Five Selected for 2021 Student Life Hall of Fame

Stefano Cantini ‘92 & ‘94, Jeff Yorg ‘99, Diane Arnzen ‘99, Lawrence Luscri II ‘02 and Myrna Homm have been selected as the newest members of the Webster University Student Life Hall of Fame. They will be inducted at a ceremony to be held Saturday, Sept. 18,  during Homecoming Weekend. Usually honored during Spirit Weekend in February, the event has been pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Student Life Hall of Fame recognizes those individuals who demonstrated an outstanding commitment to improving student life at Webster University through campus, or community, involvement and/or participation in organized campus activities. It is one of the most prestigious honors awarded by Webster University to former student leaders and employees who had a significant impact on student life. Recipients are primarily recognized for their contributions to student life while on campus.

“As with past honorees, this class represents a legacy of involvement that continues to benefit the student life experiences of our students worldwide,’ said John Buck, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of Students. “We look forward to gathering the Webster community in September to honor and celebrate their contributions and enduring impact.”

Stefano Cantini BA’92, MA’94

Over the past 32 years, Stefano Cantini has been involved numerous Webster-related activities as a student and alumnus. As a student, Cantini was instrumental in the planning of the annual Webster Vienna Ball and Graduation Ball, the largest and most popular student event at the Vienna campus to this day. Cantini also worked as a student employee for housing and was a student member of the curriculum committee. Since graduating with his master’s degree in 1994, he has taken on leadership of all alumni activity in Austria serving as the Vienna chapter leader, moderator and host of various alumni symposia, and serving on the Alumni Association board of directors.

Today, Cantini is the managing director of Karba Pack Ges.m.b.H., a specialist for flexible packaging for the food industry. He consults with Japanese trading companies in the automotive sector and has been an officer of the Vienna Chamber of Commerce for the Industrial Sector for the past 14 years. Cantini holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Economics and master of arts degree in International Business and International Relations from Webster University in Vienna and earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the Mendel University in Brno. 

Jeff Yorg, BA’99

Jeffery Yorg spent much of his time at Webster outside the classroom either upstairs or downstairs in the University Center. While at Webster, Yorg devoted his time to playing baseball (four years), helping to lay the foundation for the current SGA (three years), serving as a student ambassador (now Gorlok Guides), planning multiple leadership retreat planning, and serving as an orientation coordinator the summer after he graduated. Since graduating, he has continued to stay involved with the University by speaking on career and admission panels, served as co-class reunion chair, serving two terms on the Alumni Board of Directors. Currently, Yorg serves as a member of the University’s Board of Trustees. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History/Political Science from Webster, a master’s degree in Public Administration from University of Texas, and a doctorate of Jurisprudence from Saint Louis University. Yorg currently resides in St. Louis with his wife and three children and is a managing director of compliance and risk and associate general counsel for Buckingham Wealth Partners.

Diane Arnzen, BA’99

Diane Arnzen was often found in the center of student activities and programs while at Webster. Her immersion began in Admissions, serving as a campus tour-guide. This quickly blossomed into serving as the campus orientation coordinator for two years, serving as a student intern for Webster Works Worldwide, and a wide range of student clubs and organizations. In fall of 1997, she studied abroad in Vienna, where an eight-week term turned into a seven-month stay where she served as orientation coordinator and assisted with the implementation of Webster Vienna’s campus bookstore. Upon her return, she worked in the Dean of Students office where she helped develop the Webster LEADS leadership certificate program. Diane received her bachelor’s degree from Webster in Legal Studies. She has actively worked to remain connected with Webster University through friendships, volunteer opportunities, attendance at events, and overall support of Alumni endeavors. 

Arnzen is currently working at St. Charles Community College as the director for advising services, overseeing advising, career services, and disability support services.

Lawrence Luscri II, BA’02

Known to aII as "II" (audibly "two"), Luscri graduated from Webster University in 2002 with bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Mathematics. During his time at Webster, he was heavily involved with the Student Government Association, the formation of Gorlok Television, and opening a student-run coffee house on campus. Luscri served as President of SGA for two consecutive years from 2000-2002. After his time at Webster, Luscri completed a masters of public administration at Saint Louis University and held various positions in public affairs, politics, and the legal profession before returning to higher education in a position as a operations coordinator at Duke University. Since 2007, he has lived at the intersection of higher education, innovation, and entrepreneurship through leadership roles at Villanova University and Washington University. At Villanova, he launched the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Institute, designed the university’s innovation space – the Idea Accelerator – and created signature initiatives to develop students in all parts of the University as creative problem solvers. Luscri currently serves as the assistant vice provost for innovation and entrepreneurship and is the managing director of the Skandalaris Center for Interdisciplinary Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Washington University. 

Myrna Homm, former coordinator of Fitness Center and Aquatics

When asked “What do you do at Webster?” Myna Homm’s simple reply was “I chased 25 college students around trying to get them to take care of the swimming pool and the fitness center.” Homm was involved in creating campus recreation opportunities for Webster students and starting the men’s and women’s swim teams.  Shortly after being hired, she started a small swimming lesson program, which impacted hundreds of children and families in the Webster community for years.  Her favorite part of working at Webster was the amazing relationships formed while working with students, staff and community members. 

After retirement, Homm transitioned into working with senior citizens. She is currently employed by Lutheran Senior Services on the Webster Groves campus, teaching water and fitness/flexibility classes.    

Eligibility

Former students, employees, and other individuals who have made significant contributions to student life at Webster University are eligible for selection to the Student Life Hall of Fame. Nominees must be either graduates of Webster University, and have graduated at least three years prior, or former Webster University employees who left the University at least three years prior to selection.