Dr. Pressimone got his feet wet early on at Fontbonne… and everything else, as he met the Ice Bucket Challenge issued to him by the Women’s soccer team.  Thousands of people have been completing the Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money and awareness for ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Dr. Pressimone accepted the challenge in honor of his friend Deanna Rubin, a staunch fundraiser for ALS.  He also issued the challenge to Saint Louis University’s new President, Dr. Fred Pestello. To see this hilarious video go to: http://fontbonnegriffins.com/video/pressimone_als

Did you spend your days on campus in the meadow? Well plan to join us at the newly named Golden Meadow for lunch during Alumni Reunion Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 11th from 11:30am - 1:30pm, at the Griffin Alumni Picnic Bash sponsored in part by Executive Financial Group LLC.

We will have some of the St. Louis area's favorite food trucks! In addition, a special performance by the Griffin Girls dance team.  Bring your family and meet Fontbonne’s new President, Dr. Mike Pressimone. To sign up or to learn more please visit our website at www.fontbonne.edu/Reunion

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, alumna Lia Weber '12 and her teammate, Al Watson, took home the title of "Next Great Baker" on TLC's reality television show of the same name. Weber and Watson who were coworkers at a cake shop in Florissant, MO, beat out thousands of applicants to be chosen to compete on the show. They competed against nine other teams for the title, a cash prize and the opportunity to work for Buddy Valastro, the famed “Cake Boss” at his Las Vegas bakery.

Weber, who graduated from Fontbonne in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, also earned a degree from the St. Louis Community College at Forest Park Culinary Program, and studied at the Culinary Institute of Florence. We talked with Lia about her time on the show and what the future holds. She credits her family, her faith (she used a lot of prayer cards on the show), and her college education at Fontbonne for helping her succeed on the show. Lia said, “Fontbonne helped me learn to set and reach goals. They were so supportive of me as a student, especially when I was taking 30 credit hours between Fontbonne and Forest Park Community College and working 3 jobs. I love the school. It is a hidden gem.”  Right now Lia is working as a pastry chef at her family’s restaurant, Hendels www.hendelsrestaurant.com, and managing her own business, Made.by Lia, while she weighs her professional options.  Her ultimate plan is to open her own store by 2015.

You can order Lia’s cakes off her FB page, or better yet sample one at Fontbonne’s Presidential  Inauguration receptions on Friday, Nov. 14.  That is, if she is not baking up a storm in Las Vegas……

Alumni, help support Fontbonne with a fun day on the golf course! The Fontbonne University Golf Classic will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at Norwood Hills Country Club.  You will also have a chance to meet Fontbonne’s new President, Dr. J. Michael Pressimone.

The player entry fee is $250 per golfer or $1,000 per foursome, and includes greens fees, golf cart, lunch, cocktail reception, and one golf gift for each team member.  You can register here at www.fontbonne.edu/golf or by contacting Lauren Sauer at 314.889.1489 or lsauer@fontbonne.edu.

For a preview of our new President’s plans and visions for the University, register to attend the State of the U address during Alumni Reunion weekend, on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 10:30 am, in the Lewis Room at the Jack C. Taylor Library. This is an ideal time to meet Dr. Pressimone, and talk about questions or concerns.   Then join Dr. Pressimone and his family immediately following his presentation, at the Golden Meadow for the Griffin Alumni Picnic Bash. To register to attend go to www.fontbonne.edu/Reunion.

News & Events                                               

Alumni Professional Networking Event “Change is Inevitable…Growth is Optional”

Featuring Life Lessons speaker Bob Ash, www.bobash.com.  Thursday, Sept. 18, 6-8:30 pm. Network with other alumni and enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks. To register go to www.fontbonne.edu/grow

This event was made possible through a grant from the Fontbonne Community Connection, a giving circle composed of Fontbonne alumni and business friends.  

Alumni Special Guest Speakers at Convocation

Fontbonne University officially opened its 92nd academic year with the university's annual Convocation, an event that also begins the University's Dedicated Semester, this year, devoted to "Civil Rights: Then and Now."

The guest speakers included three members of the "Soulful Eight," a group of women who staged a sit-in at the Fontbonne Library in 1970 to protest racism at Fontbonne and promote civil rights on the university's campus. These women were Katharine Batiste '73, Rita Hunt Thomas '73 and Yolande Spears '73. Click to hear their presentation.          

Parking Lot Expansion Approved for Fontbonne University

The Clayton Board of Aldermen approved a Conditional Use Permit for Fontbonne to build a new parking lot at its August meeting.  For those of you who are new to the Fontbonne community, the project includes a new 153 space lot in the Concordia Woods immediately adjacent to the south edge of our campus near St. Joseph and Southwest Halls, an internal connector drive and 14 parking spaces between Southwest Hall and Big Bend, and a new widened entrance from Big Bend at our southwest corner near Southwest Hall.  The area was marked off this summer by surveyors at the request of the city, so you can see the outline of where all these improvements will be located. Construction will start as soon as possible and we will keep you informed about its progress. 

Official Presidential Inauguration Ceremony

The official Investiture Ceremony (Inauguration) celebrating the induction of Fontbonne University’s new President, Dr. J. Michael Pressimone, will be held on Friday, Nov. 14 at 2:30 pm in the Dunham Student Activity Center, followed by receptions in the Dunham Student Activity Center, Arnold Memorial Center, and the Jack C. Taylor Library.  For more information on the ceremony and other Inauguration events, visit the official Inauguration website.

KC Alumni Service Event

Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 am-12 noon.  Join Kansas City area alumni and guests at Harvesters Community Food Network, 3801 Topping Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64129 as part of the September 11th Day of Service and Remembrance.

For more information or to register, call the Alumni Office at (314) 889-1403 or email alumnievents@fontbonne.edu

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Boost your career with a master's degree!
Join us at Graduate Studies Preview Nigt on Thursday, Nov. 6, 6-7:30 pm. For more information and to register go www.fontbonne.edu/gradnight

Alumni Notes

Kristy Daniels-Jackson '97 was hired as the first African American District Coordinator of Gifted Education for the Webster Groves Schools. She is publisher of a curriculum program called "Captain Mac" testing program.

Dutch Knickmeyer '05, is teaching Middle School Science and Math in the Sullivan School District.

Carrie Flavin Wenberg MM'06, joined St. Joseph's Academy as Development Specialist, Alumnae Programs.

In Memory of:
Olivette Kissel Moran '43

Share Your News

New Move? New Job? New Marriage? We welcome your news and photos. Please stay in contact so that we can share your success with fellow alumni. Email your news and photos to alumnievents@fontbonne.edu Your information may be featured in our twice yearly Tableaux magazine.