Campus police officers lead away a student who was believed to have a firearm, but was later released by the St. Louis Metro Police Department. His face is blured to protect his identity. (Photo by Markeith Childress)

Arguments lead police to detain six

February 18, 2014

Two separate arguments on the Forest Park campus prompted police to handcuff and detain six people on the morning of Feb. 19. Dozens of students, faculty and staff witnessed the incidents in the cafeteria, C circle and courtyard between G Tower and the theater building. […]

graph

Enrollment decline continues

February 18, 2014

The trend of declining enrollment continues at Forest Park, with spring figures down 15 percent from a year ago, from 6,888 to 5,888 students, according to the latest data published by the college. Forest Park Bookstore cashier Erica Coleman, 34, said she noticed “bigger crowds” last fall compared to this semester. In fall of 2013, enrollment was at 6,815. Coleman, a general transfer student, also sees the impact of the trend in her classes. […]

Graphics student Darryl Reece, 18, becomes an organ donor with the help of Angela Johnson during a recent event in the Forest Park cafeteria. (Photo by Scott Allen)

Grieving mom promotes organ donation

February 18, 2014

Sixteen-year-old DaVon Steward saved or improved the lives of nearly two dozen people — after his 2001 murder. His family donated his heart, lungs and other organs and tissues to strangers who needed transplants. “A lot of people’s lives got blessed because of this,” said Steward’s mother, Angela Johnson, 51, a Forest Park student majoring in hospitality management. “And I just thought this was the greatest thing in the world.” The experience led Johnson to become an advocate for organ donation. […]

No Picture

EDITOR’S DESK: Neighborhood will rise again

February 18, 2014

Many years ago, North St. Louis flourished with booming businesses and big Victorian and New England-style homes. Business owners, teachers and journeymen lived in the affluent neighborhood, and many walked to work. The area suffered a considerable loss with the deterioration of streetcar service after World War II. It became less enjoyable and convenient for residents, who no longer had easy access to amenities in the city. […]

No Picture

SPEAKING OUT: Change is good for America

February 18, 2014

2014 has begun, and it promises to be a year of changes. Among them are changes for me, personally. I’m managing editor of The Scene this semester, and I’m looking forward to working with new and veteran staff members at the paper. If all goes to plan, I’ll graduate from Forest Park this summer with my associate’s degree, and I’ll start at a four-year school this fall. I’ll enter my second year of marriage, and if it’s anything like the first, it will be great. But those changes are pretty insignificant when compared with what’s happening in the social climate of our country. […]

No Picture

OFF THE WALL: Chauncey in charge

February 18, 2014

Question: Who constantly naps throughout the day, eats food he never pays for and occasionally poops in my shower? Answer: My roommate. No, I don’t share an apartment with the ghost of Chris Farley. I’m talking about my 18-pound cat, Chauncey, and I have a confession to make — I love the big goof. Honestly, I never pictured myself as much of a cat guy. Sure, we had a few felines growing up around the house, but on a personality scale, they were about a notch above my mom’s Precious Moments collection. […]