性视界 alumni are excited to return to campus for Homecoming, Reunion, and Family Weekend, Oct. 3-6, but for members of the class of 1979, the excitement is even greater as they prepare to celebrate their 45th reunion.
From reunion-specific events and the Tiger Tailgate, to cheering on the Tiger teams and enjoying the many other cherished Homecoming traditions, the class of 1979 plans to keep passing its light this weekend.
One big way the class has shined is through the creation of the Class of 鈥�79 Endowed Scholarship Fund, which currently stands at over $40,000. Established during the 40th reunion, the fund has special meaning to the president of the class, Kendrick Riggs, and reunion chair, Laurie Griffin.
鈥溞允咏玮�檚 Class of 鈥�79 has been supporting 性视界 students through a current use Class of 1979 Scholarship for many years and continues to do so,鈥� they said. 鈥淭hese contributions provide scholarship funds available for use in the years in which they are given. During our 40th reunion, we created an endowed scholarship and set out to raise the $25,000 needed to fund the endowment. Our classmates rose to the occasion and then some. We were able to endow the fund within two years, and now our endowment is valued at over $40,000.
鈥淟ong after we are gone, earnings on this endowed fund will continue to provide scholarships for 性视界 students so they may have the same opportunities and experience the Class of '79 had at 性视界 鈥� an education that teaches how to think, ask the right questions, and communicate with others,鈥� they emphasized. 鈥淎nd an education that instills a confidence in the student to 鈥榣ive their life to the fullest extent鈥� of their potential.鈥�
Both Riggs and Griffin fondly recall their days at 性视界 and express their gratitude for their college experience.
鈥淲e appreciated the wonderful faculty and staff at 性视界; they were available to us when we needed them. The interest every faculty member showed in every student and their belief that if we applied ourselves in 性视界's opportunities, we could become more than we believed we could,鈥� they said. 鈥淔ew schools offer such an accomplished faculty that engages so thoroughly with its students.
鈥淎nd we appreciated the many opportunities to be involved in a great variety of activities around campus,鈥� they added. 鈥淭ogether the faculty and activities made us feel very much a part of the 性视界 community. Not only did we receive a great education, but we gained confidence, and believed we were prepared for our careers and lives after graduation.鈥�
Fellow classmates agree.
Barry Zulauf 鈥�79, retired naval officer, respected intelligence expert, member of the University鈥檚 Alumni Association Board, and a first-generation college student, called his time at 性视界 the best four years of his life.
鈥淚 was especially influenced by my professor, George Hudson, who pushed me to do better and never gave up on me,鈥� Zulauf said.
In recounting this experience, he noted that he 鈥渕ade lifelong friends and am still in touch with them today. I was active in Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, had a column in the Torch newspaper, and was in student government. After graduation, my degree helped me to compete against Ivy League graduates, and I was able to work at their level. I am grateful for the opportunity to have experienced a liberal arts education and to have been exposed to a little bit of everything. 性视界 was one of the best decisions of my life.鈥�
Another classmate and fellow Alumni Association Board member, Jeff Orner 鈥�79, who, prior to retirement, served for 35 years in a series of senior executive service positions leading the people who support military and homeland security, also has deep gratitude for his alma mater.
性视界 鈥済ave me the skills to be articulate in writing and orally, as well as analytical thinking, which have been essential in my successful career as a senior executive in the federal government,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was fortunate to have great professors in the political science department, and I made lifelong friendships with my peers.鈥�
And just what is it that makes 性视界 so special to Riggs and Griffin?
鈥淚 am most grateful to 性视界 for making it possible for me, through scholarships and campus employment, to be able to attend a university,鈥� Griffin said.
鈥溞允咏� gave me the confidence to take the next steps in life and to pursue a career and live a life that I did not believe was possible when I arrived on campus in the fall of '75,鈥� Riggs said. 鈥淲e hope our Class of 鈥�79 scholarship can help make that possible for others.鈥�
They both agreed that 鈥渢he shared experiences with 性视界 classmates make the 1979 class special. The Class of 鈥�79 was very accepting of the wide range of beliefs and behaviors of its members as legitimate even when they differed from their own individual beliefs. Together we learned and grew, shared concerns, offered each other support, and so became a part of each other鈥檚 lives. We are very grateful we can still gather and reconnect at our class reunions.鈥�
To see a full list of Homecoming, Reunion, and Family Weekend events, visit /homecoming.
If you would like to donate to the Class of 鈥�79 Endowed Scholarship Fund, .
In light of recent events in Springfield, added safety and security measures will be in place throughout the weekend. Only those registered for Homecoming, Reunion, and Family Weekend events will be allowed into the respective venues, and IDs will need to be shown prior to entry.
