John Roach, Skinker-DeBaliviere resident, former 28th Ward Alderman, and current Community Development Director for the City of St. Louis, has been appointed a Fellow of Washington University’s Center for the Study of Public Affairs. Robert H. Salisbury, Director of the Center, with whom
Roach will work, said that the parttime appointment “will add significantly to the University’s resources for teaching and research on urban problems.” Roach will be available to meet with students and faculty on an individual basis and as a guest lecturer in a wide variety of courses dealing with urban problems. A graduate of Washington University’s College of Arts and Sciences and Law School, Roach will be particularly active in connection with the Urban Affairs Program for both graduate and undergraduate students.
Another major contribution by Roach will be advising students about career opportunities and ways of gaining experience in public service. “More and more students are seeking ‘experience to complement their classroom work and to prepare themselves more fully for such careers.” Salisbury said. “Roach’s broad acquaintance with local government in the St. Louis area will be of great help in supplementing the judgment of the faculty; he will also assist in the supervision necessary to secure full benefit from the experience.”
“It is not unusual, in St. Louis or elsewhere, for public officials to be invited to serve as adjunct members of the university community,” Salisbury noted. “The universities, especially in the social sciences, need to have frequent and close contact with people working actively in society, if they are to teach effectively and realistically. Moreoever, one of the major purposes of the Center is to foster communication between the academic community and persons in public life. I believe that this two-way communication can be helpful to officials as well as those of us in academia. We are delighted that John Roach is willing to work with us to build Washington University’s programs of teaching and research concerning the urban world.”
Other Fellows of the Center for the Study of Public Affairs have included Carol Tucker Foreman, Executive Director of the Consumer Federation of America, and Sue Shear, Betty Van Uum and Mary Stolar, members of the Missouri House of Representatives, the St. Louis County Council, and the St. Louis City Board of Alderman, respectively.
Originally published in The Paper, April 1976.
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Original source: SD_Times1976_04.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
