to cover all their financial need. Another $200 million was set aside to help graduate and professional students pay for school. Under Martin’s leadership, the School of Continuing & Professional Studies was redesigned to make college more accessible for more people. He also expanded the WashU Pledge and started the Heartland Initiative to help talented students from the region succeed and stay after graduation.
In 2024, Washington University purchased the 16-acre campus of neighboring Fontbonne University, which is set to close in 2025, for $39 million.
=== U.S. presidential and vice-presidential debates ===
As of 2024, Washington University has been the venue for four presidential debates and one vice-presidential debate: the inaugural 1992 presidential debate on October 11, 1992, the third 2000 Presidential debate on October 17, the second 2004 Presidential debate on October 8, the sole 2008 Vice Presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin on October 2, and the second 2016 Presidential debate …
