Over 425 people attended the 2016 Homecoming: Reunion and Family weekend celebrations from Sept. 16 – 18. Alumni, parents, students and friends returned to campus and enjoyed such festivities as the Kick-Off Cocktail Party, Griffin Picnic, Fall Festival, Mass and Brunch and much more. It was a wonderful weekend celebrating Griffin Nation! Click here or here to view more photos from the 2016 Homecoming celebrations.

Alumni spotlight with Carol Conway Spehr ’63

Carol Conway Spehr ’63 taught at St. Joseph’s Institute for the Deaf and later worked to mainstream hearing-impaired students into public schools. She now serves on Fontbonne University’s Board of Trustees. Over the years, she has served Fontbonne University in many capacities from the Mustard Seed Theatre Board to pulling weeds and planting flowers on campus. She is a charter member of the Fontbonne Community Connection women’s giving circle. Spehr reflects on what she learned from Fontbonne and why she remains actively involved.

What I’ve learned from Fontbonne

An environment can set the stage. I have been walking around this campus since 1959. One of the things I have noticed is that each day a new layer is laid so that the next person on that path has a stronger, more confident way. There’s an energy here when people bring their gifts. President Mike  Pressimone brings an authenticity to the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. He and his family live the mission each day, and that began before he came to Fontbonne University. That’s why it’s an explosive, bubbling kind of energy. I see it all over campus.

Part of my mantra is to say yes to the universe. There were eight of us to graduate in the first class for deaf education. I said yes to that major. I said yes to teaching at St. Joseph’s Institute for the Deaf. I said yes to the idea of having children live with us. The opportunity to say yes to the universe led several of us to activate the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph and create the Fontbonne Community Connection. I have to trust that wherever I’m supposed to be will come up and meet my foot.

Kids should make their own beds. In 1974, the principal at St. Joseph’s Institute for the Deaf – where I taught – asked if my husband and I if we would be willing it take a student to live with us during the academic year. It was part of my task to remember the responsibilities of an educator, but more important to have him part of a family setting with all of its gifts. So there would be the socialization in the family, the neighborhood, the Boy Scouts. But it was also important for him to have a sense of responsibility for his own environment – setting the table, doing his laundry. Children respond to having responsibilities.

Join us for our 7th Annual Fontbonne University Golf Tournament on Saturday, Oct. 29, hosted by the baseball team. Register online for a foursome or as an individual player by clicking here. The event flyer and a printable registration form can be found here.