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Eye on UMSL: A Taste of Latin America

Eye on UMSL: A Taste of Latin America

Associate Teaching Professor Tim Abeln showed students how to make picadillo de chayote during a National Foreign Language Week event hosted by the Department of Language and Cultural Studies.

Eye on UMSL: A Taste of Latin America

Associate Teaching Professor Tim Abeln showed students how to make picadillo de chayote during a National Foreign Language Week event hosted by the Department of Language and Cultural Studies.

Eye on UMSL: A Taste of Latin America

Associate Teaching Professor Tim Abeln showed students how to make picadillo de chayote during a National Foreign Language Week event hosted by the Department of Language and Cultural Studies.

Eye on UMSL: A Taste of Latin America

Associate Teaching Professor Tim Abeln showed students how to make picadillo de chayote during a National Foreign Language Week event hosted by the Department of Language and Cultural Studies.

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Eye on UMSL: Habitat for Humanity

Eye on UMSL: Habitat for Humanity

Patricia Zahn, director of the Des Lee Collaborative Vision at UMSL, moves a ladder May 23 at a house construction site on Bates Street in south St. Louis. Through the university’s Employee Volunteer Program and the nonprofit organization Habitat for Humanity Saint Louis, Zahn and nine other volunteers from the university spent the day framing the upstairs walls and installing insulation on two houses.

Instructor sheds light on Pentecostalism, tongue-speaking

Instructor sheds light on Pentecostalism, tongue-speaking

While it might sound like gibberish to the untrained ear, there are actually two varieties of tongue-speaking among Pentecostals, according to Peter Marina, a visiting assistant professor of sociology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

Crime mapping can lead to more effective law enforcement

Crime mapping can lead to more effective law enforcement

The fragmentation of police services is a problem inherent in the organization of many communities across the county. St. Louis is no different, as there are a multitude of jurisdictions—many of which have their own police departments. This fragmentation has the potential to reduce the ability of law enforcement agencies to collectively combat crime and disorder and provide effective community services.

Accounting alumna wins 2011 Elijah Watt Sells Award

Accounting alumna wins 2011 Elijah Watt Sells Award

When Nguyen Ngo received word she was a recipient of the 2011 Elijah Watt Sells Award, the University of Missouri–St. Louis alumna was excited to share the news with the faculty who helped make the honor possible.

Student graduates with more than degree

Student graduates with more than degree

Travis Abbott graduated from the University of Missouri–St. Louis Saturday with more than just a degree; he also took with him the title of published author. Abbott, a double major in computer science and mathematics, has co-authored three papers along with Uday Chakraborty, professor of computer science at UMSL. The most recent paper was published in the prestigious journal Energy, an international, multi-disciplinary journal in energy engineering and research.

Partnership between UMSL and Missouri Institute of Mental Health is one to be ‘proud of’

Partnership between UMSL and Missouri Institute of Mental Health is one to be ‘proud of’

It’s 8:30 a.m. and Joseph Parks has already fielded four conference calls, all of them while driving into St. Louis from his home in Columbia, Mo. Parks is the director of the Missouri Institute of Mental Health at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Once a week, he makes the trip to MIMH, which is housed on the grounds of the old St. Louis State Hospital.

Teacher of music teachers enters hall of fame

Teacher of music teachers enters hall of fame

Fred Willman, Curators’ Teaching Professor of Music and Education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, has influenced music education and music educators for almost half a century. His contributions were recognized in January with his induction into the Missouri Music Educators Association Hall of Fame.

Crime mapping can lead to more effective law enforcement

Character education: You got a case

I was recently asked how to convince people that character education actually works. The cynicism, skepticism, and conservatism out there often astound me. Amy Johnston, the award-winning principal of 2008 National School of Character Francis Howell Middle School in St. Charles, M0., expresses the same frustration.

Eye on UMSL: Hybrid teaching

Eye on UMSL: Hybrid teaching

Mimi Duncan, lecturer in information systems at UMSL, helps Lucas Matecki, a junior business major, on May 3 during Duncan’s course Computers and Information Systems 1800. The hybrid class combines online lessons and weekly in-person teaching at Express Scripts Hall. CIS 1800 is a pilot course funded by a grant from Next Generation Learning Challenges, a nonprofit initiative that’s working to improve college readiness and completion with technology.

Chancellor announces Monsanto gift, redesign of Natural Bridge

Chancellor announces Monsanto gift, redesign of Natural Bridge

With a $1 million gift to the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Chancellor Tom George announced the Monsanto Company will fund a community education center in the university’s new building in Grand Center. George also announced funding of the “transformative” redesign of a portion of Natural Bridge Road from Hanley to Lucas and Hunt roads that runs through the campus in North County.

Students Greece-bound for summer excavation project

Students Greece-bound for summer excavation project

A lack of experience turned out to be a boon for two University of Missouri–St. Louis anthropology students. Seniors Amanda Anderson and Timothy Meyer will take part in a Greek excavation project this summer courtesy of a grant from the National Science Foundation program called “Research Experience for Undergraduates.” The grant is specifically targeted at undergrads who’ve never done archaeological field work. They’ll head to Greece in mid-June, and be there for several weeks.

Arianna String Quartet mentors high school chamber groups

Arianna String Quartet mentors high school chamber groups

The Arianna String Quartet is taking a hands-on approach to fostering music education in the area. The Arianna, composed of four associate professors of music at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, is the university’s resident quartet.

Health care focus of outsourcing professionals meeting  at UMSL

Health care focus of outsourcing professionals meeting at UMSL

Health care is a growing global concern. Insurance costs, doctor bills and prescription fees continue to increase. The recent meeting of the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals’ Midwest Chapter meeting held at the University of Missouri–St. Louis focused on outsourcing of health care services.

UMSL’s first poet laureate: Jennifer Tappenden

UMSL’s first poet laureate: Jennifer Tappenden

Jennifer Tappenden works by day making small databases for researchers to track study data. By night, the 42-year-old New York native hones her poetry skills while in pursuit of her master’s of fine arts in creative writing at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She’s scheduled to graduate in December, but before then she’s spending her final year at UMSL as the university’s first poet laureate.

Crime mapping can lead to more effective law enforcement

The Challenge

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people … They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.” “Enlighten the people generally, and tyranny and oppressions of body and mind will vanish like evil spirits at the dawn of day.” –Thomas Jefferson

Symposium to explore Japanese female cartoon icons

Symposium to explore Japanese female cartoon icons

Since her introduction to Japanese consumers nearly 40 years ago, Hello Kitty has exploded into a global pop culture phenomenon. Her cute cartoon cat face is adored by throngs of teens and adults.

UMSL inventors honored at induction ceremony

UMSL inventors honored at induction ceremony

For James Bashkin, one of the driving forces behind his inventions is saving people’s lives. Bashkin, a professor of chemistry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis is the co-founder of NanoVir, a company that is working to develop antiviral drugs for the human papillomavirus or HPV, the chief cause of cervical cancer.

Must there be an inevitable conflict with robots?

Must there be an inevitable conflict with robots?

Teachers, children, parents, scientists and an artist or two showed up at the Missouri History Museum last Wednesday to play with robots and hear about a coming war we humans might have with them.

Director helps St. Louisans take Shakespeare to the streets

Director helps St. Louisans take Shakespeare to the streets

The culmination of months of hard work will play out in the streets of the Benton Park West neighborhood of St. Louis this weekend. The intersection of Cherokee Street and California Avenue will be the backdrop for the Shakespeare-inspired play “The New World.” It’s an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest,” being presented by Shakespeare in the Streets.

Crime mapping can lead to more effective law enforcement

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.

Director helps St. Louisans take Shakespeare to the streets

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.

Business students place 3rd at Midwest Model European Union

Business students place 3rd at Midwest Model European Union

Each year, a contingent of business students from the University of Missouri–St. Louis gain first-hand experience with European Union policies and decision-making mechanisms by creating proposals and prepping a delegation that attends the Midwest Model European Union. This year, 10 students led by Betty Vining, assistant teaching professor of marketing at UMSL, participated in the simulation at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.

Students, faculty, alumni express multiculturalism at Gallery Visio

Students, faculty, alumni express multiculturalism at Gallery Visio

The newest exhibit at Gallery Visio will celebrate cultural differences. The show, called “Multi-Cultural Expressions,” will be on display April 26 through May 16 at Gallery Visio at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. An opening reception will take place from 4 to 7p.m. April 26. Admission is free and the exhibit is open to the public.

Grammy winner headlines 2012 Jazz Festival

Grammy winner headlines 2012 Jazz Festival

As a sideman with more than 20 years experience, bassist Christian McBride is no stranger to winning Grammy Awards. But never has he basked in Grammy glory as a bandleader – at least not until the most recent awards were handed out.

St. Louis Wind Symphony wraps season with Touhill show

St. Louis Wind Symphony wraps season with Touhill show

The St. Louis Wind Symphony will perform its final concert for the season at 3 p.m. April 22 in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Marketing expert talks power of pricing

Marketing expert talks power of pricing

Consumer behavior has been under the microscope of marketers for years. Determining the buying habits of individuals is big business and many consumers can be deceived by the power of pricing.

Choral, orchestra groups to share stage

Choral, orchestra groups to share stage

University of Missouri–St. Louis performance groups University Orchestra and University Singers will share the stage for a free concert at 7:30 p.m. April 23 in the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Crime mapping can lead to more effective law enforcement

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.

Enjoy night of cello music at Touhill

Enjoy night of cello music at Touhill

Join the University Cello Choir for an evening of all-cello arrangements starting at 7:30 p.m. April 17 in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

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.

Media Coverage: February 2012

Media Coverage: February 2012

The University of Missouri–St. Louis makes a significant impact on the St. Louis area. Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media.

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.

Pianist steps in from side, fronts first CD

Pianist steps in from side, fronts first CD

For years, pianist Ken Kehner has appeared on a number of his colleagues’ recordings, and now, he is finally fronting his own CD, “From This Moment On.”

Gallery FAB to display work by students

Gallery FAB to display work by students

Come out to Gallery FAB at the University of Missouri–St. Louis this evening (April 11) and see what five hours of hard work looks like. That’s how long it took to install the senior thesis exhibit by Bachelor of Fine Arts photography students.

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.

Crime mapping can lead to more effective law enforcement

Education: Getting closer to the community

The College of Education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis prepares for every educator role. We prepare educators for businesses, government agencies, national educational organizations, foundations, museums, zoos and nonprofit youth-serving organizations, as well as for charter, private and public schools.