Alton's Thomas R. Hildebrand earns undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis

Jul 7, 2016 2:59 PM Jul 7, 2016 3:02 PM

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ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Thomas R. Hildebrand, son of Carol L. Cagle and Thomas E. Hildebrand of Alton, IL., earned an undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis on May 20. Hildebrand graduated with a bachelor of science in chemical engineering.

Hildebrand was among the more than 2,900 students who received degrees at the university's 155th Commencement ceremony, which was held in Brookings Quadrangle on the Danforth Campus.

Civil rights pioneer and U.S. Congressman John R. Lewis delivered the Commencement address. Lewis, known as one of the "Big Six" leaders who organized the historic 1963 March on Washington, received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from the university.

Hildebrand graduated from Alton High School in 2012.

Washington University in St. Louis is counted among the world's leaders in teaching, research, patient care and service to society. The university draws students and faculty to St. Louis from more than 100 countries and all 50 IL s, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The total student body is approximately 14,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

The approximately 3,600 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, School of Engineering & Applied Science, School of Law and School of Medicine. Washington University has been affiliated with 25 Nobel laureates, many of whom did a significant portion of their award-winning work at the university.

The university offers more than 90 programs and almost 1,500 courses leading to bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.