Media Coverage: December 2020

Jan 4, 2021

Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media. Media Coverage highlights some of the top stories.

Humanist Ruth Kvistad hopes to help others through medicine, philosophy

Jan 4, 2021

An accidental injury put Honors College student Ruth Kvistad on the path to college and toward medical school.

Joan Phillips named new dean of UMSL’s College of Business Administration

Jan 4, 2021

Phillips has been serving as the dean of the Andreas School of Business at Barry University in Miami since 2018 and will assume her new position on March 15.

New glory for Union Station: Alumnus Steve O’Loughlin helps transform the once-dead mall and sees it through the pandemic

Jan 4, 2021

Under O’Loughlin’s leadership, Union Station has carved out a niche as a family entertainment destination with the St. Louis Aquarium as its centerpiece attraction.

An unprecedented year: Looking back at 2020 through notable stories in UMSL Daily

Dec 23, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the resilience of UMSL students, faculty, staff and alumni to find success and make a positive impact despite challenges.

Biology major eyes medical school and career in emergency medicine after graduating summa cum laude

Dec 23, 2020

Brian Fogarty had been working as a paramedic when he decided to return to school to earn his bachelor’s degree on the way to becoming a physician.

Assistant Professor Marisa Omori examines racial inequality in criminal justice system

Dec 23, 2020

The assistant professor of criminology and criminal justice shared insight during our latest moment of national reckoning.

UMSL extending competitive scholarship deadline for high school seniors to Feb. 1

Dec 22, 2020

There are more than 100 competitive scholarship opportunities open to first-time college students who have applied for and gained admission to UMSL.

December graduate Zaymon Harris makes a difference educating outside of the classroom

Dec 21, 2020

Harris and his fellow interns helped develop Beyond Housing’s first virtual summer camp and worked to foster enthusiasm for reading among their students.

Boeing internship, MBA next up for business graduate Carmen Palencia after earning her degree

Dec 21, 2020

Palencia completed her BSBA in management, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA and a certificate from the Pierre Laclede Honors College.

College of Nursing student marshal Hannah Williams marries and graduates in one day

Dec 21, 2020

Working at a dermatology office as a medical assistant inspired Williams to earn her nursing degree.

Reflections upon graduation: Sarah Thomas revisits her UMSL experience through the lens of her journal

Dec 18, 2020

Thomas is earning her degree in media studies, a certificate in public relations and a minor in digital marketing communications.

‘I always have to be doing’: Lindsey Gevers fits Honors College, education and more in under four years

Dec 18, 2020

Gevers graduates with a job, one degree, two certificates, more than six scholarships and many hours working and volunteering across the St. Louis region.

Communication students help facilitate, chronicle Build-A-Bear Foundation donation to HavenHouse St. Louis

Dec 17, 2020

The students developed a PR plan to publicize the donation and created a social media video shared on Build-A-Bear Foundation’s Instagram page.

Shop UMSL local for the holidays

Dec 16, 2020

Pick up your last-minute gifts from a wide variety of businesses from UMSL alumni and students.

CIAC, partners awarded grant to study home repair needs of older adults in St. Louis

Dec 15, 2020

The $178,000 RRF Foundation for Aging grant will be used to survey homeowners about their home repair needs and gather data to inform policy decisions.

UMSL and St. Louis Children’s Hospital collaborate to place nurses in five area charter schools

Dec 14, 2020

A $500,000 grant through the hospital’s Healthy Kids, Healthy Minds program will help fund the positions through spring 2025.

Communication graduate Sonja Thompson perseveres through challenges, loss to earn degree

Dec 14, 2020

Thompson has juggled parental responsibilities along with school and work and also grieved the loss of her mother while earning her degree.

December graduate transitions from combat engineer to police officer to civil engineer

Dec 14, 2020

John Gentilini graduates this month with a job at Civil Design, Inc. on its site development team after working his way through school with four jobs.

UMSL set to honor more than 2,700 students in virtual commencement ceremonies on Dec. 19

Dec 11, 2020

Ferguson Mayor Ella Jones will deliver the commencement keynote address at her alma mater as the university recognizes May, August and December graduates.

UMSL Accelerate accepts six founders into its first Anchor Accelerator cohort

Dec 10, 2020

The founders were chosen from more than 430 applicants and will each receive $50,000 in non-dilutive capital and nearly $200,000 in in-kind resources.

A new family tradition: The Pangs make up two generations of lifelong learners in the DBA program

Dec 10, 2020

Kei Pang is completing his dissertation as part of the DBA program’s first cohort, and his son Jo Pang is beginning courses this semester.

Dual Honors College publications win first in National Collegiate Honors Council Newsletter Contest

Dec 7, 2020

The Honors College won first place for Provenance, an alumni newsletter, and Brain Stew, a student-produced zine that’s a home for uncensored humor.

December graduate Yuima Mizutani explores what ‘home’ means to third culture kids

Dec 7, 2020

Mizutani’s PhD dissertation examined how Asian students who have grown up internationally develop a sense of belonging in college.

Eye on UMSL: Warm reception

Dec 7, 2020

Sophomore communication major Danielle Moore was ready to greet and assist visitors at the welcome desk in the Millennium Student Center.

Media Coverage: November 2020

Dec 7, 2020

Stories about the university, its scholars and their expertise are often covered by local and national news media. Media Coverage highlights some of the top stories.

Education prepped Kara Bailey to be top of the class in the St. Louis restaurant scene

Dec 4, 2020

The planning and organizational skills Bailey developed as an early childhood educator have been instrumental in expanding Baileys’ Restaurants.

Infographic: From UMSL to city hall

Dec 4, 2020

Through roles as mayors and city managers, UMSL alumni have and continue to set policy and determine the future of their regions – St. Louis and far beyond.

‘Now the people have a voice’: Alumna Ella Jones leads Ferguson as mayor after historic win

Dec 4, 2020

After successful careers in the private sector, Jones entered politics in 2015, becoming the first Black city councilor and later mayor of Ferguson.

UMSL waiving application fees for 2021, continuing to waive online fees in spring semester

Dec 2, 2020

The application fee waiver applies to all new undergraduate applications from both the United States and abroad.

Scholarship helps nursing student Jacquelyn Green help others

Dec 2, 2020

After her expected graduation in summer 2021, Green hopes to aid people worldwide as a travel nurse and a volunteer with an organization such as Mercy Ships.

Torin Samuelson prepares for career in information systems with help of Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant

Nov 30, 2020

Samuelson has excelled academically with the help of the new financial aid program, adding a second major and securing three internships.

Qiang Dotzel honored with Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award

Nov 30, 2020

The teaching professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics was one of 100 area educators to receive the award. Ten of the 2020 awardees are UMSL graduates.

College of Nursing’s Umit Tokac creates AI to recommend PTSD treatment plans for veterans

Nov 30, 2020

Tokac’s program uses input patient data to make probability statements about the success of different treatment options.

Doctoral student Ken Smith searches for patterns in genetic data for Alzheimer’s detection

Nov 28, 2020

Smith is working on a diagnostic technique by developing software that identifies connections among the genetic material of individuals with Alzheimer’s.

Sharonica Hardin-Bartley works to close opportunity gaps at University City schools

Nov 27, 2020

Hardin-Bartley earned her PhD in educational leadership and policy studies in 2014 and is in her fifth year as superintendent of the School District of University City.

Triton Pantry and Triton Emergency Fund providing help during the holidays

Nov 25, 2020

The holiday season, combined with the coronavirus pandemic, make now a key time to support UMSL students who are facing food insecurity.

‘Knowledge through a different lens’: College of Nursing teaches LGBTQ+ care through an innovative module

Nov 25, 2020

The module incorporated education specific to the health care needs, barriers and clinical experiences often encountered by members of the LGBTQ+ community.

A leader for St. Louis: Chancellor Kristin Sobolik sees UMSL as integral to fostering inclusive prosperity in the region

Nov 24, 2020

Sobolik has been working closely with counterparts at some of the region’s leading institutions to develop a plan for more equitable economic development.

STL CyberCon offers ideas to create a more inclusive cybersecurity workforce

Nov 23, 2020

Nearly 350 people registered for the sixth annual conference, held last Friday in a virtual format. Attendees tuned in from as far away as Kuwait and India.

UMSL ranks 20th on 2020 list of Best Military-Friendly Online Colleges

Nov 23, 2020

The website used the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill Comparison Tool and scored each institution for military culture, support, financial aid and flexibility.

Student veteran Mitchel Round set to become first student to graduate with degree in organizational leadership

Nov 23, 2020

Round received college credit for life experiences during his time in the U.S. Army infantry and applied it toward the degree, shortening his time to graduation.

UMSL Opera Theatre wins first in NOA competition for ‘The Clever Artifice of Harriet and Margaret’

Nov 23, 2020

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the show ran only once, with special permission. The recording from that performance went on to win big.

UMSL Women’s Hackathon tackles COVID-19 problems in 30-plus hours

Nov 23, 2020

This year’s event was held virtually due to coronavirus safety precautions, but participants had additional time to work.

Hiroshima survivor tells her story and advocates for peace at digital event

Nov 20, 2020

Shigeko Sasamori survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima as a teenager and came to the U.S. as one of the “Hiroshima Maidens.” She’s dedicated her life to promoting peace.

Research from nursing student Danielle Njeri helps DOORWAYS land $1.4 million grant

Nov 20, 2020

For her DNP clinical scholarship project, Njeri helped the nonprofit confirm the extent of residents’ mental health needs through a quantitative study.

DBA students Robert Barclay, James Jordan Jr. and James Xu explore solutions to real-world business problems

Nov 19, 2020

Though they work in different fields – information technology, financial operations and patent law – the program helped each expand his knowledge and enhance his career.

University of Missouri System grant investment program funds research and creative works at UMSL

Nov 18, 2020

The Creative Works Strategic Investment Program will provide a combined $98,000 in funding to UMSL faculty members, Lindsay Athamanah, Anne Austin, Bettina Casad and Adriano Udani.

CETC expands relationship with Nestlé Purina to deliver Power BI training to South American employees

Nov 16, 2020

Changes made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic allowed instructors at UMSL’s Computer Education and Training Center to work with clients outside the region.

Japan-America Student Association holds virtual origami lesson for Japan’s Culture Day

Nov 16, 2020

Asami Iba, cultural exchange facilitator for the Grassroots Exchange Network-Japan Program, talked participants through the creation of four origami shapes.