Alumni News & Notes Real Life Hugs Deeper Than Ever at Homecoming My Dear Central Family, Oh my, it was so good to be in your presence at Homecoming this year. I will never forget the moment during the parade when the Alumni Board car turned the corner from Elm Street on to Main Street and I saw the crowd of people. It was breathtaking. The energy, excitement, friendship, and love were palpable along the parade route, in the crowd, and everywhere. I was searching for one memory that defined the weekend for me, but all I can think about is the depth of the hugs. So many hugs. But it wasn’t the number of hugs and joyous greetings from old friends but how the hugs were longer, deeper, and more heartfelt. I know I was grateful to reconnect with all the Central love! There were so many celebrations! The Hall of Honor, Delta Pi Omega 75th anniversary, Alpha Phi Gamma 76th anniversary, Chi Delta 90th anniversary, and a year of missing our friends. My virtual happy hour group got to toast IRL (“in real life” - if you don’t know). The Eagles beat Missouri Valley 41-7 (all the ’80s alumni say, “WHAT?”). Then on Sunday, we honored the 2020 and 2021 classes of Distinguished and Young Alumni. So much fun, fellowship, and family. My former roomie and best friend for life, Laura Wolfe, ’85, and I were at the Alumni Board tailgate tent and she said, “The only thing different from our day is the cell phones.” And that was the truth. The “magic” of Central isn’t about the buildings, sports, events, Greek life, or other stuff, it is about the people who choose to attend Central. This Homecoming was bittersweet for me. I’m nearing the end of my tenure as President of the Alumni Board of Directors. It’s been my honor to serve on the board, share good news from Central and remind us all that this special place binds us together. My best friends, my chosen family, are people I met at Central. How about you? Dear Friends, my parting words to you are as follows: Cherish the friends you’ve made along the way. Support our alma mater to continue your legacy. Show up. Be present. Pay it forward. And never forget, “From the beginning you’ve been, always there, my old friend. True until the end.” ~Al Jarreau. My love of Al Jarreau came from friends I met at Central. Keep Central at your heart. Much love,
Laura Blair, Class of 1986 President, Alumni Association Board of Directors
1980s
Tina Sabo Fuhler, ’83, retired in 2020 after 33 years of teaching elementary school, 32 in the Francis Howell School District and one year in the Glasgow School District. Laura Blair, ’86, is the new learning and development training manager with Johnson County Library. Kevin McClain, ’89, McClain Chiropractic Health & Injury, was once again named the Best of North County Business for Chiropractic by the Community News for 2020. He was also named the district chairman for the North Star District of the Greater St. Louis Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. Dr. McClain still resides in North St. Louis County with his family.
1990s
Brad Stumpe, ’91, was named a partner with Anders CPAs and Advisors in St. Louis, Mo. Chris Kennedy, ’93, joined the Aurora R-8 High School as the new athletic director and transportation director. John Brown, ’94, has returned to FOX 35 News in central Florida to be the evening news anchor. Steve Jones, ’94, is the pastor at Camdenton United Methodist Church. Tracy Crowe Jones, ’94, is celebrating 10 years with IBM. She serves as client experience lead. Laura Pauly Templeton, ’99, was promoted to the position of chief clinical operations officer for Compassus, a national healthcare post-acute care provider.
Have some good news you want to share?
2000s
Send us your special news and we’ll share it in an upcoming issue of the Talon.
Ashley Anne Angle, ’01, graduated in April 2020 with an education specialist degree from William Woods University. Ashley plans on beginning her doctoral coursework in August. She started her 21st year of teaching this fall. Ashley teaches kindergarten in Jefferson City.
Visit: bit.ly/CentralUpdate to update your contact information, celebrate a milestone, or just tell us something good!
Tristy Gunter, ’00, is the director of service coordination for the Howard County Home Health Board.
Fall 2021 | The Talon 39
