Lindenwood - Winter 2017 - Connecting to Alumni and Friends

ON THE ROAD WITH ALUMNI Kansas City, Mo. Lindenwood Alumni and Athletics teamed up for a road trip to Kansas City, Mo., on July 26. A group of alumni, parents, and friends gathered at Gordon Biersch Restaurant to meet Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Brad Wachler and Lions Head Football Coach Jed Stugart and get a preview of the 2017-18 year in sports. Chicago, Ill. Alumni and Development made the first step in starting a Chicago alumni chapter in September when Michelle Giessman and Nathan Payne met with a small group of alumni at the Bally Doyle Irish Pub and Restaurant in Downers Grove, Ill. Jim Pearson, Anrita Brown, Jacqueline Mackowiak, Tyler Jokerst (’12), and Jim Pearson (’89) were updated on all things Lindenwood, and plans were put into motion to proceed with the formation of a Chicago chapter. Chicago alumni, we will definitely be back in 2018! St. Charles, Mo. Football alumni came to town to celebrate Athletic Hall of Fame weekend on Sept. 29 and 30. On Friday, families enjoyed touring the campus and especially the football facilities. Saturday was all about football as many returned to Hunter Stadium and One Roar Plaza to watch the matchup between their Lions and Fort Hays State. They later reconnected at Lewis and Clark’s Restaurant on Main Street, where the stories, laughs, and tall tales were in abundance. Plans are set for annual get-togethers with a special 2009 team reunion set for 2019. ’80s Alumni Reunion Brings Back Memories The ’80s alumni returned on Saturday, Oct. 28, for a full day of activities. One Roar Plaza and Lions football was the first stop as a brave group bundled up against the first really cold spell of fall weather to cheer the Lions to victory over the University of Nebraska at Kearney Lopers 35-31. Following the football game was a reception in the gathering space of the new Library and Academic Resources Center, from which some chose to brave the weather once again and tour the campus. Others poured over 1980s yearbooks and copies of the LindenWorld and Lindwood Ledger newspapers, searching for familiar names or activities they recalled. An ’80s picture montage, created by Lindenwood Archivist Paul Huffman, showed on the video wall. As the tour group returned, everyone gathered for more reminiscing and group pictures, and then they were off to their last stop, alumni favorite Pio’s Restaurant and Cocktail Bar for the remainder of the evening. It was great spending time with our ’80s alumni, and we are all hopeful that this is the first of many reunions to come. Next up is a late spring 2018 barbecue. Lindenwood University ALUMNI EVENTS 16 Head Football Coach Jed Stugart (right) addresses a group of Kansas City alumni. (from left) Wade Hampton (’03, ’08), Shane Smitherton, Mark Smith (’99, ’07), Bryon Ramos (’02), Joe McKinney (’01, ’02), Mario Patton (’97), Logen Wright (’11), Cecil Severado (’99, ‘03, ’08), Gordy Pongratz (’00), and Terrance “Gator” Adams. (from left) Robyn McCune, Marti Tilden Washburn, Brenda Eisenbeis Reinsfelder, Jennifer Fear, and Eric Reinsfelder. (from left) Earl Austin (’86), Judy Avellino, Judy Austin, Vic Avellino (’85), David Tilden (’87), Marti Tilden Washburn (’86), Jennifer Fear (’87), Lee Kling (’86), Eric Reinsfelder (’87), Brenda Eisenbeis Reinsfelder (’88), John Costello (’85), and Robin McCune (’88).