Dear friends, neighbors and community partners,

Spring has finally arrived!  This month, we are very excited to share news of federal funding coming to UMSL to support the university's partnership with the API Innovation Center, as well as funding for Ferguson to renovate Plaza 501 and expand the long-running Ferguson Farmers Market. These are huge investments in community and workforce development that will benefit people in our region for years to come.

In the next few weeks, there are so many springtime events taking place in the community that there is not enough room in the newsletter to list them all. Be sure to visit the Touhill website events page to find out about many upcoming programs including music, dance and theatre performances. You won’t want to miss out!

The University of Missouri–St. Louis, in partnership with the API Innovation Center, has received more than $1 million in federal funding to support the launch and advancement of the API Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Hub on UMSL’s campus.  The initiative is designed to strengthen domestic production of active pharmaceutical ingredients – APIs – and finished drug products – FDPs – through cutting-edge continuous flow and other innovative advanced manufacturing technologies.  

Congressman Wesley Bell led the effort in Washington, D.C., to secure the funding through the FY26 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act…The initiative will improve public health while also strengthening workforce development. “We are deeply grateful to Congressman Wesley Bell for championing this critical investment in the University of Missouri–St. Louis, APIIC and the wider region,” UMSL Chancellor Kristin Sobolik said. “His leadership and commitment to strengthening domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing will help ensure that essential medicines are produced safely and reliably here in the United States. This funding empowers UMSL and our partners to advance innovative manufacturing technologies, protect public health and build a highly skilled workforce for the future.” (Continue reading this article.)

Taylor Harris, Fox 2 News,  March 13, 2026

U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell presented a $1 million federal check to the City of Ferguson to renovate Plaza 501 and expand the long-running Ferguson Farmers Market. The investment aims to create a permanent home for the market while adding new community amenities to the downtown area.

The funding will support the construction of a dedicated vendor pavilion and increased programming space at the plaza. This project comes as the Ferguson Farmers Market celebrates 25 years of operating as a Saturday tradition for the North County community. The redevelopment plan for Plaza 501 includes several infrastructure improvements beyond the market space. City leaders confirmed the project will feature additional downtown parking, a splash pad, a playground and a dedicated event space. These additions are designed to create a destination for families and visitors throughout the year. (Continue reading this article.)

Marius Boboc’s mind is immediately drawn to adult learners, particularly college noncompleters, when he considers opportunities for the University of Missouri–St. Louis to make a genuine impact in the community. Boboc, dean of UMSL’s College of Education, notes that more than 40 million Americans have earned some college credit but have no credentials to show for it. However, going back to school can often be daunting and full of hurdles, such as childcare and transportation. Boboc believes the university can help ease those challenges by literally meeting adult learners where they are through a concept he’s developed called Community Learning Labs.

“One way to address the actual needs that they have is to find ways to take education back to the community,” Boboc said…He envisions Community Learning Labs embedding wraparound educational and social services – degree-granting programs, micro-credentialing, job training, counseling, tutoring and youth programs – directly into trusted neighborhood spaces such as community and recreation centers.  This will shift the center of learning from campuses to neighborhoods, breaking down traditional barriers to education and creating environments where adult learners, older adults, displaced workers and youth learn, teach and train together. (Continue reading this article.)

Beyond Housing website, March 26, 2026

On Saturday night, March 21, nearly 600 people from across St. Louis came together to celebrate Beyond Housing and 50 years of strengthening families and transforming communities. The evening was led by St. Louis soul singer Brian Owens, who served as master of ceremonies and set the tone for the night. Chris Krehmeyer took the stage to reflect on Beyond Housing’s 50-year journey—highlighting the organization’s growth, its impact across the region, and a clear vision for what comes next, including a deeper focus on increasing economic mobility for families living in Beyond Housing’s rental homes. The program also featured a powerful performance of the original song “The Story of Good,” led by Owens and talented young chorus singers from across St. Louis.
Krehmeyer also paid tribute to leaders who helped shape the organization’s path… Additional speakers shared powerful reflections on the organization’s impact, including Vinita Park Mayor James McGee and former Beyond Housing residents Tawanna Gandy and Adrianna Hudson, who spoke about their families’ journeys from housing instability to becoming first-time homeowners.

The evening culminated in an invitation to help write the “next chapter of good,” followed by a paddle raise that inspired an outpouring of support. Because of this community, Beyond Housing didn’t just meet its goal—it surpassed it, raising nearly $600,000 to support the work ahead. (Continue reading about the Beyond Housing event.)

Perhaps nobody was more excited than Johnna Murray to see the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program arrive (this year) on the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus. A free benefit offered by the Internal Revenue Service for over 50 years, VITA provides basic federal and state tax return preparation services for individuals and families earning under $69,000. UMSL had partnered with the Gateway EITC Community Coalition for several decades to make VITA available for regional taxpayers, holding a weekend-long course that trained volunteers to provide these helpful services for eligible residents at various off-campus locations in the weeks leading up to April 15.

Murray, a former accountant and tax professional before joining UMSL’s accounting department in August 2000, said she came to deeply appreciate what UMSL’s participation in this program symbolized.  “I would see it’s VITA day, and there would be people from all over the community coming in,” said Murray… UMSL’s VITA site opened February 19, offering walk-in assistance. Residents get the advantages of free tax support…while UMSL students get meaningful, real-world experience. Students get to actually have that practice, they get to develop those skills so they’re able to talk to clients like they would as the professional that they’re going to be in a few years. (Continue reading about UMSL VITA.)

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America at 250: Voices of a Nation (Singing Actor's Workshop)

UMSL Touhill Performing Arts Center

The staged concert, performed by the UMSL Singing Actor’s Workshop, includes music, poetry, and storytelling that reflects the many voices of the American experience, and invites audiences to reflect on the ideals that have shaped the nation and the voices that continue to define its story.

Vocal Point Concert
Tuesday, April 14, 2026  
7:30 PM
UMSL Touhill Performing Arts Center

Enjoy a night of percussive groove, accapella vocal ensembles, and jazz in this annual favorite concert! Tickets for UMSL Music Shows are FREE. Donations accepted for UMSL Music Scholarship Fund.  

Open Mic Sunset Concert
Friday, April 24, 2026 at 5:00 PM
UMSL MSC Patio/Lawn, 17 Arnold B Grobman Dr.

UMSL is closing down Mirthweek with a special sunset concert featuring an open mic, local artists, and a St. Louis headliner. Community members are welcome to campus to enjoy this concert, an Art Fair, and Speedway Eatery food truck!

UMSL forum: "Urban trees – a civic investment or a liability" 
Thursday, April 30, 2026
4:00 – 6:00 PM
UMSL RCEW
8225 Florissant Rd.

Join neighbors, students, faculty and staff members for a civic dialogue exploring the benefits and challenges of urban trees in our communities. This is the next session of the UMSL Forum for Community Dialogue series offered each semester. 

Arianna String Quartet (ASQ) Series 5 - World Premiere Gala 
Friday, May 8, 2026
7:30 PM
UMSL Touhill Performing Arts Center

Attend the World Premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank’s
newest work for string quartet, “Kanto Kechua No.4: For Bela”, commissioned and dedicated to the ASQ. Also enjoy Mendelssohn Quartet in F minor, Op. 80 and Tchaikovsky Quartet No. 1 in D Major, Op. 1. General admission is $10 - $30.

Ferguson Winter Indoor
Farmers Market 
Third Saturdays of the month, November–April
9:00 AM–Noon
St. Stephen's Episcopal
33 N. Clay Ave., 63135

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 on Community Connection's feedback form. Thank you!