Dinner with Eight Bears

Students and alumnus Wade Kortaba at their Dinner with Eight Bears event.

Want to grow your network, make new friends, gain career insights and enjoy a great meal?

Dinner with Eight Bears, sponsored by the Student Alumni Association, is your opportunity. (And yes, your meal is covered!)

Format

2025 Date: Saturday, Oct. 18 to Monday, Oct. 27, 2025.

These small-group dinners, hosted by alumni and friends in their homes, on campus or at local restaurants, bring students and alumni together to share food, stories and connections.

It’s an opportunity to hear real-world experiences, gain professional insight and talk about future goals in a relaxed setting.

Each dinner is shaped by the host—they choose the meal, location and conversation theme. All expenses are covered by the host.

Browse the options, pick a topic and time that fit your interests, and sign up to connect with Bears who’ve been where you are and are eager to support your journey.

Browse your dinner options

A dinner with four Missouri State University Foundation leaders

  • Date: Oct. 19
  • Hosts: Mike '74 and Beverly '73 Keltner and Jim Wilson and Ginger Holczer
  • Topic:​ Students interested in fields of education, sociology, psychology, and athletics are invited to join. Topics will include staying involved after Missouri State, volunteering opportunities, and expanding your career aspirations.

Building connections

  • Date: Oct. 19
  • Hosts: Natalie '95 and Geoffrey '95 Allen
  • Topic: This dinner is open to students interested in building connections. Topics will include fostering connections between students, faculty, alumni, and athletes and how to bridge the gaps between these different people.

Let's talk about sports

  • Date: Oct. 20
  • Host: Patrick Ransdell, Director of Athletics at Missouri State University.
  • Topic: For students with interest in athletics. Topics will include careers in athletics and conversations about the ins and outs of the sports atmosphere and environment.

Students and alumni connect with Black Alumni Network

  • Date: Oct. 22
  • Host: Black Alumni Network
  • Topic: The Black Alumni Network (BAN) is inviting students to a dinner to strengthen the relationships between students, faculty, staff, and friends of the BAN. This is a great opportunity for students to share their voices, stories and experiences.

Making the most of your connections

  • Date: Oct. 22
  • Hosts: Brian VanFosson '84 and CJ Miles '10
  • Topic: Join the discussion about the importance of connections. Topics will include the importance of friendships and how to use the connections and friendships you make at Missouri State University and how to work them to your benefit.

Life after college: Navigating challenges and embracing opportunities

  • Date: Oct. 23
  • Hosts: Mark Campbell '86 and Erica Semsch '14
  • Topic: Students are invited for a conversation about navigating and enhancing both academic and professional success. Hosts will share insights on the twists and turns you may encounter as you begin your careers, strategies for building social capital and tips for balancing the many demands along the way.

Staying connected: Transition into alumni life

  • Date: Oct. 25
  • Host: Missouri State Alumni Association Springfield Chapter
  • Topic: The Missouri State Alumni Association Springfield Chapter invites students planning to remain in the Springfield area after graduation to talk about events, the cost of living and employment opportunities in the area.

Exploring careers in medicine, law and business

  • Date: Oct. 27
  • Hosts: David '82, Fred '75 and Mark McQueary
  • Topic: David, Fred and Mark McQueary invite students interested in medical, legal and business careers. Students from McQueary College of Health and Human services, Pre-law and the College of Business are encouraged to attend.