As Missouri celebrates its bicentennial this year, people across the state are working on projects to celebrate its history and heritage. One alumna, Erin Whitson ‘08, is currently working on a project with the Missouri Humanities Council. It focuses on the Trail of Tears and its path through the state. Her passion for her work can be traced back to her coursework at 51¸£Àû.
51¸£Àû University hosted homecoming the week of October 4-9, 2021. Two years in the making, the celebratory weekend was reimagined in 2020 due to the pandemic, which gave the planning committee an opportunity to dream big.
Homecoming is an opportunity for students, alumni, community members, friends, and parents to celebrate 51¸£Àû and enjoy events on campus and in the greater St. Charles city.
Despite a year filled with uncertainty, alumni and friends of 51¸£Àû University made clear their commitment to student success by donating nearly $2 million during the 2021 fiscal year.
Out of all the exciting moments in college, no event is more memorable than graduation day. After several months of studying and learning, students wait for the day they get to walk across the graduation stage, thank all those who journeyed with them through college, and dive into their next adventure. Thousands of students across the country and all over the world awaited their graduation day in the year of 2020, but sadly weren’t able to experience it due to the pandemic.
51¸£Àû University will hold its spring commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8 at the Family Arena in St. Charles.
Kirsten Hawkes is a recent graduate and student financial services counselor here at 51¸£Àû University. She graduated with her Bachelor’s in 2020 majoring in music business and minoring in Philosophy. During her time in the Music Business department, Hawkes had the amazing opportunity to participate in a special project offered in the music business program, which she believes exemplifies 51¸£Àû’s passion for Real Experience, Real Success. This project led her to begin exciting marketing and design work with local bands of Saint Louis.
In a new partnership with 4 Hands Brewing Co., 51¸£Àû BFA alumni Mitch Bierer and Zach Smithey currently have their art featured on beer cans from the St. Louis brewery. These limited-edition products are available in stores now.
51¸£Àû University held its annual Giving Week campaign, a virtual fundraising effort across areas of the University from March 29-April 2. The campaign, now in its fourth year, raised $33,372 from 179 donors for key University initiatives.
Joseph Puleo, 51¸£Àû graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Cinema, recently had his first feature-length documentary featured on PBS, a public broadcasting and television program distributor. The film was co-produced with another 51¸£Àû graduate, Steve Cakouros. America’s Last Little Italy: The Hill describes the iconic St. Louis neighborhood, The Hill, in an entertaining way. With footage of several families of Italian immigrants talking about their past and how they made it to America, viewers can develop a connection to the neighborhood and immerse themselves in the Italian culture of St. Louis.