The Lindenwood - Fall 2020

24 25 FALL 2020 EDITION FALL 2020 EDITION THE LINDENWOOD THE LINDENWOOD ALUMNI PROFILE ALUMNI AWARD Strong. Inspiring. Supportive. Humble. These characteristics come to mind when thinking about Lindenwood alumna, Dr. Shane Williamson ‘14. Born and raised in Harrisburg, Pa., she was a first-generation college student who started her higher education at Shippensburg University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In 2007, she received her doctorate in social and philosophical foundations in education from Rutgers University, and she completed an MBA from Lindenwood in 2014. Her journey with Lindenwood began seven years before becoming a proud alumna, when she joined the University in 2007 as the dean of first-year programs. She had an immediate impact on the student experience and by 2008, she had partnered with Dr. Pernell Witherspoon and Cathy Hart to establish the Black Student Union, an organization she would advise for over a decade. By 2016, Williamson became dean of students and was instrumental in making Lindenwood a more diverse and inclusive campus. She worked with two-time alumna, Naa’na Wilson, and established Black Student Excellence & Enrichment program (BSEE) program, a place where Black students and other students of color would have the resources necessary for success along their educational pathway. However, many students at the institution faced additional challenges, and Williamson was intentional in her support. Together with Rev. Dr. Nichole Torbitzky, university minister, Williamson established the Little Free Pantry on campus in 2019. The pantry provides food assistance and basic toiletries at no cost and is available to any Lindenwood student. Taking care of the basic needs of her students allowed Williamson to work on supporting higher needs. Under Williamson’s leadership, Lindenwood opened the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in January 2020 to foster a culture of belonging, and serve as a resource for students, staff, and faculty through advocacy, outreach, and education. She established the first affinity organization for alumni, the Black Alumni Council comprised of talented entrepreneurs and professionals. She is as humble as she is accomplished. Her service to the community is evident in the partnership with Salvation Army, where her initiatives have raised thousands of dollars and countless donations. After many meaningful years at Lindenwood, Dr. Shane Williamson accepted an opportunity to be the first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Webster Groves School District. While much of her time at the University was committed to creating an equitable and inclusive campus, the work is far from over. She states that you don’t have to have diversity, equity, or inclusion in your job title to take responsibility, and that no act is too small to make a positive impact. “Our alumni have obligations to give back to the Lindenwood community, stay involved in whichever way you would like, whether for your talents, mentorship, or financially if you are able,” Williamson shares. Commitment and dedication are core to her personal life, as well. She continues to serve her community as an adult leader and merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts and is an enthusiastic Zumba instructor. Shane is a devoted mother to a wonderful son, a woman who lives through her faith. Strong. Inspiring. Supportive. Humble. ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD HOLLIS C. HEYN The Alumni Service Award recognizes Lindenwood University alumni who have demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to Lindenwood University – whether it be through volunteerism, philanthropy, recruiting, or any other means. Recipients have given significant time, talent, and effort to support the mission of Lindenwood University. We are honored to present Hollis Carolyn Heyn with the 2020 Alumni Service Award. Hollis is a 1975 alumna who obtained her bachelor’s in English from Lindenwood College for Women and a master’s in English Language and Literature from Southern Illinois University. Her focus for the last ten years has been American literature with a special emphasis in the 20th c. Southern writer William Faulkner’s novels. Hollis considers herself a Texan even after spending her entire adult life in Missouri but spends her vacation time with friends and family in her hometown of Dallas. Her favorite Lindenwood memory is sitting on the Sibley Hall porch with her friends. Hollis currently teaches in the School of Humanities and has been a full-time faculty member at Lindenwood since 1996. ALUMNI MERIT AWARD JON “JT” TAYLOR We are honored to present Jon “JT” Taylor with the Hollis Carolyn Heyn with the 2020 Alumni Merit Award. The Alumni Merit Award recognizes alumni who have enhanced the prestige of Lindenwood University by virtue of their character, integrity, career, and personal accomplishments. Traditionally, the award has not been given in recognition of a single remarkable achievement but has been reserved for those alumni who have attained and maintained extremely high stations in their chosen fields of endeavor and in their service to society. JT is a 1996 alumnus who obtained his bachelor’s in criminal justice from Lindenwood. He began his career at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in 1997. After graduating from the police academy and the fire academy, JT was assigned to police services. He’s had career assignments in patrol, SWAT, criminal investigations, K9, bomb squad, police training, and strategic planning. He was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police in 2014 and to Chief of Police in 2020. He has been married to his wife, Elissa, for 21 years who is also a Lindenwood alumna, and JT’s college sweetheart. JT and Elissa have three children, Ella, Edie, and Hank. JT’s favorite Lindenwood memories include playing football, meeting life- long friends, the Lindenwood “trailer park” where the football players and wrestlers lived, and his mentor, Rick Steinmann. YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD KAYLA PIERS STEWART The Young Alumni Award recognizes the accomplishments of Lindenwood University alumni who graduated in the last 10 years. Recipients are up-and-coming talents and have demonstrated outstanding promise for contributions to Lindenwood and the greater community. Recipients have been active with events within the Alumni Association, networking opportunities, fundraising, and student recruitment. Kayla Piers Stewart was awarded the 2020 Young Alumni Award. She graduated from Lindenwood in 2014 with a religion degree, and currently resides in Chicago. She is the vice president of sales at an S&P 500 tech company. Kayla and her husband, Chase, have two Rhodesian ridgebacks and are expecting a son early next year. Chase is also a Lindenwood alumnus and the couple have remained active alumni, through both service and generosity. Kayla and her husband dedicated the Piers Stewart Lounge in McCluer Hall and started an endowment scholarship. Kayla also currently serves on the School of Humanities Advisory Board. Her favorite Lindenwood memory is speaking at graduation. THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY THE ALUMNI COMMUNITY Williamson established the Black Alumni Council at Lindenwood FUN FACTS Did you know that, during WWI, President Roemer took a train-car load of coal and gave it to the public during a shortage caused by rationing? During February 1918, in a good will gesture to the community, Roemer released 104 tons of coal, destined for Lindenwood, to 200 area families in need. ?