Reuel and Liz Nash, Class of 1975

Cutting edge might be an overused term in the age of technology — but it absolutely describes the careers of two of Vanguard’s first graduates, Liz and Reuel Nash (‘75).

Reuel, a Google staff software engineer, was involved in the creation of Google Earth and is a tech lead for imagery and terrain processing for both Google Earth and Google Maps.

Liz, a retired minister in the United Church of Christ, made her commitment to ministry before it was common for women to wear the cloth.

At Vanguard, “We had to learn to work on our own with the self-paced study we had to do,” Reuel said. “That’s really helpful in college, and most of what happens on the job.”

Click Here to read about Reuel and Liz Nash

Alumni Events - Get Involved, Volunteer, Connect!

Homecoming September 22

7:30 am Alumni Generations Picture, Gym 1

1:00 pm Alumni Council Meeting

1:45 Campus Class Tours

5:30 pm Homecoming Tailgate

7:30 pm Football Game

To RSVP for a Campus/Class Tour contact [email protected]

Click Here for Homecoming Info

Homecoming

September 22

The National Anthem at this year's Homecoming Game will be by played by Jackson Anderson ('18).

50th Anniversary Weekend

November 10-11

Alumni Happy Hour Friday

50th Campus Picnic Saturday

Gala Fundraiser Saturday Night

Fall Alumni Get Together

November 22

Cricket's Draft House & Grill

Spring Alumni Weekend

May 17-19

50th Anniversary Weekend - Black and Gold - You're Invited!

Dear Alumni Families,

Vanguard College Preparatory School invites all alumni, family, friends and community members to celebrate 50 years of Vanguard, visit our campus and support our school.

Events include the 50th Happy Hour Friday night, a Campus Picnic Saturday and a the 50th Anniversary Gala Saturday night. Meet up with friends and classmates at Friday's Happy Hour to start the weekend.

Attendees at the campus picnic and showcase Saturday will be able to experience Vanguard academics, the arts, athletics, and community. Vanguard musicians and alumni will present a new Vanguard school song!

Saturday evening, is a Black Tie optional Gala with incredible views of the lake, a band and more. Funds raised from the event will support the 50th Campaign and help the campus and students of Vanguard.

Please consider getting a group of your alumni friends to come to Waco for the fun weekend!

Click Here for more information about the 50th Anniversary Weekend.

Click Here to RSVP or request more information.

Go Vikings!

Greta Knoll

Director of Development and Alumni Relations

Weekend Events

Friday, November 10th 5:30-7 pm

Alumni Happy Hour

Salty Dog

2004 N Valley Mills Dr, Waco, TX 76710

Friday, November 11th 11 am-1 pm

Campus Picnic and Showcase

Vanguard Campus

2517 Mt Carmel, Waco, Texas 76710

Saturday, November 11th 6:30-11 pm Anniversary Gala

Sponsorships Open

Tickets go on sale October 15

Road to the 50th Campaign

Building for the Future on our 50th Birthday

The impact an alumna or alumnus can have on our campus and on our school is immeasurable.

If each alumni gave $2098 we would complete Phase 1 - Athletics of the Road to the 50th campaign. That's about $525 a year for four years, or just $44 a month.

Consider a "50th" birthday gift to Vanguard:

$5000 gift

$500 recurring annual gift

$50 recurring monthly gift

($10,000, $50,000, $100,000 Giving Level Recognition)

Give Here

Corporate Opportunity

Corporate Sponsors! Great exclusive branding opportunities! Contact [email protected].

Are you in?

Every gift moves us forward in building a campus to serve us for the next 50 years.

Follow!

Be a part of the process. Follow our construction journey Here.

Road to the 50th Steering Committee

School News

Happy Birthday Vanguard!

Vanguard opened its doors on September 4th, 1973!

The current site of Vanguard was purchased in January, 1973; and with a generous grant from the Cooper Foundation, the school was renovated and opened in September. The original footprint included three large limestone buildings constructed in the 1930s and 1940s. 106 students enrolled and the school opened on it’s first day on September 4, 1973.

Dr. Louis Bright, president of the Western Institute of Science and Technology, and Dr. Jerry Vincent, WIST’s director of education, were keys in it’s founding. The first chairman of the Board was Dr. Abner McCall, then President of Baylor University.

Read more about the history of Vanguard Here.

Calling Alumni Musicians!

Calling all alumni musicians!

Any alumnus or alumna who plays a string, woodwind, percussion, or brass instrument is welcome to join the current Vanguard Orchestra in our debut of the new school song on November 11, 2023. We are also looking for singers!

We will have a rehearsal the morning of November 11 for all participants and a rehearsal one evening the week prior to the event for those who are local. Attendance at the Nov. 11 rehearsal is required for the performance.

We would love to have you play or sing with us! For more information, or to express interest, email [email protected].

National Merit Semifinalist

Cooper Lacy, Son of Noell and Ben Lacy ('94) - Only finalist in Central Texas

Every October, over 1.3 million juniors across the country take the PSAT. Those who score in the top 1% achieve the distinction of National Merit Semifinalist. The students are eligible to become National Merit Finalist.

Congratulations Cooper and our other award winners!

Katherine Bogan - National Hispanic Recognition Award!

Ella Martinez - National Hispanic Recognition Award!

Arabella Rosiles - National Hispanic Recognition and Indigenous Award!

Sebastian Reyna - National Hispanic Recognition Award!

New Marketing Class

Vanguard has a new marking class - Social Media Marketing/Advertising. The class will be managing the Viking Athletics Instagram profile vcps_athletics.

Alumni in Media - Please consider speaking to our new media class!

Athletic Season Passes

Athletics Season and MVP Club Passes A SEASON PASS is your FAST PASS into ALL Vanguard Middle School and High School Volleyball, Football, and Basketball (boys and girls) regular-season home games. Click Here

Community Service Day

19 organizations came to campus to introduce and discuss different community service and volunteer opportunities with our students. We are beyond thankful for these organizations showing our students the importance of giving back to the community.

In Memoriam

Rebecca Herron, June 19, 1968 - August 24, 2023

It is with great sadness to share news about the passing of Rebecca Herron. Rebecca was our school’s Finance Administrator for many years and retired in December 2022 due to health reasons. Rebecca passed away peacefully at home on August 24, surrounded by her loving family. She was mother to Taylor (Herron) Coughlen ('15), Hannah Herron ('16), and Daniel Herron who also attended Vanguard and wife to Nick Herron who also served Vanguard over the years. Our hearts and prayers go out to her family, she will be missed by so many. We are grateful for all she did for Vanguard.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory on her "Tribute Wall" at www.WHBfamily.com.

Class Notes

Submit your news and contact information here.

As we plan our 50th - Make sure your information is up to date.

News includes births, weddings, new jobs, publications, books, graduations, in memoriam, awards, retirements, and more.

Avery Haynes ('22) completed a program at the Harvard John A Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates).

Avery studied "Eoarchean crustal changes", looking at trace element and isotope date from 3.4-4.0 billion year old zircons from the Wyoming province. She presented her findings on the onset of plate tectonics as evidenced by trace element geochemistry in Archean zircon. Avery is starting her junior year at Vanderbilt University, studying Chemical Engineering.

Bethany (Lewis) ('91) married Thad Jennings August 12th at Fish Creek Ranch Lodge in Dolores Colorado. Bethany is Vice President and Wealth & Trust Officer at Extract Banks in Waco.

Joe Schwartz ( '14) has been elevated to assistant coaches on the women’s basketball staff on the National Championship LSU Tiger team.

The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce announced James Beard ('02) as an Under 40 honoree. James is a shareholder with JRBT and a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the Central Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of CPAs and the Texas Society of CPAs.

James has served as the board president for the Humane Society of Central Texas, is a Leadership Waco graduate, and has served as the JRBT Total Resource Campaign Leader, raising funds to support the Greater Waco Chamber's community initiatives.

Watch video Here

Carolyn (Kannwischer) Bess ('89) was the featured alumna speaker for the faculty workshop kickoff to start the school year. Carolyn is the Executive Director of the Waco Symphony Association. The Symphony just kicked off their new season, "Out of this World."

Liz (Kultgen) Nash ('75) spoke at the second day of this years' Vanguard faculty workshop. Liz and Reuel are this month's featured alumni in this Alumni Connection. Read more Here.

Noah Hale ('23) and Jackson Popejoy ('23) were a part of Vanguard's second football game of the year. Noah was the Voice of the Vikings until graduating in Spring 2023. Jackson is currently leading the Vanguard Drumline as its coach. Both attend Baylor University.