The award is presented to up to three staff or faculty members each month in recognition of their efforts to transform the lives of UMSL students and the wider community.
Stories by Steve Walentik
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Interim Chancellor Chris Spilling vows to continue building on UMSL’s recent success during annual State of the University Address
Spilling highlighted the ways that the university is continuing to adapt and innovate amid a shifting landscape in higher education.
UMSL welcomes 21 new faculty members for start of the new academic year
The Office of Academic Affairs organized a daylong orientation on Tuesday to help new faculty members prepare for the new academic year.
UMSL dedicates Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center
The new space will soon begin welcoming future generations of UMSL students while giving alumni a place to return to and remain connected with their alma mater.
College of Optometry unveils new academic home in J.C. Penney Building
Alumni and supporters had the chance to tour the newly renovated teaching and collaborative study spaces during a dedication on Friday.
UMSL to provide business training to students from The Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute
A five-year agreement will ensure students can transfer credits from the BAMSI School of Business and Management and apply them toward degrees from UMSL’s Ed G. Smith College of Business.
UMSL, St. Mary’s South Side Catholic High School sign deal to turn dreams into degrees for students, staff
The agreement provides education opportunities for St. Mary’s students at UMSL as well as professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
College of Nursing celebrates newest graduates at Awards and Pinning Ceremony
A group of 35 students in the Accelerated BSN program and 10 students in the DNP program completed their degrees in August.
Spring graduate Sara Williams lands job at Mercy with an eye on medical school
The biochemistry and biotechnology major was part of the inaugural cohort of students from The Bahamas who made their way to UMSL through a partnership with the Ministry of Education.
Christina Castellano chosen to participate in 2026–2027 MNRS Leadership Academy
The assistant professor will join other promising researchers and scholars from the Midwest region in the leadership development program’s sixth cohort.
Michael Cosmopoulos’ work at Iklaina featured in National Geographic’s ‘The Lost Treasures of Ancient Greece’
The Hellenic Government-Karakas Family Foundation Professor in Greek Studies shares his expertise in the fourth episode of the documentary series, which focuses on “The Mystery of the Trojan War.”
Interim Chancellor Chris Spilling discusses new role at UMSL, World Cup fan experience during guest appearance on KTRS
Spilling joined hosts Frank Cusumano and Jill Farmer Monday morning on “The Frank and Jill Show.”
Christopher Sullivan joins ranks of American Society of Criminology Fellows
The E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Youth Crime and Violence was one of four people named fellows in 2026 for their scholarly contributions to the field of criminology.
26 faculty members receiving promotions for the 2026-27 academic year
Eleven faculty members were granted tenure and three were awarded the rank of full professor. Of the 12 non-tenure track faculty members receiving promotions, six received the rank of full teaching professor.
CLIMB program gives area high school students exposure to hands-on research work in UMSL labs
Seven students from Hazelwood East and University City High Schools participated in the paid internship program as it marked its 12th year this summer.
UMSL’s Sheila Grigsby set to be inducted into The Academy of Community Engagement Scholarship
The associate professor of nursing is among 24 new members of the international organization, which recognizes exceptional leaders who unite academics and communities to benefit society.
UMSL Athletics enjoys unparalleled success in competition, classroom in 2025-26
The Tritons won a school-record five Great Lakes Valley Conference championships, received 17 All-America nods and saw swimmer Justice Beard capture three individual national championships during a historic year.
Geospatial Summer Camp gives area high school students hands-on experience with emerging technology
More than 30 students, hailing from 20 area high schools, took part in the four-day camp organized for the fourth straight year by UMSL’s Geospatial Collaborative.
High school student Ayush Vasireddy gaining hands-on chemistry research experience using nanoporous gold at UMSL
Vasireddy won four awards when he entered his work in the 76th annual Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in May.
Allison Lendman relishing research experiences while pursuing master’s in biochemistry and biotechnology
Lendman is taking advantage of the accelerated master’s program after completing her bachelor’s in May.
Computer science graduate Anthony Burrows set to begin pursuing second bachelor’s in engineering this fall
Burrows, a four-year member of UMSL’s men’s tennis team, first came to the university as part of a cohort of 20 students from The Bahamas.
College of Nursing earns maximum 10-year reaccreditation from Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
The accreditation is affirmation of UMSL’s academic quality, student outcomes, faculty expertise and commitment to continuous improvement.
UMSL Advanced Credit Program meets high standards to achieve reaccreditation from national alliance
The ACP program is the largest dual credit program in the state of Missouri and counts more than 8,000 students from more than 90 schools across the St. Louis region.
Opportunity Scholar Nick Ballenger starting vet school after completing bachelor’s degree in biology
Ballenger will begin studying at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine this fall.
Eye on UMSL: Music of the movies
Assistant Teaching Professor David Wacyk dressed up as Marty McFly as he conducted the UMSL Orchestra and Wind Ensemble on May 13 at the Touhill.
Scott D. Peterson’s book, ‘A Month of Game Days,’ wins Twin Bill Prize for Best Baseball Fiction
Peterson captures stories about baseball-obsessed father and coach Lou Mallett and his family. The book was inspired by some of Peterson’s own experiences coaching youth baseball in central Maine.
Kaley Ware maximizes her experience at UMSL while earning master’s degree in economics
Ware, who graduated from the accelerated master’s program, will begin a doctoral program in economics at the University of Tennessee this fall.
Zoe Ellis well prepared to embark on PhD in biology after coursework, research experiences at UMSL
Ellis will begin studying the impacts of human activity on aquatic biodiversity in a program at Saint Louis University this fall.
Sharlee Climer and computer science students unlock clues in genetic data to improve precision medicine
Climer’s Biological Data Science course gives students an introduction to key areas of biological data science and provides them with hands-on experience processing and analyzing genetic data.
Computer science major Siddhartha Pullannagari to pursue master’s at Columbia University after graduating from UMSL
Pullannagari graduated cum laude and gained extensive research experience working with faculty members Badri Adhikari, Azim Ahmadzadeh, Sharlee Climer and Chung Wong.
Ameren invests $1 million in UMSL School of Engineering and its students
The funding supports a new electrical engineering lab, scholarships and hands-on learning experiences.
UMSL announces new Leadership Institute to support emerging and established leaders throughout the region
Thomas Douaihy, Kathy O’Neill and AJ Segal will serve as executives-in-residence and will help guide the development of the new institute.
Biologist Aimee Dunlap discusses research on the ecology and evolution of learning as part of NextGen Precision Health Discovery Series
Dunlap and her students study arthropods such as bumblebees, fruit flies and tarantulas to glean insights on how environmental variability affects cognition.
Political science PhD graduate Jake Shaw lands job as assistant professor at DePauw University
Shaw successfully defended his dissertation on April 14. His research explored the impact of natural disasters on voting behavior in gubernatorial and presidential elections.
KSDK spotlights UMSL baseball team after winning first conference title since 2003
Sports Director Frank Cusumano stopped by practice this week as the team prepared to take on Wayne State Thursday in the opening game of the NCAA Tournament.
Studio Art major Jacob Jeliti receives $5,000 scholarship from Greater St. Louis Artists
Jeliti, a junior, was one of four college art students across the St. Louis region honored with scholarships earlier this spring.
2nd annual Start with Leadership Conference brings more than 300 professionals to UMSL for afternoon of learning, networking
FOCUS St. Louis and UMSL collaborated to host the conference last Thursday at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.
Adella Jones, Channon Peoples receive Chancellor’s Medals for their work on behalf of UMSL
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik suprised both with the honors during the annual Career Milestone Recognition Reception.
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik honored with Visionary Leadership Award at annual North County Inc. Leadership Breakfast
Sobolik, who is retiring at the end of June, has led significant enhancements to UMSL’s academic offerings and the physical campus during her nine years at the university.
UMSL’s Bridge Program celebrates 40 years of preparing students of every background for college success
Since 2003, 100% of Bridge Program graduates have gone on to college or other postsecondary educational opportunities.
UMSL recognizes the exceptional work of its researchers during annual Research and Innovation Celebration
The university honored Claire Wolff, Erika Gibb, Jodi Woodruff, Azim Ahmadzadeh, Jalene LaMontagne, Jill Delston, Cynthia Dupureur and Xin Wang with awards.
Doctoral student Anna Heinzmann researching how instituting plea bargaining is altering the legal system in her native Brazil
Heinzmann holds a law degree from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, and her legal training has helped inform her research.
Longtime Missouri Botanical Garden President Peter Raven’s legacy includes strengthening biology program at UMSL
Raven, also a former member of the University of Missouri Board of Curators, died Saturday at age 89.
Eight faculty members granted sabbaticals or teaching releases during 2026-27 academic year
Annah Bender, Sandra Langeslag, John McGrosso, Stephanie Merritt, Laura Miller, Carissa Philippi, Shannon Ahrndt and Marc Spingola have been granted time to devote to research or course development.
History alum Dan Ignaczak’s newfound passion for learning leads him back to UMSL for master’s degree
Ignaczak aims to one day teach history at a community college, having seen how much being in that environment benefited his own educational journey.
UMSL Tritons weekly rewind
The men’s golf team won its fourth conference title under Coach Troy Halterman while the women’s tennis team clinched the GLVC East Division crown for the first time.
Missouri Botanical Garden President and UMSL alum Lúcia Lohmann honored with Robert R. Hermann World Ecology Award
The award, from UMSL’s Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center, recognizes distinguished individuals for their efforts to protect biodiversity and promote ecology and conservation around the globe.
Professor Michael Cosmopoulos honored as a Guggenheim Fellow in the Classics
The fellowship honors leading thinkers, innovators and creators in art, science and scholarship with more than 223 chosen for the 2026 class from more than 5,000 applicants across all fields.
UMSL partnering with U.S. Transportation Command and Air Mobility Command to support student learning, strengthen research
UMSL hosted AMC Chief Scientist Albert Lowas for a kickoff meeting to discuss potential collaborations in engineering, supply chain and analytics, and geospatial science.
Congressman Wesley Bell tours API Innovation Center labs in UMSL Science Complex
Bell recently led a successful effort to secure more than $1 million in federal funding to establish the API Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Hub.