Accomplished pianist Tom Sullivan basks in applause May 10 following a performance in the J.C. Penney Building/Conference Center at UMSL.
Stories by Ryan Heinz
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2 sides of the same coin: Political Science alumni from opposing parties bond over radio show
John Hancock and Michael Kelley have a lot in common. They come from similar working-class backgrounds. Each has experienced a successful career in political consulting, and both hold bachelor’s degrees in political science from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Teacher of music teachers enters hall of fame
Fred Willman, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Music and Education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has influenced music education and music educators for almost half a century. His contributions were recognized in January with his induction into the Missouri Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.
Spoken-word ballet to make debut at Touhill
The world premiere of “A Life Unhappening” will meld choreography with the written word for a spoken-word ballet performance exploring the impact of Alzheimer’s disease on three generations of one woman’s family. The St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association has teamed up with writer and producer Adam E. Stone for the performance, which will begin at 7:30 p.m. May 11 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
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, eight students will read their original works. The semiannual MFA Graduate Reading will begin at 7 p.m. Friday (May 11) in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. The reading is free and open to the public.
Character education: You got a case
I was recently asked how to convince people that character education actually works. The cynicism, skepticism, and conservatism out there often astound me. Amy Johnston, the award-winning principal of 2008 National School of Character Francis Howell Middle School in St. Charles, M0., expresses the same frustration.
Eye on UMSL: Hybrid teaching
Mimi Duncan, lecturer in information systems at UMSL, helps Lucas Matecki, a junior business major, on May 3 during Duncan’s course Computers and Information Systems 1800. The hybrid class combines online lessons and weekly in-person teaching at Express Scripts Hall. CIS 1800 is a pilot course funded by a grant from Next Generation Learning Challenges, a nonprofit initiative that’s working to improve college readiness and completion with technology.
National entertainer envisions change
Tom Sullivan has been blind since shortly after birth. But that hasn’t stopped him from gaining national recognition as an award-winning actor, singer, author, producer, humanitarian and inspirational speaker.
Mercantile to host Civil War series
Missouri’s pivotal role in the Civil War will be explored at 7 p.m. every Thursday in May at the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Eye on UMSL: Education Mural
Pat Duffey (left) and Dan Fahy of GROUP360 Worldwide, a St. Louis-based marketing company, install a six-panel wall mural on April 26 in Marillac Hall on UMSL’s South Campus. Joan Barnidge, graphic designer at UMSL, designed the mural for the College of Education. The picture, by campus photographer August Jennewein, is the latest to be featured at Eye on UMSL.
UMSL’s first poet laureate: Jennifer Tappenden
Jennifer Tappenden works by day making small databases for researchers to track study data. By night, the 42-year-old New York native hones her poetry skills while in pursuit of her master’s of fine arts in creative writing at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She’s scheduled to graduate in December, but before then she’s spending her final year at UMSL as the university’s first poet laureate.
The Challenge
“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people … They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” “Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.” –Thomas Jefferson
Seminar to explore what really grows in community gardens
Community gardening organizations and health advocates have lauded community gardens as a means to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in urban food deserts. A review of the literature about community gardens reveals that there are links between health and community gardening, but they may not be what you think.
Nonprofit scholar to discuss human service deserts
Drawing on the concept of food deserts, popularized by first lady Michelle Obama, scholar Brent Never will discuss the implications of human service deserts for communities of need. He will present his lecture “Service Deserts and Nonprofits: ‘Lumpiness’ in the Fabric of Human Service Provision” from 1:30 to 3 p.m. April 27 at the chapel in Bellerive Hall on South Campus at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Following ‘Black Swan’ success, St. Louis Ballet set to stage ‘Swan Lake’
The 2010 film “Black Swan” earned critical praise, box office success and an Oscar for best actress for Natalie Portman. It also drew wider attention to the classic ballet “Swan Lake.”
‘Laugh Out Loud’ with Second City at Touhill
The Second City is known for launching the careers of comedic talents like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner and Bill Murray.
UMSL Tritons weekly roundup for April 17-23
Each week, the Department of Athletics at the University of Missouri–St. Louis compiles a roundup of how the various UMSL Tritons teams have fared. Click on the headings below for an up-to-date look at each Tritons team.
Put UMSL in your pocket
Whether you are lost on campus, want to easily contact a faculty member or are looking for the latest University of Missouri–St. Louis news, UMSL has a new solution. And it’s free and fits in your pocket.
Baseball coach Brady notches win 700 … and counting
Jim Brady, head coach of the University of Missouri–St. Louis baseball team, joined an exclusive club this weekend. The UMSL Tritons 14-2 defeat of Great Lakes Valley Conference opponent University of Illinois Springfield Sunday (April 22) gave Brady his 700th career victory. He became only the 37th coach in NCAA Division II history to accomplish the feat.
Raising awareness of domestic homicide in Missouri
Two people meet, fall in love and then live happily ever after. The ideal ending, right? Or wrong? Since the beginning of 2012, at least five Missouri women have had their happily-ever-afters cut tragically short by violence. These women have been killed, not by strangers, but allegedly by men they once loved. The deaths of Jamie L. Fields-Arrington, 33; Sarah Billingsley-Walker, 18; Kristie Steed, 43; Gwendolyn E. Pahmeyer, 51; and Alyshia Alexander, 24 are startling reminders of the seriousness of domestic homicide in our own community.
Eye on UMSL: Serving and protecting with a fresh look
This spring, University Marketing and Communications at UMSL redesigned the graphics on two patrol vehicles driven by members of the UMSL Police Department.
Irish poet talks Yeats
Native Irish poet Eamonn Wall holds a special place in his heart for William Butler Yeats. “I think in some ways, W.B. Yeats’ poetry is kind of the soundtrack of childhood and adolescence in Ireland,” Wall said on a recent episode of “Cityscape” on St. Louis Public Radio | 90.7 KWMU.
Baseball team pushes record to 14-2 over last 16
The University of Missouri–St. Louis baseball team extended its win streak to eight games with a sweep at Maryville University (Town and County, Mo.) Wednesday night in Great Lakes Valley Conference action. The UMSL Tritons won by scores of 13-4 and 3-2.
Computer scientist to explore battlefield for future wars: cyberspace
As the 21st century progresses, world powers have begun to acknowledge a new battlefield for future wars: cyberspace. The New York Times, for example, revealed that the U.S. debated using cyber warfare in its initial strikes against Libya, before giving way to conventional military means.
Grammy winner headlines 2012 Jazz Festival
As a sideman with more than 20 years experience, bassist Christian McBride is no stranger to winning Grammy Awards. But never has he basked in Grammy glory as a bandleader – at least not until the most recent awards were handed out.
Effective interventions critical in child abuse prevention
Although April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, the School of Social Work at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, with its emphasis on child welfare, is involved with child abuse prevention all year. Graduates learn effective interventions with abusive parents and their children. This is critical if we are going to prevent further abuse.
Eye on UMSL: Philosophy under the shade tree
UMSL Adjunct Instructor in Philosophy Isaac Wiegman (center, facing camera) lectures his class of 16 students on April 9. The course is Philosophy 2280: Minds, Brains and Machines, and the Millennium Student Center is in the background. “I love teaching outside,” Wiegman said. “It’s so fun.” The picture, by campus photographer August Jennewein, is the latest to be featured at Eye on UMSL.
Media Coverage: February 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.
2 ballplayers hit their way to GLVC honors
Two University of Missouri–St. Louis student-athletes hit their way to Great Lakes Valley Conference Player of the Week honors.
Historian talks ‘Coming War with Robots’
Humanity has had a fascination with robots for years. But humans have also grown anxious about our robotic counterparts playing an increasingly greater role in future day-to-day life (“Terminator 2,” anyone?).
Public administration, policy discussion series to shift focus to ethics
A new discussion series at the University of Missouri–St. Louis features local government, nonprofit and academic leaders focusing on current issues in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. The series, “Focus on Public Administration & Policy,” will continue with the discussion “Balancing Public Values as a Question of Ethics” from 3-4:30 p.m. April 19 in the J.C. Penney Building/Conference Center at UMSL.
Education: Getting closer to the community
The College of Education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis prepares for every educator role. We prepare educators for businesses, government agencies, national educational organizations, foundations, museums, zoos and nonprofit youth-serving organizations, as well as for charter, private and public schools.
Muny to perform musical theater for middle schoolers
The Muny wants to get middle schoolers into musical theater. To do so, the theater organization has designed an interactive and lively show called “Muny 4U” at 7 p.m. April 13 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Nationally acclaimed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet to perform at Touhill
The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet boasts top-flight dancers in an electric and engaging repertory hailed by The New York Times as “a breath of fresh air.” Combining rugged athleticism with liquid grace, the company’s frisky programs continue to fuel its skyrocketing national reputation.
Eye on UMSL: Accounting excellence
Did you know that UMSL has an outstanding accounting program? Our students have a CPA exam pass rate that’s 10 percent higher than the national average, and more than 80 of our alumni are chief financial officers at businesses and nonprofit organizations around the country. The photo: Stephen Moehrle, professor of accounting at UMSL, teaches Financial and Accounting Reporting II on Jan. 30 in 336 Social Sciences & Business Building. The picture, by campus photographer August Jennewein, is the latest to be featured at Eye on UMSL.
Political scientist talks peace, turmoil in West Africa
People celebrated in streets throughout Senegal last week after Macky Sall was announced as the clear winner of a presidential run-off election pitting him against incumbent Abdoulaye Wade. The peaceful and quick election that ended Wade’s 12-year reign is rare in Western Africa, a region accustomed to turmoil.
Cobra Starship to descend on Touhill for Mirthday
If you can believe Gabe Saporta, he started Cobra Starship when an introspective desert trip turned trippy with hallucinations that followed a venomous snakebite. Supposedly the snake spoke, telling the then lead singer of emo-punk band Midtown to stop taking himself so seriously.
Historian to discuss barrier-breaking civil rights attorney
Civil rights attorney Margaret Bush Wilson (1919-2009) was a complex individual who broke many barriers throughout her life and professional career. She was part of the legal team that fought housing covenants in the 1940s. She went on to work for the National NAACP, U.S. Department of Agriculture and state of Missouri.
Is graduate school right for you right now?
Normally, getting into a good graduate program requires time to demonstrate that you’re capable of doing advanced work. There are, however, two fast tracks at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. First, 2 + 3 programs invite outstanding undergraduates with around 60 hours to complete integrated requirements of the BA and MA degree programs in three years from the beginning of their junior year.
Ranger works to attract African Americans to US parks
Novelist and park ranger Shelton Johnson has long been troubled by the fact that less than one percent of the visitors to Yosemite National Park in California are African Americans. One of only a few African American rangers employed by the National Park Service, the Detroit native says his life was transformed when he visited a national park as a child. Now Johnson works hard to inspire other inner-city African Americans to experience the U.S. national parks.
Panel to focus on youth, summer programs
Todd Swanstrom knows the value of communities working together. He is, after all, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Community Collaboration and Public Policy Administration at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Swanstrom put that title to work recently when he met with leaders at more than 30 St. Louis Community Development Corporations to help facilitate collaboration.
Center to kick off National Poetry Month
The Center for the Humanities at the University of Missouri–St. Louis will kick off National Poetry Month in April with a pair of Monday Noon Series events. Jeff Friedman, who has been called “the funniest poet in PoBiz” will give a reading April 2 at UMSL. He will explore poems from his most recent collection, “Working in Flour,” and selections from his new manuscript of parables, fables, tales and comic sketches.
Forum to focus on reproductive rights as national debate heats up
Reproductive rights have been a recent hot-button political issue. As the national debate heats up, a forum on reproductive rights at the University of Missouri–St. Louis will explore the issue, why the rights are important and why these issues are in the news now.
Future of state universities in doubt?
Are we observing a downward spiral toward the end of the state university? In the past three years the University of Missouri–St Louis has suffered budget cuts in state appropriations of $2.9 million, $3.7 million and $3 million. In the coming year we are projected to see a $6.8 million cut. This represents a decrease of more than 25 percent of state funding.
Eye on UMSL: Springtime fun
The picture, taken by campus photographer August Jennewein, is the latest to be featured at Eye on UMSL.
Men continue to greatly outnumber women in elected office
Despite women voters outnumbering men voters in every Missouri county, men continue to hold more elected offices at every level in the state, according to a recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch article.
UMSL Tritons weekly roundup for March 13-19
Each week, the Department of Athletics at the University of Missouri–St. Louis compiles a roundup of how the various UMSL Tritons teams have fared. Click on the headings below for an up-to-date look at each Tritons team.
A 4-letter reason why St. Louis doesn’t suck
Provocative headline, eh? It’s actually borrowed, slightly modified, from a December article in Forbes Magazine (“St. Louis Doesn’t Suck”). Forbes Writer Aaron Perlut, tired of the media dissing his adopted hometown, laid out a great case for all the good things about the city, from affordable housing and a strong employment base to rich cultural activities and a collection of outstanding education resources.
PPRC Photo Project turns cameras on Fathers’ Support Center
If a man becomes estranged from his children, there’s a place to find help. It’s the Fathers’ Support Center in St. Louis. And it’s the latest subject documented by the Public Policy Research Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis for its Photography Project series.
Music great Herbie Hancock to play Touhill
Herbie Hancock is more than five decades into his genre-defying career as an acclaimed pianist, bandleader and composer. He’s won 12 Grammy Awards and an Oscar for scoring “Round Midnight.”