Alumnae Reunion Weekend 2025 Recap
Alumnae Reunion Weekend was a wonderful celebration of our class years ending in 0 and 5!
On Friday, the graduating class gathered with visiting alumnae for our annual Senior Tea. Afterwards, alums enjoyed a cocktail party and the second performance of our Spring Musical, SIX: Teen Edition. Many thanks to the Alumnae Association for gifting gorgeous Linden Hall photo albums to our senior class, as well as for sponsoring cocktail hour!
Saturday began with guided campus tours led by our Student Ambassadors. Afterwards, everyone gathered in Mary Dixon Chapel for a beautiful service that included student musical performances, a State of the School update from Dr. Nan, and more. The day’s highlight was our buffet brunch in Honeycutt Hall, during which alumnae reconnected with old friends, reminisced about the “good old days” at Linden Hall, and created many new memories together. During brunch, we were thrilled to highlight Jean Cougnenc Bepko ‘60 as this year’s Distinguished Alumna, for her selfless commitment to advancing women’s education throughout her career. Many thanks to all who helped make this year’s Reunion a success!
2025 Distinguished Alumna: Jean Cougnenc Bepko ‘60
Jean arrived at Linden Hall in 1956 as a freshman, traveling from Argentina where her father worked for RCA Victor. Immersing herself in campus life, she was especially drawn to drama and thrived under the mentorship of Miss Sullivan, starring in the senior play The Barretts of Wimpole Street.
After graduating, Jean attended Endicott College, majoring in marketing and communications. She went on to intern at NBC and built a successful career in New York City’s media world. It was there she met her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Bepko.
Jean’s life took her from New York to Chicago and ultimately Indianapolis, where Jerry served as Dean and later Chancellor at IUPUI. Jean became an influential leader and fundraiser, particularly for women’s studies and the arts, establishing multiple scholarships and endowment funds. She also played key roles with the Indiana Literacy Foundation, Indianapolis Arts Council, and St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.
Among her many honors, Jean has received the IU School of Nursing honorary alumni award, the Maynard K. Hine Medallion, and was named one of Indianapolis’ Most Influential Women. She has represented Indiana on global trips to Israel, France, Russia, and multiple African countries, and was awarded the prestigious “Sagamore of the Wabash” three times.
Jean now splits her time between Florida and Indiana, cherishing moments with her children and grandchildren, and remembering her late husband of 54 years, Jerry.
Linden Hall celebrates Jean Bepko’s extraordinary contributions and is honored to recognize her legacy with the 2025 Distinguished Alumnae Award.
