East St. Louis Center

Two hands raised in answer to the question of how many students were interested in careers in media and mass communications. At the conclusion of the visit to the television station, radio station and student newspaper at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, eight of the 12 students’ hands shot up when the question was asked again. 

“I’d like to be a broadcast reporter,” said Theodric Belt Jr., a junior at the SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS). Bel...

Free personal computers for those who qualify will be available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29 at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Learning Resource Center, located at 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. 

The LRC is partnering with PCs for People to bring affordable technology to the community, according to Sarah Kirkpatrick, director of the LRC and Campus Engagement. 

“PCs for People receives computer donations and then refurbishes and updates th...

From the construction of significant structures in East St. Louis, such as the East St. Louis City Municipal Complex, the Mary Brown Neighborhood Center, the Medical Arts Building, the Mental Health Center of St. Clair County, multiple churches and schools including the Illinois State Community College, now known as the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus, the late prolific construction manager Janfrey Preston and his family have made an indelible mark on the City. 

The “Janfr...

Similar to being on such major rivers as the Nile, the Ganges or the Amazon, this summer, 15 students from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center’s TRIO Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) program participated in the Swarovski Water School, using the Mississippi River as a classroom. 

“I wanted TRIO Upward Bound students to take part in something special,” said Erica Doerr, former UBMS counselor and STEM instructor. “I wanted students t...

A healthy portion of instruction, strategies and tips on wellbeing and mindful living was served to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start (HS/EHS) staff members during an in-person, pre-service session and workshop entitled Journey to Wellness on Thursday, Aug. 25 at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon. Nutrition and dietetics expert, empowerment and wellness influencer, public speaker and author Reshaunda Thornton was the featured presenter. 

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“You are awesome!” “So good to see you!” “This is going to be your year!” These were some of the personalized shouts of welcome and praise that greeted each Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) student who walked down a red carpet on their first day of school, Monday, Aug. 15. 

CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD; CHS Assistant Director Liza Cummings, PhD; CHS Board of Directors President Willis Young; CHS teache...

Completing Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s five-week Summer Success Program (SSP) was “a great way to experience college with training wheels on,” said Marleigh Toenyes, of Wood River. 

Toenyes, a graphic design and media production major, was one of 37 incoming SIUE freshmen selected to participate in the SSP from the University’s fall 2022 freshman application pool of more than 12,200 students, according to Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Mana...

The educational campus serving East St. Louis for more than 20 years is being renamed in tribute to one of the area’s longest-serving advocates. The East St. Louis Higher Education Campus (ESLHEC) will now be known as the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in honor of the East St. Louis native and longtime state representative who, for years, worked to better the lives of the people of St. Clair County.

The ESLHEC first opened in January 1999, on the former campus of Metropolita...

There were no time capsules or machines, only talented bodies twirling, singing and playing to the beat and rhythm that brought back ancient Africa then catapulted the audience to the 70s, 80s and 90s – in living color on stage Friday, July 15 at the East St. Louis High School Auditorium in East St. Louis. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) Performing Arts students performed the summer showcase, “A Blast from the Past,” to a full house...

Twenty-seven-year-old Rashad Adams, of Cahokia, took time on a sweltering afternoon, Friday, July 15, to donate blood at the ImpactLife Bloodmobile on the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus because his sister asked him to. 

Fifteen-year-old London Dent, of Cahokia, Southern University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center Upward Bound (UB) EC/BEM student made the request of her brother, because she was too young to donate in the 3^rd annual TRIO Upward Bound Blood Drive. The minimum age fo...

Summer, exploration, math and science. It was a winning combination for 30 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Collinsville High School (CHS) program students. 

The students had the chance to display their knowledge to family and friends and be celebrated for their scholastic exploits and diligence during the program’s Summer Showcase and Awards Ceremony, held on Thursday, July 14 in the Bluff Hall Multifunction Room. 

“Our stude...

There is much more to Joey Rauk’s interest than he first thought – which was simply to grab a shovel and start digging. After a total of six hours of painstaking, deliberate digging with a trowel and sifting through dirt to unearth bits and pieces of historic ruin, Rauk became even more enamored with becoming a forensic scientist. 

Rauk is part of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Collinsville High School (CHS) program. Thirty UB...

Danajah Willis leans in, listens intently and takes notes, while blocking out the multiple conversations going on simultaneously around her in the crowded room. The high school junior hopes this 15-minute conversation with nursing professionals will help direct her future. 

Willis was one of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Collinsville High School (CHS) students who participated in the program’s 5^th Annual STEM Career Day on Wednesda...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor, James T. Minor, PhD, joined East St. Louis Mayor Robert Eastern III during the annual State of the City Address held Thursday, May 26 at the SIUE East St. Louis Center.

“I have had the great pleasure of spending time in East St. Louis even before my March arrival to listen and learn about the history and just how resilient this community is and has been,” Minor shared in his opening remarks.

Minor went on to reflect on and highl...

Parents are powerful leaders of change in an early childhood program, according to Carolyn Jason, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start interim program director. 

To recognize parents, the SIUE Head Start/Early Head Start program held a Family Fun Day Celebration on Friday, May 20 at all of its centers, according to Lisa Tate, Head Start/Early Head Start assistant program director/center operations.

“The celebrations consisted of creating fun interact...

Run towards your fear, not away from it. This was the advice given to the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) Class of 2022’s 30 graduates by Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Jessica Harris, PhD. 

Harris offered the commencement address at the CHS outdoor graduation celebration held Friday, May 20 at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. Also participating in the milestone event were SIUE Chancellor James T...

Students in the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) Performing Arts program could feel the love as they danced and played for adoring and supportive family and friends Wednesday, May 18 on the stage of the Multipurpose Room in Building D at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus. 

The students presented an encore performance on Thursday, May 19 at Abbott Auditorium in Lovejoy Library on the SIUE’s Edwardsville campus. 

“I recognize t...

Helping to broaden the scope of the needful and impactful work of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) is the goal of its new associate director, Keith Ware, EdD. 

“In my new position, I will make sure our Center continues to grow and develop in varying capacities that continue to shed light on the center participants, as well as those who do the work,” said Ware, previous Upward Bound EC/BEM/Math & Science program director. “I will a...

George Beck of East St. Louis finally snagged a job after filling out 22 applications. Rita McKnuckles and Eloise Taylor, both of East St. Louis, eagerly await their weekly Google Digital Skills class. These are just a few examples that prove how valuable the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Learning Resource Center (LRC) is, according to Tomoko Jo, program assistant for career services. 

“My role as the career service provider is to flatten each patron’...

For the decades of service to his faith and church, to communities near and far, to educational bastions and deserts, and to equity and justice, the Rev. Joseph A. Brown, PhD, will be honored during a Sankofa Celebration/Symposium and Mass from Friday-Sunday, May 13-15 at the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC). 

The event serves as an observance of Brown’s impact and work. Specifically, his 60th anniversary of entering the Society of Jesus (the Jes...

First came the lesson, then the application and the result was freshly brushed and polished teeth. Bright Smiles Mobile Dental, of Swansea, concluded its services to more than 60 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) students on Friday, April 22. 

“We have to report to the state regarding students’ physical, vision and dental exams,” said CHS nurse Marquita Holton, LPN, who contacted and coordinated the dental visits. “We...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) students have the opportunity to gain knowledge about academic majors and career pathways from SIUE faculty and staff during the virtual CHS Midday Speaker Series. 

SIUE’s CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor) Department began a new speaker series for CHS students on Monday, Nov. 1, according to Fannie Acoff,&#16...

With the start of the school year, students’ hands are full with books, various technology and now – some fresh produce, courtesy of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Center (ESLC) gardens. 

“We have already given fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and okra to our students and parents,” said SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. “We love giving away the fresh produce, just as much as they enjoy receiving i...

An engaging, thought-provoking and provocative assortment of topics and speakers were discussed and presented during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s third annual Diversity Day, Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 14-15. Under the theme, “The Fierce Urgency of Now – SIUE Shaping a Changing World,” the virtual event boasted more than 22 presentations with approximately 975 people registering. 

  “Diversity Day’s theme highlights the work of SIUE...