Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School Surpasses 500-alumni Milestone
This October, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School in Joplin is celebrating the milestone of surpassing 500 alumni in its 32-year history. The school views the diverse successes of its graduates as a direct reflection of its mission and actively fosters a lifelong connection with them through dedicated events and alumni engagement programs.
By Don Lowe
Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School Fast Facts
What: Celebrating 500-alumni Milestone
Physical Address: 3401 Newman Rd., Joplin, Missouri
Phone Number: 417.781.5124
Website: https://www.tjeffschool.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TJIDS
Twitter (X): https://x.com/tjids
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjids/
In a little more than three decades, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School in Joplin, Missouri, has continued steadfast in its purpose, and Director of Development & Alumni Engagement Lauden Baker says, “In fulfillment of our mission for more than 32 years, TJIDS has stood accountable for educating students to make the most of their abilities.
“TJ’s values, as embodied in our Mission and Honor Code, is to instill in our students a desire to acquire and refine essential academic knowledge and skills, cultivate an appreciation of the arts, develop lifelong fitness skills, assume responsibility for their behavior, seek out challenge, welcome criticism, test new capacities, practice self-discipline and find joy in learning.”
All that TJIDS strives to do is characterized in those young men and women who received their education, and Lauden says, “It is safe to say our alumni are our ‘mission walking,’ taking the foundation they received here to go forward and become fully realized individuals, while making a positive impact across our country and the world.
“We are so proud of the character, talent and accomplishments embodied by our alumni. Surpassing the 500-alumni milestone with the Class of 2025 (this past May) feels like a special moment to reflect and celebrate this achievement.”
It’s all about remaining linked and bonded for years to come, and Lauden says, “We’re in a constant state of expanding and evaluating the best ways to stay connected to our Cavaliers. We have an Alumni Advisory Council & Steering Committee that meets multiple times each year.
“We have a slate of alumni receptions and events, including an alumni reception at our Fall Upper School Musical, where alumni get complimentary tickets; an event called Basket Bowl in the winter that includes pick-up basketball games and quiz bowl rounds; and a homecoming barbecue.”
It’s a lifetime connection, and Lauden says, “Last school year, we launched our Cavalier Connection quarterly alumni magazine and Alumni Assembly Speaker series, where an alum visits campus each quarter to share about their personal and professional career experience for our current generation of Cavaliers.
“Each year, we present one alum with the Distinguished Alumni Award at commencement, where they deliver an address to our graduates. It’s a special, full-circle moment as our graduates glean wisdom from a fellow Cavalier who has already made great career strides.”
The significance of reaching what TJIDS considers a consequential mile marker with its total number of graduates over 32 years is worth commemorating. Lauden says, “We have a special event planned on Saturday, October 4, to celebrate our 500-alumni milestone that will be complete with live music, inflatables and tasty treats.”
Whether these alumni are with TJ from the earliest ages or venture along for the ride a few years later, Lauden says, “Many of our graduates refer to themselves as ‘lifers,’ having started their academic journeys here in either pre-kindergarten or kindergarten and continuing through until graduation.
“However, most of our graduates join TJ in Lower School (elementary) and Middle School. Because of the small class sizes, students often create deep bonds with one another. Many of the students liken their school community to family.”
Many of these TJ graduates go on to do amazing things. Lauden says, “In addition to military service and parenthood, our TJ alumni span a broad and robust range of professions across our country and beyond, as well.
Angie Scott (’05) receives the Distinguished Alumni Award at TJ’s 2025 Commencement
“Some of the professions represented by our alumni include executive directors, lawyers, medical professionals, educators, architects, video directors, entrepreneurs, project managers, performers and many, many more.”
Sharing examples of successes, Lauden says, “A few specific alums include Angie Scott (Class of 2005), who is the talent acquisition leader for Tyson Foods in Springdale, Arkansas; and Dr. Tyler Fraum (Class of 2004) is simultaneously a radiologist at Barnes Jewish Hospital (St. Louis, Missouri) and on the teaching faculty at Washington University School of Medicine, also in St. Louis.
“Aaron McDonald (Class of 2018) has performed as a clarinet substitute for both the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver (British Columbia, Canada) Symphony Orchestra, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance from the University of British Columbia.”
Anne Hershewe (Class of 2006), who is a lawyer in Kansas City and serves as TJ Alumni Advisory Council Steering Committee president, appreciates how much TJIDS did for her, and she says, “TJ instilled in me a curiosity for the world around me.
“It was the foundation for shaping me into the person I am today. My education at TJ gave me the tools to think critically and understand the importance of being an engaged and informed citizen.”
Lauden understands the significance of sending well-prepared graduates who represent TJIDS in exemplary fashion, and he says, “Our alumni serve as a vital reminder and proof of the impact and importance of our mission-driven organization and the responsibility we have in educating them to make the most of their abilities.
“At the end of the day, having a strong and vibrant alumni network helps us know we’re on the right track and inspires us to keep pushing to be the best we can be as an organization by continuing to provide top-notch educational opportunities for students in the Four States and a community that helps foster a lifelong love of learning.”
TJ staff couldn’t be more delighted with all its graduates have achieved, and Lauden says, “We are incredibly proud of and inspired by our alumni, both by their career successes and the strong charactered lives they lead.”
In his specific role, Lauden gets a close-up view of all former students and where their paths take them after TJ, and he says, “It is my personal joy to meet and learn from the many fascinating and inspiring individuals we have in our alumni network.
“Whether it’s coffee conversations or catching up at an event, I never cease to be surprised and impressed by the humor, wisdom and wealth of experience carried by our alumni. Spending time with them has inspired me and reminded me of my own why.”
Lauden encourages others to join the TJIDS family and says, “If you know of anyone who would like to be a part of our next 500 alumni, please have them give us a call. We’d love to welcome them into our Cavalier Community.”
