News – Page 35 – The Scene

Munden takes math helm

July 29, 2013

Forest Park has a new math chair. James Munden, 30, of Columbia, Ill., has replaced Seth Daugherty. “My philosophy is not to memorize rules, but to see and implement the actual mechanics behind the rules,” he said. Munden has been teaching pre-algebra, analytic geometry and calculus at Forest Park since 2010. He formerly served as a graduate assistant in math at St Louis University, where he is working on a doctorate. Daugherty served as Forest Park’s math chair for two years before stepping down this month for personal reasons. He still is teaching classes as an assistant professor. […]

Plans for the property next to the Science Center’s main building still are being developed. (Photo by Garrieth Crockett)

Exploradome removed after 17 years

July 29, 2013

An era ended at the St. Louis Science Center on June 24, when officials deflated the Exploradome. The 652,000-cubic-foot, gridded balloon structure had been inflated in 1997 to provide extra exhibit space. It cost $2 million. […]

Byron Keaton hams it up for the cameras in front of the red Ford Fusion he won in the Rolling with Ford contest. (Provided photo)

Student wins car, trip to Hollywood

July 22, 2013

Forest Park student Byron Keaton rubbed shoulders with the likes of Nicki Minaj and Kendrick Lamar last month after winning a trip to the BET Awards. Most people would have been nervous, but it was no sweat for the 21-year-old theater major. “They are human, as well,” he said, speaking of celebrities. “I feel like these are my future co-stars.” Keaton also won a new red Ford Fusion in the contest, sponsored by Ford Motor Co. […]

College cuts summer swim hours

July 22, 2013

Open hours in Forest Park’s indoor swimming pool have been reduced for the summer due to lack of funding. Students, faculty and staff used to have pool access one hour a day, four days a week, even if they weren’t enrolled in classes. Now they can only swim two days a week. “The cutback is due to budget concerns,” said Mark Applegate, aquatics coordinator and instructor. The change comes on the heels of another reduction in fitness opportunities at Forest Park. The college eliminated open hours in the weight room this summer. The swimming pool is in the Physical Education building on the east side of campus. “Our primary responsibility when we keep the pool open is heating the pool, changing the chemicals, making repairs and having a lifeguard on duty,” Applegate said. […]

“Keith” by Chuck Close hangs in a gallery in the new East Building. (Photo by Alise O’Brien, courtesy of the St. Louis Art Museum)

Art museum expands with new wing

July 22, 2013

The St. Louis Art Museum opened its new wing last month as part of a $162 million expansion. The East Building covers more than 200,000 square feet, housing nearly 300 works of postwar art in 21 galleries, a restaurant and cafe with seating for 160 people, a 300-car parking garage and three classrooms. […]

John Buckingham, center, poses with his wife, Minnie, and friends Kim Marie Hecht and Diane Geradot at his retirement party. (Photo by Jamie Greene)

Retiring police officer was helpful and handy

July 22, 2013

John Buckingham’s worst moment as a Forest Park police officer was when a student collapsed and died of a heart attack. “I was the last person to speak with him,” Buckingham said. “I did CPR, but nothing could be done. I feel bad about not being able to save him. He had a massive heart attack, and it was in the Lord’s hands.” […]

Protesters carry signs as they march on Delmar Boulevard.(Photo by Garrieth Crockett)

Protesters demand higher wages

July 1, 2013

Protestors marched on the Delmar Loop in University City this spring, carrying signs that read, “I am a Man” and “On Strike: Poverty Wages hold St. Louis Down.” They were part of a St. Louis campaign known as STL Can’t Survive on $7.35, which is pushing to raise Missouri’s minimum wage from $7.35 to $15 an hour. “I work over 40 hours a week, and I have to decide what bills I want to pay,” said Kenta Jackson, 21, a manager at Church’s Chicken, who skipped work the morning of the rally. […]

Ka’Chelle Morris, left to right, Tiffany Ransom, Konnell Wright, Joshua Stone and children listen to Ball’s mother, Toni Taylor, speak about her son’s shooting. (Photo by Chris Cunningham)

Student’s family files suit against police

July 1, 2013

The family of a Forest Park honor student shot and killed by police in April gave an update on his case at a meeting on campus recently. Toni Taylor, mother of the late Cary Ball Jr., said family members have participated in a protest in front of the Civil Courts Building and circulated petitions calling for the arrest of the two police officers involved in the shooting. […]

New course focuses on diversity

July 1, 2013

Corporations spend millions of dollars on multicultural training for employees. Candidates who have already received that training are more attractive to potential employers At least that’s the theory of Forest Park associate history professor Deborah Henry. This fall, the Forest Park and Meramec campuses of St. Louis Community College will offer a new humanities course called “Global Dimensions of Race, Gender and Religion.” […]

New workout equipment sits idle in the weight room. (Photo by Jamie Greene)

Weight room off-limits this summer

July 1, 2013

Budget cuts have closed the Forest Park weight room this summer, keeping students from using new workout equipment installed in 2011. “There has to be supervision to ensure no one injures themselves during workouts,” said Sue Martin, chair of education and human services. “Without the funds to pay for supervision, the weight room had to be closed.” Students, faculty, staff and alumni still can swim during open hours at the campus pool. […]