His family connection with Saint John’s University is currently in its second generation for Lee Lindsey, whose son Jaren ’23 is a sophomore computer science major.
That’s a point of pride for Lindsey, whose own SJU experience was one of a trail-blazer.
“Being the first (in my family) ever to graduate from college, it really wasn’t an expectation to attend,” said Lindsey, who thought he would work with his dad’s small business after graduating from Minneapolis North High School.
Instead, he forged his own path.
Lindsey was a leader on campus – the first elected president of the Coalition for Black Cultural Awareness and an SJU admissions tour guide for three years.
That opportunity included a memorable road trip: Lindsey drove four incoming freshmen from rural Minnesota to South Side Chicago to pick up five students, then returned to Minnesota for a few days on a pig farm.
In Chicago, the Minnesota students initially refused to leave the van while a loud basketball game went on across the street. By the time they left, the Minnesota students were playing basketball with the very same people.
In Minnesota, the Chicago students initially refused to leave the van during a locust swarm on the pig farm driveway.
Lee Lindsey ’91 (right) and son Jaren ’23
They all faced their fears and misguided perceptions, and bonded.
“What was transformative was seeing those students inseparable throughout the year,” Lindsey said. “It was a testament that this type of experiential learning is the way for us to learn about each other.”
After graduating from SJU with a sociology degree, Lindsey got a master’s degree in social work before starting his two-decade career with Farmers Insurance as a Special Claims Representative. He’s also a community leader through his past involvement with the Blaisdell YMCA Community Board of Directors and the Robbinsdale Area Community Education Advisory Council.
Lindsey is all about making connections – professionally and personally, for his family and for the world.
“If I can be a conduit for people that are seekers, that are looking to see the world differently than how they’ve come to understand it,” Lindsey said, “then I want to be one of those people.”
In honor of February’s celebration of Black History Month, the annual celebration of the culture and achievements of African Americans in the United States, Saint John’s University would like to share profiles of prominent Black alumni from the past three decades and highlight their stories, reflections and accomplishments.
These profiles will be included in the upcoming Winter/Spring issue of Saint John’s Magazine, as part of a 32-page package that examines and celebrates the history of African Americans at SJU.