On Saturday, September 17, Elmhurst College will present the annual Bluejay Backer Community Service Award to Al Brinkmeier ’76, a long-time community activist and supporter of the College.
The award will be presented during halftime of the Bluejays’ football game against North Park University at Langhorst Field. Kickoff for the game is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
A member of the Elmhurst College Board of Trustees since 1996, Brinkmeier has served the College in a number of capacities since his graduation. His service includes more than 25 years on the College’s development committee, a 12-year term on the alumni cabinet (including four years as president) and service on the 1994 Presidential Search Committee. Chair of the College’s Vision in Action campaign from 1997 to 2003, Brinkmeier has been a member of the College Ombuds Committee for more than 25 years.
A letter winner in football and golf during his student days at Elmhurst, Brinkmeier was one of the founding members of the Bluejay Backers and assisted with the planning of the first Bluejay Backer Golf Outing. He continues to serve on the group’s executive board. Brinkmeier also composed the College’s fight song, which is still played today at Elmhurst contests.
Brinkmeier has also served the local Elmhurst community in a variety of organizations. He spent seven years as a board member of the Elmhurst Swim Team, including three years as president. Additionally, he coached AYSO youth soccer teams for five years and Elmhurst Youth Baseball for three years. He also spent five years on the board with the Team Elmhurst Soccer Club. Since 1995 Brinkmeier also has served as commissioner on the City of Elmhurst Zoning & Planning Commission helping to draft the City of Elmhurst’s Comprehensive Plan.
The founder of Brinkmeier Law Group, a law firm with a practice in aviation law and complex litigation, Brinkmeier is a frequent author and lecturer as well as a trial attorney.
The Bluejay Backers organization has presented its Community Service Award annually since 1996.