A Wild Night: St. Louis Zoo Alumni Event Draws a Crowd

An annual holiday alumni event in St. Louis, MO, is literally quite a zoo — and the place to be — for St. Louis-area alumni and friends.

More than 250 Westminster alumni, family and friends gathered at the McDonnell Center of the St. Louis Zoo at 6 p.m. on Dec. 8 to enjoy the zoo’s holiday decorations and spectacular nighttime Wild Lights Display.

Of the 250-plus attendees at the St. Louis Zoo alumni event, the Jackson family made a strong showing. From left: David Jackson, ’10 ΚΑ; Mike Jackson, ’75 ΚΑ, and his wife, Janet; Kristen Jackson, ’06, and Dan Jackson, ’04 ΔΤΔ. Photo courtesy of Herb Morisse, ’75 ΚΑ, and his wife, Linda.

The family-friendly event featured heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, hot chocolate and coffee.

The evening featured brief presentations by President Fletch Lamkin and Jim Bennett, ’92 ΒΘΠ, and was graciously sponsored by Marissa, ‘08 ΚΑΘ, and Sam, ’10 ΔΤΔ, Denehy; Annie, ’09 ΚΚΓ, and Nick, ‘07 ΒΘΠ, Diefenbach; Kristen, ’06, and Dan, ‘04 ΔΤΔ, Jackson;and  Kathryn Ayers, ‘11 ΚΑΘ, and Keith, ’10 ΚΑ, Wickenhauser.

Marissa Denehy, pictured left with her spouse, Sam, says alumni packed the get-together, which is popular because of its unique venue and relaxed atmosphere.

“This event is such a great opportunity to bring St. Louis area alums, their families and prospective students together, and we were proud to sponsor it,” Denehy says. “I saw multiple Westminster generations in attendance and spoke to a number of prospective students who were excited to get a taste of the Westminster experience.”

For more information on the St. Louis Zoo holiday event or to sponsor a similar get-together in your area, please email alumni@westminster-mo.edu.