This story was originally published in The Tower – Volume 1, 2026.
The cornerstone of any academic institution is its graduates. They provide invaluable insights drawn from real-world experience, open doors for current students through mentorship and networking, and elevate the university’s reputation through their achievements and advocacy.
In this spirit of partnership and progress, Logan President H. Garrett Thompson, DC, PhD is committed to rebuilding a strong alumni-university relationship. This March, Logan officially launched the Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) to strengthen the relationship between the university and its alumni by serving as a vital bridge for communication, engagement and strategic input.
“The AAC was formed to ensure alumni remain an integral part of Logan’s story—past, present and future,” Dr. Thompson said. “By rekindling the spirit of collaboration and connection, the AAC supports the university’s continued growth, innovation and future success. In kind, Logan is committed to supporting the success of our graduates by any means necessary. We are stronger together.”
When Cynthia Sutton rejoined the university as director of alumni relations in 2022, she was charged with facilitating meaningful opportunities for all alumni across degree programs to come together and meaningfully
engage with Logan.
“From previous positions at Logan, I knew what the university’s former alumni association looked like and how important it was to many of our graduates,” Cynthia said. “Through research I learned that numerous universities were switching to alumni advisory councils.”
According to Cynthia, Dr. Thompson becoming Logan’s president in 2025 catalyzed the creation of the AAC.
“One of the first things Dr. Thompson did was meet with alumni,” Cynthia said. “Over and over, they expressed a desire for more significant ways to champion Logan beyond making donations. At his request, I pulled out my research on alumni advisory councils, and we worked together to build one for Logan.”
Specifically, the AAC will:
- Serve as ambassadors: Actively promote Logan’s mission, events and priorities to fellow alumni, prospective students and the broader community.
- Provide feedback from the alumni perspective: offer thoughtful insights to ensure university initiatives remain relevant, impactful and aligned with alumni expectations.
- Support philanthropy and fundraising efforts: Strengthen fundraising through advocacy, peer-to-peer outreach and personal involvement.
- Build alumni connections: Foster a strong and inclusive network for mentoring, career development and professional community.
- Support recruitment of the next generation of students: Recognize that students are the lifeline of the university and play a vital role in sustaining Logan’s mission, reputation and impact.
“Ultimately, the AAC plays a key role in fostering lifelong engagement between alumni and Logan, ensuring that our proud tradition of service and leadership continues across generations,” Dr. Thompson said.
To provide structure in its early stages, Logan recommended an initial leadership team consisting of eight members who represent a range of degree programs, graduating classes and states and have a strong affinity for Logan and commitment to service. Cynthia will serve as a liaison between the AAC and the university, coordinating logistics, communication and planning.
“Serving on the AAC gives alumni a direct voice in Logan’s future by building meaningful relationships with university leadership, shaping academic and program priorities, staying closely connected to new initiatives, and strengthening the alumni network, all while supporting students and advancing the mission of Logan University,” Cynthia said.
To advance its goals, the AAC has been charged to gather at least twice per year and will hold at least one in-person meeting. Each meeting will include a public forum open to all alumni and a closed voting session, which will be limited to AAC members and university leadership. The AAC’s inaugural meeting is scheduled for April 30 on Logan’s campus, which coincides with Symposium 2026 May 1-2. Alumni are invited to attend in person or stream online, but must RSVP in advance to Cynthia.Sutton@Logan.edu.
Symposium 2026 will also include class reunions as part of the Logan L!VE social event May 1. “We are thrilled to bring back this beloved tradition with the help of the AAC moving forward,” Cynthia said. “The AAC will help by pushing information out to their networks and encouraging alumni to get them excited about coming back to campus and reconnecting with their classmates.”
The Logan community can learn more about and contact the AAC via the university’s Alumni Hub, which can be accessed here. “Logan has such a devout alumni family, and we are excited to give them a bigger voice through the AAC,” Cynthia said.
Meet the Inaugural Members of Logan’s Alumni Advisory Council
This leadership team will shape the AAC’s direction, define governance and create meaningful opportunities for alumni involvement.
- Chair: Nicole Bennett, DC (’03) (Florida)
- “Logan played a foundational role in shaping not only my clinical skills, but also my values as a chiropractor and leader within the profession. As my career has evolved, I’ve felt a strong pull to give back to the institution that helped launch my professional journey. Joining the AAC feels like a natural extension of my long-standing commitment to Logan and a meaningful way to continue supporting its mission, students and alumni.”
- Vice-Chair: Leonard Suiter, DC (’77) (Missouri)
Members-at-Large:
- Tyler Awe, DC (’19) (Arkansas)
- Rick Bruns, DC (’80) (Maine)
- Lauren Hendrix, DC (’10), MSSSR (’13) (Missouri)
- Austin Kuennen, Ed.D. (’25), MSNHP (’21), MSSC (’23), MSAND (’23) (Missouri and Florida)
- “I joined the AAC to stay involved with the institution that has given me so much. Logan has played a central role in my professional, academic and personal growth. I want to give back in any way, shape or form that could be beneficial to the Logan community.”
- Kirtland Speaks, DC (’94) (Texas)
- “I am still actively practicing after 32 years and have trained over 500 interns from Logan University and Parker University. I think I can deliver a strong vision to both what alumni feel is important and what new graduates need in the way of support as they start their careers in this awesome profession.”
- Frank Vaught, DC (’04) (Illinois)