Thomas Walker talks about some of the changes to the student center. (Photo by Scott Allen)

Student center renovation progresses

November 18, 2013

Construction in the Forest Park Student Center is coming to an end, and by the beginning of spring semester it will be completely revamped. But some changes happening sooner than that. The student lobby is now open, which consists of Campus Life and Student Government Offices, The Highlander Lounge and office admissions. […]

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Officials to address rising student loans

November 18, 2013

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis will host a symposium on Nov. 18 to discuss the future of student loans. “Student-loan debt now tops $1 trillion and is expected to continue to grow rapidly,” said organizer Ray Boshara, director of the bank’s Center for Household Financial Stability who oversees student loans. The public is invited to attend the symposium, which is co-sponsored by Washington University. […]

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Campus sees increase in crime

November 18, 2013

Last year marked a 50 percent increase in crime on Forest Park from 2011. St. Louis Community College released its annual safety report earlier this month, presenting crime statistics from its four campuses. Six crimes were reported at Forest Park in 2012, up from four the year before. That included two robberies, two aggravated assaults, one drug abuse violation and one sex offense. […]

Coach Reed gives a lecture to his team about things they need to be doing. (Photo by Jasmine Bell)

New coach leads basketball team to first win

November 18, 2013

The Archers men’s basketball team won their first game of the season Nov. 2 beating the Missouri Baptist University by 87-60. The Archers got off to a fast start, which helped them rest starting players and get bench players some experience. Still, head basketball coach Randy Reed sees room for improvement. […]

Mario Carlos instructing his students in class. (Photo by Julian Hadley)

Art instructor allows every student to shine

November 18, 2013

Forest Park art instructor Mario Carlos is sharing the gift that was given to him with his students. Each Friday at 9 a.m. design students ranging in age from 19 to 68 gather in F-409 to become inspired, while learning hands on. All eyes are on Carlos every week as he presents the details of class projects. Students add input to the informal gathering before setting off to complete their interpretation of the assignment. […]

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Student shares Iraq experiences

November 18, 2013

Forest Park student Manar Al-Hussainy still is haunted by the memory of a girl at her Iraqi elementary school who mentioned that her parents had “talked bad” about President Sadaam Hussein. The wrong people overhead the girl’s indiscretion and informed Iraqi secret police, known as the “Mukhabarat.” Her parents were promptly killed. Al-Hussainy also has disturbing stories about the effects of war on her Iraqi homeland and family. […]

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EDITOR’S DESK: Get extra help online

November 18, 2013

Every year, Forest Park offers remedial classes for students who need extra help. Some find themselves taking three or four classes before earning the required credits for their majors. But recently, I found a way to get around this. It’s called the Internet. I have been using the Internet, mostly a website called Khan Academy, to get ready for some of the rigorous mathematics classes I will be taking in the spring as an economics major at University of Missouri-St. Louis, and the experience has been great. […]

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SPEAK OUT: Giving up isn’t an option

November 18, 2013

My husband and I simultaneously leaned in to make sure we were reading the indicators on the little white stick correctly. Sure enough, the result was positive. Those two blue lines would change the course of my life. My mind raced back to the moment we were standing in line to pay for the pregnancy test. The cashier looked at the box and glanced up at me. “You sure you don’t need two of these?” she asked. […]

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AT YOUR SERVICE: Services help students graduate

November 18, 2013

Each and every student attending Forest Park has access to campus programs with capable staff members who can help him or her graduate. With today’s tight job market, graduates need degree-specific knowledge and marketable skills, such as networking and public speaking. They also need to dress professionally to enhance their appeal. “Take advantage of your education,” said Keith Ware, coordinator for the African-American Male Initiative at Florissant Valley and Forest Park. “Don’t take it for granted.” […]