Provost Weitzel to Preside at Cottey … Page 10 First Basketball Team ConnectionA Publication of Lindenwood University for the Alumni Recognized … Page 24 Spring 2015 Michael Shonrock Announced as 22nd President … Page 3 Business School Named after Robert W. Plaster … Page 4 82431 Magazine.indd 1 5/4/15 12:48 PM President’s Message CONNECTION® EDITOR Scott Queen (’99, ’07) Turning Points and Transitions ASSISTANT EDITOR Elizabeth Wikoff (’00, ’01) Lindenwood’s Office of Institutional Advancement has COPY EDITORS/ made remarkable strides recently. Not only has the number of CONTRIBUTING WRITERS donors increased appreciably across the past few years, but so has the percent of our alumni who make annual gifts to the Christopher Duggan (’00, ’12) University. Thank you! We so appreciate your support of the Rachel Johnson (’04, ’10) various new scholarships and programs we have developed Daniel Newton (’09) for our students. Julie Beard (’14) Several campus buildings have been named in the context of large donations from our Mike Morgan (’06, ’10) friends and supporters. For some time, the Institutional Advancement office and I have Russell Korando also been pursuing significant gifts that reflect and support the great scope and quality of OFFICE OF INSTITUTIONAL Lindenwood’s academic programs and schools. The John W. Hammond Institute for Free ADVANCEMENT Enterprise was the first such naming initiative, and the Institute already is attracting the attention of universities, corporations, and business leaders in the Midwest region, while Susan Mangels providing unique higher-learning opportunities for our students. That development was a Vice President for Institutional Advancement turning point for the University. In this issue of the Connection you will learn about another turning point in the Donna Baber University’s advancement programs. I am pleased to announce that, for the first time in its Director of Planned Giving long history, Lindenwood has named one of its academic schools. Our business division is now the Robert W. Plaster School of Business & Entrepreneurship, which is headquartered Jane Baum (’82) Athletics Development Director in the beloved Harmon Hall. We are very grateful for the friendship and generosity of The Robert W. Plaster Foundation, and we look forward to working with the Foundation in Kate O’Neal (’07, ’08) future programming. We are extremely pleased about this initiative. Director of Advancement Services This Connection also introduces Lindenwood’s next President, Dr. Michael Shonrock, Mary Reuter (’92, ’06) who will start his presidency here on June 1 after having served as President of Emporia Assistant Vice President and State University. I have known Dr. Shonrock for about three years through our joint Executive Director of Community service on the CEO Council of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Our Relations-Belleville Board of Directors made a splendid choice when it picked Michael from a considerable slate of well-qualified candidates. He is an experienced higher education professional with Kassandra Schnell Special Projects Coordinator both teaching and administrative credentials. He loves students and, I believe, already understands and genuinely appreciates Lindenwood’s special history and campus culture. Vicki Schrader He is smart and personable and will advance our University to even greater achievements. Grants Manager I could not be happier for Lindenwood, and I trust you will support his work here in all possible ways. Jessica Gatewood In the 21st century, Lindenwood has become one of the larger private universities in Director of Corporate Relations the United States, with professors, programs, and facilities that command attention and Julie Sydow (’12) respect nationally and internationally. Through all eras and transitions, it remains your Alumni Relations and Special Events Lindenwood: It is still about the students – past, present, and future. I am very proud of Coordinator-Belleville our University and hope you are too. Elizabeth Wikoff (’00, ’01) With best personal wishes, Director of Alumni Relations Connection® is published by the offices of Public Relations and Institutional Advancement at Lindenwood University. Connection is mailed free of charge to Lindenwood alumni. Story ideas are welcome and should be forwarded to: James D. Evans, PhD President Director of Alumni Relations Lindenwood University 209 South Kingshighway St. Charles, MO 63301 or via email at [email protected]. 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. On The Cover Dr. Michael Shonrock will take over as President of Lindenwood University on June 1 following the retirement of Dr. James D. Evans. 2 82431 Magazine.indd 2 5/4/15 12:48 PM Dr. Michael Shonrock, who will assume the presidency of Lindenwood University on June 1, with his wife, Karen, during a recent trip to the campus in St. Charles Shonrock Selected 22nd Lindenwood President New President Had Been Charmed by Campus By SCOTT QUEEN “We felt a calling to go to Emporia, and June 1, but he is even more enthusiastic now feel called to serve Lindenwood,” about walking the 500-acre main campus, It was a typical Lindenwood University Shonrock said. “We feel like it is a good the Belleville campus, the Daniel Boone Homecoming on October 19, 2013. There fit because the focus is on learning and Home, and regional locations and meeting was a slight breeze. The sun was out. teaching.” students, faculty, staff, alumni, community The temperature was in the mid-50s. The Board Chairman Jim J. Shoemake leaders, and board members. He said campus was buzzing with activity, and made the announcement to the campus he and his wife are excited to make the alumni were enjoying a visit to their alma community immediately following Lindenwood campus their home. mater. Shonrock’s hiring. He said the board and its “The board members with whom Michael Shonrock was in the crowd at search committee, along with the executive Karen and I met have a passion for and a Hunter Stadium that day, too. The president search firm Witt/Kieffer, invested countless dedication to the University,” Shonrock of Emporia State University was there hours in a national search. Shoemake said said. “Lindenwood is an institution with to watch his football team play against the board was impressed by Shonrock’s solid academics, a rich history, and a bright Lindenwood. He was moved by the beauty diverse set of leadership abilities. future.” and spirit of the campus. He even called his “Dr. Shonrock’s credentials match up For three and a half years, Shonrock wife, Karen, to tell her about Lindenwood. very well with Lindenwood’s needs,” served as president and professor at “I was in awe of the campus,” Shonrock Shoemake said. “He is a friendly, engaging, Emporia State. Prior to that, he spent said. “I called Karen and told her ‘You’ve students-first leader who will be able to over 20 years at Texas Tech University in got to see this place.’ I was taken by the handle everything from fundraising to Lubbock, Texas, where we was senior vice energy, the large band, the spirit squads, finance. He is a data-informed futurist and president and an associate professor. He and the stadium.” is committed to connecting with our alumni also held positions as vice president, dean, Shonrock had no idea that in 18 months, and other University constituencies.” and assistant professor. he would return to St. Charles for another Lindenwood’s new president has a track He has a PhD from the University of visit. Only this time, his wife was with him. record of success at Emporia State—capital Kansas, an EdS from Pittsburg State It was April 9 when the Lindenwood Board campaigns, campus master plans, and University, and an MS and a BS from of Directors selected him as president to strategic planning. He is also well known Western Illinois University. replace the retiring Jim Evans. for connecting with students day-in and Shonrock said he was looking forward Shonrock, 57, starts his new position on day-out. Within hours of the news of his to his first days on the job and was June 1. hiring, Shonrock was busy on social media particularly interested in connecting with He said he admired the fact that interacting with Lindenwood students, the campus, community, and alumni and is Lindenwood was a mission-driven alumni, and employees who had welcomed already planning to form a 2027 Committee institution that focused on character and and congratulated him. to begin planning for Lindenwood’s 200th values, which he said sometimes goes He is looking forward to launching his anniversary. missing at colleges and universities. new @LindenwoodPres twitter account on 3 82431 Magazine.indd 3 5/4/15 12:48 PM The Robert W. Plaster Foundation Naming School of Business Robert W. Plaster passed away in 2008, but his legacy continues to expand across “We are so proud to have Missouri and now will touch the lives Dad’s name on Lindenwood’s of thousands of Lindenwood University students. School of Business & Lindenwood received a significant Entrepreneurship and seven-figure gift from the Robert W. Plaster Foundation to name the School of associated with its Hammond Business & Entrepreneurship and to serve Institute for Free Enterprise.” as a lead gift in the construction of a $21 million Library and Academic Resources Center, approved last May by the Board of -Dolly Plaster Clement Directors. Executive Director Dr. Dolly Clement, Plaster’s daughter Robert W. Plaster Foundation and the executive director of the Robert W. Plaster Foundation, said the partnership use in the 2016-2017 academic year. with Lindenwood was a good connection The new building will contain the new because of her father’s “strong free university library, 15 classrooms, a Center enterprise focus.” for Teaching Excellence, as well as a “Dad set up the foundation to promote host of student services, such as Career free enterprise and to help students realize Development, First-Year Student Programs, their dreams,” said Clement.