Lindenwood Magazine - Fall 2023

26 27 FALL 2023 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD THE LINDENWOOD FALL 2023 EDITION Community 1990s 1960s 1980s 1970s THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY NEWS AND NOTES 1960s Nahid Rachlin’s ’61 spouse unfortunately passed away three years ago. Since then, she has been writing a memoir and many books. A few are, “Persian Girls,” “Crowd of Sorrows,” “Rachlin Mirage,” “Married to a Stranger,” and “Foreigner.” 1970s Carla Coleman ’73 and her husband, Tom Coleman, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married on campus by the University chaplain June 1, 1973, at a small ceremony held in one of Lindenwood’s small sitting rooms above KCLC’s old studios. They have lived in South Florida for the past 49 and a half years. John Dooley ’74 , the William and Marilyn Ingersoll Professor Emeritus of Computer Science at Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois, has published his seventh book, “The Gambler and The Scholars: Herbert Yardley, William & Elizebeth Friedman, and the Birth of Modern American Cryptology.” 1980s Louis Launer ’86 has been serving as a member of the City of St. Peters Parks, Recreation, and Arts Advisory Committee for the past three years. He also continues serving as chairman for the city’s Historical Focus Group in bringing awareness to local history in St. Peters. He also continues as an ongoing contributor to the “St. Charles Heritage,” the quarterly publication of the St. Charles County Historical Society. 1990s Rajesh Sikka ’92 produced multiple articles about Lionel Messi. He created Tableau VIZ also. Mandy Causey Gamache ’93 , ’07 retired in June 2022 after 28 years of teaching high school art. Her family’s tradition of teaching is continuing as her daughter prepares to student teach. Captain Kendall Bridgewater ’96 is officially retiring from the U.S. Navy after more than 30 total years of dedicated military service. His final tour was as the commander of Military Sealift Command Pacific and commander, Task Group 33, a position he has held since October 9, 2020. He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School after graduating from Lindenwood College in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management. Capt. Bridgewater’s shore duty assignments have been as lead instructor for DDG Engineering at Surface Warfare Officer’s School, the Naval War College earning a master’s degree in National Security Policy and Strategic Studies, and as a volunteer for a Global War on Terror Support Assignment completing an 11-month tour in Baghdad, Iraq, with Multi-National Forces-Iraq, Combined-Joint Operations Division, as a liaison officer to the Iraqi Prime Minister’s National Operations Center. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Army Achievement Medals, and various campaign, service, and unit awards. Martha Latham ’97 authored “Kid Vicious” and “TWINkled: The Loose Tooth,” based off true stories about Martha’s life. The books are available from Amazon, as well as Main Street Books in St. Charles, Missouri. She earned a bachelor’s in marketing from Lindenwood and continues to reside in St. Charles. 2000s THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY 2000s Luca Squinzani ’03 got his degree in architecture and physical education and sports science. After he finished his soccer career, he continued to coach goalkeeping. He worked with many gifted players. In 2019, he came back and worked in youth academy. 2010s Tina Smith Cowan ’10 completed her master’s degree from American College of Education, earning a master’s in elementary education with a focus on content. She finished with a 4.0 grade- point average. On March 31, 2023, she received Teacher of the Year at her school, Dos Rios Elementary, in Tolleson, Arizona. Jason Holmes ’11 published “And Then There Was Golf: The Lost Legend.” It debuted in paperback on Amazon as the No. 1 new release in Young Adult Teen Medieval Historical Fiction. The story features six lasses and six lads who decide to invent a new game to be played on the St. Andrews Scotland Links that is fun, challenging, and fair to everyone regardless of size or strength. Available for order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent book sellers. Donna (Michelle) Benedict ’14 is a dedicated teacher at Russell Elementary. She has been awarded with “TeacherProud Tuesdays.” Hazelwood School District said, “Ms. Benedict is well-deserving of this recognition, and her students are reaping the benefits from being members of her learning community.” Michael Call ’13 has been recognized as a Certified Athletic Administrator from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). The voluntary certification process included a thorough evaluation of the candidate’s educational background, experience, NIAAA Leadership Courses, and professional contributions. It culminates with a practical written examination or oral presentation project. Call received his undergraduate degree from Missouri State University and graduate degree from Lindenwood University. Katie Perano Doherty ’13 received the John C. Shepherd Professionalism Award, as well as the Young Lawyers Division Award of Merit from the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis. Linda Briggs-Harty ’14 is the proud parent of Dr. Patrick Harty, a two-time Lindenwood graduate who is now an assistant professor in exercise science at the University. In addition, her son Joseph Kim Harty graduated from Lindenwood in May with a bachelor’s degree in business. Dr. Katie Kensinger ’16, ’21 is the director of college and career readiness for Springfield Public Schools. She oversees the district’s continued growth of career and technical education for grades 6-12, including the development of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) curriculum and oversight of dual and other college credits. Prior to joining SPS as the coordinator of site interventions in 2018, Dr. Kensinger taught family and consumer science in Branson, Strafford, Blue Eye, and Trenton. She earned her specialist and doctorate degrees in educational administration from Lindenwood.