The Young Alumni Award recognizes the accomplishments of Lindenwood University alumni who graduated in the last 10 years. Recipients are up-and-coming talents and have demonstrated outstanding promise for contributions to Lindenwood and the greater community. Recipients have been active with events within the Alumni Association, networking opportunities, fundraising, and student recruitment. 

Kayla Piers Stewart was awarded the 2020 Young Alumni Award. She graduated from Lindenwood in 2014 with a religion degree, and currently resides in Chicago. She is the vice president of sales at an S&P 500 tech company. Kayla and her husband, Chase, have two Rhodesian ridgebacks and are expecting a son early next year. Chase is also a Lindenwood alumnus and the couple have remained active alumni, through both service and generosity. Kayla and her husband dedicated the Piers Stewart Lounge in McCluer Hall and started an endowment scholarship. Kayla also currently serves on the School of Humanities Advisory Board. Her favorite Lindenwood memory is speaking at graduation.