Dear friends, neighbors and community partners,

October is such a wonderful month as it ushers in the peak of fall with cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage, and migrating birds signaling season changes. It’s a time of transition as we prepare for the winter months ahead. It is also a vibrant and active month on campus. We are currently preparing for Family, Friends and Alumni Weekend on October 17-18 featuring a self-paced campus scavenger hunt, our annual 5K Run/Walk, and a festive Tiny Tritons Trunk-or-Treat for young children. Later in the month, we are excited to host the Fall Music Festival at the Touhill Performing Arts Center—free and open to the community. For details on these and other upcoming events, be sure to regularly visit our campus calendar.

In this month’s newsletter, we are pleased to share some great news! UMSL has once again been recognized as a leader in advancing social mobility, ranking No. 1 in Missouri and No. 87 nationally in the latest U.S. News & World Report “Best Colleges” rankings. We are also proud to celebrate the continued success of Joshua Danrich (a.k.a. Mr. Fresh), a member of the UMSL Accelerate 2023 cohort, who recently launched a new partnership with Walmart. These achievements reflect our ongoing commitment to transforming lives and strengthening our community. We are truly #UMSLProud!

UMSL recognized as leader supporting social mobility in latest US News ‘Best Colleges’ rankings

Since its founding more than 60 years ago, the University of Missouri–St. Louis’ mission has been to transform lives. The university has continually delivered exceptional educational and research opportunities to students from all backgrounds, which aid them in fulfilling their potential and improving their socioeconomic circumstances. U.S. News & World Report once again recognized UMSL for its achievement in that arena. In the 2026 “Best Colleges” rankings unveiled recently, the publication ranked UMSL first in Missouri and No. 87 nationally on its list of “Top Performers on Social Mobility,” which highlights how well universities have graduated students who receive federal Pell Grants. UMSL has made the list every year since it debuted in the 2020 rankings, and it has been first in the state each of the past four years.

UMSL remained a Tier 1 research university in the publication’s overall rankings and was ranked No. 136 on the list of top public universities. Additionally, several academic programs fared well in this year’s rankings. UMSL’s undergraduate international business program ranked No. 25 nationally, which makes it the 22nd time in 23 years the program has secured a top 25 ranking. Read more.

UMSL Accelerator 2023 cohort member Mr. Fresh has new partnership with Walmart! 

In 2023, Joshua Danrich took part in the UMSL Accelerator and made the cut for pitches as a 13-year-old entrepreneur who created Mr. Fresh, a line of air fresheners and deodorizers made with essential oils. Danrich and his mom, Shay, had been running the business for three years from their garage. Mr. Fresh was one of six companies selected to participate in the new Anchor Accelerator program. Each company in the 10-week program received $50,000 in nondilutive capital, mentoring from UMSL staff and faculty, and the assistance of two UMSL student interns.

Fast forward three years to a recent announcement that Mr. Fresh has a new partnership with Walmart! Mr. Fresh, which promises to eliminate odors in your car, home, and beyond—keeping every space smelling fresh, is now available at all Walmart locations across Missouri and Illinois, as well as online. A story in the St. Louis American newspaper shared that Joshua is among fewer than 100 teenage entrepreneurs in history to have their products sold by Walmart. The name Mr. “Fresh” stands for Faith to Rescue Every Son from Hurt, a mission dedicated to promoting the emotional, mental, physical and financial well-being of African American boys.

Read more in the St. Louis American about Joshua Danrich’s new partnership with Walmart.

Read more in the St. Louis American about Joshua Danrich’s new partnership with Walmart.

Learn more about Mr. Fresh and the 2023 UMSL Anchor Accelerator cohort.

Charlack, MO launches innovative local government mobile app with advanced citizen notifications

GoGov website

The City of Charlack, Missouri has officially launched their cutting-edge local government mobile app, developed in partnership with GOGov. This groundbreaking mobile application revolutionizes how Charlack communicates with residents through advanced citizen notification features and comprehensive community engagement tools. The new Charlack mobile app represents a significant advancement in local government mobile app technology, providing residents with instant access to essential municipal services and information. Available as a free download on both the App Store and Google Play, this innovative platform bridges the digital divide between local government and community members.

At the heart of Charlack's mobile app is a sophisticated citizen notifications system that ensures residents never miss important municipal updates. This feature enables the city to deliver timely, relevant information directly to residents' smartphones, creating an efficient communication channel that enhances civic engagement. Through the integrated citizen notifications feature, residents receive instant alerts about city council meetings, public hearings, road closures, weather updates, and other critical municipal information. The launch of Charlack's mobile app showcases how even smaller municipalities can successfully implement advanced citizen notification systems and digital engagement tools. Read more.

Most unique basketball courts in the world

Hunter, Riley, RedBull, September 13, 2025 

The Kinloch basketball court has been recognized as the third unique basketball court in a recent Red Bull article. Just outside St. Louis, in Kinloch, a once-neglected basketball court was brought back to life through the work of local artist William LaChance. In 2017, Project Backboard, a nonprofit that revitalizes public courts through art, partnered with LaChance to bring the court back to life. LaChance, known for his vibrant, abstract style, painted the court with bold colors and shapes, turning it into both a playable surface and a large-scale public artwork.

The goal was to bring new life to the space, not just through art, but by creating a place where the community could come together. Now, the court isn’t just for basketball — it’s a symbol of pride and creativity for the whole neighborhood and community. Read more.

Share with Us!

We'd love to hear your questions and comments about UMSL and stories about great things happening in our communities. Your thoughts will help shape content covered in future newsletters to be pertinent to you and your neighbors. Leave any suggestions, questions, or stories here. Thank you!

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Events & Resources

Beyond Housing Community Conservation Days 

Oct. 9,10, and 11, 2025

Multiple sites 

Area neighbors are invited to come together for Community Conservation Days. Volunteers will help with cleanup projects, honeysuckle removal, and tree planting across the Normandy schools footprint. It’s a hands-on way to give back, improve local green spaces, and connect with the community. Click here for individual site and project details and to sign up to volunteer.

Beyond Housing FREE Family Fishing & BBQ

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Gutknecht Arrowhead Park

3112 Wheaton Ave.

As part of the Beyond Housing Community and Conservation Days, community members are invited to take part in Family Fishing & BBQ, a free and fun way to spend the day outdoors. No fishing experience is required, and loaner poles will be available. Since parking is limited, carpooling is encouraged. No registration is required for fishing and BBQ. Click here to volunteer.

UMSL 5K Run and Walk

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025
9:00 AM
Starts and finishes on UMSL North Campus

UMSL's 5th annual 5K Run/Walk is open to students, alumni, families, and friends, both in person and virtually. Registration is $15 for current students and children (ages 5–17), and $40 for alumni and others. Registration closes Oct. 16. Click here to learn more and to register.

A Red Circle Harvest Hootenanny and Festival

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

North Co. Agricultural Ed. Center,

4521 Hamilton Ave.

The event will feature an old-fashioned party with cider, a pig roast and smores, along with a festival with carnival games and food trucks.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children in advance, with prices increasing on the day of the event.

Click here for more information.

UMSL Trunk-or-Treat

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025

3:00 PM

UMSL Millennium Student Center

17 Arnold B Grobman Dr.

Trunk-or-Treat is a Tiny Tritons service event for young children of UMSL families and the surrounding community. A safe and fun way for families to enjoy Halloween festivities, attendees will be able to walk from trunk or trunk and enjoy the "Trunk-or-Treating." They will be able to get a goody bag filled with candy and toys. Candy, peanut free, and noncandy bags will be available while supplies last. There will also be a face painter, balloon artist, and ice cream truck. Click here for Tiny Tritons event information.

UMSL Fall Music Festival

October 27, 28 and 29, 2025

7:30 PM each evening

Touhill Performing Arts Center
1 Touhill Circle

UMSL Music invites the community to a week of FREE concerts featuring UMSL students, faculty, and guest artists!

UMSL STLCyberCon

Friday, November 14, 2025

8:00 AM – 2:00 PM 

University of Missouri–St. Louis

Join the UMSL Information Systems and Technology Department for STLCyberCon. Featuring presentations from cybersecurity thought leaders, the conference is FREE and open to the community to improve cybersecurity awareness. For information, click here.