Jamie Zurliene, academic adviser in the Office of International Studies and Programs, discusses “You Can’t Teach Through a Rat and Other Epiphanies for Educators” with author Marvin Berkowitz, the Sanford N. “McDonnell Endowed Professor of Character Education at UMSL, during the Dec. 7 Faculty Author Reception. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The location might have changed, but the premise of the annual Faculty Author Reception at the University of Missouri–St. Louis was the same.

The reception was created four years ago by Ron Yasbin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, to highlight scholarly excellence at UMSL. Formerly held in the Millennium Student Center, this year the St. Louis Mercantile Library and Chris Dames, dean of libraries at UMSL, took on hosting duties. The reception on Dec. 7 attracted a steady stream of visitors who chatted with authors, editors and composers.

“It’s wonderful that we can hold such an important event like this for the faculty, in this amazing space within the St. Louis Mercantile Library,” Dames said.

Among the more than 40 UMSL faculty books and CDs featured was the cleverly titled “You Can’t Teach Through a Rat and Other Epiphanies for Educators” by Marvin Berkowitz, the Sanford N. McDonnell Endowed Professor of Character Education, the insightful “Financial Forensics: The Science of Derivatives” by D’Anne Weise, associate professor of finance, and the historical “Founding St. Louis: First City of the New West” by Fred Fausz, associate professor of history.

Barbara Harbach, professor of music, had several CDs featured during the reception including “Music of Barbara Harbach – Music for Strings with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vol. 7” and “Emily! For Soprano, Trumpet and Piano.”

“This is a great way to highlight the outstanding research of UMSL scholars,” said Keith Womer, dean of the College of Business Administration. “Research is a critical part of academia, and it’s important that we celebrate these achievements.”