President Lundeen
Celebrating the Investiture of Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen, 25th President of Stephens College
Future Focused. Tradition Inspired.
March 12-14, 2026
An inauguration marks the formal installation of a college president. The event is traditionally held during the president’s first year in office. The inauguration refers to the entire day or week’s events celebrating President Lundeen, which includes the formal academic ceremony, also known as an investiture ceremony.
Meet the President
Dr. Shannon B. Lundeen is the 25th president of Stephens College. She took office on June 1, 2025, after serving as the Vice President of Programs and Operations at HERS (Higher Education Resource Services). In that role, Lundeen oversaw program development, delivery, admissions and assessment, as well as organizational operations, including human resources, marketing, recruitment, and alumni engagement. During her time at HERS, she had been instrumental in advancing initiatives that promote inclusive excellence and bold leadership in higher education.
Lundeen has held several key positions at renowned institutions, including Associate Director of the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program and the Alice Paul Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where she developed curricula, organized events, and fostered interdisciplinary partnerships. She later became Director of the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women at Case Western Reserve University, where she led the center’s growth, fundraising, and gender equity initiatives. In 2015, Lundeen joined Elon University as the inaugural Director of Academic-Residential Partnerships, where she executed a vision for integrative learning that contributed to the university’s national recognition. She holds a PhD and MA in Philosophy from Stony Brook University and has made significant scholarly contributions ranging from feminist bioethics to inclusive education.
Investiture Ceremony Livestream
Future Focused. Tradition Inspired.
Learn more about President Lundeen’s vision for Stephens College.
A forward‑looking vision for Stephens is centered on three foundational pillars that guide the institution’s growth, strengthen its impact, and ensure its long‑term success.
HANDS-ON ENGAGEMENT
This pillar emphasizes immersive, experiential learning that brings academic concepts to life.
COMMUNITY-FACING
This pillar highlights an open, outward‑looking approach that strengthens connections with the broader community and invites greater participation in the institution’s work and mission.
SUSTAINABILITY
This pillar underscores a commitment to long‑term stability through thoughtful planning, diversified resources, and a forward‑looking mindset that ensures the institution thrives well into the future.
Program Schedule
Join us as we celebrate the Inauguration of President Shannon B. Lundeen and participate in a series of exciting campus-wide events and activities in March.
Thursday, March 12
Student Celebration
“Illuminating Our Ideals: A New Era of Stephens”
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hugh Stephens Library (1412 E. Walnut St)
Admission: Stephens College students only.
Friday, March 13
Stars of Stephens Leadership Luncheon
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Kimball Ballroom (Located in Lela Raney Wood Hall, 6 N College Ave)
Admission: Invitation-Only.
Warehouse Theater Production
Firebringer: A New Stone Age Musical
The Warehouse Theatre is a black box theatre that serves as a performance space for student-run productions.
Show begins at 7:30 p.m.
Warehouse Theatre (104 Willis Avenue, Columbia, MO 65201)
Admission: Ticket required.
Saturday, March 14
Investiture Ceremony & Reception
Doors open at 10:00 a.m.
Ceremony begins at 11:00 a.m.
Reception to follow
Indoor Arena (Located at Stephens College Equestrian Center, 381-499 Old 63 N) & Online via Livestream
Admission: RSVP required; Ticketed event.
Please contact us at trustee@stephens.edu for any questions you may have about the inaugural events.
President Lundeen on Campus
“Dr. Shannon Lundeen is the right leader for this pivotal moment in Stephens’ history. Her visionary leadership, strategic insight, and deep commitment to women’s education position Stephens College to thrive in a rapidly changing world — while honoring the values and legacy that make this institution extraordinary. The Board has full confidence in her ability to guide Stephens into its next era of excellence.”
– Vice Admiral Nancy Brown, Chair of the Board of Trustees
Thank You to our Donors & Sponsors!
A special thank you to our donors and sponsors for your generous support and commitment to making the Inauguration of President Shannon B. Lundeen possible. Your partnership has helped bring this historic celebration to life—an event that honors both our proud traditions and our bold vision for the future.
By investing in the inauguration, you stand alongside President Lundeen in advancing Stephens College’s mission: “Future Focused. Tradition Inspired.” Your support strengthens the students, programs, and spaces that will shape the next era of Stephens excellence.
We are deeply grateful for your kindness and your belief in the transformative power of a Stephens education. Your generosity fuels our progress, empowers our community, and helps us achieve our shared goals. Thank you for helping make this momentous occasion a reality.
Kathleen Allen ’64
Alumnae Club of Northern California
Jane Bensussen ’65
Jennifer Brinkman-Ayers ’92 & John Ayers
Roxanne Booth ’84
VADM Nancy Brown ’73
Sara Crosby ’76
Katherine Dietzen ’86
David Fleming
Daryll Griffin ’72
Margaret Grise
Carol Grove ’87
Elisabeth Herndon ’84
Shatenita Horton ’06
Judy Lipham ’64
Lois Luallin ’58
Robert & Monica Lundeen
Rajah Maples ’97
Kelley & Aaron Marchbanks
Erika Menn ’09
Karen Miller ’06
M. Anne Murphy ’78
Anita Parran ’73
Stacy Peters ’81
Christy Hanahan Powell ’68 & Earl Powell
Vicki Russell
Valerie Shaw ’00
Dylan Shelofsky ’13
Stacye Smith ’86
Mary Ann Sprinkle ’84
Mark Taylor ’73
Silissa Uriarte-Smith ’98
Ellen Vollrath ’86
Lindsey Weber ’08
Lynda Webster ’78
Jennifer Wilder ’94
Brett Williamson
Ana Ximenes ’83
Jean Zunkel ’64
Support Stephens College
By supporting the inauguration, you stand with President Lundeen – investing in students, programs, and spaces that will carry Stephens College “Future Focused. Tradition Inspired”.