Dear friends, neighbors and community partners,

"More is What Moves Us" is the UMSL tagline that emphasizes the university's commitment to providing opportunities, growth, and advancement for its students and community. This summer we are thrilled to announce an exciting milestone in the life of our institution — the University of Missouri–St. Louis College of Business Administration is now the Ed G. Smith College of Business, in recognition of philanthropic support from accomplished UMSL alumnus and marketing leader Ed G. Smith. This historic milestone — the first college naming in UMSL's 62-year history — will profoundly expand access, innovation and opportunity for our students, the St. Louis region, the state of Missouri and beyond.

More exciting developments continue to unfold as we advance with the Transform UMSL initiative. Visible progress is being made at the Richter Family Welcome and Alumni Center, which is on track to be completed this year, and construction activity is underway in several other buildings. It’s an inspiring time both on campus and in the surrounding area as we celebrate successful business ventures and watch new opportunities come together to enhance the quality of life in our community.

UMSL names College of Business after accomplished alum and marketing industry leader Ed G. Smith

The University of Missouri–St. Louis is proud to announce the naming of its College of Business Administration as the Ed G. Smith College of Business. This naming is an unprecedented, one-time opportunity to bolster, transform, launch and sustain a broader and uniquely elevated experience for countless UMSL students for generations to come. The first named college in UMSL’s history was affirmed by the University of Missouri Board of Curators on June 26, 2025.

Through an expanded philanthropic investment, the Ed G. Smith College of Business will reach a level of distinction that is unmatched in the region and across the nation. It will propel the college – already a leader in social mobility and workforce development for Greater St. Louis – toward even greater levels of success. With this support, UMSL will deepen its impact and accelerate outcomes for students by:

“We cannot overstate the power and reach of this moment, for our university and our region,” Chancellor Kristin Sobolik said. “Ed Smith’s remarkable success and enduring generosity reflect the very best of what UMSL stands for – resilience, innovation and a commitment to community. The Ed G. Smith College of Business will empower generations of students to build impactful careers and strengthen the economic future of St. Louis and beyond.” Read more.

For Jerome and Cathy Jenkins, North County is home—and a place to do business

Cheryl Baehr, St. Louis Magazine, June 19, 2025

Jerome Jenkins can’t help but chuckle when he recalls a recent interaction with his auto insurance agent. “They asked me how many miles we put on our car in a year,” he says. “I told them, ‘Let me see, maybe 200 or 300.’ They didn’t believe me. But then I told them where we drive: a mile to and from work, maybe a mile to the store, and not any further to the gym. We utilize our community for everything.”

Jerome and his wife, Cathy, are proud of their deep, longstanding connection to Dellwood and neighboring Ferguson, where they both live and operate two locations of their popular restaurant, Cathy’s Kitchen. It’s exactly the life they were looking to create when they moved to the region from their hometown of Gary, Indiana, in 1990, after reading about Ferguson in a book while searching for a place to put down roots. Their initial impression is one that’s proven to be correct throughout their 35 years in the area—that their community offers everything they need and want, and it’s driven by a desire to take care of one another and grow in ways that support its residents.

The couple is certainly part of that growth…. In their restaurant’s second location, which opened in Dellwood last year, the Jenkinses are providing for the community in ways far beyond its dining needs. The restaurant is the culinary anchor of R&R Marketplace, an innovative, multiuse nonprofit hub.... R&R Marketplace serves a variety of interconnected needs within the community by providing job training, child care, banking, mental health services, health care, and social and recreational opportunities, all in one location. For Jerome and Cathy, it was never a question that they’d be involved in such a project, one they view as having a transformative impact on the community. Read more.

Affinia Healthcare starting new family medicine residency program

Olivia Mizelle, STLPR, June 10, 2025 

Affinia Healthcare is now fully accredited for its new family medicine residency program. That means medical school graduates can soon provide care at a clinic that primarily serves those who are uninsured or have other barriers to receiving health care. Affinia Family Medicine Residency will be based at the provider’s Ferguson clinic in north St. Louis County, where Dr. Kenneth Hemba, the program director, said about 75% of low-income residents do not have a primary care provider.

Hemba said graduates of the program are more likely to remain in underserved areas and provide care such as substance use disorder treatment or behavioral health treatment. “They’re much more likely to mirror the needs of the community and to make sure that they’re really serving the community where they trained,” Hemba said....Residents will be trained on the full scope of primary care, including delivering babies, caring for children and adults and providing geriatric care, Hemba said. They will be working in the Ferguson clinic as well as in the surrounding community at partner hospitals including Christian Hospital and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Read more.

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Events & Resources

2025 Neighborhood Leadership Academy – Registration Now Open!

Scholarship Deadline: July 25 
Registration Deadline: August 22

Development of neighborhood leaders is critical to long-term community success. The Neighborhood Leadership Academy,  a Creating Whole Communities university partnership program of UMSL and UM-Extension, provides leadership training that emphasizes community building principles and strategies, project planning, and personal leadership skills. Participants gain tools needed to effectively engage and make a difference in their communities while building connections with other changemakers and neighborhood advocates. Registration is $405. Full & partial scholarships are available (scholarship deadline is July 25). Click here to learn more about the program, session topics and to read about NLA alumni!

Beyond the Backpack

Saturday, August 9, 2025
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Normandy Early Learning
Center and Lucas Crossing
School Campus
7855 Natural Bridge Rd.

Area youngsters are invited to join the Normandy Schools Collaborative and Beyond Housing for a fun back to school event! They will have everything needed for the new school year in one place, plus some extra fun activities to close out the summer!

Click here for more information.

Summer Lunches at St.
Louis County Libraries

Weekdays through
August 15, 2025
Noon to 1:00 PM
Natural Bridge Branch
7606 Natural Bridge Road
and other SLCL locations

SLCL and Operation Food Search are teaming up to provide nutritious lunches and activities for area children this summer. Pizza will be provided on Fridays. Meals must be eaten onsite and will be available free of charge for children 18 and under. Click here to learn more.

Ferguson Concert Series

Third Fridays through August
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Plaza at 501
501 S. Florissant

Admission to each concert is FREE! Attendees should bring their own lawn chairs. Coolers are welcome (no glass) and food will be available for purchase.

• July 19 - Just In Time

• August 16 - Vote for Pedro

Click here for more information. 

A Red Circle's Good Food Fridays

Every Friday through October 

3:00 – 5:00 PM

North Co. Agricultural Ed Center

4521 Hamilton Avenue

Good Food Fridays are back! North County residents can stop by each week to pick up a free bag of fresh, local produce along with seasonal recipes and storage tips. The farm includes five revitalized residential lots, fruit trees, chickens, bees, and a greenhouse to support year-round growing. Click here for registration.