First Personalized Recruitment Event Declared a Resounding Success

Westminster alumnus Jim Bennett, pictured above left, and his wife, Melanie, welcomed
prospective Westminster students at Dowd Bennett in St. Louis on Oct. 3.

The first in a series of personalized, off-site Westminster College Recruitment Events launched this fall was a resounding success. The event was hosted by alumnus Jim ’92 and Melanie Bennett and took place at the Dowd Bennett law firm in St. Louis, MO, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018.

The Bennetts served as hosts, opening the evening with a presentation on Jim’s experiences at Westminster. President Fletch Lamkin also spoke to the group of approximately 80 people, who included prospective students and their parents, high school counselors, recent graduates, Westminster Vice President of Enrollment Services Ted Kulawiak, Westminster Chief Donor Relations Officer Kelly Dopman, Director of Admissions Amy Marek, Regional Director of Admissions Mike Gruzeski, and Regional Admissions Counselor Ali Jeffers.

In addition to the Bennetts and President Lamkin, speakers included Westminster Political Science Professor John Langton, recent graduate Brad Crecelius ’14, and current Westminster student Olivia Wilson ’19, a senior from Liberty, MO.

Also present to answer questions about the College were St. Louis-area alums Brock Ayers ’82, Caroline Ayers ’14, Derick Daily ’11, Annie (Hubbell) Diefenbach ’07, Nick Diefenbach ’09, Mik Ebert ’16, Robert Epperson ’94, Cody Ford ’17, Matt Greaves ’10, Claire (Vatterott) Jackson ’10, David Jackson ’10, Kevin Knobbe ’16, Hannah Macon ’19, Blake Stonecipher ’16, and Riley Zack ’19. Two other current students, Hannah Macon ’19 and Riley Zack ’19, also attended.

Dopman says the prospective students and their parents were engaged and highly interested in the College after listening to the presentations. “They learned a lot about the Westminster experience from our younger alumni, parents of current students, and everyone else who shared their stories.”

The evening ended with a reception that allowed for extended conversations and questions among prospective students, family members, and Westminster representatives. Refreshments also were served. The Bennetts say they were delighted with how the evening went. “Melanie and I were impressed with the quality of prospective students and their families who attended the event,” Jim says. “We are eager to have a conversation with any future Blue Jay looking at Westminster — the college we love so much.”

Westminster gives special thanks to the Bennetts, who generously provided the space for and underwrote the entire event.

Seven more personalized Westminster College Recruitment Events will take place during the 2018-2019 Academic Year. Locations will include Jefferson City, MO, Columbia, MO, Kansas City, MO, Little Rock, AR, Dallas, TX, Oklahoma City, OK, and Tulsa, OK. If you are an alum and would like to sponsor a Recruitment Event in your area, please call the Alumni Office at 573.592.5319 or email [email protected].