The award, established in 2004 and presented annually, is meant to recognize individuals or institutions who have made significant contributions to the preservation of Missouri’s history.
Stories by Steve Walentik
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State of Missouri makes significant investments in new academic programs and ongoing campus transformation at UMSL
Capital funding will support a new on-campus engineering program, plus workforce and business innovation centers.
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik welcomes seven new members to UMSL Chancellor’s Council
Alumni Dan Isom, Sam Ganga, Wayne DeVeydt, Dave Reifschneider, Richard Winter, Evelyn Bailey Moore and Steve O’Loughlin are assuming their positions on the council in July.
MIMH’s Precision Health Research team studying effects of COVID infection in HIV patients, with implications for wider population
Director Robert Paul has been collaborating with colleagues at Yale University and the Military HIV Research Program with funding from the National Institute of Mental Health.
Rob Wilson, Amy Banken and Stephanie Eaton receive UMSL Hero Awards
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.
Michael Cosmopoulos celebrates induction into Academy of Athens, receives honorary professorship from University of Peloponnese
Cosmopoulos, the Hellenic Government-Karakas Family Foundation Professor in Greek Studies, has been celebrated for the excavation he’s led of the ancient Peloponnesian village of Iklaina in southwestern Greece.
Geospatial summer camp helps expose area high school students to emerging technology
A group of 30 students from 20 area high schools attended the second annual summer camp over four days last week. Each received a $200 stipend for their participation.
UMSL alum David Drinkard has built nearly two-decade-long career in U.S. Foreign Service
Drinkard currently serves as the economic unit security chief for the U.S. Mission to the European Union in Brussels, Belgium.
UMSL hosts Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities’ Anchor Learning Network Action Summit
The two-day event showcased efforts by UMSL and its partners in the St. Louis Anchor Action Network to promote greater prosperity across the region.
UMSL winds down year-long celebration of its 60th anniversary, looks to build for the future
The university gathered to celebrate the anniversary of its founding on Sept. 15 and honored successful alumni and contributed to a legacy of service throughout the year.
August graduate Luis Schneegans bound for doctoral program at Stanford after earning degree in mathematics
Schneegans benefitted from the Missouri Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation and his involvement in several NSF-supported Research Experiences for Undergraduates.
MPPA graduate Taylor Cook lands director position at Covenant House after internship in chancellor’s office
Cook assisted with coordinating and communicating events and activities around the 60th anniversary and Transform UMSL as the project management and communications intern.
Retiring Dean Ann Taylor has left lasting mark on College of Education
The college has continued its strong reputation for teacher preparation while expanding its research activity and adding new programs during Taylor’s eight years as dean.
New graduate Kristen McDonald lands on right career path with degrees in data science and analysis, economics
McDonald started her college career majoring in nursing at MU before transferring to UMSL. She graduated cum laude and is on track to earn her master’s degree in economics next spring.
Biology graduate Jesse Laseter getting acclimated in new job with Missouri Department of Conservation
Laseter, who graduated magna cum laude, is working as a resource management technician as part of the department’s community conservation team.
Natissia Small helping prepare girls for future success as CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri
Small stepped into the role of CEO in April 2023 after nearly 28 years working at UMSL, most recently as vice provost for access, academic support and workforce integration.
Biology Professor Michi Tobler uncovers lessons from fish living in extreme environments
Tobler, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor in Zoological Studies, has developed a research focus on livebearer fish that have adapted to live in the presence of hydrogen sulfide.
History, philosophy graduate Ashley Maempa set to pursue PhD in Iowa
Maempa plans to study under noted historian Colin Gordon, author of “Mapping Decline: St. Louis and the Fate of the American City.”
Adam McBrady honored with Friendship Award from Japan America Society of St. Louis
The history alum helped drive collaboration between Urban Chestnut Brewing Company and Masumi Sake on a beer to commemorate JASSTL’s 50th anniversary.
UMSL to honor alum Warner Baxter as it celebrates more than 1,700 new graduates during spring commencement ceremonies
The retired Ameren chairman will deliver the commencement address and receive an honorary doctorate during a ceremony for graduates of the College of Business Administration on Friday.
Gov. Mike Parson tours UMSL’s new Geospatial Advanced Technology Lab
The state-of-the-art facility was built with the help of $1.1 million in funding from the MoExcels Workforce Initiative, one of the signature programs Parson has championed as governor.
Xuemin ‘Sam’ Wang to receive 2024 Terry Galliard Medal at International Symposium on Plant Lipids
The award recognizes the career achievements of a distinguished plant lipid scientist and was named to honor Terry Galliard, who organized the first International Symposium on Plant Lipids in 1974.
Amb Holt persists through challenges to earn MPPA in local government management
Holt wants to work in local government administration, implementing policies that help underserved communities overcome disparities.
A collaborative partnership between FinLocker and UMSL enriches research and provides students with real-world experience
Assistant Professor Vivek Singh has been part of ongoing collaboration with FinLocker Chief Technology Officer Bryan Garcia, a longtime member of UMSL’s IST Advisory Board.
UMSL community gathers to celebrate research excellence at annual Research and Innovation Reception
Faculty members Mary Edwin, Emily Brown, Anita Manion, Rachel Winograd, Vivek Singh and Michael Nichols were honored at Friday’s event in the Millennium Student Center.
UMSL hosts workshop for researchers affiliated with Taylor Geospatial Institute
The workshop provided an opportunity to showcase the technology tools available in UMSL’s Geospatial Advanced Technology Lab, which opened this semester.
New College of Business Administration Dean Shu Schiller honored by her alma mater, Temple University
Schiller received the 2024 PhD Alumni Leadership Award from the Fox School of Business, where she earned her PhD in information systems in 2007.
Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival marks 20 years helping inspire, teach student musicians from schools across the region
Musicians from more than 40 high schools and middle schools in Missouri and Illinois took part in the three-day festival held last week at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.
Julie Packard receives Robert R. Hermann World Ecology Award from UMSL’s Whitney R. Harris World Ecology Center
Packard, who has served as the executive director of the Monterey Bay Aquarium since its opening 40 years ago, is a leading voice promoting healthy oceans.
UMSL gets high marks in latest US News ‘Best Graduate Schools’ rankings
UMSL’s graduate programs in social work, education, business and public affairs all made gains and were ranked among the top 125 nationally in the latest rankings.
Astrophysics major Jacob Arbogast contributing to national research project on April 8 eclipse
Arbogast is assisting with a project led by former UMSL postdoctoral fellow and faculty member David J. Horne, now an assistant professor at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania.
UMSL formalizes partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri to support future students with scholarships
The university will provide $5,250 Margaret Bush Wilson Scholarships and wraparound support services to BBBSEMO students who enroll at UMSL beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.
Michael Murray to receive 2024 Broadcast Education Association Lifetime Achievement in Scholarship Award
Murray has published eight books, including “The Political Performers,” “Television in America,” “Indelible Images: Women of Local Television,” “Media Law and Ethics,” and the “Encyclopedia of Television News.”
David Gerstenecker eager to make connections around campus as UMSL’s new chief information officer
Gerstenecker spent more than 26 years working in information technology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign before coming to UMSL.
Senior graphic design students showcase quality and breadth of their work during capstone presentations
Duan Bills was one of 15 seniors sharing his work in front of friends, family members, faculty, alumni and even a few potential employers over two nights last week in Lucas Hall.
Assistant Professor Lei Xu’s research explores the conditions that can foster entrepreneurship and innovation in entrepreneurial ecosystems
Xu and his collaborators examined a longitudinal sample of regional data from the United States between 1994 and 2016 and published their findings in the Academy of Management Journal.
Joint Engineering Program marks 30 years of training quality engineers for the St. Louis workforce
Approximately 1,400 alumni have earned degrees in either in civil, electrical and mechanical engineering through the program since its founding.
Newest class of Coro Fellows making an impact in St. Louis region
Ian Trapp, Molly Sheridan, Noah Pellettieri, Lauren Serfas, Rosa Parks, Cathy Zhu, Tom Byron and Maxine Gill have been working and learning in placements throughout the area since September.
15th annual International Business Career Conference expands students’ understanding of global business
Alum Steve Hamilton, the chairman and CEO of CSI Leasing, delivered the keynote address during last Friday’s conference at Anheuser-Busch Hall.
Arianna String Quartet getting high marks for latest release, which completes cycle of Beethoven quartets
The quartet, made up of UMSL faculty members Kurt Baldwin, John McGrosso, Joanna Mendoza and Julia Sakharova, released “Beethoven: The Late Quartets” in 2023.
Dwayne Perry building on family legacy in UMSL/WUSTL Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program
The civil engineering major is on track to earn his degree and launch his career 10 years after his mother graduated from the program.
Bridge Program honors newest class of college-bound seniors at 38th annual Cigna Saturday Academy Awards Ceremony
More than 300 area high school students completed the precollegiate program this year. Among them were 81 seniors, who’ve been accepted into more than 120 colleges and universities.
Nine faculty members granted sabbaticals or teaching releases during 2024-25 academic year
Sharlee Climer, Aimee Dunlap, Kailash Joshi, Trey Kidd, Lynda McDowell, Jennifer Siciliani, Alina Slapac, Ann Steffen and Adriano Udani have been granted time to devote to research or course development.
New Engineering Services Program helps UMSL students gain real-world experience at Boeing
Bushra Zaidi and Lorne St. Christopher II are two of seven students in the UMSL/Washington University Joint Undergraduate Engineering Program currently taking part in the program, which launched last year.
Criminology and criminal justice doctoral student Ellie Lyne wins 3 Minute Thesis competition
The annual competition is meant to celebrate doctoral research while cultivating academic, presentation and research communication skills among students.
Director of Athletics Lori Flanagan receives inaugural Chancellor’s Medal at UMSL Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony
The surprise award took place at the end of an evening honoring new inductees Jonathan Griffin, Brianna (Butler) Len, Alex (Stupek) Johnson, Markus Lindberg, Todd Schmidt and the 1973 baseball and 2017 and 2018 women’s golf teams.
US News ranks UMSL in top 100 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs
The university offers 21 of its bachelor’s degree programs 100% online – everything from business, chemistry and computer science to nursing, political science and psychology.
Michael Nichols conducting NIH-funded research into chemical mechanisms that lead to brain inflammation in Alzheimer’s patients
Nichols received a $459,279 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to study the mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
UMSL partnering with Bisk to offer workforce development programs through Bisk Amplified platform
The platform is designed to assist organizations with their upskilling goals by providing employees with a one-stop-shop for accessing courses, certificates and degree programs.
Involvement Jamboree helps students discover ways to be active on campus
Representatives from 47 campus organizations filled tables around the rotunda of the MSC and shared information about their groups and activities.