(via Wikimedia Commons)

The relationship between the U.S. and China continues to thaw, as evidenced by a recent two-day summit between President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, who both vowed to usher in a “new model” of relations.

That positive step has also carried over to Missouri, where a unique cultural exchange has kicked off with the arrival of the first of two groups of Chinese students who will take part in a program designed to foster greater understanding of young people between the two countries.

The visit is a win-win for both American and Chinese youth, Joel Glassman, director of the Office of International Studies and Programs and associate professor of political science at the University of Missouri­–St. Louis, told Don Marsh, host of “St. Louis on the Air” on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU.

“This is a great opportunity for a group of Missouri youth to interact in an ongoing way with this cohort of young boys and girls from China in an American organized activity,” Glassman said. “In fact, we probably stand to benefit more because China has been much more aggressive about sending their young people abroad, particular to the United States to further their education and to learn about how our system works and how our economy works and how they can interact effectively and successfully.”

Listen to the interview on the St. Louis Public Radio website.

Dave Rose is a professor of economics at UMSL and an expert on finance, monetary theory and industrial organization. (Photo by August Jennewein)

Dave Rose, professor of economics at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, discussed the current economic recovery  Wednesday on KMOX (1120 AM).

The economist’s primary research focus includes finance, monetary theory and industrial organization. KMOX’s Mark Reardon has turned to Rose’s expertise several times over the last few years to help explain changes in the economy. Past interviews have covered stimulus funding, the housing market and health-care reform.

Listen to the full interview on the KMOX website.

(U.S. Air Force photo-Senior Airman Nick Wilson)

Following Memorial Day, St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU focused on the help that’s available for veterans as they transition from the military back to civilian life. Veterans also face unique challenges when enrolling at or returning to college. The University of Missouri–St. Louis has created a Veterans Center to help with that shift to the classroom.

Ryan Barrett, interim director of the UMSL Veterans Center and a student pursuing a doctoral degree in political science at UMSL, discussed the center on May 28 on “St. Louis on the Air,” a program on St. Louis Public Radio.

Listen to the interview on the St. Louis Public Radio website.

The signing of the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was depicted in this 1856 painting by Junius Brutus Stearns. The painting is also used for the cover of “The Original Compromise,” a book by UMSL political scientist David Robertson. (Image via Wikimedia Commons).

“The Federalist Papers,” 85 essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay, form the lens through which the U.S. Constitution is typically viewed. But doing so is wrong, says University of Missouri–St. Louis political scientist David Robertson in his book “The Original Compromise: What the Constitution’s Framers Were Really Thinking” (Oxford University Press, 2013).

Robertson will discuss and sign copies of his new book at 7 p.m. June 6 in the auditorium of the University City (Mo.) Public Library, 6701 Delmar Blvd. Missouri Rep. Rory Ellinger will introduce Robertson. Don Marsh, host of “St. Louis on the Air” on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU, will interview Robertson, who will also take questions from the audience. The event is free and open to the public.

In “The Original Compromise” Robertson presents a provocative new account of the framing of the Constitution with the “The Federalist Papers” representing only one side of a fierce argument ultimately settled by multiple compromises. On one side of the argument, leaders from large states pursued an ambitious vision of a robust government with broad power. On the flip side, leaders from smaller states wanted a weaker central government so as to avoid threatening the governing systems within their own states.

In the book, Robertson examines each contentious debate between the two sides over the course of three arduous months as the Constitution emerged piece by piece. The book explores the arguments over the balance of power between the federal states, slavery, war and peace and more.

“’The Original Compromise’ combines profound scholarship with remarkably accessible writing to make more clear than ever before just how and why the Constitution emerged in the form that it did,” said Rogers M. Smith, the Christopher H. Browne Distinguished Professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania. “Robertson is attentive to the framers’ ideas and their intertwined interests, and he traces persuasively the initiatives, negotiations and compromises that led to their imperfect but enduring achievement.”

Robertson, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Political Science at UMSL, has written extensively on national politics and policy, political history, federalism and public policy. In addition to “The Original Compromise,” his books include “The Constitution and America’s Destiny” and “Federalism and the Making of America.”

The University City Public Library and University City-based Subterranean Books are sponsoring Robertson’s discussion and book signing. Books will be available for $30 each.

Media coverage:
St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU

(Photo by August Jennewein)

The 97th Missouri General Assembly recently came to a close in Jefferson City, Mo. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch called it a “conflict-ridden Missouri legislative session” in which a Republican-majority legislature passed several bills that Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon could still veto.

With the conclusion of the annual session, two University of Missouri–St. Louis political scientists weighed in on the year in state politics and discussed what the future might hold. Terry Jones, professor of political science, provided analysis on “Stay Tuned” on KETC (Channel 9) and “St. Louis on the Air” on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU. Dave Robertson, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Political Science, was quoted by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and in an Associated Press article that ran in dozens of newspapers and websites, including San Francisco Chronicle and The Kansas City (Mo.) Star.

UMSL political scientist Dave Robertson recently discussed fundraising by career politicians on KMOX. (Photo by August Jennewein)

St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay recently made history after winning his fourth term. But that hasn’t stopped him from starting fundraising efforts for a possible fifth term, KMOX (1120 AM) reported.

Dave Robertson, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, spoke with the radio station about fundraising by career politicians.

“This is pretty common for people in politics who have been working on building a career,” Robertson told KMOX. “The earlier and the bigger the war chest, the more discouraging it is for anybody to run against you who is in his right mind.” 

Visit the KMOX website to read the full article.

The St. Louis Storytelling Festival Board, in association with the University of Missouri–St. Louis and the St. Louis Public Library, is proud to announce Vynetta Morrow as the 2013 Irene Eveland Award Recipient.

Morrow currently works at St. Louis Public Library, Julia Davis Regional Branch, as a youth services specialist. She serves preschools, day cares, schools, and community outreach groups in the Julia Davis region with literature-based story times and programs that link the curriculum with library resources exposing students, teachers and families to information sources and connections throughout the African diaspora.

This award is a tribute to the efforts of Irene Eveland, a tireless supporter of storytelling and the St. Louis Storytelling Festival. In her 35-plus years at St. Louis Public Library, Eveland was an advocate and promoter of storytelling, as well as a mentor, model and nurturer of new storytelling talent. To be eligible for the award, nominees must be employed in a St. Louis metropolitan area library, must tell stories in their library as part of their regular employment and must be new talent.

“I consider Irene as one of my ancestral mentors; they are not here with us, but we use the example of their lives to live our own,” Morrow said. “Irene was responsible for mentoring the current generation of leaders at the St. Louis Public Library, raising the standard of excellence for community outreach in St. Louis city.”

Morrow further stated that “educator, historian and community activist, Dr. Julia Davis is another example of an ancestral mentor, as her service to the community sets the bar high. My familial ancestors give me a rhythm to live by as well, including my mother, who taught school and lived in the community I serve every day.”

As the award recipient, Morrow will be featured as a preview to the 34th Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival. She will share stories for young people at Herzog Academy Elementary School in St. Louis at 9 a.m. April 29 and at Edgar Road Elementary School in Webster Groves, Mo., at 2 p.m. April 30.

Morrow’s stories focus on the African diaspora, highlighting the traditions and experiences of black people throughout the world that exemplify the human condition. This tradition of storytelling was passed down through the generations.

“My grandfather as well as my father, who recently passed away, were quintessential family storytellers,” Morrow said. “With distinct baritone voices, each used stories to not only pass down history but also inspire and challenge. I attempt to meet this high level of expectation with each opportunity to tell.”

Morrow is not new to the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, having been a part of the New Voices last year, and participating in the Storytelling Course in 2009.

“St. Louis has something special here,” Morrow said. “The interaction among new, regional and featured tellers, the willingness to help newcomers, and the warmth of the Festival are very welcoming. I’m glad to become a part of that spirit.”

The 34th Annual St. Louis Storytelling Festival will begin May 1 and end May 4. During this time, nationally known and regional storytellers will join UMSL with storytelling activities and events at various locations throughout the metropolitan St. Louis area. Stories shared are suitable for all members of the family, and most events are offered free to the public. For a complete schedule, full list of featured and regional storytellers, and more information, please visit the festival’s website at stlstorytellingfestival.org or call 314-516-5994.

Visit the St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU website to listen to a “Cityscape” interview with Sue Hinkel, storyteller and assistant director of the St. Louis Storytelling Festival.

Over the last ten years, the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival has grown to be one of the most significant jazz festivals in the Midwest. Produced by the University of Missouri–St. Louis, the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center and Jazz St. Louis, the 2013 festival will run April 18-20 and feature Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour, Doc Severinsen and His Big Band and Anat Cohen and Matt Wilson.

“This annual celebration of education and performance is the only festival of its kind in St. Louis,” said Jim Widner, director of the jazz studies at UMSL and artistic director of the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival. “That is because in addition to celebrating professional jazz musicians in our headline concert performances, we focus on nurturing the talent of young musicians with jazz student performances and clinics.”

The goal of the festival is to encourage the musical education and growth of the 800 participating students by interaction with internationally acclaimed jazz artists. These students perform on the same stages as the biggest names in professional jazz.

“Jazz St. Louis is proud to once again partner with UMSL and the Touhill Performing Arts Center on the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival,” said Gene Dobbs Bradford, executive director of Jazz St. Louis. “We all share a strong commitment to providing excellent educational opportunities for young people. In addition, the festival allows us to share some of the world’s greatest jazz musicians with our community.”

The big jazz performances in 2013 begin with Anat Cohen and Matt Wilson at Jazz at The Bistro on April 18 and continue at the Touhill with Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour and Doc Severinsen and His Big Band on on April 19 and 20, respectively. Both concerts at the Touhill feature opening-act performances by the UMSL Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Widner.

The festival will include the following performances:

April 18: Virtuosic reed artist Anat Cohen and New York-based drummer and Grammy-nominee Matt Wilson open the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival. Jazz St. Louis will present two shows on April 18 at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. at Jazz at the Bistro.

Cohen, who will be playing both clarinet and tenor saxophone, says: “The music we perform…comes from the jazz tradition, but it’s very playful – we have fun with sounds and melodies, following our instincts, without over-analyzing. Matt Wilson is like a kid onstage, and that’s what I like to be – it’s great to have a partner in crime like him. Matt gets these incredible sounds from the drums…”

Tickets are $32 and are available through the Jazz St. Louis Box Office at 314-289-4030, MetroTix at 314-534-1111, or online at stlouis.metrotix.com.

April 19: Jazz St. Louis presents the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour 55th Anniversary Celebration on April 19 at the Touhill. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall with an opening set by the UMSL Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Widner.

Featuring critically acclaimed, Grammy Award-winning jazz artists, this all-star band consists of bassist and musical director Christian McBride, vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, saxophonist Chris Potter, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, pianist Benny Green and drummer Lewis Nash. Embracing the past, present, and future of jazz, the Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour will perform an assortment of classic jazz repertoire as well as original compositions.

The Monterey Jazz Festival, the longest continuously-running jazz festival in the world, has presented nearly every major jazz star — from Billie Holiday and Louis Armstrong to Esperanza Spalding and Trombone Shorty — since it was founded in 1958.

Tickets for Monterey Jazz Festival, sponsored by Worldwide Technology, Inc., are $35 – $75 and are available through the Touhill Performing Arts Center Ticket Office; online at touhill.org; or by phone at 314-516-4949.

April 20: Doc Severinsen and His Big Band will close out this exciting weekend of jazz on April 20 at the Touhill. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall with an opening set by the UMSL Jazz Ensemble, directed by Jim Widner.

“The Tonight Show” bandleader Doc Severinsen is best known as the legendary horn player who welcomed millions of viewers with the familiar theme song for nearly three decades. The Doc Severinsen and His Big Band repertoire includes Ellington and Basie standards, pop, jazz, ballads, big band classics and, of course, “The Tonight Show” theme. Severinsen can blow the roof off with a trumpet solo, and his band members get their well-deserved turns in the spotlight.

Tickets are $35. They are available through the Touhill Performing Arts Center Ticket Office; online at touhill.org; or by phone at 314-516-4949.

Read more about the Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival on the All About Jazz website.

Media Coverage:
KPLR (Channel 11)
“Cityscape” on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
St. Louis Beacon

(St. Louis Public Radio photo-Tim Lloyd)

Staci Shelton (pictured), a junior majoring in public policy and administration at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has an idea for reviving ramshackle properties in St. Louis. Shelton calls her concept “Project Rethink,” and she discussed it recently at the Clinton Global Initiative University, a gathering of 1,200 people at Washington University in St. Louis.

CGIU brings together future leaders to discuss and develop ideas to solve social problems and civic issues, according to reporter Tim Lloyd, who covered CGIU for St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU. Lloyd featured Shelton throughout his story.

Read more about Shelton and Project Rethink on the St. Louis Public Radio website.

Helene Sherman, Founders Professor of Education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and author of “Teaching Learners Who Struggle with Mathematics,”talked recently about the importance of STEM education with Don Marsh, host of “St. Louis on the Air” on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU.

“People often say I wasn’t good at math and I’m not a math person … yet they won’t say, ‘I can’t read,’” Sherman told St. Louis Public Radio.  “(I agree that children) are hard-wired to understand and succeed (in math), the problem is that as they move along in the system, they are often hearing messages from everyone that they know, perhaps at home, that they’re not good at math.  So that love and that desire to learn diminishes as the years go by.”

Sarah Jamison, corporate resources manager at LMI Aerospace, a company involved in UMSL’s Students and Teachers as Research Scientists program, and Robin Kinman, fourth grade teacher at the Community School in Ladue, Mo., were also guests.