UMSL Daily Commentary Archives

LATEST IN UMSL Daily Commentary

Inspiring the next generation of learners

Later today, I’m going to make a slight departure from my normal schedule — and wardrobe — when I wear a 2-foot-high red and white striped top hat, sit down among a roomful of grade school kids and do my best Cat in the Hat impersonation.

Inspiring the next generation of learners

Later today, I’m going to make a slight departure from my normal schedule — and wardrobe — when I wear a 2-foot-high red and white striped top hat, sit down among a roomful of grade school kids and do my best Cat in the Hat impersonation.

Inspiring the next generation of learners

Mar 4, 2013

Later today, I’m going to make a slight departure from my normal schedule — and wardrobe — when I wear a 2-foot-high red and white striped top hat, sit down among a roomful of grade school kids and do my best Cat in the Hat impersonation.

Summer BSW graduate Joseph Govreau redefines his academic journey at UMSL

After early struggles in the classroom, Govreau found academic success at UMSL and became highly involved on campus with organizations like the Student Social Work Association.

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.

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.

In defense of the F-word in K-16 education

Jun 11, 2012

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.

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

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

The Challenge

Apr 30, 2012

“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.

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.

Raising awareness of domestic homicide in Missouri

Apr 23, 2012

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.

Is graduate school right for you right now?

Apr 2, 2012

Normally, getting into a good graduate program requires time to demonstrate that you’re capable of doing advanced work. There are, however, two fast tracks at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. First, 2 + 3 programs invite outstanding undergraduates with around 60 hours to complete integrated requirements of the BA and MA degree programs in three years from the beginning of their junior year.