Articles by admin
EDITOR’S DESK: Neighborhood will rise again
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. […]
SPEAKING OUT: Change is good for America
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. […]
OFF THE WALL: Chauncey in charge
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. […]
Former president dies of Lou Gehrig’s
Former Forest Park President Morris F. Johnson III died last month after suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He was 64. Morris served as president from 2005 to 2009. “He was a very student-centered president,” said Claudia Perry, St. Louis Community College district coordinator for communications. “He loved nothing better than being out in the halls talking to students.” […]
Psychology instructor had a “big heart”
Forest Park is mourning the loss of adjunct psychology instructor Rodney Robinson, who died of complications from a kidney transplant this semester. “He was very kind and had a big heart,” said Don Cusumano, chairman of the social sciences department. “He was a very caring person and always had a smile on his face.” Robinson joined the Forest Park staff 20 years ago. He taught classes such as general psychology, child psychology, human growth and development and abnormal psychology. […]
Students struggle to pay off loans
Rising debt from student loans may be keeping young people from buying homes or paying mortgages, and that’s bad for the economy. That was one of the conclusions at a symposium on the future of student loans, hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis last month. About 150 students and professionals from financial and educational institutions packed a meeting room. […]
Sociology professor had a dream
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I have a dream” speech, which became a cornerstone for political and social change in the 1960s. Forest Park sociology professor Rodney Wead remembers it well. “We thought, ‘Now we (will) be able to realize our dream of a more equitable society,’” he said. “I think it was timed perfectly.” […]
Groups helping people in need
It’s the holiday season again, and Forest Park is doing its part to help others enjoy it. Several clubs and organizations have been involved in charitable activities. The Human Services Club collected hundreds of canned goods and donated them to four students in need and to Kingdom House Food Pantry. […]