The Journal

Issue date: 4/27/06 Section: LifeStyle

PHOTO COURTESY CLAUDIA BURRIS

From a 1915 inception to a 1924 sanction Webster transformed form a small coeducational college to an international university, hosting students worldwide.

As part of the Webster Groves community, the university has had to maintain communication with the local residents through its decades of growth.

"We recognize we live in a community," said Vice President and Assistant to the President Karen Luebbert. "We have neighbors and need to acknowledge each other."

The university's 47-acre campus is nestled into a residential suburb.

"The average resident doesn't pay much attention to Webster because it doesn't have a sprawling campus," said President of the Webster Groves Historical Society, Mimi Shipp. "Webster is more thought of as an urban/suburban mix, not an international university."

Through the quarterly "Webster to Webster" newsletter the university shares its projects, news and calendar of events with the residents of Webster Groves.

"Many people in Webster (Groves) value the University," Luebbert said. "We bring a lot of culture through art shows, lecture series, the film series and dance performances. We bring faculty and staff to be citizens of the community. People have said they've moved here because of the university."

The influence of the arts

From the early establishment of the Master of Arts program Webster has valued offering a diverse curriculum.

"The arts play to a larger audience beyond Webster Groves," Shipp said. "The economic impact is not cognitively thought of."

The relationship between the university and the community has not always been cordial. Controversy over expansion has been a repeated issue.

Room for growth

In an April 20, 2004 public hearing seven Webster Groves residents openly opposed the proposed Opera Theatre of Saint Louis building. The 1.31 acres on the east side of Hazel avenue were projected as the spot for a three-story office headquarters and practice facility. The concerns of the neighbors included losing their property to the university when construction for began for the Opera Theatre building and the new dormitories.

"We wanted to build a 500-bed dormitory on Big Bend near the Visual Art studio," Luebbert said. "The neighbors objected so we met, listened and responded in developing our plans. We moved the location to where the new dorms are being built (by the WVA apartments.)"

How does Webster compare?

Webster was once considered parallel to Fontbonne University, Lindenwood University and Maryville University, but never compared to St. Louis Community College at Meramec, Luebbert said.

"Because we are an institution with global reach we are now parallel to Washington University, Saint Louis University and University of Missouri-St. Louis," Luebbert said.

Webster recruiters visit Meramec each semester to
encourage students to transfer, after they've received their associate's degree.

As a two-year college, Meramec Community College serves as a stepping-stone for students who want to finish a four-year degree, said Meramec College Media Relations Director, Pat Matreci.

"We have art and communications students transfer (to Webster) all the time," Matreci said.

Webster is not one of the institutions on Meramec's general education block. Schools on the list will automatically transfer a student's credits.

"The availability of programs offered at Webster and the cost remain an issue for some students," Matreci said.

With a modest home campus, worldwide programs and an international population Webster doesn't compare easily to its neighboring schools.

"Webster stands alone," Shipp said.

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