Features

Lushomo Chambwa got plenty of help as a poor African immigrant going to college in St. Louis, and now he’s paying it forward. Last month, he and other members of his a cappella gospel group The Chosen Ones distributed supplies to the homeless in downtown St. Louis. “We do music, but we were like, ‘Can’t we just take this to a whole new level as far as giving back?’” said Chambwa, 26, a chemistry lab assistant […]

Forest Park has a new club with purpose and passion. The Disabilities Awareness Club has been formed to educate the public, help students with disabilities and make the campus more convenient and accessible. “There are a lot of college students with disabilities,” said Paige Karius, club president. “And I think we need to bring awareness to all students about that particular group of people.” […]

Leaders of the Forest Park Veterans Club returned from a Student Veterans of America leadership summit in Kansas City last month inspired to make a greater impact on campus. “We’re trying to get a resource center for veterans, a place where they can come and get tutoring and information they need about medical and education benefits,” Club President Edward Alexander said. […]

Chicago-based painter and photographer Laura Mackin is displaying her latest work in Forest Park’s Gallery of Contemporary Art through Dec. 11. The exhibit “Come Slowly, Eden” features collages of images found on the Internet and “reinterpreted” to make original statements. “It started as a collection of images of mirror reflections,” said Mackin, 33. […]

October to December is scholarship-application season, so students who need extra cash for fall semester may want to get going. Applications for some big scholarships – such as All-USA, Coca-Cola and Jack Kent Cooke scholarships – are due in early December. […]

Sarah Ball is a funky-haired Forest Park student who stands out on campus. “Everyone seems to like it, and even if they don’t remember my name, they know I’m the girl with the crazy colors in her hair,” she said. Ball, 26, is a psychology and education major. She wants to show that college students are not just small parts in a production line, but individuals with a right to self-expression. […]

Some people walk past feathers on the ground and pay no attention. Forest Park student Don Wilson sees art. “They’re neat,” he said. “They’re different.”
Wilson particularly likes their tactile feel. “If you take a ruffled feather and smooth it, it is soothing,” he said. “And if you ruffle somebody’s feathers, you outta smooth (them).” […]

Books on top of books are stacked on shelves above a computer desk. Maps, inspirational sayings and posters of classical literature crowd the wall. At the desk sits Dan Yezbick, Forest Park English professor, fumbling through papers and diligently typing on the keyboard. […]

The art of storytelling is one that Jim Two Crows Wallen works to keep alive every day. The Cherokee-descendent spoke at Forest Park on April 8, part of an Intercultural Arts Festival presented by the Global Education Committee and the art, communication and music departments. […]

Garrett Weakley is ready to make an impact on the local music scene. In only his second year playing drums, the 19-year-old Forest Park communications student and his band, Discrepancies, have been promoting their single, “Get Hype,” on campus and around St. Louis. They’re also drumming up excitement for their upcoming EP and Eastern U.S. tour. […]