News

Forest Park officials held a safety forum last week in the wake of a scandal on the Meramec campus involving a bathroom assault. Campus police didn’t report the assault to the public, causing a controversy that prompted President George Wasson to resign. At the forum, Forest Park police chief Richard Banahan talked to a packed classroom of faculty, staff and students about the college’s Emergency Response Team. “We train all the time,” he said. “Every classroom has a panic alarm and phone. If it doesn’t, it will.” […]

Forest Park recognized 96 students through its new Emerging Scholars program at an awards banquet last week. Students qualified by taking 12 hours of developmental courses, or transitioning into college-level courses after completing two or more developmental courses. They also maintained grade-point averages of 3.5 or higher. Two of the 96  – Sherida Carter and Ina Griesohn – were named Emerging Scholars of the Year. They each received a $500 scholarship. […]

Graduation is quickly approaching at Forest Park, and that means some students will be starting new chapters of their lives. Several faculty and staff members recently shared their wisdom for students who plan to transfer to four-year institutions. Counselor and associate professor Reginald Johnson suggests doing plenty of research before picking a college or university. “Visit that university, take a guided tour and get familiar with the campus,” he said. “Get familiar with the curriculum and make sure it’s a good fit for you. “Not all campuses or universities are going to give you what you need.” […]

A male student at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley was shot near campus on Feb. 20. He is expected to survive. Police aren’t releasing his name, age or any other identifying information. Two men were arrested in connection with the case, including alleged shooter Jeffrey Burnett, 19, of Florissant, and alleged accomplice John Dailey, 20, of Hazelwood. Neither is a Flo Valley student. Kedra Tolson, the college’s coordinator of public information and marketing, emphasized the shooting was an isolated incident. “We are a safe and secure campus,” she said. “We put everyone’s safety first.” Ferguson Police Department is handling the investigation. The victim had arranged to meet the two men for a drug deal, Chief Thomas Jackson said. Shots were fired about 2:05 p.m. in a car near Hudson Road and College Drive. The victim was shot four times in his back and chest, Jackson said. He is hospitalized at DePaul Health Center. […]