Fenson, who competed in the Olympic trials for curling while starting optometry school, plans to bring needed care to his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota.
LATEST IN Alumni
Optometry graduate Alex Fenson launching career in vision therapy
Fenson, who competed in the Olympic trials for curling while starting optometry school, plans to bring needed care to his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota.
Optometry graduate Alex Fenson launching career in vision therapy
Fenson, who competed in the Olympic trials for curling while starting optometry school, plans to bring needed care to his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota.
Optometry graduate Alex Fenson launching career in vision therapy
Fenson, who competed in the Olympic trials for curling while starting optometry school, plans to bring needed care to his hometown of Bemidji, Minnesota.
Returning to her roots: Lúcia Lohmann takes over leadership of Missouri Botanical Garden
Lohmann trained at the world-renowned institution while working toward her PhD in ecology, evolution and systematics at UMSL.
Returning to her roots: Lúcia Lohmann takes over leadership of Missouri Botanical Garden
Lohmann trained at the world-renowned institution while working toward her PhD in ecology, evolution and systematics at UMSL.
Returning to her roots: Lúcia Lohmann takes over leadership of Missouri Botanical Garden
Lohmann trained at the world-renowned institution while working toward her PhD in ecology, evolution and systematics at UMSL.
School of Engineering Founding Director George Nnanna meets with UMSL supporters at welcome event
Nnanna, who officially started April 1, has been busy building the School of Engineering curriculum and hiring faculty members in preparation for welcoming the inaugural cohort for the fall semester.
School of Engineering Founding Director George Nnanna meets with UMSL supporters at welcome event
Nnanna, who officially started April 1, has been busy building the School of Engineering curriculum and hiring faculty members in preparation for welcoming the inaugural cohort for the fall semester.
School of Engineering Founding Director George Nnanna meets with UMSL supporters at welcome event
Nnanna, who officially started April 1, has been busy building the School of Engineering curriculum and hiring faculty members in preparation for welcoming the inaugural cohort for the fall semester.
UMSL community gathers on campus to take part in fun and games during annual Mirthweek celebration
The centerpiece of the annual tradition was a carnival on the RWC East Lawn with games, rides, face painting and more.
UMSL community gathers on campus to take part in fun and games during annual Mirthweek celebration
The centerpiece of the annual tradition was a carnival on the RWC East Lawn with games, rides, face painting and more.
UMSL community gathers on campus to take part in fun and games during annual Mirthweek celebration
The centerpiece of the annual tradition was a carnival on the RWC East Lawn with games, rides, face painting and more.
MORE IN Alumni
Meet UMSL’s 2022 Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Young Alumni awardees
Shawntelle Fisher, Steve Hamilton, Dick Jung, Dawn King, Marcela Manjarrez and Candace Hall have left their mark on their respective industries while continuing to support UMSL.
Nursing PhD alumna Stephanie Chidester selected as postdoctoral iCURE scholar at the National Cancer Institute
She’s studying liquid biopsy technologies, a subject she began researching while pursuing her doctorate at UMSL.
Harris Conservation Forum spotlights the importance of ‘unpopular organisms’
This year’s annual forum explored the world of insects, rodents and weeds and what we can learn from them.
English alumna Christina Andrade Melly named 2023 Missouri Teacher of the Year
Melly teaches sophomore and senior English at Ritenour High School. Her experience in the school district as a student compelled her to pursue a career in public education.
UMSL students eager to impress as Fall Internship and Job Fair returns to campus
The event featured 86 employers and attracted around 300 UMSL students and alumni on Friday at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.
Members of the UMSL community gather for annual Night at the Ballpark
The Office of Alumni Engagement organized the event, which brought together 900 students, alumni, faculty and staff members at Busch Stadium.
Edward Jones Principal Ken Cella assumes leadership of UMSL’s Chancellor Council
Cella, who earned his degree in marketing in 1993, has stepped into the role previously held by retired Express Scripts Chairman George Paz.
Doctoral student Tracy Smith begins tenure as principal of Ross Elementary School
Smith’s appointment comes after two decades of serving students in the St. Louis region as a teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal.
Urban League honors UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik at annual Salute to Women in Leadership Gala
Sobolik was lauded for leading the development and implementation of UMSL’s five-year strategic plan focused on building inclusive prosperity.
Dan Lauer receives Champions for Diversity and Inclusion Award from the St. Louis Business Journal
Lauer was among 14 honorees at the 18th annual awards presentation and received the recognition for his work with UMSL Accelerate’s DEI Accelerator program.
Two UMSL counseling alumnae launch book series to help children work through emotional challenges
“Clementine Gets UNSTUCK!” is the first publication in the “Kids Can Club” series.
‘Documents: contemporary lens-based art’ exhibition opens at Gallery 210@FAB
The new exhibition presents the work of four artists who use photographic and lens-based processes to explore different themes.
With Menya Rui, UMSL alumnus Steven Pursley brings a taste of Japan to South St. Louis
The restaurant serves ramen with housemade noodles, Japanese fried chicken and more.
Social work student Sydney Drennen looking to support UMSL community as Newman Civic Fellow
Drennen, who is currently pursuing her MSW, is among 173 students from 38 states and Mexico making up the fellowship’s 2022-2023 cohort.
Doctoral student Belinda Quimby brings servant leadership to Humboldt Academy as principal
Quimby worked in the performing arts field as a choreographer and director before changing career paths and enrolling in the College of Education.
Political science student Sydney Young works to foster civic engagement in fellow students, community
Young was among 82 students nationally named to the ALL IN Student Voting Honor Roll and recently started a fellowship with the ACLU.
Senior Jonathan Gutierrez explores Washington, DC through new summer internship program
Gutierrez is the first UMSL student to participate in the program, where he’s split his time interning at the World Affairs Council of America and touring the city’s cultural institutions.
Alumnus Steven Harris promoted to managing partner at RubinBrown LLP
In May, the Clayton-based accounting and professional consulting firm named Harris managing partner, only the fourth in the company’s 70-year history.
Shea Kerkhoff and Cassandra Suggs launch ‘Show Me Literacies’ podcast
Kerkhoff and Suggs have interviewed academics, educators and librarians in Missouri about research-informed strategies for teaching literacy in K-12 classrooms.
Melody Freeman, James Campbell and Layne Paubel receive UMSL Hero Awards
The awards recognize the exemplary efforts of staff and faculty members from across campus.
Alex LaPorta signs to play professional basketball in Europe
LaPorta has signed to play the 2022-23 season with Basketball Academie Limburg in the Dutch Women’s Basketball League.
Alumnus and Salute to Business Achievement honoree Joe Eimer gives back to move students forward
Eimer has stayed connected to the university, hiring several UMSL graduates and serving on the IST Advisory Board.
Anchor Accelerator receives $300,000 grant from Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
The grant was awarded through the Heartland Challenge, which funds programs, projects and initiatives that support underrepresented business owners and founders.
UMSL alumnus and retired Boeing executive Terry Elmendorf becomes UMSL’s executive in residence
Elmendorf returns to the university after more than 30 years in various leadership positions at Boeing.
Communication graduate Brandyn Chambers in the spotlight on HGTV’s ‘Battle on the Beach’
Chambers, who earned his master’s degree in May, works with his father, Roosevelt, renovating homes through their company Chambers Development LLC.
UMSL again gets high marks for advancing gender equality, reducing inequality in Times Higher Education rankings
The university ranked No. 54 globally in the gender equality category and also scored highly in several other areas.
Alumna Karla Harris headlining ‘An Evening of Jazz with Springboard to Learning’ at alma mater on June 11
Harris, who earned her degree in speech communication in 1986, will be performing with old members of the Gateway Jazz Ensemble, including mentor Jeanne Trevor.
Anchor Accelerator Demo Day shows progress and success of latest class of founders
Founders Will Bubenik, Tony Davis, La’Crassia Wilderness, Valeria Rodriguez and Paris Rollins showcased their businesses during last week’s event.
Psychology graduate Kam Moss selected for Japan Exchange and Teaching Program
During his assignment, Moss will assist a Japanese teacher in foreign-language classes and serve as a cultural ambassador.
Alumni Q&A: Mac’s Local Eats Owner Chris ‘Mac’ McKenzie
The 2000 BSBA graduate prides himself on putting the very best ingredients, as well as his heart and soul, into creating his famous smash burgers.
Rajiv Banavali and the science of sustainability
The chemistry alumnus is the senior vice president of science and innovation at WestRock Corporation, where he’s developing sustainable paper packaging.
Alumna Letisha Wexstten building tool to assist disabled job seekers
Wexstten has created V15Able, a digital platform that allows job seekers with disabilities to connect with potential employers and showcase their skills.
UMSL Alumni Association celebrates new graduates, welcomes them into network
More than 100 people attended the New Grad & Young Alumni Celebration last Thursday evening at Glen Echo Country Club.
St. Louis Public School’s youngest board member Alisha Sonnier builds activism and advocacy at UMSL
Sonnier earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2019 and has been working as a mental health advocate since 2020.
English graduate Paige Moultrie begins new chapter as fiction writer
Moultrie graduated magna cum laude, served as an editor for Bellerive and Litmag and earned three writing certificates while working full-time.
A pitch for the future: UMSL Accelerate’s impact grows alongside new space
The new facility will be a hub for numerous UMSL-led accelerators and a gathering place for collaboration among startup founders and the UMSL community.
Spring 2022 commencement: A weekend of celebration and smiles
Campus photographer August Jennewein captured some of the joyful scenes from commencement weekend as UMSL celebrated nearly 1,500 spring graduates.
MBA graduate Alex LaPorta learns to lead on the court
As a star forward on the women’s basketball team, LaPorta earned multiple All-GLVC honors, but she also took pride in her performance in the classroom.
College of Optometry’s graduating class features 4 second-generation students
They have faced countless challenges, including a life-changing global pandemic, but they all remained committed to their professional goals.
Infographic: Where UMSL nurses work
Thousands of College of Nursing graduates make up a large percentage of practitioners in both urban and rural areas, providing superior care and improving health outcomes in the bi-state region.
Opening doors: College of Nursing RN to BSN Program benefits area health
The program aims to increase the quantity of quality BSN-prepared nurses and speaks to the college’s vision of “shaping the future of nursing and health care in our community.”
Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center to cement late alumnus Kirk Richter’s legacy of connection, care
The late UMSL Alumni Association president and his wife Maureen gave the lead gift for the construction of the new center near Alumni Circle.
UMSL will celebrate spring and summer graduates with six ceremonies beginning Friday
The university will confer nearly 1,800 degrees to students graduating in either May or August.
Alumnus Luke Coffey helps shape conversations about global affairs
Coffey, who earned his degree in political science, serves as the director of the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation.
College of Business Administration celebrates 50th anniversary of graduate programs
UMSL offers quality AACSB-accredited degree programs and specialty certificates that are flexible and affordable.
Criminologist Richard Rosenfeld helps author new report calling for more nuanced look at recidivism
The report, titled “The Limits of Recidivism: Measuring Success After Prison,” was released by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
Students showcase work during Undergraduate Research Symposium
Around 60 undergraduates presented their original mentored investigations and creative inquiries during Friday’s event.
Mirthweek brings people together for games, food and fun
Members of the campus community gathered to play games, ride bumper cars and share merriment during the annual celebration.
UMSL celebrates 5 alumni at annual Salute to Business Achievement Awards
Dean Joan Phillips presented the awards to alumni Joe Eimer, James E. Jordan, Susan O’Leary, Jay Plaskett and Peter Racen at a reception last Thursday.
Eye on UMSL: All that jazz
Alumnus Dustin Shrum and Danny Campbell of the Jazz St. Louis Big Band perform Friday during the 2022 Greater St. Louis Jazz Festival.
LATEST NEWS
- BSN grad Sarah Barksdale starting position at St. Louis Children’s Hospital Heart Center
- UMSL alum Angel Recci heading up St. Louis’ Telemundo station
- Sen. Kit Bond leaves behind legacy championing international education at UMSL
- Sociology graduate Sophie Heinz taking part in commencement 21 years after her father missed his opportunity because of military service
- Music education major Jake Philipak finds his passion, place at UMSL
- Double your impact: Matching gift opportunities drive Transform UMSL momentum
- New agreement opens educational, professional development opportunities for teachers and guidance counselors in The Bahamas
- Eye on UMSL: Career milestones
- UMSL to honor nearly 1,700 graduates during spring commencement ceremonies
- UMSL Engineering students celebrate opening of new Greenwood Cemetery access road
