Lindenwood Magazine - Spring 2021

26 27 SPRING 2021 EDITION SPRING 2021 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD THE LINDENWOOD THE DANIELS FAMILY For Kurt and Callie Daniels and their son Grady, the path that brought them to Lindenwood is one that many families take— the recruitment process for college athletics. Grady, an alum of Timberland High School in Wentzville, Mo., was a standout football student-athlete and finished as a second team all- state performer in 2016. Unfortunately, in his senior year of high school, Grady suffered an injury which was a setback in the recruitment process. Newly hired head football coach Jed Stugart and Lindenwood University were ready to take a chance. Until that point, the Daniels family hadn’t heard much from Lindenwood and had only been to the campus for a few visits. From the first moment Stugart was hired, Lindenwood came knocking on the door of their home, and the Daniels soon became Lions. Callie and Kurt found many reasons why Lindenwood stood out as the right place for their son. Lindenwood is a top- notch football program in Division II, bolstered by a solid academic reputation that would surely set up Grady for success. But what appealed most to the Daniels family was the environment. The Daniels saw a place where people didn’t just talk about values but meant what they said and put them into practice. By comparison, the Daniels believed in the values of Stugart and his direction and leadership of the football program. The Daniels family has seen the many ways Lindenwood empowers young people to be successful and how the school, and the program, care about the development of the whole person, both academically and spiritually. An environment that allows people to express their values in a way that is encouraged and supported is why they feel so connected to Stugart, the Lindenwood football program, and the University to this day. Grady, now a senior on the football team and a standout performer, has had a great career at Lindenwood. As always, Kurt and Callie have been there the entire way. Local to St. Charles County, the Daniels have had the opportunity to see the growth of Lindenwood and the football program firsthand. In turn, they have supported the program and Stugart’s vision in many ways. Over the years, the Daniels have helped Lindenwood create a nutrition center for student-athletes; they have donated time and service to improve the locker room and provided support for the program’s travel needs. Additionally, Callie’s love of photography has been a great addition to the Athletics Department, and the players make sure to give her outstanding moments on the field to capture. As the Daniels reflect on their journey with Lindenwood and the football program, they reflect on their Christian values, which inspire them to support however they can. That connection of fundamental Christian values around Lindenwood, the football program, and its head football coach Jed Stugart, is why they are committed to supporting Lindenwood’s growth and giving future students, just like Grady, a chance to be a Lion. THE GIVING COMMUNITY THE GIVING COMMUNITY Grady Daniels’ success as a safety earned first-team all GLVC honors. Putting values into practice attracted the Daniels to Lindenwood. FUN FACTS Did you know that Lindenwood was one of the first places in the State of Missouri to own a telephone? According to the 1883 college catalog, Lindenwood had its own telephone connection to St. Louis. This was just 7 years after Alexander Graham Bell patented his invention in the United States. ?