Nunnelly, a summa cum laude graduate at just 20 years old, exemplifies resilience, academic excellence and a passion for community impact.
LATEST IN College of Arts and Sciences
Sociology graduate Addi Nunnelly applying lessons from the classroom in her work in the community
Nunnelly, a summa cum laude graduate at just 20 years old, exemplifies resilience, academic excellence and a passion for community impact.
Sociology graduate Addi Nunnelly applying lessons from the classroom in her work in the community
Nunnelly, a summa cum laude graduate at just 20 years old, exemplifies resilience, academic excellence and a passion for community impact.
Research and Innovation Celebration offers chance to recognize the impact of UMSL researchers
The university honored Ravindra Girivaru, Haitao Li, Jinjia Xu, Vijay Anand and Natalie Bolton with research awards.
New graduates celebrate their triumphs with family members, friends during fall 2024 commencement
Photographer Derik Holtmann was on hand to capture displays of jubilation throughout the day at the Mark Twain Athletic Center.
New graduates celebrate their triumphs with family members, friends during fall 2024 commencement
Photographer Derik Holtmann was on hand to capture displays of jubilation throughout the day at the Mark Twain Athletic Center.
New graduates celebrate their triumphs with family members, friends during fall 2024 commencement
Photographer Derik Holtmann was on hand to capture displays of jubilation throughout the day at the Mark Twain Athletic Center.
Communication graduate Hope VanBennekom set to pursue master’s degree in security and disaster management
VanBennekom was drawn to crisis communications in the aftermath of the 2023 shooting at Michigan State University, where her daughter was then a college freshman.
Communication graduate Hope VanBennekom set to pursue master’s degree in security and disaster management
VanBennekom was drawn to crisis communications in the aftermath of the 2023 shooting at Michigan State University, where her daughter was then a college freshman.
Communication graduate Hope VanBennekom set to pursue master’s degree in security and disaster management
VanBennekom was drawn to crisis communications in the aftermath of the 2023 shooting at Michigan State University, where her daughter was then a college freshman.
Department of Biology incorporating Anatomage Table into curriculum to enhance student learning
The tables are designed to help students visualize and interact with the anatomical structures of the human body and practice procedures without the need for physical cadavers.
Department of Biology incorporating Anatomage Table into curriculum to enhance student learning
The tables are designed to help students visualize and interact with the anatomical structures of the human body and practice procedures without the need for physical cadavers.
Department of Biology incorporating Anatomage Table into curriculum to enhance student learning
The tables are designed to help students visualize and interact with the anatomical structures of the human body and practice procedures without the need for physical cadavers.
MORE IN College of Arts and Sciences
4 certificate programs enhance educational offerings at UMSL
Adding interdisciplinary learning opportunities and fulfilling career-driven educational needs are what spurred the University of Missouri–St. Louis to create four new academic certificate programs, according to university officials.
Writer Seth Fried to read at Hinge Gallery
Each year, the Graduate Writers Association at the University of Missouri–St. Louis works to help grow the St. Louis literary scene through readings by emerging poets and writers. The next GWA reading will feature Seth Fried, author of the acclaimed short story collection “The Great Frustration.”
UMSL sets up ‘one stop shop’ for veteran students
As U.S. military presence winds down in Iraq and Afghanistan a whole generation of veterans is returning home and enrolling in universities. Recognizing this trend, the University of Missouri-St. Louis has established a new Veterans Center dedicated to making the transition from military to student life as smooth as possible for veterans coming into the classroom.
Center injects culture into mundane Mondays
Got a case of the Mondays? Suffer no more. Violin and piano duets, narratives of Mound Bayou, Miss., and chess discourse are some of the many cultural events that make Monday Noon Series a cure for the blues.
Eye on UMSL: Academic Center for Mathematics and Writing
University of Missouri–St. Louis engineering students Dan Denton (left) and Jason Arnold study outside the university’s Academic Center for Mathematics and Writing (222 Social Sciences & Business Building) on Aug. 30.
UMSL to establish endowed scholarships through Missouri Matching Program
Finding a way to honor their mother, a devoted lifelong educator, was something Marie A. Casey and her family thought about for many years. When the opportunity to create an endowed scholarship in her mother’s name arose at Casey’s alma mater, she was ready.
Study abroad program offers language, cultural opportunities
Chantal Rivadeneyra yearned to learn French with a native’s accent. Scott Morrissey hungered for a foreign adventure. And Jack Tucker wanted to refine his Spanish skills.
Book on urban revitalization through preservation wins national award
Public history can breathe new life into an old, crumbling urban district. University of Missouri–St. Louis historian Andrew Hurley knows this because he’s documented portions of inner-city decay that have been revitalized through historic preservation.
New Natural Bridge out now
Each new Natural Bridge issue has already been read many times over before the University of Missouri–St. Louis literary journal reaches the hands of its subscribers. Issue No. 27, released last week, was no exception.
Historian discusses ‘our friends, the killer robots’
With his most recent book, “Sublime Dreams of Living Machines,” Minsoo Kang tracked our love-hate relationships with robots, automata and other machines that mimic human behavior. The associate professor of history at the University of Missouri–St. Louis further discussed the topic in a feature about his work that ran in St. Louis Magazine.
Sidewalk tour, film screening look back at Pruitt-Igoe
Pruitt-Igoe was supposed to be the new model of urban housing and the answer to low-cost housing needs and overcrowding in post-World War II St. Louis. But within 20 years, several of the 33 11-story apartment buildings constituting Pruitt-Igoe would lie in rubble following their widely televised demolition. Thick, overgrown foliage and trees now blanket the vacant site where the uniform high-rises once stood.
Novelist’s book makes ‘great summer reading’ list
To paraphrase KMOX (1120), you don’t have to travel far from the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus to find great summer reading. “The Inverted Forest” by John Dalton, director of the MFA in Creative Writing program at UMSL, made the radio station’s list of “Books by St. Louis authors to read this summer.”
When it comes to presidential race, is it still ‘the economy, stupid?’
Bill Clinton introduced the phrase “It’s the economy, stupid” during his first presidential campaign. And the economy seems to have factored heavily in every major political race since.
In defense of the F-word in K-16 education
Recently I received an email from a student unlike any message I have received in 40 years as a college professor. It is worth noting for what it says not so much about this student as about the culture we have now created within K-16 education in America. Commenting on the failing grade the student received in one of my courses, the individual wrote that s/he had “complied” with the paper and tests and that it was I, the instructor, who had failed insofar as I had not done what it took to enable a passing grade and had not given adequate warning of failure. The student concluded that “you should be embarrassed to give a student an F and demanded a refund of the money charged for the course.
Social worker to assist students in crisis
The prolonged gloomy economy has forced many Americans to cope with turned-off utilities, eviction notices and wondering where their next meal will come from. College students are not immune.
Political scientist talks St. Louis County population migration
The population of St. Louis County has decreased over the last decade. And it’s not just people leaving the county. About $3.41 billion of resident income went with them, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
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.
Beyond the classroom: Grant program opens doors for undergraduate researchers
Jason Adair never saw himself as the Indiana Jones type. But after learning about uncovered remnants of stone tools and other artifacts that were found in Chesterfield, Mo., the University of Missouri–St. Louis anthropology major got hooked on archaeology.
Getting through college on the fast track: 20-year-olds graduate from UMSL
Among the more than 1,500 students graduating from the University of Missouri–St. Louis Saturday, four of them stand out for what they have in common. They’ve all earned high honors, entered college at the sophomore level and are 20 years old. (Since 1974, only 217 of more than 60,000 UMSL graduates were 20 years old or younger.) Not surprisingly, they’re highly focused individuals with grand plans.
Creative writers to give one last reading as students
A day before they graduate from the University of Missouri–St. Louis with an MFA in creative writing, eight students will read their original works. The semiannual MFA Graduate Reading will begin at 7 p.m. Friday (May 11) in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center. The reading is free and open to the public.
Mercantile to host Civil War series
Missouri’s pivotal role in the Civil War will be explored at 7 p.m. every Thursday in May at the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?).
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
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
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.”
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.
St. Louis American salutes political scientist, 3 alumni as young leaders
Richard Middleton IV was a natural fit for The St. Louis American Foundation’s list of young leaders. The foundation defined its ideal young leader candidates as “committed, accomplished and generous individuals who are making a positive impact in our community.”
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.”
Evolution exploration to bring together researchers in biology, human sciences, humanities
Top researchers will come together this spring to explore evolution in biology, the human sciences and the humanities. And they will do so at the University of Missouri–St. Louis as part of the Consilience Conference hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences. It will take place April 26-28 at the J.C. Penney Building/Conference Center on UMSL’s North Campus.
Historian to revisit African American social reform
A push for African American social welfare reform began in St. Louis long before the start of the civil rights movement in the late 1950s, according to Priscilla Dowden-White, associate professor of history at the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
Panel to focus on rental housing in St. Louis
Todd Swanstrom knows the value of communities working together. He is, after all, the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor...
LATEST NEWS
- Scott Morris, Jesse Frey describe how UMSL is fostering entrepreneurship in latest episode of Inside UMSL podcast
- Supply Chain master’s student Kabita Rokka lands job with Bruker Corporation
- UMSL Center for Character and Citizenship hosts Sen. Brian Williams and DESE Commissioner Karla Eslinger at Ed Collabitat
- Biology alum Chris Hollingsworth contributing to Saint Louis Zoo’s hellbender conservation and care team
- UMSL Tritons weekly rewind
- Student Pitch Competition offers students opportunity to showcase business ideas in contest with $5,000 first prize
- Eye on UMSL: Trash Bash
- May sociology graduate Triniti West explores passions for community and public policy
- Research and Innovation Celebration offers chance to recognize the impact of UMSL researchers
- MFA alum Serenity Dougherty’s PhD research examines stand-up comedy and audiences
