Lindenwood - Winter 2017 - Connecting to Alumni and Friends

BELLEVILLE ALUMNI WORK TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT by JENNIFER FERGUSON A group of Belleville alumni have recently gotten together with the goal of giving alumni an opportunity to stay engaged and involved with their alma mater. Alumna Cyndi Flynn (’17) of Belleville said she became involved with this group as a way to give back to her community. “Being involved with the Lindenwood University-Belleville alumni group is a way for me to give back to my community, and it also gives me a way to contribute to the group in order to help it grow and be more active,” said Flynn. “I also feel that as a student who graduated from the Accelerated Degree Program, this is a way for me to help engage those ADP students who otherwise might not feel totally connected to campus because they were only on campus one night a week.” Although in its infancy, the group is busy networking with area charities and organizations in order to learn about opportunities to become involved throughout the Metro East. According to Flynn, the group has a priority of contributing assistance to those who need the most help. “I’ve spoken with some social service agencies who assist adults with basic needs–personal hygiene products, gas cards, food assistance,” explained Flynn. “One organization told me that people qualify for assistance if they make less than $245 a month! Oftentimes, these are adults without children who otherwise may slip through the cracks. Could you imagine living off $245 a month?” Flynn said that the group intends to create baskets with essential items in order to donate to area organizations who serve populations like this. Alumna Renee LaBruyere of Millstadt, Ill., said the alumni involved decided to establish this group in order to engage other individuals associated with the university beyond the alumni base. “Our hope is that this group will garner support from current students, employees, and even a family member or friends of an alumnus so that a variety of individuals can participate in our events or projects,” said LaBruyere. “We did that so we can create a strong foundation for this group, and we invite those who want to be to be involved to get involved.” Beyond community service initiatives, the group also assists with planning and hosting Belleville alumni events, such as the Fall Social at Ballpark Village in November and a spring professional development event, currently being planned. To learn more about the Lindenwood University-Belleville alumni group, contact Director of Alumni Relations and Special Events Jennifer Ferguson at 618.239.6033 or jferguson@lindenwood.edu . Lindenwood University-Belleville ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT 6 Being involved with the Lindenwood University-Belleville alumni group is a way for me to give back to my community, Cyndi Flynn “ (from left) Mickey Meddows with the City of Belleville’s General and Community Assistance Office, Renee LaBruyere (’14), Cyndi Flynn (’17), Yolanda Spinks (’12 and ’14), and Christine Green with the City of Belleville’s General and Community Assistance Office.