Ruth "Suzanne" Hendrickson, associate teaching professor of French at UMSL, received the Chevalier of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques from the French Education Ministry. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The French government has singled out a language instructor at the University of Missouri–St. Louis to receive a prestigious honor it bestows to academics, cultural and educational figures.

Ruth “Suzanne” Hendrickson, associate teaching professor of French at UMSL, was selected to receive the Chevalier of the Ordre des Palmes Académiques from the French Education Ministry. The French government gives out the award in recognition of educators who have actively participated in the promotion of French culture and language. The Palmes Académiques is a distinction created by Napoléon Bonaparte in 1808.

Hendrickson came to UMSL in 2007 as a French faculty member from Arizona State University in Phoenix. She earned her PhD in French Language and Literature at Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to French language, literature and civilization, she also teaches courses on Franco-Canadian civilization and French presence in North America at UMSL.

She was presented her award by Jean-François Rochard, deputy cultural attaché to the French Consulate in Chicago during a reception May 11 at the Millennium Student Center at UMSL.

UMSL Daily caught up with Hendrickson recently to talk about the honor.

What got you interested in the French language?

I am not French. Having been born in Louisiana and grown up there and on the Gulf Coast I have always been interested in the French heritage of the region. That is what led me to study French language and culture in school and become a teacher of French language, literature, and culture.

How did you come to the government’s attention to receive this prestigious award?

I was nominated for the award by the American Association of Teachers of French in recognition of my work promoting the study of French language and culture through my teaching and my work with the association at the local and national levels, both in Arizona and Missouri. I have also been active in other organizations which promote French language and culture, such as the Alliance Francaise and the Sister Cities organization in Arizona (Phoenix- Grenoble) and in Missouri (St. Louis-Lyon Sister Cities).

How does it feel to be singled out for such a prestigious honor by the French government?

I am thrilled and truly honored to receive this award. I very much enjoy sharing my love of France, its culture, language and literature with my students! I feel that the award recognizes not only my work, but also the achievements of the French Section and program at UMSL.

"Buddy Hollie 'n School" by Ritenour High School student Zach House is one of several photos by Ritenour students that will be on display in the Public Policy Research Center's latest exhibit, "Photography Project: Autobiography of a Teen."

A new University of Missouri–St. Louis exhibit will provide an outlet for the distinctive voices of a group of St. Louis-area teenagers. The teens, all students at Ritenour High School in Breckenridge Hills, Mo., will tell their story through photographs. The exhibit is the latest in the Public Policy Research Center Photography Project series.

Mel Watkin, director of the PPRC Photography Project at UMSL, taught the basics of digital photography to members of the Scribbler’s Art Club. The club was created by Ritenour art teachers in 2008 as a way to bring together students interested in visual art for camaraderie, support and as a means to create special projects in the school and community. After practicing composition and lighting exercises, the students focused on the theme of their exhibition: “Photography Project: Autobiography of a Teen.”

The resulting photos will be on display May 22 through Sept. 16 at the PPRC Photography Project Gallery, south hall of the fourth floor in the Social Sciences & Business Building at UMSL, 1 University Blvd. in St. Louis County (63121). Gallery hours are from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. An opening reception will be from noon to 1 p.m. May 22 in the gallery.

A duplicate of the exhibit will be on display May 29 through June 30 at the Rock Road Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 10267 Saint Charles Rock Rd. in St. Ann, Mo. The exhibit can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. An opening reception will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 29 at the library.

Admission to both exhibits is free.

The pioneering community photography programs established by artist and teacher Wendy Ewald serve as the model for the PPRC Photography Project. Several volunteer St. Louis-area community groups participate in the PPRC Photography Project each year. They learn the basics of photography and then are asked to document efforts to improve their neighborhood’s quality of life.

The Public Policy Research Center’s goal for the project is twofold: to highlight the undertakings of local organizations working toward the greater good and to inspire people to take a closer look at and get involved with their communities.

The Photography Project is co-sponsored by the Public Policy Research Center at UMSL, Missouri Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts and Regional Arts Commission.

UMSL graduate Toby Meyer gives a "high-five" to his friend Sunday during his commencement ceremony. Meyer earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from UMSL. (Photo by St. Louis Post-Dispatch photographer J.B. Forbes)

Walking across the University of Missouri–St. Louis stage to accept his bachelor’s degree in elementary education on Sunday is something Toby Meyer would have never imagined 10 years ago.

After graduating from high school, the self-described “couch potato” had little motivation. It wasn’t until he landed a job as a janitor at his alma mater, Rose Acres Elementary School in Maryland Heights, Mo., that he discovered his true calling was to be at the front of the classroom, not cleaning it.

Meyer’s story was featured May 14 by reporter Doug Moore in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

UMSL graduating seniors Caitlyn Moody (women's basketball) and Jeremy Butler (baseball) are this year's Senior Student-Athletes of the Year. (Photo by Danny Reise)

The Department of Athletics at the University of Missouri–St. Louis recently honored 45 graduating seniors, led by baseball player Jeremy Butler and women’s basketball player Caitlyn Moody who were named Senior Student-Athletes of the Year. The seniors were recognized May 3 at the Third Annual Senior Student-Athlete Banquet at the Hilton St. Louis Airport hotel in Woodson Terrace, Mo.

Moody left her mark on the women’s basketball program, finishing her four-year stellar career ranking in seven different career top 10 categories.

As a senior, she averaged team-bests of 13.0 points and 1.2 steals per game, while adding 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. Moody was also the team’s top free throw shooter, connecting at 86.3 percent from the free throw line – the second best single season mark in program history. For her efforts, Moody was named to the Great Lakes Valley Conferences’s all-second team.

She graduates as the program’s all-time free throw percentage leader (84.3) and leaves ranked third in three-pointers attempted (560), third in blocked shots (56), fourth in three-pointers made (163), fourth in field goals attempted (1,225), fifth in scoring (1,263) and seventh in free throws made (236).

On Dec. 10 of this season, Moody became the 12th player in program history to record her 1,000th career point.

Moody is also a three-time Academic All-GLVC honoree majoring in physical education.

A two-year starter, Butler has helped turn the UMSL Tritons baseball program around during his senior season. One of the top pitchers statistically, he finished the season with an earned run average of 2.19 and a record of 7-3 on the mound. He led the pitching staff with 57 strikeouts and is holding opponents to a batting average of .235. His eight complete games this season tied for the best single season record in program history.

Butler earned GLVC Pitcher of the Week honors on March 19 after recording two wins during the week, including a 5-3 victory at then No. 15 ranked University of Southern Indiana (Evansville). He was the first UMSL baseball pitcher to earn the honor since 2003.

Butler’s efforts helped the Tritons to their most victories since the 2003 season. After entering the month of April with a 1-9 GLVC mark, UMSL went 19-5 in conference play and made its first league tournament bid in eight years.

Off the field, Butler was an Academic All-GLVC selection last year. He is completing a degree in business.

UMSL’s graduating seniors also included:

Volleyball: Shelby Crawford, Weslie Gaff and Erin Higgins
Men’s Soccer: Tim Boruff, Mike McCarthy, David Schwer, Johnny O’Mara, Almin Sabotic and Evan Schumacher.
Women’s Soccer: Bridget Belli, Samantha Faron, Jesa Jenkins, Kelly Muesenfechter, Kaylee Neutzling, Jessica Randazzo, Hanna Sayre and Jenna Waldschmit
Women’s Basketball: Kelly Carter, Shayelle Dominguez, Normeka Holder, Caitlyn Moody and Kiki Robinson
Men’s Basketball: Justin Hightower, Troy Long and Zach Redel
Women’s Tennis: Pujitha Bandi, Leticia Garcia and Katie Rynkiewich
Men’s Tennis: Felipe Naranjo
Women’s Golf: Lindsay Kellerman
Men’s Golf: Chris Dowling
Softball: Shannon Beatty, Stephanie Benson, Erin Driskell, Courtney Gahan and Monica Strube
Baseball: Spencer Ammons, Jeremy Butler, Tomas Duffek, Adam Radick, Angel Recci and Austin Schuler
Cheerleading: Toni Donald and Emily Frenz

Accomplished pianist Tom Sullivan basks in applause May 10 following a performance in the J.C. Penney Building/Conference Center at UMSL.

Sullivan, who has been blind since shortly after birth, performed for students, faculty and staff from the College of Optometry and discussed how he overcame obstacles en route to becoming an award-winning actor, singer, author and producer. He also talked about InfantSEE, a national public health program that provides no-cost comprehensive vision assessments for infants 6 to 12 months of age. Sullivan made a public presentation called “Envisioning Change” at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, and he capped off his visit to UMSL on May 12 when he spoke at the College of Optometry commencement, where he received an honorary degree from the university.

The picture, by campus photographer August Jennewein, is the latest to be featured at Eye on UMSL.

Travis Abbott, a double major in computer science and mathematics, graduated May 11 from UMSL. He helped co-author three papers with Uday Chakraborty, professor of computer science at UMSL. (Photo by Myra Lopez)

Travis Abbott graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis Saturday with more than just a degree; he also took with him the title of published author.

Abbott, a double major in computer science and mathematics, has co-authored three papers along with Uday Chakraborty, professor of computer science at UMSL. The most recent paper was published in the prestigious journal Energy, an international, multi-disciplinary journal in energy engineering and research.

“Given that Energy is one of the top journals in the field, this is a big deal for an undergraduate student,” said Chakraborty.

The paper was titled “PEM fuel cell modeling using differential evolution.”  In the research they applied a new differential evolution algorithm to solve a problem of deep practical interest in the field of energy research.

The pair’s research relationship began a few years ago when Abbott was a student in one of Chakraborty’s computer science courses.

“It didn’t take me long to see that he was not an ‘average’ student,” Chakraborty said. “Not only was he ahead of the rest of his class, he showed a passion for computer science that was rare in students.”

Abbott said he came to UMSL not just to get a degree but more importantly to get an education. So when he felt the course wasn’t challenging enough for him, he expressed his concern to Chakraborty, who Abbott said was receptive and took action to remedy the situation.

“It started out with him giving me a few papers to read in his specific field of research, which moved to him supporting me as an undergraduate researcher from his National Science Foundation funded project, and culminated in me co-authoring the papers,” Abbott said.

He also took a graduate course with Chakraborty as an elective for his undergraduate program.

“I started giving him assignments and projects at levels far beyond the scope of the course he was enrolled in, and he didn’t disappoint me,” shared Chakraborty, adding that “Much to my delight he asked for more. That is when I initiated him to differential evolution and fuel cell design optimization.”

Abbott said that co-authoring a paper is “frightening, stressful, difficult and totally worth it.” He likened his foray into research as someone learning to swim. There is the initial apprehension, followed by hard work, and in the end, success.

“Luckily, I had a good mentor in the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science that helped me take that first plunge,” he said. “I’m very grateful for that first push off into the deep end.”

Ultimately, he said it’s extremely satisfying to get that long awaited email that reads; “Congratulations! Your paper has been accepted for publication in …”

Going forward, Abbott has his eye fixed on PhD study. He also works at The Genome Institute at Washington University in St. Louis.

Jerry Dunn, a clinical associate professor of psychology and the director Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis at UMSL, talks to KMOV (Channel 4) about victimization. (Photo by August Jennewein)

As director of the Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Jerry Dunn is all too familiar with the ways that perpetrators attempt to shame their victims.

Dunn, a clinical associate professor of psychology and the director of the CASGSL, spoke to KMOV (Channel 4) May 10 about a local case in which the victim is re-victimized by a relative of the perpetrator.

“‘People will look at you, and they’ll blame you.’ Those are pretty classic features of the way a perpetrator will try to keep a victim quiet,” she said.

CASGSL provides forensic interviews and ongoing treatment for children ages 3 through 17 who have been the victims of child abuse and neglect. Each year, it serves approximately 800 children affected by different types of traumatic events, including childhood sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect. The center also trains graduate students from psychology, social work, counseling and criminal justice in how to respond to child maltreatment and trauma.

UMSL will award honorary degrees this weekend to (from left) Dr. Patricia Wolff, pediatrician and founder of Meds & Food for Kids; Henry Givens, longtime president of Harris-Stowe State University; and Tom Sullivan, entertainer and humanitarian.

Dr. Patricia Wolff, a St. Louis pediatrician who left her private practice last year to devote her time to providing food and medicine to malnourished children in Haiti, is one of three individuals receiving honorary degrees at five commencement ceremonies at the University of Missouri–St. Louis May 12 and 13.

Tom Sullivan, an award-winning national entertainer, humanitarian and inspirational speaker, and Henry Givens, longtime president of Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis, also will receive honorary degrees.

Wolff founded the nonprofit Meds & Food for Kids in 2003 and began dividing her time between her private practice and Haiti. She’s now devoted full time to the organization, which has created a peanut-based food that is a lifesaver for children with severe malnutrition. She has been raising money to build a new factory to manufacture the food and employ local workers

Sullivan, who has been blind since shortly after birth, has been wowing audiences for years with his many talents as an actor, singer, writer and TV producer. But its humanitarian efforts with the national public health program InfantSEE that will earn him an honorary degree this weekend. InfantSEE provides no-cost comprehensive vision assessments for infants 6 to 12 months of age, regardless of household income or insurance availability.

After 32 years as president of Harris-Stowe State University, Givens retired last year. He is credited with turning a St. Louis Public Schools teachers college with one building and a few hundred students into a sprawling campus in midtown St. Louis with multiple buildings and more than 1,700 students. Harris-Stowe offers 14 degrees and has two residence halls, an athletic center/auditorium, library and a center for childhood development.

Unless otherwise specified, all ceremonies will be held in the Mark Twain Athletic and Fitness Center. Details of UMSL’s five commencement ceremonies are as follows:

MAY 12
10 a.m. ceremony
College of Nursing, College of Fine Arts and Communication, School of Social Work, Master of Public Policy Administration
Speaker and honorary degree recipient: Patricia Wolff, M.D., founder and executive director, Meds and Food for Kids

2 p.m. ceremony
College of Arts and Sciences
Speaker: James Craig, Lt. Col. U.S. Army, professor of military science, St. Louis area Army ROTC (Gateway Battalion)

6 p.m. ceremony
Held in the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center
College of Optometry
Speaker and honorary degree recipient: Tom Sullivan, actor, singer, entertainer, author and producer

MAY 13
2 p.m. ceremony
College of Education, Bachelor of General Studies, Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies
Speaker: Alumnus Vincent Schoemehl, BA history 1974, President of Grand Center, Inc.
Honorary Degree recipient: Henry Givens, former president of Harris-Stowe State University

6 p.m. ceremony
College of Business Administration, UMSL/WU Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program, Missouri Science and Technology-Engineering Education Center
Speaker: Alumnus Andrew T. Hall, BSBA 1983, president and CEO, Stage Stores, Inc.

UMSL Tritons senior pitcher Austin Schuler (left) and junior infielder Charlie Mohr were named GLVC baseball Pitcher of the Week and Player of the Week, respectively. (Photos by Danny Reise)

A pair of University of Missouri–St. Louis baseball players helped the team sweep the final round of Great Lake Valley Conference baseball Player of the Week awards. Junior infielder Charlie Mohr was named GLVC baseball Player of the Week and senior pitcher Austin Schuler was named GLVC Pitcher of the Week.

Mohr helped the Tritons to a 4-1 record on the week, including taking three of four games from Drury University (Springfield, Mo.) to help the UMSL Tritons en route to its first GLVC Championship Tournament bid since 2004.

Mohr opened the week going 3-for-5 (.600) at the plate with three RBIs in UMSL’s 13-2 defeat of McKendree University (Lebanon, Ill.) on Wednesday. He then returned to help guide the Tritons to a 3-1 series over divisional opponent Drury University where he finished 6-for-15 (.400) with seven RBIs in the series. On the week, Mohr batted .450 with nine hits, including a double, triple and home run, while driving in 10 runs for the Tritons. He finished the week with 15 total bases, boasting a slugging percentage of .750.

Schuler picked up a win on the mound in the series finale against Drury on Sunday. Schuler held the Panthers to just five hits and one run in eight innings of work as the Tritons defeated Drury 5-4 to round out the series. Schuler struck out six batters in his eight-inning performance.

Note: UMSL Events contains information about events that will occur in the seven days following publication (Saturday-Friday). It contains information compiled from the UMSL Campus Calendar. No submissions are accepted, and since the calendar is self-populated, University Marketing and Communications is not responsible for the content that appears here or its accuracy. If you would like to receive UMSL Events via e-mail, you can subscribe to UMSL Daily or UMSL Daily Events.

Textbook Sell Back
Date/Time: May 12-15, 2012 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Location: UMSL Bookstore
Audience: Student
Description: It’s Textbook Sell Back time! Stop by the UMSL Bookstore to sell back your textbooks! Receive a minimum $5 for each textbook. Enter to win an iPad® for each book your sell back. For more details, visit umslbookstore.com.
For Info: UMSL Bookstore at 314-516-5763

Investment Planning
Date/Time: May 12, 2012 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Location: J.C. Penney Conference Center
Audience: Open
Description: In this course you’ll learn about the wide variety of investment vehicles that may be included in a client’s portfolio, as well as client assessment, tax considerations, economic factors, valuation methods, asset allocation techniques, portfolio performance evaluation, and more. Having the knowledge to choose the right investments is essential for implementing your clients’ financial plans–and ensuring their confidence in you. Fee: $995.
For Info: Erica Candela at 314-516-5908

Turtle Trot 5K Walk/Run for Re-Member
Date/Time: May 12, 2012 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Ed Bales Park, 2598 N. Main St., St. Charles, MO 63301
Audience: Open
Description: Prizes for 1st place finishers and highest two pledge collectors. Run starts at 10 a.m. and walk starts at 10:15 a.m. The course will follow the hiking/biking trail through the woods between the Katy Trail and the Missouri River. Re-Member seeks to improve the living conditions on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota through volunteered services and building relationships. From delivering firewood in the winter to installing outhouses for those without running water, building the first beds for many children to repairing/replacing roofs to skirting and insulating mobile homes to improve the ability to actually heat them up, or any other public service such as cleaning up the powwow grounds for the elderly, Re-Member provides much needed services, as well as friendships, and teaches their volunteers more than words can describe. Fee: $25 for adults, $15 for youths 15 and under.
For Info: Marissa Lightner at 636-448-5677

Spring Commencement
Date/Time: May 12, 2012 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Location: Mark Twain Building
Audience: Open
Description: This ceremony will graduate students from the College of Nursing, College of Fine Arts and Communication, School of Social Work and Master of Public Policy Administration Program.
For Info: Cindy Vantine at 314-516-5442

Spring Commencement
Date/Time: May 12, 2012 2:00 PM to 3:30 AM
Location: Mark Twain Building
Audience: Open
Description: This ceremony will graduate students from the College of Arts and Sciences.
For Info: Cindy Vantine at 314-516-5442

Spring Commencement
Date/Time: May 12, 2012 6:00 PM to 7:30 AM
Location: Touhill Performing Arts Center
Audience: Open
Description: This ceremony will graduate students from the College of Optometry.
For Info: Cindy Vantine at 314-516-5442

Spring Commencement
Date/Time: May 13, 2012 2:00 PM to 3:30 AM
Location: Mark Twain Building
Audience: Open
Description: This ceremony will graduate students from the College of Education and the Bachelor of General Studies and Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies programs.
For Info: Cindy Vantine at 314-516-5442

Spring Commencement
Date/Time: May 13, 2012 6:00 PM to 7:30 AM
Location: Mark Twain Building
Audience: Open
Description: This ceremony will graduate students from the College of Business Administration, the University of Missouri–St. Louis/Washington University Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program and the Missouri University of Science & Technology Engineering Education Center.
For Info: Cindy Vantine at 314-516-5442

How to Control Cash Flow
Date/Time: May 15, 2012 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: J.C Penney Conference Center, Oak Room
Audience: Open
Description: Second of three workshops in the Financial Management Series. Get a handle on the financial side of your small business operation. Learn how to turn financial statements into useful management tools and take a close look at where cash comes from in a small business, where it is used in day-to-day operations, and how to identify and correct cash flow problems. At the end of the session, you will be able to identify key information on cash flow statements and be able to follow the path of cash as it travels through your company. Fee: $99 or $237 for series of three.
For Info: Erica Candela at 314-516-5908

Mindfulness Meditation
Date/Time: May 16, 2012 12:15 PM to 12:45 PM
Location: Center for Student Success conference room – 225 MSC
Audience: Open
Description: Mindfulness Meditation is a proven—and increasingly popular—method for reducing stress, anxiety, insomnia, and a variety of medical conditions. Incorporating Mindfulness into your schedule can enhance your overall well-being and allow you to live your life more fully. These weekly, guided Mindfulness activities are free and open to beginning as well as experienced meditators.
For Info: Jamie Linsin at 314-516-5711

Staff Association – Staff Council Monthly Meeting
Date/Time: May 16, 2012 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Location: JCP 403
Audience: Open
Description: Meetings open to all UMSL staff members.
For Info: Sandra Crawshaw at 314-516-7298

Landlord Training Program
Date/Time: May 17, 2012 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Location: Room 1013, World Trade Center, 121 S. Meramec Ave., Clayton, MO 63105
Audience: Open
Description: Find out what it takes to become successful in the rental housing business—and stay that way—in this six-hour program. Whether you’re a first-time investor or an experienced landlord, you’ll learn useful, practical information that will help to improve your bottom line. The $70 registration fee includes a 500-page landlord resource book.
For Info: Mary Gough at 314-516-5974

The Basics of Writing a Business Plan
Date/Time: May 18, 2012 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: J.C. Penney Conference Center
Audience: Open
Description: This workshop will provide you with step-by-step instructions for writing each major section of your business plan, including the Business Description, Marketing Plan, Operations Plan and Financial Plan. You will learn how to access and use our Financial Projections Excel Spreadsheet to produce three-year projections of your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement. You will also receive guidance on overall style and appearance. Fee: $59.
For Info: Jennifer Clemente at 314-516-5960