Donor Stories

Dan Emrick ’02 and Katie Emrick ’00 to Support Lindenwood’s Future Through a Bequest Gift in Their Will

Dan Emrick ’02 always aspired to play college golf. He met his wife of 23 years, Katie ’00, when they were both working at St. Andrews Golf Course. “Katie was attending Lindenwood on a joint basketball/volleyball scholarship,” he says. “We fell in love very quickly, and it was apparent that I wanted to follow her to college and play golf for Lindenwood.”

Once both were students at Lindenwood, Dan and Katie spent countless hours together. “She took me under her wing and kept me out of trouble my freshman year with several 5:30 a.m. breakfast dates in the cafeteria, which I am very thankful for looking back on that time of our lives together,” Dan shared. Katie graduated with cum laude honors and began working in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Emricks remain involved with the University through their son Sam ’26, a current student-athlete on the golf team. “Many of the players are international, and therefore they lack some of the support that we are able to offer being local,” Dan says. “We enjoy hosting them for home cooked meals and being a liaison to their parents. Coach Schaub has done a fantastic job recruiting players that are incredibly polite, respectful, and appreciative.” Dan has also maintained a close relationship with his Lindenwood coach Roger Ellis, and the two can be found on the golf course together quite often.

To honor the institution responsible for framing their lives, the couple has arranged a bequest to support the University’s future. “Golf and Lindenwood are the two foundations that are responsible for everything that we have today,” Dan says. “It is our pleasure to leave a donation to Lindenwood to honor where it all started for us.”

Dan and Katie hope others will join them in planning a legacy gift to support future students. “I would encourage them to stop and think about all that Lindenwood has given them, not just the degree,” Dan concludes. “At the end of the day, relationships are the most important factor for success in all facets of life.”