Lindenwood Magazine - Spring 2023

12 13 SPRING 2023 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD THE LINDENWOOD SPRING 2023 EDITION Faculty UNDERSTORY The CAMPUS LIFE LETTER FROM A STUDENT CAMPUS LIFE FACULTY PROFILE Leading The Uproar For as long as I can remember, sports always have been a passion of mine. Whether it was playing, watching, or cheering from the stands, I never could get enough. At the start of this school year, I was presented with an opportunity to help build a culture at Lindenwood University as a student section leader for The Uproar. As a student section leader for The Uproar, I had a few key responsibilities at home games: Arrive early, stay late, wear black and gold, and most importantly, GET HYPED! The memories created during this inaugural NCAA Division I year have been second to none. The leadership, collaborative, and personal skills I have learned and strengthened during my time as a leader are tools I will utilize for the rest of my life. As a senior, I am sad I only had one year to lead The Uproar. Fortunately, my commitment to The Uproar will not end at graduation. I look forward to proudly representing Lindenwood as a lifelong fan and watching The Uproar blossom into one of the next great student sections in collegiate athletics. Spencer Goldberg is a senior from St. Louis, Mo., majoring in educational studies. Goldberg is a leader for The Uproar, Lindenwood’s student section, and a member of Phi Delta Theta. In 1999, David Arns joined the faculty at Lindenwood following a 30-year career in the fields of journalism, sales, public relations, and marketing communications. “While I had lots of great days in my business career, not one compares with any I’ve had in my 25 years at Lindenwood. I really can’t think of another place I’d rather be or anything else I’d rather be doing,” Arns said. Today, Arns is an associate professor of marketing and serves as the NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative. How do you engage with Lindenwood Athletics and support an excellent student experience? Among the roles of the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR) is helping to ensure a quality student-athlete experience and student-athlete well-being. I serve as an advocate for student- athletes and help promote their success in the classroom and on the playing field. The term “student-athlete” is generally hyphenated. I’m the hyphen! The faculty’s voice and influence regarding intercollegiate athletics are channeled primarily through the FAR. Part of that role involves working with our administration and faculty to help ensure the academic integrity of the athletics program and our student-athletes. I was involved in Lindenwood’s transition from NAIA to NCAA Division II in 2010, and again now as we have become D-I. And in all that time, and with all that change, the Lindenwood community always has stepped up to support its student- athletes, appreciating and understanding how vitally important they are to Lindenwood’s mission and success. What makes Lindenwood University, as a whole, excellent? We are an entrepreneurial lot. I had a dean once who said if we brought in a problem, we also should bring in two or three solutions. When we have challenges, we (each and every one of us) seem to know we can and should offer solutions. What makes Lindenwood University Athletics excellent? I was at one of our baseball games recently and a man walked up to me that I knew, but I couldn’t place his name. He reintroduced himself, and I remembered him as a former student of mine and a member of our basketball team—more than 15 years ago. He told me he was married, had three beautiful kids, a lovely home, and a very satisfying job. I asked if he was happy and if he felt he was a contributing member of his community. He answered yes to both. I asked him if Lindenwood had anything to do with that. Again, affirmative. He helped me realize Lindenwood Athletics doesn’t just build championships; it also builds champions! And I’m very proud to be part of that. DAVID ARNS While I had lots of great days in my business career, not one compares with any I’ve had in my 25 years at Lindenwood. I really can’t think of another place I’d rather be or anything else I’d rather be doing