UMSL’s Rita Csapó-Sweet (left) receives a letter announcing her University of Missouri President’s Award for Cross-Cultural Engagement by Chris Weisbrook, director of academic programs at the University of Missouri System.

Rita Csapó-Sweet grew up a first-generation Hungarian-American. Her parents came to the United States after World War II. Because of her ethnic background, she felt a little out of place growing up in America. But a college trip to Hungary remedied her feelings of alienation and carved out a path that saw her become a cultural ambassador of sorts.

“Suddenly, I understood why I had always felt myself an outsider,” said Csapó-Sweet, associate professor of media studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. “My year abroad put the narrative of my life into context. A foot in both worlds has served me well during the past 40 years.”

In late April, Csapó-Sweet, of St. Louis, was honored by the four-campus University of Missouri System with the UM President’s Award for Cross-Cultural Engagement. The award recognizes her efforts to build cultural and educational exchange projects with Eastern European universities. She established institutional links with the University of Debrecen in Hungary, University of Sarajevo in Bosnia and Herzegovina and University of Dubrovnik in Croatia.

“Rita is more than deserving of this prestigious award,” Barbara Harbach, professor of music at UMSL, wrote in a nomination letter for the award. “She has worked passionately in helping victims of war in several of these countries but most importantly in cultivating exchanges for faculty and students that can benefit from the understanding of learning to appreciate different cultures with their unique ethnicities and customs.”

In 1995, Csapó-Sweet developed an educational and cultural exchange program with the University of Debrecen in Hungary, with a grant from the U.S. Department of State and International Studies and Programs at UMSL.

For decades, Csapó-Sweet’s international research has been funded by the Soros Foundation, IREX, and the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program.

And she recently received her third UM Research Board grant to curate a program of films from the former Yugoslavia at the 2013 St. Louis International Film Festival. Her documentaries have been broadcast nationally and internationally, and she is the faculty adviser for the UMSL Film Production Society.

Through the efforts of Csapó-Sweet, UMSL signed student-faculty exchange agreements in 2007 with the Universities of Sarajevo in Bosnia and the University of Dubrovnik in Croatia. In 2010, UMSL students began taking classes in Sarajevo, and this fall two students from Sarajevo will study at UMSL. Csapó-Sweet will donate funds from her UM President’s Award to bring the two students to St. Louis.

Since making her first trip back to Hungary in 1973 to study at the  Royal Academy of Fine Art and discover her heritage and family roots, Csapó-Sweet has frequently visited Eastern Europe.

“That one year of being abroad completely changed my life,” she said. “I realized I had this whole other part of me that I didn’t really know existed.”

For Csapó-Sweet, creating UMSL’s cultural exchange programs is a career highlight. She said the programs can be a salve for young people experiencing similar emotions, and even if students aren’t looking to fill a void, exchange programs are a unique and valuable experience.

“It’s easy for a child to feel like an outsider if you have cultural roots elsewhere,” Csapó-Sweet said. “You never really feel completely 100 percent part of this society. If there’s some chance you can go back to a place where you have family, where you have another language, students should grab the opportunity. Because after college you might never have a chance again.”

This summer, she’ll return to Hungary, Sarajevo and Dubrovnik to continue her research and strengthen ties on behalf of UMSL.

The Academic Affairs Office at the UM System administers a total of six UM President’s Awards. The annual, systemwide awards are open to faculty from UMSL, the University of Missouri–Columbia, the University of Missouri–Kansas City and Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla.

In addition to Csapó-Sweet, four UMSL faculty members won a UM President’s Award this year: Vicki Sauter, professor of information systems, for university citizenship: Susann Farberman, associate teaching professor of nursing, for inter-campus collaboration; Dawn Garzon, teaching professor of nursing, for inter-campus collaboration; and Carl Hoagland, the Emerson Electric Endowed Professor of Teaching and Learning, for innovative teaching.

Csapó-Sweet and her colleagues will receive their awards June 13 at a celebration in Columbia, Mo.

Dan Isom, Endowed Professor of Policing and Community at UMSL, announces the St. Louis Initiative to Reduce Violence program during a news conference May 20 at UMSL. (Photo by August Jennewein)

With 24 years of experience in law enforcement, Dan Isom understands the problems facing St. Louis residents.

“During my tenure as police chief I saw the issues related to violence in our community, both for individuals, and for families and neighborhoods,” said Isom, Endowed Professor of Policing and Community at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. “We know it is a problem in our community, so a selected group of people came together to focus on two areas. We know that the violence is going down … but we think these areas need some special treatment.”

The St. Louis Initiative to Reduce Violence was announced during a news conference Monday at UMSL. The conference, hosted by Isom and Richard Rosenfeld, Curators’ Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UMSL, outlined the pilot program, which will be implemented in St. Louis’ sixth police district and Jennings, Mo.

SIRV is a grassroots effort to increase community safety, engage youth to build trust and increase the quality of life for families and communities. The initiative was created by the Rev. B.T. Rice of New Horizon Christian Church in St. Louis County, and brings together both law enforcement and community leaders from St. Louis and St. Louis County.

Visit sirvstl.org for more information about the St. Louis Initiative to Reduce Violence.

Media coverage:
CNN
KSDK (Channel 5)
KTVI (Channel 2)
St. Louis Beacon
St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU

Keith Womer (left), dean of the College of Business Administration at UMSL, talks with Casey Nolan, host of “Stay Tuned” on KETC, about what students can expect after graduation.

‘Tis the season to graduate. And many young people are looking to make their next move. But what is it?

Three University of Missouri–St. Louis scholars were recently featured on “Stay Tuned,” a weekly live program that airs on KETC (Channel 9). Keith Womer, dean of the College of Business Administration, Alan Byrd, dean of enrollment services, and Carl Hoagland, the Emerson Electric Endowed Professor of Teaching and Learning, took part in the show “Graduation Season: What’s Next?”

The program touched on the value of a college education, internships, marketable skills and dealing with student loan debt.

Tom McPhail is a professor of media studies and chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Studies at UMSL. (Photo by Myra Lopez)

Tom McPhail, professor of media studies and chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance and Media Studies at the University of Missouri­­­–St. Louis, has accepted an invitation to join an advisory group at the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru.

As part of the advisory group for research evaluation, McPhail will review internal faculty research grant applications in the areas of journalism, communication, media studies and international relations. He’ll also help perform quality assessments of completed research projects. McPhail was one of five foreign experts invited to join the advisory group earlier this spring.

“They consider me one of the preeminent scholars on the subject matters and welcome my participation as long as I have the time,” he said.

Pontifical Catholic University of Peru is a private university in Lima, founded in 1917 by a Catholic priest as Peru’s first nonprofit private institution of higher learning. It’s the only Peruvian university to be listed among the top 500 universities in the world in international rankings.

McPhail is a media analyst, who’s frequently quoted by national and international news outlets. He joined UMSL in 1990 and teaches courses on international media, cultural studies, new media and telecommunication policy. He’s also a fellow in International Studies and Programs at UMSL. His book, “Global Communication: Theories, Stakeholders, and Trends,” is an authoritative text on international communication. The third edition was published in 2010, and McPhail is working on the fourth edition.

Susan Brownell, a professor of anthropology specializing in China at UMSL, recently weighed in on gender wage disparity in China for a Bloomberg Businessweek article. (Photo by August Jennewein)

Of the 20 richest individuals in China, three are self-made female billionaires. But the ranking certainly isn’t a norm. In fact, China has a growing gender pay disparity, which Chinese expert Susan Brownell told Bloomberg Businessweek harkens back to the country’s male-oriented work traditions.

The particular nature of China’s modern business landscape emphasizes guanxi, said Brownell, an anthropology professor specializing in China at the University of Missouri­­­–St. Louis. That refers to the stoking of interlocking personal and professional connections.

“Guanxi itself is such a male world,” Brownell told Bloomberg Businessweek. “Businessmen go to KTV bars and often patronize prostitutes together. It’s hard for women to share the same bonding experiences.”

According to Brownell, at least one successful female Chinese business owner has designated a young man on her staff to take male clients out on her behalf. She said the arrangement is evidence of successful women in China developing tactics to handle the male aspects of guanxi.

However, she notes that while the solution is “crafty” it’s “a depressing form of accommodation.”

To read the full article “Why China Needs a ‘Lean In’ Movement” visit Bloomberg Businessweek.

Media coverage:
China Digital Times

Nicholas Brune, a senior mathematics major, will graduate from UMSL this spring and earn the university’s first Certificate in Actuarial Studies. (Photo by Alicia Hottle-Sippy)

A variety of studies and media outlets agree: the actuarial field is booming even among these tough economic times. A recent analysis put together by CareerCast, a job search portal that says its analysis is a quarter century in the making, states that growth in the actuarial field is set to outpace all other professions. Keeping true to its commitment to prepare students for the changing job market, UMSL now offers a Certificate in Actuarial Studies through the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. And given the profession’s booming future, it’s perhaps no surprise the first recipient of the certificate, Nicholas Brune, is completing his entire undergraduate curriculum in only three years.

Brune came to UMSL in 2010 knowing that he wanted to be an actuary. Thinking he’d have to carve his own niche within the math and economics programs, Brune went through his first semesters working toward minors in economics and statistics along with his math major. Then, in Brune’s junior year, the Certificate of Actuarial Studies was being developed and the committee behind it actually recruited Nicholas for his input.

“There’s a big need in the Midwest for actuaries right now,” said Ronald Yasbin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UMSL. “And before UMSL only one other school in the area offered any kind of degree in the field.”

But for students like Brune, who is also a student in the Pierre Laclede Honors College, an interest in the actuarial studies extends way beyond the job outlook.

“It’s hard to find a job that encourages the learning process to such a degree,” Brune said. “Some companies might give you a raise to get an MBA, but in the actuarial field it’s really not about the money, it’s about the mathematical concepts that many people have yet to learn. It’s a great opportunity, a great field for someone interested in math.”

Brune says he was fortunate to know early on that math was going to be his chosen field of study, though even as he accumulated advanced placement and college credit math courses at St. Charles (Mo.) High School, he wasn’t sure the exact career those math skills would translate into.

A few months before Brune graduated from high school a teacher brought the actuarial profession to Brune’s attention, knowing that Nicholas wanted to apply math to the financial realm and would probably prefer a career with a stronger interpersonal aspect.

It was that focus carried over from high school that allowed him to get through his entire undergrad so quickly. Though doing so was not without challenges. His very first semester he enrolled in 18 credit hours. This current semester he is enrolled in 19.

“Nicholas is a smart guy,” said Robert Sorenson, a professor of economics. “He had a goal that he had honed in on like a laser. I am sure Nick will be a great standard-bearer of the quality of our certificate program and a very successful actuary.”

The College of Business Administration and School of Professional & Continuing Studies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis announced a new program that offers a Certificate in Digital Media Marketing. Courses will begin in June with a curriculum that offers marketers a chance to amplify their skills in the digital world, including social media, Web analytics, media buying and mobile marketing. This fall, the university will be adding social media marketing to its graduate level curriculum.

“It is imperative that universities begin to seriously change their marketing curriculums to reflect the evolution of marketing and business being driven by technology or they will be outdated and irrelevant,” said Perry D. Drake, academic director and assistant teaching professor at UMSL.

Consumers are changing the way they communicate with and research brands, and brands are changing the way they promote and engage with consumers. Attention has been shifted from traditional media marketing to Internet, wireless devices and other digital platforms.

By 2016, advertisers will spend as much on interactive marketing as they do on television advertising today, according to Forrester Research. Investment in search marketing, display advertising, email marketing, mobile marketing and social media will near $77 billion and represent 35 percent of all advertising, as interactive channels gain legitimacy in the marketing mix.

As such, today’s marketers must be well versed in many areas including:

• Social media listening techniques and tools
• Web tracking techniques, tools and dashboarding
• Mobile marketing strategies
• Content development strategies
• Email marketing techniques for customer retention and retargeting

“The curriculum is designed to prepare marketers for the changing landscape where consumers are connected to a number of devices, have an unprecedented level of information for purchase decisions, and if properly cultivated can be an ambassador for their favorite brands,” Drake said.

Due to the focus on the latest issues facing the marketing community, the certificate course curriculum will improve the skill set of a recent graduate or an established professional, and is taught by local and national industry experts.

For more information, including course descriptions, instructors, fees and registration, visit the program website or call Perry Drake at 914-299-4879.

UMSL biology major Serene Darwish received a College of Arts and Sciences Research Grant to study the kiskadee bird population in Guyana. (Photo by August Jennewein)

When Serene Darwish made the switch from pre-med to biology she knew it was a better fit, but the move came as a surprise to her family. Now, any lingering doubts have been quashed.

Darwish, a resident of Florissant, Mo., and a junior biology major at the University of Missouri­–St. Louis, will spend 42 days in Guyana examining the mating songs of the great kiskadee bird population. Her summer research excursion comes courtesy of a $1,000 College of Arts and Sciences Research Grant.

“I was originally pre-med, and this semester I knew it wasn’t for me. And I knew I had a passion for animals,” she said. “I’m trying to prove to my family that I have passion for this. I know I can do it.”

Darwish was one of six undergraduates to receive this year’s grants. The college created the grant program last year in order to promote undergraduate research. A faculty and student review committee selected six undergraduates to receive funds to help them complete their research activities.

Darwish’s project, “Identifying contact zones in Guyana for great kiskadee populations through differences in unlearned loud songs,” will be overseen by her research mentor Godfrey R. Bourne, associate professor of biology. Bourne will also be in Guyana this summer conducting bird research, something he does every summer.

“I’m seeing if there is evolution occurring with the kiskadee species, by looking at differences in their mating songs,” Darwish said. “If we notice a difference in the songs, than we know the birds are changing. They are evolving.”

Each kiskadee subspecies has somewhat complex unlearned loud songs. Essentially, the birds are hatched knowing certain songs and are unable to learn new ones. She’ll be looking to see if their physical environment is favoring certain elements of the loud song while selecting against other song elements, thus influencing geographical clustering of song types.

“If their homes are changing structurally this might influence nature selection to accentuate differences in their songs, especially with mating related to female choice of males as mates,” Darwish said.

Her research findings will help determine if there’s something going on with the bird’s gene flow among neighboring populations and let researchers know if the species will be endangered soon.

This is her first excursion into field research, which has her equally excited and nervous. The grant money will be used for travel expenses.

Her take-away from winning the grant is never underestimate your strengths.

“If you don’t try you won’t know,” she said. “This encourages me to try even harder and try other things.”

Five other students in the College of Arts and Sciences won research grants: Sean Cristea for “Investigation of Methods to Predict DNA Curvature in Viral Genomes,” Eleni Goranitis for “The Effects of the Alzheimer’s Amyloid-Beta Protein on the Inflammatory Response,” Hung Nguyen for “Systematic Study of Photoresponsive Structure-Behavior Relationships in Cyanometalates,” Bojana Opacic for “Overexpressing IAA biosynthesis rescues mutants with low IAA phenotypes” and Matthew Queensen for “New Chiral Organometallic Iron Catalysys for C-C and C-Si Bond Forming Reactions.”

Media Coverage:
Hazelwood (Mo.) Patch 

A day before they graduate from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with an MFA in creative writing, nine students will read their original works. The semiannual MFA Graduate Reading will begin at 7:30 p.m. May 17 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL. The reading is free and open to the public.

Students scheduled to read include Sara Ross, Sarah Gray, Jessyka Lee, Adam Hayward, Amy Milton, Ryan Smith, Lauren Wiser, Kerstin Parmley and Ryan Trattles. John Dalton, director of the MFA in Creative Writing program, will give an introduction to the event. Faculty members from the program will then introduce each student.

The MFA in Creative Writing program is part of the Department of English. The program provides opportunities for growth in the writing of fiction and poetry. It also provides practical training in literary editing.

Call 314-516-5574 for more information. Visit the MFA in Creative Writing website to hear past graduate readings.

Media Coverage:
St. Louis Post-Dispatch 

Media Coverage highlights some of the top coverage, but does not serve as a comprehensive listing. This post will be updated with new highlights throughout the month and beyond.

Edward Bennett, associate professor of optometry, wrote the April 1 Contact Lens Spectrum article “A reporter from the 2013 GSLS meeting.”

Alumnus Aron Blanke, BM 1994 and MME 2004, was featured April 11 in the Ballwin-Ellisville (Mo.) Patch article “Which CCL teacher is Rockwood’s Elementary School Teacher of the Year?”

Amy Broadway, a student pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy, wrote the April 4 Psychology Today article “Living an ‘ordinary’ life with extraordinary abilities.”

Berit Brogaard, professor of philosophy, wrote the April 13 Psychology Today article “When the brain’s biological clock goes haywire.” Brogaard was wrote the April 22 in the Psychology Today article “Do you suffer from emotional pain or anxiety? Pop a Tylenol.” She wrote the April 20 Psychology Today article “Micro-inequities: 40 years later.” Brogaard wrote the April 23 Psychology Today article “‘I can easily beat black jack.’” She wrote the April 26 Psychology Today article “Struck by Lightning.”

Niyi Coker, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of African/African American Studies, was quoted April 14 in the Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World article “Film festival at KU to showcase reality of Africa.”

Julie Dunn-Morton, senior manuscript specialist for the St. Louis Mercantile Library, was quoted April 20 in The Edwardsville (Ill.) Intelligencer article “St. Louis Mercantile Library plans annual show, sale.”

Cynthia Dupureur, professor of chemistry and biochemistry, was quoted April 4 in the Riverfront Times article “Adrenaline boost: Music is more than a soundtrack for sports.”

Tim Eby, general manager of St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU, was quoted April 19 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “KWMU, Beacon online publication merging soon?”

Thomas Eyssell, associate dean of the College of Business Administration, was quoted April 3 in the St. Louis Business Journal article “$1.3 million UMSL study tracks credit report errors.”

Chancellor Tom George was quoted April 18 in The St. Louis American article “AT&T invests in STEM at UMSL.” George was quoted April 24 in the Maryland Heights (Mo.) Patch article “Summer STARS program to draw students from across the nation to UMSL.”

Megan Green, director of new student programs, was quoted in the April 19 St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “10 necessities for college students.”

Alumna Kenya Haney, BSN 2010, was featured April 18 in The St. Louis American article “Health salute: Eight excellent awardees.”

Beth Huebner, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice, was interviewed on April 1 for a KMOX (1120 AM) story about St. Louis gun crimes and gangs. The story was picked up by the Associated Press, appearing in news media outlets throughout the United States.

Dan Isom, professor of policing and the community, was featured April 3 in the St. Louis Review article “Former Police Chief Dan Isom says Catholic faith has played a role in his career.”

David Kimball, professor of political science, was quoted April 6 in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article “Voting change helped the GOP.”

David Klinger, associate professor of criminology and criminal justice, was quoted in the April 16 KTVI (Channel 2) story “Boston bombs meant to maim and kill; easy to build.” Klinger was interviewed for the April 19 KPLR (Channel 11) story “Terrorism expert breaks down Boston bombings.” He was quoted April 23 in The Los Angeles Times article “Women shot during Dorner manhunt to receive $4.2 million from L.A.”

Martin Leifeld, vice chancellor for university advancement, was quoted April 19 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “KWMU, Beacon online publication merging soon?”

Kristian Marlow, a student pursuing a master’s degree in philosophy, wrote the April 10 Psychology Today article “OCD, Tourette’s syndrome and addition: A real distinction?” Marlow wrote the April 17 Psychology Today article “Does colorblindness discriminate?”

Stephanie Merritt, assistant professor of psychology, co-wrote the April 8 St. Louis Post-Dispatch letter to the editor “Workplace smoking: The cost of perceived fairness and performance.”

Matthew Milunski, research assistant in the College of Nursing, co-wrote the April 8 St. Louis Post-Dispatch letter to the editor “Workplace smoking: The cost of perceived fairness and performance.”

Deb Moberly, adjunct associate professor of secondary and K-12 education, was featured April 22 in the Creve Coeur (Mo.) Patch article “Ask the Patch pro: Early childhood development expert to answer questions Thursday.” Moberly was featured in the article “Ask the Patch pro: Early childhood development expert to answer questions,” which appeared April 25 on several St. Louis-area Patch websites.

Charles Nowell, a junior majoring in studio art, was mentioned April 11 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Beer love goes from Soulard to Edwardsville and beyond.”

Hannah Perryman, a freshman softball player majoring in criminology and criminal justice, was featured April 6 in the Elgin (Ill.) Courier News article “College report: Hannah Perryman in top form at UMSL.”

Andrea Purnell, communications coordinator at Missouri Institute of Mental Health, was featured April 4 in the Ladue (Mo.) News article “2013 Visionary Awards.”

J. Martin Rochester, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Political Science, wrote the letter to the editor “Terrorist require different treatment than garden-variety criminals,” which ran April 24 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Rick Rosenfeld, Curators’ Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, was quoted April 20 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Success of Boston surveillance photos cited in support for broader system here.”

Vicki Sauter, professor of information systems, was interviewed for the April 29 KTVI (Channel 2) story “Contact 2: Schnucks Cyber Attack.”

Staci Shelton, a junior majoring in public policy and administration, was quoted April 6 in the St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU story “At global conference, students inspired to tackle local problems.”

Helene Sherman, associate dean of the College of Education, discussed why improving math literacy in the U.S. is important at a young age on the April 9 episode of “St. Louis on the Air,” a program on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU.

Matt Taylor, assistant professor of psychology, was interviewed for the April 29 KSDK (Channel 5) story “Professor talks about affect Collins will have on athletes.”

Kenneth Thomas, professor of political science, was quoted April 3 in the Florida Watchdog article “Not everyone agrees with Scott’s corporate tax cuts.” Thomas wrote the April 10 U.S. News & World Report column “Want jobs back? Axe business tax subsidies.” He wrote the April 11 Business Insider article “Obama could undo all progress made against senior poverty since 1965.” Thomas was quoted April 12 in the Moneynews.com article “Using chained CPI risks a senior poverty crisis.” He wrote the April 14 Business Insider article “There’s been a big global move against tax havens in the past week.” Thomas wrote the April 24 U.S. News & World Report column “The beginning of the end for austerity” He wrote the April 26 Business Insider article “Germany’s aggressive hunt for tax evaders is paying off.”

Whittney Thompson, a junior majoring in psychology, was quoted April 14 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Reality of clean-up eclipses excitement from Hazelwood tornado.”

Mark Tranel, director of the Public Policy Research Center, was quoted April 21 in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch article “Sales taxes in St. Louis relentlessly on the rise.”

Student performance group Vocal Point was featured in an Associated Press photograph while singing by a makeshift Boston Marathon bombing memorial in Boston. The photo ran in newspapers and media websites throughout the United States.

Alumnus Brant Walker, BSBA 1987, was quoted April 10 in the Belleville (Ill.) News-Democrat article “Write-in candidate defeats Alton mayor.”

Eamonn Wall, Smurfit-Stone Corporation Professor of Irish Studies, was featured March 27 article “Wall sees parallels in our two Wests.” Wall was quoted April 23 in The Portland (Maine) Daily Sun article “Spring poet at UNE raises timely issues of identity and place.”

Jim Widner, director of jazz studies, discussed the 10th annual Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival April 12 on “Cityscape,” a program on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU. Widner was quoted April 17 in the St. Louis Beacon article “Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival celebrates a strong decade.” He was interviewed on April 17 by KPLR (Channel 11) about the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival.

Abigail Wood, a junior, was featured on April 15 by West Newsmagazine (St. Louis County).

Ron Yasbin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, was quoted April 5 in the University City (Mo.) Patch article “U City student receives award from UMSL.” Yasbin was quoted April 12 in the Town and Country-Manchester (Mo.) Patch article “Parkway South student honored for foreign language excellence.” He was quoted April 5 in the Sunset Hills-Crestwood (Mo.) Patch article “Student’s foreign language achievement leads to award at UMSL.”

Dan Younger, professor of art, was featured April 12 in the University City (Mo.) Patch article “U City resident, UMSL professor to appear on C-SPAN.”