There has been a campuswide commitment to engage local businesses and recruit staff from the network’s focused geography in north St. Louis city and county.
Stories by Steve Walentik
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Lifelong learner: Finance Professor Yiuman Tse earns master’s degree in computer science
Tse wanted to add to his knowledge and enhance his teaching with his new degree, which he completed nearly 30 years after earning his PhD.
UMSL names Shu Schiller new dean of the College of Business Administration
Schiller, who has been a faculty member and administrator at Wright State University, will assume her new position on April 1.
Criminologist Richard Rosenfeld, a national expert on crime trends and crime statistics, dies at age 75
Rosenfeld was a past president of the American Society of Criminology and the 2017 recipient of its Edwin H. Sutherland Award in recognition of his career achievements.
New graduate Rachel Goldmeier applying lessons from MPPA program to work at Community Innovation and Action Center
Goldmeier, who also earned her MSW at UMSL in 2015, joined CIAC as a graduate research assistant before being hired full-time as an outreach coordinator.
Nepalese student Saksham Prajapati makes most of time at UMSL while earning degree in physics
Prajapati was active in the Physics Club and Student Government Association and received his degree with distinction for his research on comets with Professor Erika Gibb.
Communication graduate Jazmin Davis making up for lost time with help of Accelerated MA program
Davis graduated with her bachelor’s degree over the weekend and is on track to be the first student to earn her master’s next year as part of the new program.
MacArthur Foundation releases new report from UMSL researchers detailing what drives people’s attitudes about community safety
Professor Lee Slocum was the lead author of the report, which was developed after surveying community members in St. Louis County, Mecklenburg County and Missoula County.
Online MBA students visit Panama, complete consulting project with architecture and construction company
The trip offered students a chance to explore a different country, different culture and different way of doing business while helping them think globally.
UMSL volleyball team’s remarkable season ends in NCAA semifinals
The Tritons beat Anderson University in four sets to reach the national semifinals for the second straight year but were swept by eventual national champion Cal State Los Angeles.
MBA graduate Sophie Faulkner preparing to work behind the scenes in the golf business
Faulkner, a former UMSL women’s golfer, will begin working as an assistant club professional at Bellerive Country Club in February.
Geospatial Advanced Technology Lab to begin serving students in the spring semester
The university provided matching funds to construct the GIS and virtual reality labs after receiving more than $1 million from the state of Missouri through the MoExcels Workforce Initiative.
UMSL volleyball team repeats as NCAA Division II Midwest Region champions, bound for national quarterfinals
The Tritons knocked off Ferris State in Saturday’s regional final and will face Anderson University at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in Moon Township, Pennsylvania.
Alum Matt Austin settling into new role as curator of biodiversity data at Missouri Botanical Garden
Austin is researching the impact of climate change on flowering plants while also helping lead the process of digitizing the garden’s herbarium, which contains more than 7 million species.
Five questions with Lee Slocum, professor of criminology and criminal justice
Slocum has been leading a team of researchers studying people’s feelings of community safety with the support of a grant from the MacArthur Foundation.
UMSL’s Addiction Science Team helps combat the opioid epidemic in Missouri
The team packs and distributes more than 3,000 overdose prevention kits each week with doses of naloxone and information about treatment for addiction.
Staffers capture the story of MIMH’s impact through participation in Scientist Artist Collaborative
Playwright José Cruz González helped lead the fifth iteration of the collaborative, which pairs MIMH researchers with artists and is designed to help unlock their creativity.
UMSL alum Jane Merkel serves as zoological manager of animal health at Saint Louis Zoo
Merkel earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology from UMSL and did research in the lab of Patricia Parker, then the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Zoological Studies.
Benjamin VandenBrink makes history as first UMSL runner to compete in NCAA Division II Cross Country Championship
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.
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.