Families Live the CMU Legacy The Alexander family gathered for a photo at Fayette High School when V.C. committed to the Eagles.
By DR. JOE PARISI
W
e talk a lot about caring, family, and traditions at Central Methodist University. And by the time CMU alumni have children and those children are college-aged, there are a lot of traditions. They are most often tied to birthdays and holidays, beginnings and endings. The traditions provide a comfortable framework for children’s lives, and they have played a significant role in family memories. They are traditions that, when one or more are away at college, sometimes are strengthened, sometimes redefined. One tradition near and dear to our hearts is legacy recruitment. The Enrollment Management team has put a significant amount of time into locating and courting our legacy students. This past year, 49 currently enrolled students were awarded the prestigious Legacy Scholarship. Just as important, 26 legacy students have completed applications for fall admission. The CMU Legacy Scholarship is awarded
22 The Talon | Spring 2021
to an entering full-time student who is a family member of a CMU alumnus. Recipients of this award complete an extensive application process, which provides a student’s complete application and resume, including academic achievements, extracurricular activities, work, and volunteer activities. Nothing gives admissions counselors more joy than to speak with legacy students. That said, legacy is just as closely tied with a school’s spirit and community as it is with its recognition. It is the families with three generations of CMU alumni who show up for football games, pose for pictures in front of the Eagle statue with their children, and refer students to express their gratitude for a Central education, and ultimately hope to send their own kids after them. Recently, Virginia Claire Alexander accepted a top scholarships to attend CMU in the fall. “It is extremely special to me that I chose Central Methodist University, a place where so many of my family members have attended,” she said. “By experiencing some of the same
situations and memories, I believe I am able to connect with some of the family members I never met and create a deeper bond with those that I have.” Virginia Claire hails from a long line of CMU graduates. “My time at Central Methodist University helped shape me into the person that I am today,” said Virginia Claire’s mother, Shelby Alexander, ‘97. “I cannot wait to see how our daughter takes the same experiences and grows with them.” Virginia Claire’s father, Rick Alexander, is also a CMU alumnus. “It gives me a real sense of pride that our daughter chose Central Methodist University without any pressure from anyone,” Rick said. “She could have picked any college in the world, and she chose Central.” As we continue to identify new prospective students to attend CMU, we would love your nomination of a friend or family member to carry on our valued institution and traditions.
