News Archives - Page 35 of 39

Rush is on to get health insurance

March 31, 2014

Today is the deadline for Americans to sign up for health insurance, so some students are opting out of coverage while others scramble to find options. Fire Protection Technologies student Andrew Wheeler, 24, hasn’t had health insurance for three years. But he’s adamant about not using the federal health-care exchange website because of its problematic launch in October. “It’s either health care through the military, or I just won’t have health care,” he said. Byron Keaton, 21, a theater major and member of the Campus Life Task Force, also has been uninsured for three years. […]

Forest Park students board the No. 59 MetroBus at the Oakland Ave. bus stop on a chilly afternoon. (Photo by DeJuan Baskin)

Metro to increase transit fares

March 31, 2014

Metro Transit plans to increase fares this summer, affecting many Forest Park students who commute by bus or light-rail train. Culinary arts major Myeisha Garrett, 19, isn’t happy about it. She uses the system to travel from Dellwood to the college every day and sometimes to her job at Walmart. Metro officials have developed three possible options to raise revenue, targeting people who use public transportation most. […]

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. […]

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. […]

Forest Park President Morris F. Johnson III flexes his muscles after blowing into a machine that measures lung capacity on Respiratory Therapy Day in the Student Center lobby in 2009. (Photo by Tania Hammond)

Former president dies of Lou Gehrig’s

December 9, 2013

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”

December 9, 2013

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. […]

William Emmons, left to right, Bryan Noeth, Kelly Edmiston and Wenhua Di participate in a panel discussion at the syposium. (Photo by Julian Hadley)

Students struggle to pay off loans

December 9, 2013

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. […]

Stich ‘n’ Chat members Jacqui Landau, Marlone Eddington and Linda Basich knit on their lunch break in the Business, Math and Technology meeting room. (Photo by Lynn Venhaus)

Groups helping people in need

December 9, 2013

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. […]

Thomas Walker talks about some of the changes to the student center. (Photo by Scott Allen)

Student center renovation progresses

November 18, 2013

Construction in the Forest Park Student Center is coming to an end, and by the beginning of spring semester it will be completely revamped. But some changes happening sooner than that. The student lobby is now open, which consists of Campus Life and Student Government Offices, The Highlander Lounge and office admissions. […]