures that art can evoke. In conjunction is The Song of the Germans, a sound installation produced by the Berlin-based Nigerian artist Emeka Ogboh. First premiered at the 2015 Venice Biennale, it features a recording of ten African immigrants singing the German national anthem in their native languages. Played continuously, the composition unfolds differently each time as it builds into a full chorus.

Admission is free.

Unalienable Rights: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence

Friday, May 15 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Thomas Gallery

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and created the United States of America. In the 250 years since, the ideals set forth in the Declaration have shaped our country and served as a reminder of the unfinished work of independence.
This exhibition features printed versions of the Declaration of Independence, including an example that traveled to the moon, along with a discussion of the document’s importance throughout history and the ways groups have sought to ensure the principles in the Declaration are upheld for all people. It also includes founding documents that showcase the early history of the United States, as well as artists’ books that interpret and interact with history, the country’s founding, and American patriotism.

Moral Tails

Friday, May 15 | 8 a.m.-10 p.m. | John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Julian Edison Department of Special Collections Reading Room

The Moral Tails exhibition shares stories of animals in children’s literature and how animals can exemplify different human characteristics. From opportunistic crocodiles to cunning pigs and all manner of beasts in between, these creatures make sure young kids have herd (pun intended) of moral principles. These allegorical animals have something to teach us, not just about themselves, but ourselves, too.

Special Exhibits at Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Friday, May 15 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Visit the Kemper Art Museum to see thematic presentations of artworks from the Museum’s internationally renowned collection as well as several special exhibitions. Featuring forty-three large-scale photographs created in China between 1993 and 2006, Looking Back Toward the Future: Contemporary Photography from China explores how avant-garde artists in China first engaged with photography’s conceptual and expressive potential to chronicle, critique, and reflect on the nation’s global transformation and its increasingly powerful market economy. On view for the first time at the Museum, these works are part of a recent gift that represents a significant addition to the institution’s holdings of contemporary Chinese art. Listening to the Art of German Cultures invites viewers to listen to stories of nationhood as they are conveyed through a selection of paintings, photographs, films, and sculptures spanning over seventy-five years of cultural production in the German-speaking world. This Teaching Gallery presentation offers insights into the nation’s contemporary culture and global entanglements—revealing the surprising perspectives, unheard voices, and acoustic textures that art can evoke. In conjunction is The Song of the Germans, a sound installation produced by the Berlin-based Nigerian artist Emeka Ogboh. First premiered at the 2015 Venice Biennale, it features a recording of ten African immigrants singing the German national anthem in their native languages. Played continuously, the composition unfolds differently each time as it builds into a full chorus.

Admission is free.

James Merrill’s Poetic Places

Saturday, May 16 | 9 a.m.-10 p.m. | John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Newman Tower of Collections and Exploration

American poet James Merrill was a world traveler. He loved discovering new destinations and exploring new cultures, and he found deep inspiration in them. He also had certain home bases that provided frequent creative stimuli throughout his life. On the occasion of Merrill’s centenary year in 2026, this exhibition showcases six such locations, whether a house, a city, a country, or even an imaginary place that transcended the physical and defined his epic literary trilogy.
Whichever the case, these places played key roles in some of Merrill’s most cherished works and dearest relationships. With the exception of certain items on loan from the James Merrill House (JMH) in Stonington, Connecticut, all items in this exhibition are from the James Merrill Papers in WashU Libraries’ Special Collections.

Unalienable Rights: 250 Years of the Declaration of Independence

Saturday, May 16 | 9 a.m.-10 p.m. | John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Thomas Gallery

On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and created the United States of America. In the 250 years since, the ideals set forth in the Declaration have shaped our country and served as a reminder of the unfinished work of independence.
This exhibition features printed versions of the Declaration of Independence, including an example that traveled to the moon, along with a discussion of the document’s importance throughout history and the ways groups have sought to ensure the principles in the Declaration are upheld for all people. It also includes founding documents that showcase the early history of the United States, as well as artists’ books that interpret and interact with history, the country’s founding, and American patriotism.

Moral Tails

Saturday, May 16 | 9 a.m.-10 p.m. | John M. Olin Library, Level 1, Julian Edison Department of Special Collections Reading Room

The Moral Tails exhibition shares stories of animals in children’s literature and how animals can exemplify different human characteristics. From opportunistic crocodiles to cunning pigs and all manner of beasts in between, these creatures make sure young kids have herd (pun intended) of moral principles. These allegorical animals have something to teach us, not just about themselves, but ourselves, too.

Special Exhibits at Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Saturday, May 16 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m. | Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum

Visit the Kemper Art Museum to see thematic presentations of artworks from the Museum’s internationally renowned collection as well as several special exhibitions. Featuring forty-three large-scale photographs created in China between 1993 and 2006, Looking Back Toward the Future: Contemporary Photography from China explores how avant-garde artists in China first engaged with photography’s conceptual and expressive potential to chronicle, critique, and reflect on the nation’s global transformation and its increasingly powerful market economy. On view for the first time at the Museum, these works are part of a recent gift that represents a significant addition to the institution’s holdings of contemporary Chinese art. Listening to the Art of German Cultures invites viewers to listen to stories of nationhood as they are conveyed through a selection of paintings, photographs, films, and sculptures spanning over seventy-five years of cultural production in the German-speaking world. This Teaching Gallery presentation offers insights into the nation’s contemporary culture and global entanglements—revealing the surprising perspectives, unheard voices, and acoustic textures that art can evoke. In conjunction is The Song of the Germans, a sound installation produced by the Berlin-based Nigerian artist Emeka Ogboh. First premiered at the 2015 Venice Biennale, it features a recording of ten African immigrants singing the German national anthem in their native languages. Played continuously, the composition unfolds differently each time as it builds into a full chorus.

Admission is free.