Eight alumnae from the Class of 1967 wore purple regalia to lead the procession at this year’s graduation. View the event photos here.

The photos – and all alumni events – also are featured on social media. Follow our Fontbonne University Alumni Association Facebook page and you can continue the journey you started at Fontbonne.

For the second year, Fontbonne University brought its graduation to Chaifetz Arena. The photos and video are available here.

Commencement speaker James White MBA ’96 enrolled in Fontbonne University’s MBA program to help accelerate his career and expand his options at Ralston-Purina. After graduating and several promotions at Ralston-Purina, he moved on to executive positions at Gillette and Safeway Stores. He landed the challenge of his lifetime as chairman and CEO of Jamba Inc., parent of Jamba Juice, where he helped increase sales, open more stores and refresh the struggling brand. 

After receiving his honorary doctorate from Fontbonne President J. Michael Pressimone, he told the crowd how he came from humble beginnings and is the first college graduate in his family. But his family gave him a wonderful support system and challenged him to succeed. 

White now sits on several corporate boards – including St. Louis-based Panera – and is able to devote more time to service and helping the next generation of leaders.

 He has some advice for our new graduates:                     

• Have a plan, write it down and review it often. White wrote down his plan on an index card 20 years ago and still carries it.
• Have persistence. Grit and force of will are required as we face challenges.
• Keep building your skills and never stop learning.
• Find people, work and experiences that inspire you!

We are proud to call James White a Fontbonne University alumnus. We welcome our newest alumni to the Fontbonne University Alumni Association to join him in their journeys to learn more and be more. ™ 

The Fontbonne Community Connection celebrated 10 years of “one woman, one vote” with a celebration. The founding members were honored with a permanent plaque that will tell their story. View more photos from the celebration here.

Fontbonne Athletic Hall of Fame: Director of Athletics Maria Buckel ’06 presented this year’s athletic awards and named two FBU athletes to the Hall of Fame.

Tennis coach, player singled out: Women's head coach James Hantack was named the 2017 SLIAC Coach of the Year, the first coach in the history of Fontbonne women's tennis to receive it. Morgan Smith got an honorable mention for All-SLIAC singles.

Baseball outfielder lauded: Senior Ethan Borrowman earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors for the first time in his career. He's the second in the history of the program to earn the honor. 

 Save the dates

Homecoming: Reunion and Family Weekend – Sept. 29 through Oct. 1, 2017
The 2017 Homecoming: Reunion and Family Weekend celebration is fun for all Griffins! Festivities include the annual Fall Festival activities, a spirit tailgate, men's and women's soccer games, Mass, brunch and much more! Visit www.fontbonne.edu/homecoming for more information. 

Scholarship Breakfast – Oct. 19, 2017
Recipients of endowed and annual scholarships and their donors come together to share stories and breakfast at this annual event.