Lindenwood Magazine - Spring 2018: Connecting to Alumni and Friends

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE REAL EXPERIENCE. REAL SUCCESS. This is an exciting time at Lindenwood University. On Jan. 1, the university implemented a new strategic plan that was a year and a half in the making and involved the university’s entire senior leadership structure along with alumni, faculty, staff, and students. The result is a new vision to support our entrepreneurial spirit. The process resulted in a new mission statement: “Real experience. Real success. Enhancing lives through quality education and professional preparatory experiences,” as well as a statement of values, including integrity, dedication, excellence, creativity, and community, each of which is elaborated upon on the mission page of our website, www.lindenwood.edu . This new mission strikes at the heart of Lindenwood’s overriding goal—to send our students out into the workforce and/or advanced studies not just able to get jobs but to get their chosen jobs, not merely able to contribute as well prepared workers but also as thoroughly educated citizens. Additionally, the plan is divided into five key themes: Differentiate Academic Programs, Build Innovative Programs, Optimize Resources, Deliver High-Quality Experiences, and Redesign Branding and Marketing. Through these foci, we will build our reputation in high-demand areas, develop programs to allow students to obtain a bachelor’s-plus-master’s in less time while increasing internship and experiential learning opportunities, optimize and develop our workforce and facilities, create an unparalleled student experience from admissions through graduation, and develop a new branding and marketing strategy to better tell the story of Lindenwood. We’ve launched a new section on our website devoted to the new strategic plan. There, you can read more about it and watch a series of videos on the components of the plan. Check it out at www.lindenwood.edu/ about/leadership/strategic-plan. We hope you enjoy this edition of Lindenwood . As always, it is filled with interesting and inspiring stories about your alma mater and your fellow alumni. Here’s wishing you a very pleasant spring, and as always, be sure to keep in touch. Sincerely, MICHAEL D. SHONROCK, Ph.D. System President, Lindenwood University EDITOR .............................. Christopher Duggan (’00, ’12) COPY EDITORS, WRITERS, AND PHOTOGRAPHERS .............................. Jennifer Ferguson Rachel Johnson (’04, ’10) Bailey E. Kinney Charlie Mager Chuck McPherson Lennon Mueller Daniel Newton (’09) Scott Wuerz (’07) Phil Vida Brian Vorce Don Adams Jr. OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT .............................. Dan Grigg Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations Kate O’Neal (’07, ’08) Assistant Vice President for Development & Alumni Relations Michelle Giessman ( ’16) Director of Alumni Relations Jennifer Ferguson Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events, Belleville Nathan Payne Director of Development Mark Bohr Director of Development Kassandra Linzmeier Associate Development Officer Bryan Stone (’16) Associate Development Officer April Kernan (’16) Administrative Assistant for Development John Creer Consultant LINDENWOOD is published by the offices of Marketing and Communications and Development at Lindenwood University. Lindenwood is mailed free of charge to Lindenwood alumni. Story ideas are welcome and should be forwarded to Director of Alumni Relations, Lindenwood University, 209 South Kingshighway, St. Charles, MO 63301 or via email at alumni@lindenwood.edu . CHANGE OF ADDRESS notifications should be sent to the Office of Alumni Relations at the address above. The Alumni Office telephone number is 636.949.4975. LINDENWOOD Real Experience. Real Success. Enhancing lives through quality education and professional preparatory experiences. ON THE COVER ................................. Peter Cohen (’98) is the owner of St. Louis-based Stringbean Coffee Approved by Board of Trustees Nov. 10, 2017