Fire Department visits Stephens to present commemorative gifts to President Lundeen
Leaders from the Columbia Fire Department surprised Stephens College’s President, Dr. Shannon Lundeen, with commemorative gifts recognizing the long-standing relationship between the two institutions and celebrating both her inauguration and the completion of her first full academic year at the College.
Four leaders from the department, including the Fire Department’s Chief, Brian Schaeffer, visited campus on Tuesday, May 12th. bearing gifts that honored both Lundeen and the historic connection shared between Stephens College and CFD.
The group presented Lundeen with a custom plaque featuring her name, the Stephens College presidential seal, and a congratulatory message on becoming the College’s 25th president. CFD leaders also gifted the college a framed historic photograph of Stephens College’s 1920s women’s fire brigade.
Historic Gift Honors the Shared Legacy between Stephens and CFD
Stephens College and the Columbia Fire Department are both longstanding institutions in Columbia, with the college dating back to 1833, and CFD becoming an official department in 1901. During the department’s early years, firefighting in Columbia was largely volunteer-based before transitioning to a paid professional department in the early 20th century.
Stephens, along with several other women’s schools and colleges during that era, maintained its own student fire brigade. Primarily composed of students, the brigades promoted fire safety, trained with fire equipment and assisted during emergencies.
The framed photograph gifted to the College features Stephens’ 1920s brigade, comprised of more than 20 women students. Each residence hall on campus had its own captain who represented the hall within the brigade. The image serves as a reminder of the more than 100-year connection between Stephens and CFD.
Chief Schaeffer said the photograph reflects the deep history shared between the two organizations.
“Yesterday’s drop-in was a simple moment, but an important one for us,” said Schaeffer. “Stephens College has been a steady partner to the Columbia Fire Department.”
Lundeen said the visit and gifts represented something much deeper than a ceremonial exchange.
“It was incredibly meaningful,” said Lundeen. “Stephens College and the Columbia Fire Department have both been part of the fabric of this community for generations, so this recognition felt less like a ceremonial gesture and more like a reflection of a longstanding relationship grounded in service, trust and shared commitment to Columbia. I was especially touched that they took the time to honor both my presidency and the partnership between our organizations in such a thoughtful and personal way.”
A Relationship Rooted in Leadership and Community
The commemorative gifts also reflect ongoing efforts from both institutions to strengthen community partnerships rooted in leadership, service and public safety. While the presentation came a few months after Lundeen’s inauguration, it also marked the completion of her first academic year leading Stephens College.
“We wanted President Lundeen to feel supported from day one,” said Schaeffer. “Her inauguration is a meaningful milestone for the campus and for our community, and I’m grateful for the relationship and the shared commitment to leadership, learning and keeping people safe.”
Lundeen said the historic photograph especially highlighted the generations of connection between Stephens’ students and community service.
“There is something powerful about being reminded that this relationship stretches back more than a century,” Lundeen said. “The enlarged photograph is not just a piece of history; it is a reminder that Stephens’ students have long been connected to service and civic engagement in this community. It also makes it clear that the CFD has invested in supporting the development of our students and the safety of our campus community for decades. To see that partnership continue to evolve and strengthen today says a great deal about both organizations and our shared investment in a safe and dynamic future for Columbia.”
Growing Presence on Campus
Since Lundeen’s inauguration, the growing partnership between Stephens College and the Columbia Fire Department has become increasingly visible across campus events and celebrations. CFD leaders and firefighters have attended several Stephens community events in recent months, including the Student Life Field Day held during Alumni Weekend.
The department also played a key role during Spring Commencement ceremonies, attending graduation festivities and escorting graduates from historic Stephens Hall to the Missouri Theatre, continuing a tradition that highlights both celebration and community partnership.
The continued presence of CFD members at campus events reflects a shared commitment to supporting students and strengthening connections between the College and the Columbia community.
As Stephens College and the Columbia Fire Department continue building on their historic relationship, the framed photograph now serves as both a tribute to the past and a symbol of the partnership’s future.
