The Touhill Performing Arts Center 🎭 This remarkable building is named after the former UMSL Chancellor Blanche M. Touhill. She served as chancellor from 1990-2002 and was instrumental in obtaining funding and support for the Center. Dr. Touhill was a true inspiration for young women in teaching as she became the first woman to chair the University Senate, the first woman to go through the tenure process at UMSL, the first woman to serve in a campus-wide administrative position, and the first woman to become an academic administrator. All these accomplishments mean she successfully achieved her goal of helping the academic careers of all women in higher education by paving the way here at UMSL. #UMSLProud