UMSL Chancellor Tom George delivers the annual Chancellor's Report to the Community Friday to nearly 700 people at America's Center in St. Louis.

It’s been another record-breaking year for the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Chancellor Tom George told a crowd of nearly 700 people at the 35th annual Chancellor’s Report to the Community Friday that enrollment topped 16,800, faculty research drove external funding to $45 million and fundraising exceeded its goal two years ahead of schedule.

America’s Center provided the setting for George to announce a long list of accomplishments for UMSL and for faculty, students and alumni to shine.

“This university succeeds because of the extraordinary dedication and commitment of our community both on and off campus,” George said. Highlights of his presentation include:

• It was another record-breaking year for enrollment with 16,800 total students and record enrollment for minority and graduate students.

• Faculty research drove external funding to a record $45 million.

• The Gateway for Greatness Campaign exceeded its original goal of $100 million last June, two years ahead of schedule. Boosted by six million-dollar-plus-donors this year, the campaign has set a new goal of $150 million by June of 2012.

• U.S. News and World Report ranked two UMSL programs among the best in the country. Undergraduate international business ranked in the top 20 for the eighth year in a row and the doctoral program in criminology and criminal justice ranked fourth.

• Academic Analytics ranked UMSL ninth nationally, first in the Midwest, for faculty scholarly production among research universities with fewer than 15 doctoral programs.

• UMSL was awarded special recognition by the Carnegie Foundation for its commitment to the St. Louis region. The university was selected by the foundation for its 2010 Community Engagement Classification one of only four universities in the state to receive the designation. It recognizes “exceptional collaboration between higher education and the larger community.”

• And for the second straight year, UMSL received a St. Louis Top 50 Award from the St. Louis Regional Commerce and Growth Association presented to companies and organizations that are “shaping St. Louis’ future.”

• The university broke ground last month on a three-story, 27,000-square-foot building in Grand Center that will house St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU and UMSL classrooms and offices. The radio station also hit a record 250,000 listeners weekly, and won numerous awards including two Edward R. Murrow Regional Awards.

The chancellor presented Distinguished Service Awards to individuals and an organization who volunteer their time and talent to benefit the university. Awardees include: Heather Thompson, a College of Nursing alumna who has worked tirelessly to build the college’s alumni association; Jessica Lake, a graduate student in the School of Social Work who re-established the university’s back-to-school uniform drive for students in the Normandy School District; and the African American Chapter of the Alumni Association for its student recruitment, mentoring projects and many other programs.

And three faculty members offered their perspectives on the work they do both on and off campus and the impact it has on the greater St.Louis community.

• Susan Feigenbaum, professor of economics, talked about her research and a new textbook she has written with the help of students that uses students’ life cycles to study economic principles. She introduced a group of her former students now working at some of St. Louis’ top companies.

• Wilma Calvert, an assistant professor in the College of Nursing discussed two of her community-based research projects. She and her students are working with various agencies in Jefferson County to establish drug abuse education programs in the elementary schools that focus on the dangers of methamphetamine. They will also conduct research and develop health education programs at the Fathers’ Support Center to help fathers become more responsible parents.

• And James Henry, associate professor of music, an award-winning vocal music director, concluded his presentation with a rousing performance by Vocal Point, an a cappella group of 21 students.

More information:
umsl.edu/chancellor/assets/pdfs/CRC2011.pdf