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Friendships forged decades ago bring VU Alumni together

A diverse group of men with two seated, including one in a wheelchair, while the others are standing, pose for a photo together

Front row (left-right): Dave Thompson, Marcus Collins. Second row: Craig MacDonald, Brett Fisher. Back row: John Schmitz, Gary Greiner

December 22, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. - Once a Trailblazer, always a Trailblazer rang true as alumni came together to celebrate a college friend and fraternity brother.

Fellow Trailblazers Marcus Collins, Brett Fisher, Gary Greiner, Craig MacDonald, Greg Perigo, John Schmitz, Doug Whitham, and others surprised Dave Thompson recently with a reunion and a 66th birthday celebration at a Lafayette area facility where he is currently convalescing.
 
Their connection goes back to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when they attended VU and formed lifelong bonds as members of Lambda Chi Alpha.
 
For Thompson, the reunion was deeply meaningful.
 
One male is sitting in a wheelchair while two males are standing behind himCraig MacDonald and Greg Perigo (l-r) stand behind Dave Thompson, seated

He said, 鈥淚t was very much a surprise. It was very much emotional, and it still is. I can鈥檛 believe those guys came to see me. It sure made me feel good.鈥�

Some of his VU friends had seen Thompson recently, while others had not crossed paths with him in decades.

Perigo said, 鈥淰isitors came to Lafayette from as far afield as Muncie, Vincennes, and Kalamazoo, which says much about their affection for Dave, Lambda Chi, and their shared experience at VU. One of his friends dropped in who had not seen Dave in decades. He said, 鈥淒ave if it wasn鈥檛 for you, I wouldn鈥檛 have gone to college, I wouldn鈥檛 have met my best friend, and I wouldn鈥檛 have met my wife.鈥� He recounted all the positive things that Dave was responsible for. Dave is just a good soul. Every community needs more people like him.鈥�

Although they could not attend the party, seven more Trailblazers planned to visit with Thompson in the coming days and weeks.

The celebration was more than a birthday party and reunion. VU President Dr. Chuck Johnson sent well wishes and VU swag. Thompson was recognized with an Outstanding Hoosier Award presented by Rep. Sheila Klinker, an Honorary Citizen Award from City of Lafayette Mayor Tony Roswarski, and an Award of Merit from Lambda Chi Alpha CEO Troy Medley.

For those who traveled to be there, the moment was about showing up for someone who has always done the same for others.

Fisher said, 鈥淒ave is the type of person who would give his shirt off his back if you needed. I wasn鈥檛 surprised when I was informed that Dave was receiving the awards he was being given. I wanted to be there to show my support and appreciation for what Dave has done for his community over the years. It was a nice get-together for all of us.鈥�

The celebration reflected gratitude as much as friendship.

Perigo shared, 鈥淚n all, the day said much about lasting friendships forged at VU, the bonds of fraternal brotherhood, and holy cow, have we all gotten old. But man, do we still love each other, and for that we鈥檙e all eternally grateful.鈥�

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