LATEST IN Arts & Sciences
Eye on UMSL: ‘The Impresario’
Eye on UMSL: ‘The Impresario’

University of Missouri–St. Louis students Rachel Anthonis, Rita Schien, and Vanessa Tessereau rehearsed for UMSL Opera Theatre’s production of “The Impresario,” Mozart’s one-act comic opera.

Eye on UMSL: ‘The Impresario’

University of Missouri–St. Louis students Rachel Anthonis, Rita Schien, and Vanessa Tessereau rehearsed for UMSL Opera Theatre’s production of “The Impresario,” Mozart’s one-act comic opera.

Eye on UMSL: ‘The Impresario’

University of Missouri–St. Louis students Rachel Anthonis, Rita Schien, and Vanessa Tessereau rehearsed for UMSL Opera Theatre’s production of “The Impresario,” Mozart’s one-act comic opera.

MORE IN Arts & Sciences
Raising awareness of domestic homicide in Missouri

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.

Engineering students Ethiopia bound

Engineering students Ethiopia bound

Two University of Missouri–St. Louis engineering students will clock nearly 16,000 miles round trip this summer to work on a construction project in Africa.

Domestic violence fair to give voice to Missouri victims

Domestic violence fair to give voice to Missouri victims

Normandy (Mo.) police Officer Amanda Cates was shot to death in August 2006 at the hands of her boyfriend. Since then, the number of Missouri residents that have been the victims of domestic homicide continued to grow.

Irish poet talks Yeats

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.

Grad School Research Fair: From school bus routes to new solar systems

Grad School Research Fair: From school bus routes to new solar systems

Jeremy North and William Ellegood have applied business college logistics to school bus routes for their doctoral research in logistics and supply chain management. Logan Brown, a doctoral candidate in physics, asks the question: “Where is the water?” in her research on the possibility of finding water in solar systems still unformed and light years away from our own.

Computer scientist to explore battlefield for future wars: cyberspace

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.

Raising awareness of domestic homicide in Missouri

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.

Criminology student receives 3-year NSF fellowship

Criminology student receives 3-year NSF fellowship

Shytierra Gaston has always been fascinated by the corrections systems. Now, thanks to a National Science Foundation program Gaston, a PhD student in criminology and criminal justice at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, will have an opportunity to take a closer look at the effect prison has on family members.

Eye on UMSL: Philosophy under the shade tree

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.

Children’s Advocacy Services launches take action campaign

Children’s Advocacy Services launches take action campaign

“A child’s safety is an adult’s responsibility – what can you do?” are the words that stare back at you along with the big brown eyes of an innocent little boy. The question and image are part of a new campaign urging people to report potential child abuse and neglect.

Network at alumni association dinner

Network at alumni association dinner

Gain some insight and advice from people who do what you want to do when you graduate. The University of Missouri–St. Louis Alumni Association will hold its Mega Dinner with 12 Strangers at 5 p.m. April 28 in the Century Rooms of the Millennium Student Center.

University to induct inaugural class of inventors

University to induct inaugural class of inventors

More than 30 University of Missouri–St. Louis faculty, staff and graduate students will be inducted into the new campus chapter of the National Academy of Inventors. A launch celebration reception is slated for 4 p.m. April 20 in the Rotunda and Student Government Association Chambers of the Millennium Student Center at UMSL.

Historian talks ‘Coming War with Robots’

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?).

4 years on, Beijing Olympic venues rarely used

4 years on, Beijing Olympic venues rarely used

Four years after the Beijing Olympic Games many of the venues built for the summer contest are underused and draining public finances, according to a recent Reuters article.

Public administration, policy discussion series to shift focus to ethics

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.

Passover at UMSL

Passover at UMSL

UMSL students, faculty, staff and alumni celebrated Passover with a lunch on April 9 in the university’s Millennium Student Center. Attendees included (from left): Deborah Medintz, an electrical engineering major; Ron Yasbin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Andy Kastner, the Silk Foundation rabbi at the St. Louis Hillel at Washington University in St. Louis; Peggy Cohen, associate provost and academic director of the Center for Teaching and Learning; and Jess Rosner (BS public policy administration 2009), a graduate student in the Master of Public Policy Administration program. The Jewish Student Association hosted the lunch. The photograph was taken by UMSL photographer August Jennewein.

Marketing team’s work earns national recognition

Marketing team’s work earns national recognition

The hits just keep on coming for the University of Missouri–St. Louis. On the heels of UMSL’s recording-setting 10 awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education in January comes news that University Marketing and Communications has garnered additional honors. Competing against the likes of DePaul University in Chicago, Syracuse University in New York, Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., and other major institutions, UMSL received five awards for its creative work in the 27th annual Educational Advertising Awards competition.

Political scientist talks peace, turmoil in West Africa

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.

Historian to discuss barrier-breaking civil rights attorney

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.

China studies scholar to discuss global educational landscape

China studies scholar to discuss global educational landscape

In the 19th century, European universities defined excellence. By the end of the 20th century, American universities were the most highly ranked. What are the prospects for Chinese leadership in higher education in the 21st century?

Mild winter bolsters tick population

Mild winter bolsters tick population

Folks heading outdoors to enjoy the early spring weather should be aware that they’re not the only ones taking advantage of the warmer temperatures. Tick season is getting off to an early start, courtesy of a mild winter, according to a recent St. Louis Post Dispatch article.

Mathematicians to gather for MAA event

Mathematicians to gather for MAA event

Mathematicians from throughout the region will gather April 12-14 at the University of Missouri–St. Louis for a pair of major math events. The Deparment of Mathematics and Computer Science at UMSL will host the spring meeting of the Missouri Section of the Mathematical Association of America on April 13 and 14. MAA Vice President Francis Su and David Wright, chairman of the Department of Mathematics at Washington University in St. Louis, will be the keynote speakers at the meeting.

High school students excel in science at UMSL

High school students excel in science at UMSL

Researchers, science teachers and future leaders in science and industry recently convened at the University of Missouri–St. Louis to consider problems and interrelationships of science and society.

Panel to focus on youth, summer programs

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

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

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.

Nobel laureate to discuss science education reform

Nobel laureate to discuss science education reform

Reforming science education is a topic on the minds of many educators these days. And several scholars are making things happen. Dudley Herschbach, the Baird Professor of Science and professor of chemistry and biological chemistry at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., and Nobel Prize winner, will discuss “Science Education Reform” at 4:30 p.m. April 3 in Century Room B at the Millennium Student Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

New environmentalism topic of Jane and Whitney Harris Lecture

New environmentalism topic of Jane and Whitney Harris Lecture

A scientist who extols the controversial concept of collaboration with big corporations and agribusiness to promote environmental sustainability and habitat restoration will be the speaker at this year’s Jane and Whitney Harris Lecture. The event will begin at 7:30 p.m. on April 3 in the Ridgeway Center’s Schoenberg Auditorium at the Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis. The lecture is free and open to the public.

UMSL signs new agreement with Mineral Area College

UMSL signs new agreement with Mineral Area College

Residents in southeast Missouri don’t have to leave their zip code to receive a serious education at a serious value. The University of Missouri–St. Louis and Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Mo., signed a new partnership agreement March 19 offering UMSL courses to those enrolled at MAC. Students can choose from the UMSL degree programs offered, including a bachelor’s degrees in liberal studies, bachelor’s or a master’s degree in social work and master’s degree in nursing.

UMSL takes research, technology transfer, economic development seriously

UMSL takes research, technology transfer, economic development seriously

The University of Missouri–St. Louis takes its research, technology transfer and economic development mission seriously. That’s the message Nassar Arshadi, vice provost for research at UMSL, conveyed at a recent meeting of the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association’s Energy and Environment Council.

NSF awards student grant for plant research

NSF awards student grant for plant research

Research taking place at the University of Missouri–St. Louis could render valuable insight into how biodiversity can affect natural ecosystems. Diego Salazar, a PhD candidate in biology at UMSL, has been awarded a $15,000 dissertation improvement grant from the National Science Foundation for his doctoral dissertation which is titled “The effect of plant phylogenetic and chemical diversity on herbivore community structure and plant host herbivore damage.”

Eye on UMSL: Olympic interview

Eye on UMSL: Olympic interview

Richard Wright, Curators’ Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at UMSL, interviews Susan Brownell, professor...

From start to finish: Creative writing students produce Natural Bridge

From start to finish: Creative writing students produce Natural Bridge

About half a year separate new editions of Natural Bridge, the contemporary literature journal published by the University of Missouri–St. Louis. And it takes every bit of that time for a staff primarily composed of students in the MFA in Creative Writing program to produce the issue in print and – for the first time ever – digital formats.

Researchers discuss new ‘old’

Researchers discuss new ‘old’

The adage “You’re only as old as you feel” rings true today more than ever. Whether the reason is better health options, working later in life due to economical challenges or just the need to stay active, older adults are not created equal.

Political scientists weigh in on GOP presidential race as Missouri caucuses near

Political scientists weigh in on GOP presidential race as Missouri caucuses near

The focus of the 2012 race to select a Republican presidential nominee will soon shift to Missouri – again. The state held a nonbinding primary last month. The symbolic vote awarded no delegates, but the forthcoming caucuses will yield 52 delegates. The voter turnout, however, might be slim, according to David Robertson, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Political Science at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Most of the Missouri caucuses will be held this Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day.

Criminology, nursing graduate programs retain top ranking

Criminology, nursing graduate programs retain top ranking

U.S. News & World Report’s latest publication on graduates schools continues to rank the University of Missouri–St. Louis’ criminology and nursing programs among the best. The ranking appears in the magazine’s 2013 edition, “America’s Best Graduate Schools,” available this week. Criminology retains its 2009 ranking and nursing maintains its 2011 ranking.

Biologist to explore shifting paradigms in women, science

Biologist to explore shifting paradigms in women, science

At one time, most practitioners of animal behavior in the U.S. were men, and existing paradigms reflected primarily a male perspective. That changed in the 1970s. The numbers and prominence of women studying animal behavior significantly increased, which led to a re-evaluation of existing assumptions and a reinterpretation of behavior from a more female-centered perspective.

Trailblazers honored for contributions to women

Trailblazers honored for contributions to women

The five women honored at this year’s Trailblazers Award ceremony March 7 fulfilled the requirement: Women whose extraordinary lives have contributed to the advancement of women. The annual event at the University of Missouri–St. Louis is one of the highlights of Women’s History Month.

Food for thought

Food for thought

For Patrilie Hernandez, a senior at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, food is both a profession and a passion. With an educational background in the culinary arts and hospitality management, Hernandez has spent several years working in kitchens. Throughout her life, feeding others has been a point of pride and something she took great pleasure from.

Eye on UMSL: Meet ‘n’ greet

Eye on UMSL: Meet ‘n’ greet

Xavier Robinson, a senior majoring in biology at UMSL, meets with Deborah Horsfall Morley of the Wyman Center, a St. Louis-based nonprofit organization that is nationally recognized as an expert in developing teens. They sponsored a booth at the “Spring Internship & Job Fair 2012” held at the Mark Twain Athletic & Fitness Center. The picture, taken by campus photographer August Jennewein, is the latest to be featured at Eye on UMSL.

Seminar to showcase PPRC director’s research

Seminar to showcase PPRC director’s research

The University of Missouri–St. Louis is a public metropolitan research university. And the university’s Public Policy Research Center will continue to showcase that with the third presentation in its “2012 Spring Applied Research Seminar Series: Applied Research Across the Disciplines.”

Lisa Ling highlights Women’s History Month

Lisa Ling highlights Women’s History Month

Noted journalist and TV host Lisa Ling has traveled the world for the last decade reporting on violence in all its forms and the devastating effects it has on humanity. She often focuses on women and children – bride burning in India, gang rape in the Congo, child trafficking in Ghana. She is also well known for her role from 1999 to 2002 as co-host of the daytime television talk show “The View.”

Biologist elected to Galapagos Islands protection foundation

Biologist elected to Galapagos Islands protection foundation

For nearly 15 years, biologist Patricia Parker has traveled to the Galapagos Islands to conduct research on birds, specifically examining the disease of the birds of the islands. Recently, she was elected a governing member of the Charles Darwin Foundation, whose mission is to conserve the environment and biodiversity in the Galapagos.

Arkansas group helps shatter UMSL Day record

Arkansas group helps shatter UMSL Day record

When the buses arrived Saturday with nearly 100 high school students in them, Alan Byrd broke out in a smile. Byrd, dean of enrollment management at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, had been working with the group’s organizers to attend UMSL Day, the university’s information session for prospective students and their parents.