VandenBrink will race Saturday at the Tom Rutledge Cross Country Course in Joplin, Missouri, and is on track to complete his bachelor’s degree in finance next month.
Stories by Steve Walentik
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Lara Zwarun studying viral spread of Saint Javelin meme and response to it amid war in Ukraine
The Waterhouse Family Institute at Villanova University awarded Zwarun and her associate Richard Canevez at Michigan Tech a research grant to conduct the study.
UMSL honors the late Robert Ray with tribute concert during fall music festival
Ray was a gifted composer and educator who taught piano for more than two decades at UMSL and was the founding director of the St. Louis Symphony’s IN UNISON Chorus.
UMSL holds reception to celebrate newest Bond International Scholars
More than 60 students from UMSL and MU have had the opportunity to study abroad in two dozen countries through the program, which was launched in 2018.
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik elected board chair for the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities
Sobolik begins a two-year term after winning a unanimous vote of the presidents and chancellors of CUMU’s more than 120 member institutions.
Retiring Ameren Executive Chairman Warner Baxter describes the importance of ethics throughout career
Baxter was the featured speaker in the latest installment of “Ethics: A Foundation for Success,” the six-part alumni conversations series.
Sam Chevakula finds outlet for artistic side while pursuing master’s in supply chain analytics
Chevakula, who studied art as an undergraduate, has done work in design and video production for UMSL’s student-run public relations firm, The Barnett Agency.
Geospatial Collaborative Director Reda Amer joins KMOX to discuss how UMSL’s helping build St. Louis geospatial workforce
Amer appeared as a guest on “Total Information AM” with host Megan Lynch on Monday morning.
Triton esports unveils inaugural varsity team, marks grand opening of new arena
The program officially welcomed 21 varsity players during a signing ceremony held Thursday afternoon in the remodeled esports arena in the MSC.
Department of Supply Chain and Analytics partnering with Cass Information Systems to bolster research, experiential learning
UMSL faculty members will benefit from industry data to enhance their research and can also build case studies and tailored class projects to benefit students.
Grace Derda, Janice Petty and Jim Schallom 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.
Alum Charlotte Richards named a Top 30 honoree for NCAA Woman of the Year
Richards was both a first-time All-American and first-team Academic All-American during her decorated career and led the Tritons to the national semifinals last fall.
UMSL launches new series to engage campus, community in deliberative dialogue on key societal issues
More than two dozen people attended the first event and engaged in a discussion around the topic of “Economic Vitality: How can we improve our communities?”
UMSL’s implementation of Campus Master Plan gets attention from The Society for College and University Planning at regional conference
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik took part in a panel presentation with partners from Lamar Johnson Collaborative, Public Design Bureau and Urban Strategies, Inc.
Alumni 5K provides perfect excuse for alum Art Lauer to return to campus after decades away
Lauer, a 1978 graduate, reminisced about his years as a student while running alongside more than 400 participants in the third annual race.
UMSL Tritons weekly rewind
The fourth-ranked volleyball team ran its record to 20-0 after sweeping Tiffin, Davenport and No. 19 Ferris State in the Midwest Regional Volleyball Crossover tournament.
UMSL receives seventh Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine
UMSL was one of 109 colleges and universities nationwide to receive the honor this year and the only one in the state of Missouri.
UMSL’s new Advanced Workforce Center aims to equip workers with essential business skills
Barry Darnell has been tapped to serve as the center’s executive director after previously working in workforce development for the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning.
Todd Swanstrom’s new book explores the importance of neighborhoods in making connections amid fractured times
Swanstrom co-authored “The Changing American Neighborhood: The Meaning of Place in the 21st Century” with Alan Mallach of the Center for Community Progress.
Eye on UMSL: Getting ready for the show
Taylor Timmerberg, a senior research lab and print technician in the Department of Art and Design, worked to install the new exhibition “Printed with Purpose” at Gallery 210@FAB.
Whitney and Anna Harris Conservation Forum examines urban heat islands, their impact and mitigation strategies
The event featured presentations from UMSL History Professor Andrew Hurley, AECOM Principal Steven Duong and Living Earth Collaborative Postdoctoral Fellow Kaylee Arnold.
MIMH partnering with Department of Mental Health and Missouri Behavioral Health Council to raise awareness and guide treatment of early psychosis
MIMH Associate Director Rachel Kryah is leading the project, which aims to help individuals impacted by first-episode psychosis get the resources and support they need.
More than 700 high school students take part in World Languages Day celebration at Touhill
The Department of Language and Cultural Studies organized the event for the fourth time and drew students from 10 area high schools.
Annual Founders Celebration showcases the impact of philanthropy on the UMSL community
Nearly 300 people attended the event, which served as an opportunity to thank alumni and other donors for their continued support of the university.
Eye on UMSL: Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff
Juanjo Gonzalez and Amber Nelson were among the members of Alma de Mexico performing traditional dances for UMSL students during a kickoff event in the MSC.
Members of the UMSL community have until Sept. 28 to cast their votes in alma mater competition
A group of faculty members, students and one alum from the Department of Music helped select the three finalists from 39 submissions.
UMSL community gathers to celebrate 60th anniversary of the university’s founding
Hundreds of people took part in the festivities and shared a 60th birthday cake on Friday morning in the Millennium Student Center.
UMSL taps Ryan McDannold to serve as associate vice chancellor for development
McDannold has more than 17 years of experience leading the strategic growth of private philanthropic support for nonprofit and higher education organizations.
Janet Wilding assumes new role as UMSL’s assistant vice chancellor for economic and community development
Wilding has more than 30 years of experience working in urban planning and helping to spur economic growth across the St. Louis region.
UMSL community members encouraged to display their pride on and off campus on Red and Gold Day Sept. 15
Alumni, students, faculty and staff can snap pictures of themselves at work or about town and share them on social media, tagging UMSL and using the hashtag #UMSL60.
Michi Tobler engaging in teaching, research and outreach as new E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor in Zoological Studies at UMSL
Tobler has a dual appointment as senior scientist at the Saint Louis Zoo and will be collaborating on research through the WildCare Institute.
UMSL-led research shows boards and commissions in Missouri cities are less diverse than the state’s population
The nonprofit United WE commissioned the report on “Gender Parity on Civic Boards and Commissions in Missouri,” which was released on Thursday.
UMSL preparing to celebrate 60th anniversary while recommitting to its mission of education, service
Chancellor Kristin Sobolik used her annual State of the University Address to highlight ways UMSL is adapting to meet the changing needs of the community.
Recent graduate Elijah Braswell serving as Valley Park alderman while eyeing law school
Braswell, who completed his bachelor’s degree in history in May, is one of two representatives of Ward 4 and is serving on the Police Committee and Public Works Committee.
Fall semester opening at UMSL with 25 new faculty members
Keeta Holmes and Alice Hall helped new faculty members get acclimated to the UMSL community during orientation last Tuesday.
Proud to be an American: Vice Chancellor Chris Spilling becomes naturalized citizen after more than 30 years at UMSL
Spilling recited the Oath of Allegiance at a naturalization ceremony on Aug. 11 at the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse.
New CCJ graduate Myranda Hogg settling into role at Federal Public Defender’s Office
Hogg began working as a legal administrative assistant in May and completed her master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice this month.
James S. McDonnell Foundation awards $2.4 million grant to help St. Louis Anchor Action Network continue its work and expand its impact
The three-year grant will allow for additional staffing and programming to support network members.
Patricia Zahn helps strengthen connections between UMSL, wider community
Zahn is in her 13th year at UMSL and serves as the director of community outreach and engagement and legislative liaison while supporting the Des Lee Collaborative Vision.
UMSL criminologists behind new report showing declines in violent crime across US
Curators’ Distinguished Professor Emeritus Richard Rosenfeld and doctoral candidates Ernesto Lopez and Bobby Boxerman co-authored the report for the Council on Criminal Justice.
Criminologist Lee Slocum researching ideas about community safety across different regions, including in St. Louis County
Slocum is surveying residents of St. Louis County; Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; and Missoula County, Montana, in a project sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation.
UMSL Athletics celebrates another banner year in sports and academics
The Tritons celebrated two regional titles, had three Great Lakes Valley Conference players of the year and saw a record 174 student-athletes earn Academic All-GLVC honors.
CLIMB marks nine years helping area high school students gain lab experience through paid internships
Eight young women from the Hazelwood, Jennings and University City school districts took part in the six-week program this summer.
Gov. Mike Parson signs budget directing $20 million to Transform UMSL alongside an increase in core funding
The FY24 funding follows $40 million in ARPA funding the state directed to the university last year to kickstart UMSL’s first steps in realizing its Campus Master Plan.
Pressing the start button: UMSL prepares to launch new esports program this fall
Bovey Zhang is serving as the inaugural director of the program after previous stints at Cottey College and Saint Leo University.
Biology doctoral student Ketra Oketcho aims to improve global food security through research at Danforth Plant Science Center
Oketcho is trying to understand the mechanisms behind native resistance to cassava mosaic virus, which impacts cassava, a tuberous root plant that is a staple crop in much of Africa.
UMSL Addiction Science Team hosts roundtable with Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine
The meeting focused on ways to increase access to naloxone for people impacted by addiction in low-income housing.
50 area high school students attend UMSL’s inaugural geospatial summer camp
The four-day camp provided students with an introduction to geospatial science and gave them a chance to work with GIS tools such as ArcGIS to investigate policy problems.
Ask an expert: Criminologist Richard Rosenfeld studies the impact the opioid epidemic has had on homicides
The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation recently published a report from Rosenfeld and colleagues Joel Wallman and Randolph Roth showing a link between opioids and homicide.
UMSL welcomes new Commissioner Bennett Boggs, members of Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education
The board held the first quarterly meeting of Boggs’ tenure leading the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development at the Touhill.