MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT SIGNS NEW CONTRACT EXTENSION AHEAD OF BICENTENNIAL

The McKendree University Board of Trustees, under the direction of Chairman Dan Lett ‘91, are pleased to announce a multi-year contract extension to President Daniel Dobbins ’81 through June 30, 2026.

“We are thrilled with the accomplishments at McKendree University over the past three years,” Lett said. “Despite the challenges facing higher education, McKendree University has made significant progress and continues to live out its mission. We are pleased that President Dan Dobbins will continue his successful leadership of the University, and we look forward to all McKendree University will accomplish in the coming years.”

President Dobbins is McKendree University’s 33rd president and is a 1981 graduate of the institution. He became president on January 1, 2020; however, the coronavirus outbreak postponed his official inauguration until McKendree’s 193rd Founders Day in 2021. President Dobbins is married to fellow alumna, Mickey (Macaluso) Dobbins ’81.

Under President Dobbins’ direction, McKendree University has accomplished much, including developing and launching the UNITED strategic plan, launching the Clear Path admissions strategy, attaining a successful Higher Learning Commission Year 4 Accreditation assurance review, providing a major transformation to Holman Library’s space with a learning and technology center, and much more. The University also continues to garner local and national prestige, including nods from U.S. News & World Report, Nursing Schools Almanac and more. Throughout his presidency, President Dobbins has been active in numerous professional and civic organizations, including serving as Chair of the Education Committee of the Leadership Council of Southwest Illinois, Executive Committee Member of the Federation of Independent Illinois Colleges and Universities (FIICU) and Treasurer of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

After hearing of his extension, President Dobbins said, “It continues to be one of Mickey’s and my greatest honors to serve McKendree University in this capacity. While we couldn’t be prouder of what we have accomplished, we have much more to achieve together as One McKendree.”

The announcement comes in time for the University’s 195th year, which will be celebrated at an all-new level during McKendree’s inaugural Founders Week. During this time, McKendreans near and far will come together throughout the week to celebrate the countless accomplishments the University and its community have achieved, remember their roots and give back so that future Bearcats may continue to learn and thrive.

In 2028, McKendree University will celebrate its 200th anniversary as Illinois’s first institution of higher learning. Ahead of this auspicious date, President Dobbins is pleased to announce the formation of the 2028 Bicentennial Steering Committee, which will be charged with developing programming, special events and brand recognition to commemorate this historic event. The committee will be comprised of University administration, trustees, alumni board, faculty, staff, students and community members.

For more information, please visit www.mckendree.edu/ onemckendree.

To learn more about the St. Louis region’s carriers and shippers, or for site selection assistance, contact Executive Vice President - Multi Modal Enterprises Mary Lamie at 314-982-1562 or mclamie@thefreightway.com.

Belleville Area Humane Society Supported By Petco Love Grant Funding

The Belleville Area Humane Society is elated and humbled to receive a $5,000 Grant from Petco Love Charities. Petco Love is thrilled to support the lifesaving work BAHS is doing in the community. These needed funds are designated for lifesaving purposes and will help the thousand of pets that enter the humane society’s doors.

This life-saving grant was used to support complex medical cases at Belleville Area Humane Society. One such case was Uni, a cat who came to BAHS after she was found as a stray during a TNR event with an injured eye. After examining her, our on staff veterinarian, Dr. Jennifer Marquardt, decided the eye was beyond repair and it was in the kitties’ best interest to have her eye removed.

After surgery this sweet girl was so appreciative and friendly, but was going to need time to heal. Our amazing Community Outreach Assistant, Jaime, volunteered her office space and named her Uni. Meanwhile, adopter Emily was on the road to recovery herself after a tragic flare gun incident. While recovering Emily came across Uni’s photo and knew it was meant to be! When Emilay came to BAHS to meet Uni, we found out that the day of Uni’s eye surgery was also the day of Emily’s accident.

We are happy to say, these two are a match for the ages. Before meeting Uni, Emily stated, “She is the only one who knows what I am going through.” Uni has found her furever home with Emily and family, and we couldn’t be any more happy for the two of them!

Oates Associates Team Members Earn Professional Engineer License

Oates Associates, a civil and structural engineering firm, is pleased to announce that Erik Sager and Mohiuddin Imran have earned their Professional Engineer (PE) license. The PE license is a symbol of achievement and assurance of quality in the engineering profession.

Erik focuses on civil/site design while lending support to the Transportation Group. He recently joined the firm last December. Imran supports the Transportation Group, assisting with ADA (Americans with Disabilities) transition planning and transportation/ traffic-related assignments and has been a part of the team since 2019.

About Oates Associates:

Oates Associates is a multi-disciplined design firm with offices in Collinsville and Belleville, Illinois and St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri. Oates provides engineering and surveying services for transportation and building projects. Specifically, this includes transportation and traffic engineering, ADA transition planning, stormwater management, site design, building and bridge structural design and inspections, surveying and drone operations. For more information, visit www.oatesassociates.com or call 618.345.2200.

Edward S. Bott, Jr.

John H. Chassaing

Thomas F. Hennessy, III Swansea, IL

Paul E. Petruska O’Fallon, IL

Garrett C. Reuter, Jr. O’Fallon, IL

William A. Schmitt Waterloo, IL

Donald K. Schoemaker

Shiloh, IL

Kurt S. Schroeder

Shiloh, IL

Russell K. Scott

Belleville, IL

L. Kevin Vick

Belleville, IL

Donald E. Weihl

Belleville, IL

David W. Ybarra O’Fallon, IL