Year: <span>2013</span>

Archers coach Libby inducted in Hall of Fame

May 6, 2013

The Missouri Basketball Coaches Association inducted 11 people into its Hall of Fame last month, including St. Louis Community College’s own Kenneth Libby, assistant men’s basketball coach. “I think it’s great,” he said. Libby has coached 43 years at Christian Brothers University, Mehlville High School, Lindbergh High School and St. Louis Community College. His record is 548-405. Why does Libby like about coaching? “It’s not only about seeing (players’) improvements on the court,” he said, “but getting these kids to keep up with their academic goals as well.” […]

Richard Athens, center, chats with Erik Blankenship while Danny Borgers and John Wagner work on a serpentine belt. (Photo by DeJuan Baskin)

Automotive teacher grew up fixing cars

May 6, 2013

Richard Athens was 15 years old when he bought his first car for $45 in 1973. It was a yellow, green and gray 1956 Chevy. A customer at his father’s service station sold it to him after determining he couldn’t afford the repairs. “It was the first in a long line of cars,” Athens said. “I remember blowing the transmission drag racing on Grand.” Athens, 54, has been teaching in the automotive studies department at Forest Park for 25 years. He recently was promoted to department chair. […]

EDITOR’S DESK: Use social media carefully

May 6, 2013

Most people today use some form of social media, whether it’s Facebook, Myspace, Twitter or Tumblr. It’s a great way to keep in contact with friends and family in different parts of the country or world. Social media can be used to distribute information. In the case of an abduction, a tweet could alert the public and insure a child’s safe return. Businesses use Facebook to sell products. College students use it to reach fellow classmates and get assignments. […]

What is the best part of a human’s life?

May 6, 2013

Communications Specialist Lynn Venhaus, left, sits with Police Chief Richard Banahan after the St. Louis Fire Department rescued him from a Student Center elevator. (Photo by Garrieth Crockett)

Blackout disrupts campus activities

April 22, 2013

Some students were enjoying free food and music in the Forest Park cafeteria as part of Sunfest. Others were studying in the library or listening to lectures in classrooms. Then the lights went out. […]

Faculty and staff give advice to grads

April 22, 2013

Graduation is quickly approaching at Forest Park, and that means some students will be starting new chapters of their lives. Several faculty and staff members recently shared their wisdom for students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions. Counselor and associate professor Reginald Johnson suggests doing plenty of research before picking a college or university. “Visit that university, take a guided tour and get familiar with the campus,” he said. “Get familiar with the curriculum and make sure it’s a good fit for you. “Not all campuses or universities are going to give you what you need.” […]

Ethan Coble, 8, Hana Noueriy, 8, and Andrew Burns, 9, work on their Lego machine. (Photo by Chris Cunningham)

“Little Einsteins” build machines with Legos

April 22, 2013

The Lego Gryphons are elementary school students during the week, engineers on weekends. The team of three boys showed up at a Junior FIRST Lego League exposition at Forest Park last weekend with an “Escalator Chair,” a machine made of Legos that carried a figure named “Mr. Pickles” up and down. […]

Stephen D. Anderson, 34, Meramac TRIO adviser, rolls his bright green ball down the bowling lane. (Photo by DeJuan Baskin)

Bowlers raise big money for scholarships

April 22, 2013

Forest Park students, faculty and staff came to life at the12th annual Bowling for Scholars fundraiser at Tropicana Lanes this month. “It’s the most fun you can imagine,” said Christy Hart, bookstore manager and event coordinator. Bowlers were raising money for St. Louis Community College scholarships. […]

Student competes in state pageant

April 22, 2013

A Forest Park student with a colorful background competed in the Mrs. Missouri United States pageant last month. Wauneen Rucker, 50, was one of six contestants from across the state. She’s a baking and pastry major, a Baptist minister and a mother of two. She formerly served in the U.S. Marines and worked as a police officer. […]

The Coffee Cartel sits at a busy intersection in the Central West End. (Photo by Garrieth Crockett)

What’s up St. Louis

April 22, 2013

Life can get busy – really busy. To keep up the fast pace, people stretched between multiple responsibilities turn to caffeine, and most get their “fix” from coffee. St. Louis is a coffee city. It’s a little-known fact that until the mid-1920’s, the city was the coffee-roasting capital of the world, boasting more than 75 major plants. I have patronized coffee shops and coffee houses throughout St. Louis. Recently, I came with my personal list of the Top 5 close to the Forest Park campus. […]