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Sweating to the symphony

Sweating to the symphony

The speakers are blasting Beethoven, hands are punching the air and sweat is starting to form on brows. This is what learning looks like in Gail Fleming’s music class. “Pretend you’re in sixth, seventh and eighth grade,” Fleming, a lecturer in music at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, instructs her students, all future elementary school teachers.

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.

Education students, ARC members use flash mob to raise awareness

Education students, ARC members use flash mob to raise awareness

Patrons in the Nosh at the Millennium Student Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis last week got a little more than chips with their lunch. More than 70 people, including UMSL education students and members of St. Louis ARC, took part in a flash mob to spread awareness about a national campaign to end the use of negative words.

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.

Education expert talks about school transfer case

Education expert talks about school transfer case

Over the last week, a landmark case has been underway in St. Louis County regarding students’ rights to an accredited education. At issue is the Missouri’s school transfer law, which states that children in unaccredited school systems may transfer to better schools in the same or adjacent county at no cost. The home district is to cover tuition and transportation costs.

Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band to perform at Touhill

Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band to perform at Touhill

A performance later this month by the University Wind Ensemble and the University Symphonic Band will feature performances of works by two St. Louis composers: Barbara Harbach, professor of music at the University of Missouri–St. Louis and Kim Portnoy of Webster University in Webster Groves, Mo.

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.

Art students represent UMSL at exhibition

Art students represent UMSL at exhibition

Two University of Missouri–St. Louis art students have the thrill of their work being on display at Art St. Louis through the end of March. Matt Wahlman and Katharine Stucker, both seniors in studio art were on hand for last Friday’s opening reception for the exhibit, which runs through March 29.

Early childhood expert talks child care

Early childhood expert talks child care

Finding quality child care is a challenge every parent encounters. And finding that early childhood care at an affordable price is even more difficult.

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.

Eye on UMSL: Greetings

Eye on UMSL: Greetings

Birgit Noll, associate teaching professor in the Pierre Laclede Honors College at UMSL, leads an information session about the honors college during UMSL Day on March 3. The event brought crowds of prospective students and their families to campus to gather information about the university. The picture, taken by campus photographer August Jennewein, is the latest to be featured at Eye on UMSL.

Economist guests on ‘The Pulse of St. Louis’

Economist guests on ‘The Pulse of St. Louis’

As the region welcomes Joe Reagan, the new president and chief executive officer of the Regional Chamber and Growth Association, a University of Missouri–St. Louis economist had the opportunity to participate in a discussion with Reagan about the region, growth and upcoming developments.

New discussion series to focus on public administration, policy

New discussion series to focus on public administration, policy

A new discussion series at the University of Missouri–St. Louis will feature local government, nonprofit and academic leaders focusing on issues that are current in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. “Focus on Public Administration & Policy” will include panel discussions on March 8 and April 19 at UMSL.

Panel to focus on art as revitalization tool

Panel to focus on art as revitalization tool

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.

Jazz Combos to perform at Touhill

Jazz Combos to perform at Touhill

It’s going to be a night of unforgettable jazz. The University of Missouri–St. Louis Jazz Combos will perform at 7:30 p.m. on March 8 in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. It’s free and open to the public.

St. Louis Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to Stan Kenton

St. Louis Jazz Orchestra pays tribute to Stan Kenton

Innovative, sometimes controversial and unquestionably influential, Stan Kenton made an inimitable mark on big band jazz. As The New York Times noted, “Mr. Kenton was the last major jazz band leader to emerge from the Big Band Era of 1934-45, and his was one of only a handful of bands that survived when that era came to an end.”

Legendary dancer’s technique to come alive at UMSL

Legendary dancer’s technique to come alive at UMSL

Legendary dancer Katherine Dunham was an innovator in combining individualistic dance movements of Caribbean and African cultures with European-style ballet. Her intense research of primitive rhythms of various cultures explored the foundation of movement, its form and function. Dance instructor Theo Jamison will bring her dance method to the University of Missouri–St. Louis with the Katherine Dunham Dance course.

Students win big at St. Louis ADDYs

Students win big at St. Louis ADDYs

The University of Missouri–St. Louis continued its hot streak at this year’s St. Louis ADDY awards, the local round in the world’s largest and toughest advertising competition.

Scholar’s film earns international recognition

Scholar’s film earns international recognition

A film set, shot and first screened in St. Louis is now earning international recognition. “Pennies for the Boatman,” by University of Missouri–St. Louis scholar Niyi Coker, has been nominated for four awards at the Madrid International Film Festival in Spain.

Students to share research with legislators

Students to share research with legislators

If indeed you are what you eat, are you healthier for eating food bought at Whole Foods Market? University of Missouri–St. Louis anthropology graduate Katherine Ross wrote her senior thesis on the anthropological implications on St. Louisans’ Whole Foods shopping experiences. Her project is called “The Allure of Healthy Living: Customer Motivations for Shopping at Whole Foods Market.”

Arianna String Quartet to premiere new work at Touhill

Arianna String Quartet to premiere new work at Touhill

The centerpiece for the third Arianna String Quartet concert this season will be the world premiere of David Stock’s Quartet No. 9. Stock wrote the work for the Arianna, the resident quartet at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. The composition will be performed during the concert “Arianna String Quartet: World Premiere” at 8 p.m. March 2 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL.

College of Nursing names new dean

College of Nursing names new dean

A new dean has been chosen to lead the college of nursing at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Susan Dean-Baar is currently the interim dean of the Zilber School of Public Health and associate dean and former acting dean of the college of nursing at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee.

Local author to speak at ‘Bellerive’ launch

Local author to speak at ‘Bellerive’ launch

What started as a lesson of gratefulness for Dr. Sharon Dunski Vermont’s two young daughters, developed into a journey for her children to meet 30 people and learn their life stories.

Piano students tickle the ivories

Piano students tickle the ivories

Piano students at the University of Missouri–St. Louis will present a unique and exciting duo piano concert at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 28 in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Blanch M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL.

Opera Theatre to present ‘The Elixir of Love’

Opera Theatre to present ‘The Elixir of Love’

Cap off the month of love with a musical about, what else…love.

The University of Missouri-St. Louis’ Opera Theatre will stage a two-day run of Italian composer Gaetano Donizetti’s “The Elixir of Love,” at the end of February. The opera is one of the genre’s most delightful gems and promises to be an intoxicatingly fun evening of musical seduction.

House pets inspire musician

House pets inspire musician

Ken Kehner’s a cat guy. And he’s OK with letting the public in on that. So much so in fact, that his new jazz CD,...

Travel the world through poster art at Gallery FAB

Travel the world through poster art at Gallery FAB

A walk through Gallery FAB right now is a little like simultaneously walking 21 city streets, all in different countries. Through March 12, the walls of the University of Missouri–St. Louis gallery are adorned with large commercial and political posters originally affixed to buildings throughout the world.

Biologist called ‘Darwin’s heir’ to give conference keynote speech

Biologist called ‘Darwin’s heir’ to give conference keynote speech

Famed evolutionary biologist Edward O. Wilson has been called “Darwin’s natural heir,” and he’s widely considered the father of the modern environmental movement. His work has garnered him two Pulitzer Prizes and inclusion on Time magazine’s list of “America’s 25 most influential people.”

Media Coverage: January 2012

Media Coverage: January 2012

The University of Missouri–St. Louis makes a significant impact on the St. Louis area. Stories about the university,...

Programmers, designers gather at 2012 Global Game Jam

Programmers, designers gather at 2012 Global Game Jam

It wasn’t just any weekend. It was two days to create the ultimate video game. More than 100 programmers, artists and designers descended upon the University of Missouri–St. Louis on Jan. 27 for the 2012 Global Game Jam.

Gang activity goes viral

Gang activity goes viral

What was once accomplished through graffiti on the side of buildings or property damage in a rival neighborhood is now happening in the cyber world. Gang activity – locally and around the United States – is now going “new school,” according to University of Missouri–St. Louis criminologist Beth Huebner.

Seminar to showcase social work scholar’s research

Seminar to showcase social work scholar’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 second presentation in its “2012 Spring Applied Research Seminar Series: Applied Research Across the Disciplines.”

Child center undergoes facelift in new year

Child center undergoes facelift in new year

Children returning from winter break were greeted by more than smiling teachers at the University Child Development Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.

Eye on UMSL: He loves me

Eye on UMSL: He loves me

UMSL students Nabehah Azeez (right) and Sophie Powell perform a scene from the student production "Intimate Apparel,"...