Diwali is the Hindu Festival of Lights, which is celebrated each fall, and on Fri., Nov. 2, 19 students from Lindenwood University-Belleville's First Generation Student Mentor Program were treated to dinner and a show in order to take part in the celebration, along with two of their mentors Coordinator of Academic Services Christine Fredericksen and Supervisor of Science Laboratories Paul Lega.

Originally from Tampere, Finland, Evi Sipola intended to study at Lindenwood University-Belleville for only a year before returning home to finish college. However, after arriving at the university and falling in love with the community, Sipola decided to stay all four years to complete her undergraduate education. As a 2017 alumna, Sipola will continue her educational journey, but this time at the University of Southern California’s dental school (USC), where she is pursuing a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS).

Lindenwood University President Michael D. Shonrock accepted an Above and Beyond Award from the Department of Defense on Friday, Nov. 9, prior to the university’s second annual Veterans Day Lunch in the Spellmann Center’s Anheuser-Busch Leadership Room.

The Department of Theatre at Lindenwood University-Belleville will present the ancient Greek tragedy Medea, a play that centers on a wife’s desire for revenge against her unfaithful husband. The show will be performed Nov. 15-18 in the Lindenwood Auditorium, 2600 W. Main St., Belleville, Ill.

The Lindenwood University system will take part in World Kindness Day on Nov. 13, 2018. This internationally recognized day was established by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation in an effort spread the message of kindness and make kindness the norm.

The 2018 fall season has proven to be extremely successful for the Lindenwood University-Belleville rugby team. The Lynx, with an impressive 7-2 record, are getting noticed on a national level, rising up to No. 15 in Division I College Rankings by Rugby Today, which sets a new program high in the Division I poll.

WalletHub.com has ranked Lindenwood University in its list of the Best Colleges and Universities in 2019. Lindenwood ranked 317th in the United States, 83rd in the Midwest, and 12th in Missouri.

The Economic Education Center (EEC), a partnership of the Lindenwood University School of Education and the Hammond Institute for Free Enterprise in the Plaster School of Business & Entrepreneurship, officially launched on Oct. 9, 2018, with a celebration held in the third floor atrium of the Library and Academic Resources Center at Lindenwood University.

Two articles from the Lindenwood Legacy Magazine received Pinnacle Awards at the College Media Association Convention in Louisville, Ky., Oct. 25-28, 2018.

The online Master of Public Administration degree program at Lindenwood University has been ranked number-16 by OnlineU.org on the 2019 Most Affordable Online Colleges for MPA Degrees list.