Alumni Spotlight

Name: Stefan R. Booy 

Current Home: Conway, AR 

Academic Major: Religion & Philosophy 

Graduation Year: 1999 

Post Graduate Degrees: Master of Arts in Ministry (John Brown University); Master of Business Administration (Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus Universiteit) 

Profession: Education Consultant and Co-Entrepreneur 

What is your favorite memory of Lyon College/Arkansas College? Many: winning basketball games, late night conversations during the off season, David LaMotte concerts, but probably my favorite was midnight breakfast in the cafeteria during fall semester finals, served by the staff. Those were times when the community really felt like one.  

Which Lyon/Arkansas College faculty or staff member influenced you the most and why? Again, tough to pick one. Coach Jenkins and Coach Garner for giving me a chance to play; Greta Henglein for believing in me as a leader outside of the gym; Dr. Bart Lewis for his dedication to do things well, but with amazing gentleness; Dr. Holyer for showing academic rigor combined with a quiet, solid faith; Dr. Holmes for his friendship and hospitality. Dr. Weatherman for not letting me get away with cutting corners (he gave me a 'B' because, no matter how good the paper was, he could tell I didn't read all 600 pages of the Leviathan). Dr. Beck for pushing me to be rigorous in my thinking and writing. And I'm sure I'm forgetting a few, like the sweet lady who worked in the cafeteria who made me a quilt for graduation and had a crush on my dad!   

How did Lyon/Arkansas College prepare you for your future? Lyon prepared me to research, think, and write rigorously.  More importantly, the lessons I learned outside the classroom, facing adversity on the basketball court and leading peers through campus activities such as residence life, mentoring, ministry, and volunteering shone light on my leadership potential, which was untapped up to that point. I think since graduation, willing or not, I've been a leader of people in ways that without Lyon I wouldn't have been able to be. I am very grateful for that.