The Griffon News

by Amanda Hake Freelance Writer

Food and fun with a Louisiana flare is what Missouri Western’s Alumni experienced at this year’s 2nd Annual Griffs on the
Bayou event. 

The event was held at Boudreaux’s Louisiana Seafood & Steaks last Tuesday, Feb. 19. Over 130 alumni made reservations
to attend, making it a bigger success than last year, which only had about 100 alumni in attendance.

The event was originally to take place on Fat Tuesday, Feb. 5, but due to inclement weather the event was rescheduled.

“We really wanted to keep with tradition and have it on Fat Tuesday, because it was a Mardi Gras themed event, but the
weather so poor. They had cancelled classes that day on campus, so we thought it was best to err on the side of caution,”
Jason Horn, Alumni Association President said.

Carol Dunn, Missouri Western alum ‘91 and member of the Alumni Association events committee felt the rescheduling
helped increase the event’s attendance. 

“Our numbers went up even though the event was rescheduled. I think it just gave people more time to get ready, and
the weather is much nicer,” Dunn said.
At the event Alumni were able to socialize and catch up with each other over a mixture of Cajun style appetizers in a
private room decorated with Mardi Gras masks themed in purple and gold. 

“Events like these help all alumni to network with one another. The newer alumni build relationships with the older more
mature alumni.  It also helps to promote a sense of community; they find commonalities with each other,” Colleen Kowich,
Director of Alumni Services said.

Horn also echoed the event’s networking potential. He felt a person could never have enough contacts. Even for older
alumni established in their career, networking still proved beneficial to an individual’s professional life.
Beyond networking and socializing, alumni were also able to win prizes throughout the evening. These included Mis­souri Western t-shirts, cups and window decals.