The University of Missouri–St. Louis makes a significant impact on the St. Louis area. Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media.
Stories by Ryan Heinz
Search Filters
‘Pipeline to Local Office’ encourages women candidates, volunteers
Women make up the majority of the population, but represent less than 25 percent of the Missouri Legislature, according to the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. In fact, the institute points out that women are minority participants at all levels of public policy leadership.
Political scientist discusses Missouri legislature topics for 2013
The Missouri legislature reconvened Wednesday after its holiday break. St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU assembled its political roundtable, including Terry Jones, chair of the Department of Political Science at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, to discuss the issues that will be at the forefront of the first 2013 session.
Normandy mayor recognized for service to UMSL
Patrick Green, mayor of Normandy, Mo., has worked together with the University of Missouri–St. Louis on a number of community improvement projects. For his efforts, he was recognized with the Presidential Citation Award for Outstanding Service to UMSL on Nov. 30 at the Alliance Awards Dinner in Columbia, Mo.
Media Coverage: October 2012
The University of Missouri–St. Louis makes a significant impact on the St. Louis area. Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media.
Public Policy Administration honors 2 distinguished alumni
Douglas Harms and Elizabeth Kurila took different career paths after each earned an MPPA from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. But they maintained close ties to the Public Policy Administration program at UMSL. Now they have something else in common: they’re the first recipients of the PPA Distinguished Alumni Award.
PPRC Photo Project showcases collection online, seeks participants for Normandy High School exhibit
Since 2004, the Public Policy Research Center Photography Project at the University of Missouri–St. Louis has amassed more than 900 photographs taken by amateur shutterbugs from the St. Louis community. The photos, along with artwork, poetry, autobiographical texts and project descriptions, were displayed at UMSL and within the communities they were taken. Starting this semester, those exhibits are now available to view in another location: online.
German American Heritage Society honors UMSL history professor
Steven Rowan, professor of history at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has written, edited and translated extensively on the history of Germans in America. The German American Heritage Society of St. Louis recently recognized Rowan’s efforts by naming him this year’s Carl Schurz Heritage Award recipient.
Historian receives trio of honors for ‘Braceros’ book
Current United States-Mexico relations and immigration reform are hot topics in the news now. But it’s a book about the mid-20th-century relationship between the neighboring nations that’s earning praise for Deborah Cohen, associate professor of history at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The historian has received a trio of honors this year for her 2011 book “Braceros: Migrant Citizens and Transnational Subjects.”
Eye on UMSL: Legislator visit
UMSL was the first St. Louis-area stop Dec. 5 as newly elected state representatives and senators toured Missouri to gain a better understanding of the institutions and agencies that receive public support.
Creative writers to give one last reading as students
A day before they graduate from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with an MFA in creative writing, six students will read their original works. The semiannual MFA Graduate Reading will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday (Dec. 14) in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL. The reading is free and open to the public.
Georgian leaders examine empowerment of women in academia at UMSL
Six university leaders from the nation of Georgia in Central Asia learned how U.S. women leaders shape education and public policy during a recent visit to the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The visiting delegates were in St. Louis for nine days this month to examine “Empowerment of Women in Academia” through their participation in the Open World program. At UMSL, they heard from Chancellor Thomas George, on “The 21st Century University,” attended a panel discussion with women elected officials and higher education leaders and took in a presentation on “Developing Women Leaders” by Vivian Eveloff and Dayna Stock, director and manager of the Sue Shear Institute for Women in Public Life, respectively.
UMSL student leads national optometry organization
It’s September, less than a month into the new academic year, and Jennifer Sidun has no trouble keeping busy. The University of Missouri–St. Louis optometry student is in Cleveland where she spends her weekdays working on her first of two advanced clinical rotations there. She’ll complete six rotations over her final nine months as a student.
Larger, smarter incoming freshman class leads to spike in undergraduate enrollment
More new undergraduate students enrolled at the University of Missouri–St. Louis in August than any fall semester since 1999, despite a decline in Missouri high school graduates. The 2,519 new students comprise the second largest transfer class (1,972 students) in UMSL’s history and an incoming freshmen class that set a record average ACT score of 24.
Award-winning writer Stephanie Powell Watts to read at UMSL
Fresh off of winning what The Times-Picayune (New Orleans) called the biggest literary prize for African Americans, acclaimed writer Stephanie Powell Watts will visit the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Private scholarships make a difference for hard-working UMSL students
The University of Missouri–St. Louis raised about $20 million in private scholarship funds over the course of its seven-year Gateway for Greatness Campaign. What does that mean for UMSL students?
Women’s basketball player earns GLVC honor
Hazaria Washington, a junior forward on the University of Missouri–St. Louis women’s basketball team, helped the UMSL Tritons go undefeated last week by averaging 13.5 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. She was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week for her efforts.
Ambassadors of Harmony to sing sounds of season at Touhill
The Ambassadors of Harmony fills the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center each December with the joy and magic of the holidays in a way only achieved by a 160-voice chorus. The choral group will perform it’s annual “Sounds of the Season” concert at 8 p.m. Dec. 7, 2 and 8 p.m. Dec. 8 and 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Touhill at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Windows Phone users can now stay better connected to UMSL
If you’re a Windows Phone user, the University of Missouri–St. Louis has yet another way you can keep up with news and events at UMSL. The UMSL app for the Windows Phone is now available. The free app is also available for iPhone and Android.
Media Coverage: September 2012
The University of Missouri–St. Louis makes a significant impact on the St. Louis area. Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media.
Gender Studies program celebrates new location
The Gender Studies program at the University of Missouri–St. Louis has moved up in the world, figuratively and literally. The program recently moved from a space in the partially submerged second floor of Clark Hall to the more spacious 494 Lucas Hall.
Political scientist to report on neighborhood conditions in St. Louis area
Great neighborhoods make for a great region, according to a new joint series between the University of Missouri–St. Louis and Washington University in St. Louis.
Actor to pay tribute to Paul Robeson in one-man show at UMSL
With his 90-minute, one-man show, actor and comedian Stogie Kenyatta set out to capture the essence of a complex and brilliant man: Paul Robeson. Using his stand up comedy skills, satire, singing and storytelling, Kenyatta tells the story of one of the first black renaissance men. Robeson was a scholar, an actor, a singer, an athlete and an activist who experienced much success before being blacklisted for standing up for his beliefs.
Pair of goals in season finale leads women’s soccer player to GLVC honors
Liz Drennan, sophomore forward on the University of Missouri–St. Louis women’s soccer team, ended her season on a high note. She scored both goals in the UMSL Tritons’ 2-1 overtime victory over Maryville University (Town and Country, Mo.) in the team’s Oct. 24 season finale. Drennan netted the game-winner just 38 seconds into the extra period.
Jazz Orchestra to pay tribute to Ellington, Basie
When speaking of jazz visionaries and musical trailblazers, Duke Ellington and Count Basie are typically mentioned in the same sentence. And while their music falls clearly into the same category, their styles were drastically different.
Panel to discuss national health-care debate’s potential local impact
The national health-care debate rages on. With the November elections looming, St. Louis public health-care leaders continue to face uncertainty. Public jurisdictions, regional health-care policy experts and local providers are working to understand the potential ramifications for health policy and service delivery for citizens of the St. Louis region.
Variety Children’s Theatre to perform ‘Annie’ at Touhill
St. Louis-area fans of “Annie” do not have to fly to New York City and fight the clogged Manhattan streets to see the beloved musical. Variety Children’s Theatre has combined resources from the entire St. Louis performing arts community, including professional actors and children of all abilities, for its production of “Annie” at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Conference to explore art’s role in building community
The majority of artists live in cities. Their work often addresses urban concerns of health, happiness, diversity, security, freedom of expression and a sustainable environment. Speakers from across the Midwest and St. Louis will explore the power of art to effect changes in urban neighborhoods and communities during the 18th annual “What Is a City?” Conference at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Criminologists, crime analyst to discuss Public Safety Partnership
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, city of St. Louis and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are now in their eighth month of working together to address public safety issues in the city. So how’s it going? That’s what will be discussed in an Applied Research Seminar presented by the Public Policy Research Center at UMSL.
‘House’ director looks to adapt UMSL scholar’s novel for film
Los Angeles-based director and writer Julian Higgins has emerged as a young talent within the film industry. He’s received wide acclaim for his short film “Thief” and his turn directing an episode of the popular television show “House” in its final season. He’s next looking to make his feature-film directorial debut with a possible adaptation of the novel “The Inverted Forest” by John Dalton, director of the MFA in Creative Writing Program at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Historian to discuss St. Louis’ start
St. Louis is approaching its 250th birthday. But how much do St. Louisans know about the founding of their city? Do they know about its importance as a cosmopolitan French hub of commerce and culture or how Osage Indians protected and enriched the tiny village?
St. Louis Philharmonic to open season at UMSL
The St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra will open its 2012-13 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The orchestra will accompany Greek tenor and Sony Classical recording artist Mario Frangoulis, who will make his first St. Louis appearance by arrangement with the Horatio Alger Association. Special guests will include soprano Deborah Myers and tenor George Perris.
Golf tournament raises funds for Athletics
University of Missouri–St. Louis alumnus David Archibald (BSBA 2005), Matt Hellebusch and Kelsey Cline won the third annual UMSL Tritons Golf Tournament. But the biggest winner was the Department of Athletics at UMSL. Proceeds from the event went toward the department’s 11 sports programs.
‘In the Mood’ for some nostalgia?
In the 1940s, America’s greatest generation sacrificed at home and abroad to win victory in World War II while the nation recovered from the threadbare years of the Great Depression. All the while, the nation’s soundtrack was an upbeat, hopeful mix of swing tempos and romantic ballads that promised better days ahead.
Grammy-winning eighth blackbird to perform Touhill show
Chicago-based sextet eighth blackbird will migrate south for a performance of classical fusion that incorporates art, philosophy and theater at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The ensemble’s concert, “shifted in flight,” will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.
UMSL at Grand Center goes national for ‘Talk of the Nation’ live broadcast
Wednesday night’s presidential debate might have taken place in Denver, but the University of Missouri–St. Louis at Grand Center took center stage for NPR listeners. The new home of St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU was the setting for a live broadcast of “Talk of the Nation.”
Gateway for Greatness Campaign boosts access, excellence at UMSL
The Gateway for Greatness Campaign at the University of Missouri–St. Louis concluded this summer after surpassing an initial $100 million fundraising goal and a subsequent $150 million goal. The university raised more than $154 million through gifts by 57,900 donors. Of those contributors to the campaign, 257 gave more than $100,000, and 31 gave more than $1 million.
Court of Appeals to hear cases for special docket at UMSL
The University of Missouri–St. Louis community and interested citizens will have a rare opportunity to take in a Missouri Court of Appeals, Eastern District, session outside of downtown St. Louis. The court will hear cases for a special docket between 10 and 11 a.m. Oct. 4 in the Summit Conference Room at the J.C. Penney Building/Conference Center at UMSL.
Area youth to ‘Get Hip’ at Touhill
Presented by PNC Arts Alive and Jazz St. Louis, “Get Hip!” will introduce kids of all ages to the great American art form known as jazz while also teaching core values like responsibility and leadership.
Writer Seth Fried to read at Hinge Gallery
Each year, the Graduate Writers Association at the University of Missouri–St. Louis works to help grow the St. Louis literary scene through readings by emerging poets and writers. The next GWA reading will feature Seth Fried, author of the acclaimed short story collection “The Great Frustration.”
‘New Dance Horizons’ to kick off Dance St. Louis’ 47th season
Dance St. Louis will open its 47th season with a quartet of collaborations. The nonprofit dance presenter paired four nationally renowned choreographers with St. Louis-area dance companies to create clever and moving world premiere performances.
Improv company channels bard through comedy
No two productions by The Improvised Shakespeare Company are exactly alike. For example, they performed their on-the-spot original production of “The Cupboard of Lost Dreams; or, the Taming of Lady Macbeth” on a spring swing through Des Moines, Iowa. The audience suggested the faux production that night. And the company cobbled together on the fly its hilarious improvisational take on fake Shakespeare.
Bryan Adams to perform ‘Bare Bones’ set at Touhill
Canadian rocker Bryan Adams has sold more than 65 million records, toured six continents and achieved No. 1 status in more than 40 countries over the course of his 35-year career. And with hits like “Cuts Like a Knife,” “Summer of ’69,” “Can’t Stop This Thing We Started” and “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You,” he’s considered one of the most successful songwriters of the last three decades.
Eye on UMSL: Observation
Students study the “UMSL geese” from the hillside overlooking the ponds on North Campus during their Animal Behavior Laboratory class. The students are (from left) Rebecca Dickerson, Jacob Franck, teacher assistant Allisyn-Marie Gillet, Cristen Gillett, Shelamae Paytocon and Stephanie Bladdick.
Express Scripts helps energize campus
Thanks to Express Scripts, the University of Missouri–St. Louis’ carbon footprint just got smaller. With funding from the company, UMSL has completed its first solar panel installation to generate electricity. The roof of UMSL’s Mark Twain Athletic & Fitness Center, just across the street from Express Scripts headquarters, features a 25-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system that converts sunlight into electricity.
Eye on UMSL: Paint by numbers
Students participate at the opening reception of “Workbook” in the Visio Gallery by filling in a paint by numbers mural of Georges Seurat’s “Bathers at Asnieres.” The exhibit is an interactive live art show with the walls of the gallery covered with workbook activities. Gallery Visio is a student-run gallery at UMSL. It’s located in 170 Millennium Student Center at UMSL’s North Campus. Regular hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Behind every good app, there’s a good programmer
Nathan Halley is a computer guy. It’s in the University of Missouri–St. Louis staffer’s blood, something passed down to him from his grandfather Hardy Fuchs, who founded the Information Services & Technology department at Washington University in St. Louis.
Eye on UMSL: Family affair
Freshmen Move-In Day is a family affair. Negar Adl-Tabatabai (gray and white striped shirt) moves into her room in Oak Hall on Aug. 15 with the help of (from left): her father, Abbas Adl-Tabatabai; uncle Ali Hazemi; mother, Farnaz Fayaz; aunt Fariba Fayaz; and cousin Layla Hazemi.
UMSL news at your fingertips
Chances are, you’re busy. And with all you have going on, it’s not easy to keep up with the University of Missouri–St. Louis. That’s why UMSL has developed two ways to easily get the information you want, delivered how you want it: the UMSL Daily newsroom and UMSL smartphone application.
Media Coverage: August 2012
The University of Missouri–St. Louis makes a significant impact on the St. Louis area. Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media.