Sold-Out Lewis Event Raises Over $18,000 for Endowed Sargent Conservatory Fund
November 15, 2022
More than 600 people filed into the Loretto Hilton Center on Nov. 5, 2022, to listen to the wit and wisdom of one person — award-winning alumna and Hollywood Walk of Fame honoree Jenifer Lewis.
Lewis, who is on a tour promoting her new book “Walking in My Joy,” came to Webster University, her alma mater, to celebrate her achievement with family, friends and the community at large.
And what a homecoming it was. She answered audience questions, sang, played piano, told stories from her fascinating life, reminisced about her time at Webster and growing up in St. Louis, and offered up her observations about the best way to make it through life.
“We were thrilled to welcome back our successful alumna who not only continuously inspires so many, but has also created a phenomenal legacy,” said Chancellor Elizabeth (Beth) J. Stroble. “We are grateful for the impact Jenifer continues to make at Webster University. Her generosity supports students by ensuring they can pursue their own personal and professional aspirations.”
Lewis earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Webster’s Sargent Conservatory in 1979. In 2015, she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters and delivered an inspired Commencement address. At that time, she established the Jenifer Lewis Endowed Sargent Conservatory Fund to enable students who look like her to have assistance to pursue their dreams, just as Webster did for her.
The first award was made for the 2018-2019 academic year and helped students purchase books, computers and other necessary supplies. That fund continues to grow and her appearance for her book tour helped raise an additional $18,175 for the fund.
The sold-out event was held on the main stage of the Loretto-Hilton Center, the same stage Lewis crossed when she graduated in 1979. Among the attendees were 12 mayors from various cities across Missouri as well as Congresswoman Cori Bush and nearly a half-dozen representatives from the news media who were there to cover the event.
In addition to Lewis’ presence, highlights of the evening included proclamations that announced Nov. 5 as "Jenifer Lewis Day" for the following municipalities: City of Moline Acres, City of St. Louis, City of Northwoods, City of Kinloch, City of Ferguson and City of Velda Village Hills.
The evening also included sharing with Lewis the surprise news that she would receive a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame in The Delmar Loop, an honor presented to those who make a national impact on our cultural heritage.
Webster’s collaboration with Lewis for this event generated significant media attention. The Higher Education Channel and St. Louis Public Radio have teamed up to create a long feature story about Lewis and her life in St. Louis. The story will air on the radio and be broadcast by HEC in February 2023. The link will be shared after it has aired.
The Nine Network is also working on a longer piece about Lewis, with an air date yet
to be confirmed. Details to follow as they become available.