The Magazine for
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McK x 2 Homecoming 2011
PRESIDENT’Smessage
Dear Friends, Greetings from McKendree! Greetings from McKendree! No this is not a typo, nor are you seeing double. This issue of The Magazine for McKendree is a celebration of twos, doubles and pairs! We all know many of the famous references to 2. Let’s see… some of you have undoubtedly heard that a bird in the hand is better than two in the bush; anyone enjoyed a stick of Double Mint Gum lately? You can play “doubles” in tennis; most parents know about the terrible twos; the animals entered the ark in pairs; mittens always come in pairs; there are two peas in a pod; and of course there are two partridges in a pear tree. At this point you might be wondering what this has to do with McKendree University. Well, McKendree has some interesting links to the number two. You might have heard by now that we have two new residence halls. You can find a great photo of this new addition to the campus on page 3 of the magazine. You may not be aware that McKendree has many students who double major, graduating from the University with a degree in two majors or for some, dual degrees. McKendree has a large number of twins in its student and alumni population. And while not featured in this magazine, we know that many of our alumni met their spouses while students here. Personally, I am not surprised that there is such a legacy of pairs at McKendree. Didn’t someone once say that all the best things in life come in pairs? There is one more thing I will say about two. Most of us who work at McKendree— myself included—feel doubly blessed by the opportunity to witness the educational transformation that occurs on our campus in the classroom between faculty and students. We also feel grateful for alumni, parents and friends of the University who partner with us to make our work here even more vital. I hope you enjoy reading about McKendree x 2. Look for more to come about twos in the next issue…. Sincerely,
Jim Dennis President
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Double Majors
McKendree Multiples
Life on Two Wheels
FEATURES THIS ISSUE McK x 2 IN THIS ISSUE • On Campus 6 Magazine Contributors
• Bearcat Athletics 24 • Homecoming 2011 26 • Calendar Highlights 30 • Class Notes 31
Published twice a year, The Magazine for McKendree connects alumni and friends to the McKendree University community. Please send address changes to:
FPO
By printing this magazine on 10% post consumer waste recycled paper, the following resources were saved: 15 mature trees 417 lbs of solid waste 1461 lbs of greenhouse gases 6 million BTU’s 6764 gallons of water
McKendree University Office of Development, Alumni and Parent Relations 701 College Road Lebanon, IL 62254 Keeping in touch is easy. Call 1-800-BEARCAT, ext. 6826, or send e-mail updates to alumni@mckendree.edu.
Editorial content and production: Lisa Brandon, Director of Media Relations Krysti Connelly, Executive Director for University Communications and Marketing Victoria Dowling, Senior Vice President Whitney Fraier, Director of Alumni Relations Sherry Hall, Graphic Designer Writing/Photography: Brianna Berens ’12 Staci Cripe Michael Embrich Michele Erschen Sam Fentress Photography Julie Guenther ’14 Maegan Hafley ’12 Matt Kauffmann Photography Josh Monken Photography Ed Vernon James Visser Photography Rick Windham Photography
The Magazine for
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TAKEfive Five Minutes with… Mitch Nasser, Director of Residence Life
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very summer Roger “Mitch” Nasser, Jr. takes on the complex task of matching roommates and assigning rooms, suites and apartments to 830 student residents. During the school year, he and his staff—an assistant director and six resident directors— manage the crises and challenges that sometimes arise when students live on their own and share a space, often for the first time. Mitch joined the Student Affairs staff five years ago. He was employed previously by Miami University of Ohio and the University of Dayton. His easygoing personality, sense of humor and experience as a dad helps him relate well to students and their parents. “In addition to my wonderful wife, I have a fantastic 20-year-old daughter,” he says. “Parents, I know what you are going through with your student.” Did you get along with your college roommate? I was assigned a room [at Saint Louis University] with a sophomore. He received permission to move in early and arrived a few days before me. When my parents and I entered the room, we noticed a giant futon, a mound of dirty clothes and a homemade loft. “We will see about getting you a different room,”
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my parents told me. “No, this room is where I want to live,” I said. Needless to say, after a few months I was great friends with my roommate and two suitemates. These men shaped my college experience and pulled me out of my shell.
What advice do you give students who have never shared a room? I encourage roommates to have early discussions regarding cleaning, visitors, mutual respect and appropriate methods of confrontation. We train our staff to assist in these conversations.
What steps does Residence Life take to help ensure compatibility? We have a four-part model for assigning rooms to new students. First preference is by living-learning environment. Any student selecting our arts or social justice community is assigned to the corresponding building. Second preference is by desired roommate. As long as each student includes the other, we match them together. Third is by athletic request. Students electing to live with other athletes are matched with other athletes. Finally, we place students together based on lifestyle—their sleep, study, cleanliness habits, and so forth. It’s important to remember that students may alter their habits once they arrive at McKendree, as most have not lived away from home.
Is there a single most common complaint or issue? The most common complaint is typically rooted in miscommunication. Students find their roommates change as the school year progresses. Many times both students experience personal changes, alter their viewpoints and decide life goals while attending the University. Sometimes changes in others are a reflection of the changes within ourselves.
Q&A
How do you resolve conflicts between roommates? First, we defer to the students. While we are open to parent concerns, we will not act on a roommate issue without consulting the student. Most issues begin with small incidents that grow into larger concerns. Many students are fearful about confronting their roommates. They’ll often say, “I don’t want to upset my roommate” or “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.” The majority of students are unaware their roommates have issues with them. Fortunately, some issues end once the students reveal their concerns with one another. Some roommate conflicts are unavoidable and involve student relocation but the majority can be solved through communication.
How do you manage stress? I have the most amazing wife on the face of the planet. We typically tell our stories of the day each evening. I also try to exercise five to six days a week. I am able to reflect on my day while lifting and stretching, and have a new focus when I finish. I love the outdoors. Whether gardening, enjoying a campfire or watching the stars, I find I’m able to put problems aside and reach perspective. If you weren’t Director of Residence Life, what other profession might you have? Most likely a stand-up comedian or a lawyer. What would people be surprised to know about you? I performed stand-up comedy from 1994 to 2007 in Missouri, Illinois and Ohio. My first performance was on a dare from a friend. I also have a cameo in the video game “Batman: Arkham Asylum.”
New Residence Halls East & West Opened Fall 2011
ONcampus News Briefs
University trustee from 1988 until his sudden passing in 2010. “This beautiful garden space is a symbolic and literal representation of Karl’s love for God, nature, his family, his friends and business colleagues, and his McKendree family,” said Tim Harrison, University chaplain, at the Nov. 5 dedication.
A Peaceful Place Inspired by a man who loved the outdoors, the Karl D. Dexheimer Memorial Garden adjacent to the new residence hall entrance is a place to sit and quietly reflect. Flowering trees and shrubs surround the brick patio, given in loving memory by the family and friends of the late Dr. Dexheimer, a
“Karl Dexheimer was a role model who in his life and death provides us a wonderful example of devotion, service and commitment to others,” said James Dennis, president. “This memorial area is a peaceful place and an opportunity for us to publicly give thanks for the life, dedication and commitment of Karl Dexheimer and all that his service has meant to our University.”
“Wow!” exclaimed surprised students upon entering the renovated Ames Dining Hall at the start of the fall semester. The entire space was gutted during the summer to make it more functional and the interior design, furniture and lighting was updated for a more contemporary look.
Daylor Retirement
A Service of Consecration to dedicate the new residence hall on Oct. 22 was a highlight of Homecoming Weekend. Joni Bastian, vice president of student affairs, was one of 14 participants who had the honor of cutting a ribbon to open the facility. The event marked the official opening of the 75,000 square-foot complex that almost 200 students now call their campus “home.” 6
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Mary Frances Daylor retired on Aug. 31 after serving as McKendree’s Director of Health Services since 1979. At her farewell reception, Mary Frances poignantly recalled her first moments on campus. Due to the stairs being repaired in Pearsons Hall, she had to climb up the fire escape and through an open window—in a dress—for her interview. This was just one of many interesting moments she experienced in her 32 years on campus.
Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember, involve me and I’ll understand. —Chinese proverb, posted on Jean Scheller-Sampson’s office door
Throughout her career, she has been a passionate advocate for hiring disabled workers.
Management and Marketing Professor Honored for Excellence in Teaching Jean Scheller-Sampson ’83 is known for the innovative “real-world activities” she incorporates into her undergraduate and graduate level management and marketing courses. She is one of approximately 100 St. Louis-area educators who recently received the prestigious Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award for 2011. Honorees from the kindergarten to college level are chosen for their passion for teaching, impact on student learning, knowledge and creativity.
“She demonstrates an unwavering commitment to incorporating active student learning and real-world activities in all of her classes,” Bahr added. “Dr. Scheller-Sampson requires her students to conduct research, analyze data, and communicate the relevance of their findings to professional audiences.” “Our students are used to getting up in front of people,” Jean said. She often takes them to professional conferences and the annual Intercollegiate Business Ethics Competition at Loyola Marymount University. She coordinates McKendree’s study abroad exchange program with the Paris Graduate School of Management, and advises the Phi Beta Lambda future business leaders’ organization, as well as transfer students for the School of Business. Her sports marketing students put their skills and talent to work on various campus projects.
“Her classes are highly interactive, interesting and relevant to today’s global issues,” said Christine Bahr, provost.
“We have some great students,” Jean said. “It’s important to prepare them. They need to be able to learn to fail where it’s safe, so they know it’s OK and not to be devastated. They need to know what it’s like to work in the real world.”
Before she became a college professor, Jean was a corporate human resource manager, and a bank and warehouse employee.
During one class exercise, the professor temporarily confiscates her students’ cell phones. “I see students sweat when I do
this. They panic. But they have to learn how to communicate and work together in groups,” she said. “In addition to her excellent teaching skills, Dr. Scheller-Sampson is widely known among students for the care and concern that she demonstrates for each of them,” Bahr noted. “Many seek her out to serve as their academic advisor or internship supervisor. They know that she will treat them fairly and help them grow academically, socially, and professionally.” “When I see a student that just ‘gets it,’ there’s no other feeling like it,” Jean said. The Maryville, Ill. resident and mother of five children, ages five to 15, admits she feels “very melancholy” as she watches her former students receive their diplomas during the University’s commencement ceremony. Six other alumni and/or current students also received 2011 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards: Kyle Gordon ’98, a social studies teacher at Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Ill. Ginger (Ogden) Johnson ’83, a chemistry and biology teacher at O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Ill. Jamie Moll ’95, a third grade teacher at High Mount School in Swansea, Ill. Charles ‘Chuck’ Noud, MAED ’10, an instrument music teacher at Coolidge Middle School in Granite City, Ill. Laura Pruett, MAED ’08, a fourth and fifth grade teacher at St. Jacob Elementary School in St. Jacob, Ill. Scott Schlapkohl, MAED ’12, a physics teacher at Alton High School in Alton, Ill.
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ONcampus News Briefs
Summer Musical A young, energetic cast led by veteran local actors starred in “Bye Bye Birdie,” the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts’ first summer musical, staged for six performances in July. Director and choreographer Courtney Self, of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Theatre Department, updated the play’s 1958 storyline, originally inspired by Elvis Presley’s
“farewell” tour before he was drafted into the Army. Joining her on the production team were McKendree faculty and staff members Terence Mayhue, music director; Doug Magnussen, sets and lights; Michelle Magnussen, costumes; and Peter Palermo, producer. ”This exciting and ambitious undertaking was made possible by generous gifts, Friends of the Hett and the University,” Palermo said. and Illinois teams battled it out in exciting two-minute rounds of “Bowled Over!”, a game played with racquetballs and bowling balls.
Robotics Competition is a FIRST on Campus In a competition known as a “varsity sport for the mind,” the rivals were robots, not athletes, when McKendree University hosted the FIRST® Tech Challenge at the Melvin Price Convocation Center gymnasium on Jan. 14. Eighteen-inch robots built and controlled by high school students from 33 Missouri 8
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FIRST® Robotics combines the study of science and technology with the excitement, intensity and fun of sports to inspire students’ interest in innovation and engineering. Its founder is Dean Kamen, an inventor and entrepreneur best known for designing the Segway two-wheeled transporter. For the first time, McKendree was the site of one of 53 regional FIRST® Tech Challenges in the U.S. Finalists advanced to the Missouri state championship at the Missouri University of Science and Technology at Rolla in February. The world championship will be held Apr. 25 to 28 at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis.
Whitman Urges Crowd to Get Involved, Get to the Polls If you want to make an impact, get involved and never take for granted your constitutional right to vote, Christine Todd Whitman told a capacity crowd at the Hett’s Distinguished Speaker Series on Oct. 25. The former New Jersey governor and Environmental Protection Agency director during George W. Bush’s administration now oversees a consulting firm that specializes in energy and environmental issues. “We can have a clean, green environment and a thriving economy,” Whitman contended at a later session on climate change and politics. During her three-day residency as a Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow, she discussed a variety of issues with over 15 classes and five campus organizations. McKendree impressed her. “When she left, she said that McKendree was a gem and she could feel our special community,” said Tami Eggleston, associate dean, who coordinated Whitman’s visit.
New Division Emphasizes the Arts The creation of a new Visual and Performing Arts Division in the College of Arts and Sciences promotes greater visibility of McKendree’s music, art and theatre programs.
Marchal Joins Board of Trustees Michael Marchal, president of Holland Construction Services, Inc., joined the McKendree University Board of Trustees on Oct. 1. The graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville also serves on the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois board, United Way board, American Red Cross Leadership Council, and as a construction leadership advisor, career mentor and church leader. He resides in Highland, Ill. with his wife, Kim, and two children.
McKendree Ranks Among Top Regional Universities U.S. News and World Report’s 2012 “Best Colleges” edition rates McKendree University’s overall score in the top 25 percent of all 626 participating institutions in the Regional Universities category nationwide. Ranked 44th in the Midwest, McKendree is listed ahead of all comparable St. Louis area schools but one. This year is the first that McKendree is included in the Best Regional bake sale to a fundraiser. For instance, Aurelie Capron’s class headed a blanketmaking project for youth patients in a local area hospital and Neil Quisenberry’s class also made blankets for Project Linus, in which various chapters donate blankets to children who are critically ill or traumatized. Rick Bonsall’s class wrote letters to U.S. soldiers and made cards, banners and handmade items to distribute overseas.
First-Year Students Reach Out to the Community University 101 students experience the opportunity to participate in diverse charitable projects, while working with professors to contribute to the local community. Activities ranged from a
Some additional projects included: holding a Stray Rescue pet supply drive; a bake sale for Village Health Works; a bone marrow donor registry drive; a food drive for Lebanon St. John’s Church food pantry; selling bracelets for a Bearcat football player who has cancer; volunteering at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home; making Halloween cards to send
With the arts and sciences reorganization, the Division of Humanities (formerly known as Language, Literature and Communications) includes the English, Spanish, communications, religion and philosophy programs. Political science, history, psychology and sociology comprise the Social Sciences Division. Universities category (rather than Best Regional Colleges) to more accurately reflect its description. Schools are compared to their peer group in the North, South, West or Midwest because they generally draw most students from their own region. “We’re proud to be recognized in this category along with other fine universities such as Creighton, Butler, Drake, Valparaiso and Xavier,” said James Dennis, president. “These results affirm our belief that McKendree offers a high quality education compared to many other institutions in our region, including some that are considerably larger.” to a local retirement center; and collecting money for Project Mosquito Net and Nothing But Nets, which donate mosquito nets to endangered African children to help stop the spread of malaria. First year students were exposed to a wide variety of projects both within the local surrounding community and global areas, through gaining optimistic experiences, while learning more about themselves. “Dr. Collins and I have been in awe of our University 101 colleagues’ unique and thoughtful service projects which benefited the local community as well as our global friends in Africa,” said Darryn Diuguid, assistant professor of education. “McKendree University should be proud of the 23 sections of 101 which provided over 1,500 community service hours this semester.” The Magazine for
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ONcampus News Briefs chemistry. As a result, he began his thesis project, which covers computing molecule properties, synthesizing all molecules and testing them in the laboratory. The molecules he is studying are pyridazine, tetrazine, and hydrazine.
Student Selected for NSF Chemistry Workshop by Julie Guenther ’14 Daniel LaMaster ’13 of O’Fallon, Ill., was the only student selected to participate in a Computational Chemistry Workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., in July. He was one of 20 participants; the others were faculty members, including Feza Ozturk, McKendree chemistry professor.
A main focus of the workshop was to learn how to use various types of software to see how molecules function, why structures work the way they do, and how their structure is directly related to how they function.
software is best for its completion. He would like to incorporate computational chemistry into his upcoming graduate studies, and is interested in the field, because there are many possibilities to help in various areas in the scientific field, and expand knowledge on the diverse types of chemistry.
Daniel said the experience also gave him new insight in various ways, for helping to teach and tutor chemistry students. The workshop gave him a glimpse of what he needs to do before continuing with his thesis project and figuring out what
Daniel accomplished numerous tasks and activities to broaden his knowledge of chemistry, particularly computational
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2011 Lincoln Laureate is a Scholar-Activist relief organization, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Sigma Alpha national honor societies, Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Spectrum Alliance, and the new Philosophy Club. Michael says he is motivated by “a general sense of wanting to do good. My sense of morality wants me to make this place better, a more socially conscious place. These are movements that raise issues. I try to get people involved in big things. These are big issues that everybody should be aware of. I guess I’m just a student wanting to do things.”
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ichael Anderson ’12 was selected as a Lincoln Academy Student Laureate for 2011, a statewide honor that recognizes his impressive accomplishments as a scholar, activist and student leader. The Lincoln Academy of Illinois gives the prestigious annual award for excellence in curricular and co-curricular activities to one outstanding college senior from each four-year institution. Michael received the award medallion during a ceremony held at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Ill. on Nov. 5. The international relations and religion double major from Shiloh, Ill., was nominated by faculty members from the social science and humanities divisions, who described him as “intellectually curious… a true scholar who believes in the power of political action to change the world.” Michael has maintained a nearly perfect 4.0 grade point average while leading several campus organizations, working as a research assistant for two professors, and tutoring in the Writing Resource Center.
“I’ve always felt a natural want to participate in things bigger than myself. My parents instilled that in me early on. Here I feel I can actually do things to make a difference. McKendree and my professors have given me a lot of opportunities,” he said. Michael describes himself as “a believer but not a member of any organized religion,” who likes to read about different faith traditions. He is a founding member and the current president of McKendree’s Interfaith Council, which brings together students from faith and non-faith traditions to serve the community. It is his proudest accomplishment, he says. As a freshman, he was among the few male members to join the Young Feminists group on campus, an organization he now leads as its 2011-12 president. “I have always believed that you treat people as you want to be treated. It felt natural to me to join,” he explained. “I would like to see the organization become more ‘activist-y,’ to step up our political activity.”
After he graduates from McKendree in May, he plans to study constructive theology in graduate school, work toward a Ph.D. and eventually teach academic theology. The Lincoln Laureate is his second major honor in 2011. Earlier this year, he received the Study Abroad Excellence Award at King’s College in London, where he spent the spring semester of his junior year. Regarding his most recent achievement, Michael said, “It was nice to be nominated. I was really surprised at first and then I became strangely reflective. It makes me realize how much I have done.”
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Currently Michael is also an officer in the University’s Oxfam America international The Magazine for
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Kimberly Mayden Beth Buehlhorn
Scott Billhartz ’85
Who’s Who in Development, If you stop by the Alumni House on Alton Street, you will notice many changes, from new faces to positions to the department name on the sign in front. Several staff members have recently joined the team or have changed responsibilities in the newly named Office of Development, Alumni and Parent Relations. “The University is very fortunate to have hired some terrific professionals to complement some of our veteran employees,” said Victoria Dowling, senior vice president. “In the next few pages we would like to introduce the team and share their contributions.” 12
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Kimberly Mayden, Associate Vice President for Development, Alumni and Parent Relations, works directly with the Senior Vice President on the University’s comprehensive fundraising campaign, with special emphasis on its featured construction objectives. She also manages athletic fundraising, including the newly formed Bearcat Booster Club and the inaugural Bearcat Athletic Golf Tournament to be held on June 22. Kim is the former executive director for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central Florida, and directed the Teaching and Club Professional Division of the Ladies Professional Golf Association. She coached NCAA Division I women’s basketball at Northern Iowa University and was a regional director at the Muscular Dystrophy Association for 10 years. Kim is an avid golfer who also enjoys hiking and travel. “I really enjoy working at McKendree, especially the people. Having the opportunity to work with the alumni, faculty, staff and the students has been a remarkable experience.” Beth Buehlhorn, Administrative Assistant to the Associate Vice President, is often the first person to greet visitors at the Alumni House. She schedules donor visits and helps plan events and special projects, such as the groundbreaking and dedication ceremony for the new residence hall. When you are a guest at a reception or special event hosted by the Department of Development, Alumni and Parent Relations, Beth is working behind the scenes or making you feel welcome.
Sean Taylor
Whitney (Pankey) Strang ’05
Tricia Poettker
Alumni and Parent Relations At home, she enjoys relaxing with a good movie or a book, cooking, camping and spending time with her grandchildren.
Whitney (Pankey) Strang ’05, Director of Major and Planned Giving, meets alumni, parents and friends near and far who want to give back to help the University accomplish its goals.
“I not only enjoy a good party, I also love to plan parties.” Scott Billhartz ’85, Director of Donor and Prospect Management, is an alumnus and an 11-year veteran of the department. His responsibilities focus on the stewardship of endowed scholarship donors and those who have included the University in their estate plans. He also helps to identify and develop strategies for the prospect management system. Scott is a baseball card collector, a St. Louis Cardinals baseball and Blues hockey fan, and a music lover. His free time is spent primarily with his wife, Meg, MAED ’08, and two daughters, whose many high school activities he follows and supports. “McKendree is very special to me and my family.” Sean Taylor, Database Administrator, helps run the University’s database of alumni, parents and friends by pulling together lists, generating reports and updating records daily. When you donate to McKendree, he creates the receipt and acknowledgement of your gift. Sean played college football and soccer. He still plays a little soccer on weekends, likes to fish, and sees a lot of St. Louis Cardinals games during baseball season. “I am such a Cardinals fan, I named my dog after my favorite player, Ozzie.”
Despite her frequent travels, Whitney remains a homebody at heart. “It’s hard to get me out of the house when I don’t have something planned,” she says. The Chicago Bears fan, who claims she “probably know(s) more about sports than most men,” begins and ends her day tuned in to ESPN Radio. Whitney intended to enroll at a large university but a Scholarship Weekend visit to McKendree changed her fate. “It took me about two weeks on campus to realize that McKendree was the only place for me,” she said. “Not only did I receive a quality education, I made lifetime friends and even met my husband (Kent Strang ’05) here.” “When I meet with you, I like to learn about you and hear about your McKendree experience. While I do raise money for the University, I won’t always ask you for money.” Tricia Poettker, Major Gift Officer, came on board in October. She spends much of her time traveling on behalf of the University, conducting an average of 30 visits each month to identify, cultivate and solicit prospective major donors. Back at home, Tricia enjoys boating, golfing and her guilty pleasures, “good wine and ‘The Real Housewives of…’ reality TV series. I am obsessed with all of them.” She and her husband Kevin, love baseball so much that they named their eldest son, after pitching ace Nolan Ryan. The couple has three children. “I am beyond excited to now be a part of the McKendree family.”
Whitney Fraier
Sarah Klucker
Vincent Piazza
Advancement is a “contact ” sport Whitney Fraier, Director of Alumni Relations, is a country girl at heart whose Southern drawl reveals her roots. Growing up on a farm in the tiny Missouri boot heel town of Braggadocio (pop. 125), she “did everything from feeding cows and hogs to picking up pecans in our orchard.” At McKendree, Whitney engages and connects alumni in mutually beneficial, lifelong ways to each other and to the University. “I’m a people person. Some say I have never met a stranger but I truly love to talk to others and to hear their stories,” she says. She plans and implements programs and projects that encourage alumni support and is the liaison between the Alumni Association Board of Directors and University leadership.
Sarah is thrilled to be at a smaller university, having spent most of her career at larger schools. She comments, “I have always longed to be at a University that felt like ‘home’, where I could identify people by name and truly come to know them.” Growing up in a military family, Sarah attended nearly a dozen different schools. “I still feel a weird urge to move every few years and can’t explain it,” she says. “Usually, I just rearrange some furniture and I’m fine.” When she isn’t taking her kids to dance practices or basketball games, Sarah likes to read, garden and relax with her family.
Whitney’s many pastimes include interior design, restoring antiques, baking for others (especially desserts), reading, and collecting favorite quotes.
“It is very important to me to be at a University that has a mission reflective of my spiritual identity and in alignment with my values and faith tradition.”
“I enjoy hearing from alums about their McKendree experiences and what the University was like when they were here.”
Vincent Piazza, Coordinator of Annual Giving, manages the Annual Fund, coordinates the phone-a-thon campaign and senior class gift project, and plans William McKendree Society events.
Sarah Klucker, Director of Parent Relations, is a family’s liaison to McKendree. She guides, supports and connects parents to the University while advancing its educational and fundraising priorities, and serves on the Parent Association and Parent Advisory Board. The mother of four has a law degree and a serious love of learning. “I had eight different declared majors in college, a dictionary with marking by the words I’ve looked up, more books than I know what to do with at home and articles, documentaries 14
and periodicals on a million different subjects that are completely unrelated,” she confesses.
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Vincent describes himself as “a compassionate yet secretly competitive person” who can focus on big picture but zero in on the details. An enthusiastic hockey fan who enjoys weight training, he is also a classically trained violinist who frequents Saint Louis Symphony concerts. Vincent speaks Italian fluently; he minored in it. “Anything I do in my life begins macro and ends micro.”
Doubling
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by Lisa Brandon, Director of Media Relations
Sarah Brown Philosophy & Chemistry
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hen students find themselves unable to decide between two majors, doubling up may be the answer. Some cross disciplines based on their talent, passion or aptitude. Others are motivated by a specific career goal.
“A double major can be extremely beneficial for many fields,” said Jennifer Pickerell ’99, director of career services. “For example, a student majoring in marketing and art can market both their business and creative skills. History or political science combined with communication could be beneficial for someone who wants to get into politics or go to law school.” The greater course load and more complicated class schedule of the double major student can be challenging. Advisers use program evaluations and four-year academic planning sheets to ensure that students take all of their required courses, explained Debbie Larson, registrar. Many take summer classes to complete their degree requirements in four years. Meet five McKendree students whose parallel academic paths are somewhat unique. All are extremely focused, hard-working, high achievers who also participate in athletics or co-curricular activities.
“I get a lot of satisfaction out of the huge explanations in everyday life,” says Sarah Brown ’13, who is pursuing not only two majors but also double degrees—a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. “The critical thinking you get from philosophy is really helpful in science. Philosophers back in the day were mathematicians and scientists,” noted the senior from Maryville, Ill. Take Aristotle, Descartes, Einstein or Newton, for example. Like the lesser known 19th century Scottish physicistmathematician and natural philosopher James Clerk Maxwell, Sarah studied at the University of Edinburgh. During the spring 2011 semester in Scotland, she took classes in the “the stuff of the universe” and the philosophy of time travel. “I do like metaphysical philosophy,” she said, comparing the questioning of existence, objects and their properties to the scientific measurement of empirical data. “If you question it, everything is measurable. “Philosophy has rules of logic. That came super easy to me. Science requires more memorization. I love having the variety of classes, having the math in science but the papers and writing for philosophy.” Sarah was undecided on a major when she enrolled at McKendree four years ago but eventually found the right balance. “I knew I liked philosophy. In high school I was always interested in science. I decided on chemistry my second year.” Her double degree requires 160 credit hours instead of the minimum 128 for a degree in one major. McKendree’s award-winning debate team provides a competitive outlet for Sarah’s analytical nature. “I find debate incredibly valuable,” she said. “You have to be able to put together logical arguments in philosophy to support or refute their claims. I tear other people’s logic apart.” The Magazine for
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Jessica Spires Sociology-Criminal Justice & Spanish Jessica Spires ’12 knows that fluency in Spanish can give her an advantage in the highly competitive career she seeks—an FBI investigator, preferably in Florida. “It’s easier to get in if you speak two languages and it will be easier to find work in the southern states,” said the New Lenox, Ill. native, who is ready to escape the harsh Midwest winters permanently for her dream job in a balmy climate. Jessica originally chose Spanish as a minor to complement her major in sociology with a criminal justice emphasis. “I took it in high school and picked it up easily,” she said. Taking a job in a largely Spanish-speaking community near her hometown offered opportunities to practice her bilingual skills. Needing just six more credit hours to add Spanish as a full second major, she added the classes. Jessica will conclude her college career far from McKendree, immersed in Spanish language coursework in Central America. Two months after she graduates in May with a sociology-criminal justice degree, she will be off to Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica for six months. The study abroad experience will complete the degree requirements for her Spanish major in December. The senior is focused on her career goal with the same drive and determination she brings to the Bearcats’ defending national champion women’s bowling team. She hopes to continue on the women’s bowling tour when she returns to the U.S. to pursue a career as a federal agent. Jessica has enjoyed academic as well as athletic success, as a member of the Phi Kappa Phi national honor society and the Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honor society. She is also a student ambassador and a member of the Spanish Club.
Andrea Jenkins International Relations & Math Finance Actuary “It is possible to apply game theory to international relations,” maintains Andrea “Annie” Jenkins ’13, who can link the mathematical analysis of strategic interaction to global economics and politics. Majors in international relations and mathematics combine Annie’s innate curiosity about other countries with a practical “plan B.” Annie may be proficient with numbers but travel is clearly her passion. Taped to the inside back cover of her day planner is a neatly typed “bucket list”: Go to New York City for New Year’s Eve. Visit all 7 continents. Visit the 7 wonders of the world (she’s been to three). See all 50 states (26, check). Sleep in a castle. Go to Wimbledon. “I have a longer version at home on my dream board,” says the super-organized, ambitious junior from Fairview Heights, Ill. “I want to go to every country. I’ve even looked up cruises to Antarctica.” Since the age of 15, trips to Switzerland, Italy, France, Monaco and Vatican City have fueled her wanderlust. “The first three pages of my passport are awesome,” says Annie. In 2011 she spent a week in China, a day in Japan and a month in Brazil—on one trip. She is eager to return to Japan, having spent two weeks in Tokyo as McKendree’s Technos International Exchange student in 2008. The president of the campus Green Team environmental group and the vice president of the International Student organization would like a career in international volunteerism or diplomacy. Adept at math, she knows she could also be successful as an actuary. “I’ve always been good at math, always enjoyed it. I make math references all the time. It’s good to have a backup plan.”
Brad Gebben Religion & Theatre Brad Gebben ’12 makes a wry comparison between his two academic majors, theatre and religion. “In one, you learn how to ‘lie.’ The other teaches you that lying is bad.” The senior from Effingham, Ill., balances a deeply spiritual nature with a flair for the dramatic. Brad, who contributes at least community service 200 hours each semester, has felt called to service since his final year of high school. In two years at McKendree he completed all but two classes required of religion majors. Within one year, he learned to read Biblical Greek and mastered a basic command of Greek words. With ample time to pursue a second major, the stage beckoned. Brad had participated in high school theatre productions and has acted in several plays at McKendree. His two majors complement each other. “My theatre background gives me the ability to stand in front of a crowd and speak for a long time. Also, the lighting and sound equipment that a lot of churches have are the same things we use for theatre.” While at ease in front of a crowd, Brad doesn’t plan to preach from a pulpit. When he enters the seminary next fall, he will concentrate on pastoral care and chaplaincy. He wants to specialize in homeless and special needs ministry, offering spiritual counseling and Bible study in group homes or oneon-one with the mentally disabled. In the meantime, the six-foot, five-inch gentle giant is perfecting his juggling moves, lately with cigar boxes. It’s a skill he picked up in a body control and movement class, where drama students juggle pins to integrate mind and motion. Brad has kept a lot of balls in the air during four years at McKendree, as a member of three fraternities, the bowling team, new Frisbee club, student safety patrol, Interfaith Council, Campus Ministries and Philosophy Club, to name just a few.
Miriah McCaffrey Music Business & Speech Communication With two largely performance-based majors, Miriah McCaffrey ’14 knows the pressure of singing and speaking before an audience. The music business and speech communication major believes the experience onstage will give her an edge in a career offstage in the entertainment industry. Miriah wants to work behind the scenes in public relations for a talent company, performing artist or music-related business. As a performer, “music gives me an understanding of the field I want to represent,” she said. “Everybody wants to be famous. I’m doing the thing I love now but I’d like to have a paycheck once I leave here.” The outgoing sophomore soprano from Clearwater, Fla., has taken voice lessons since the age of nine. Her high school voice teacher, Derek Weston, is from a family of McKendree alumni and he encouraged her to consider the University. “When I came here to visit it was instant love,” said Miriah, who admits she is “not a fan” of winter in Lebanon. Whether rehearsing a speech or memorizing a 10-page German opera, Miriah believes “practicing is harder than homework. You have to be linguistic to work with these kinds of things. You have to research and study what (language) you’re singing.” She has sung in German, Italian and French as well as English, working with a vocal coach on the foreign translations. Miriah performs in McKendree’s Concert Choir, in local churches and occasionally just for fun. She hones her speaking skills as a member of the debate and individual events team. She also works for the campus Public Safety Department and as a nanny. The Magazine for
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McK x 2
McKendree’s Twins are trending Multiples at the Lebanon campus by Maegan Hafley ’12 Twins who grow up together must make a significant decision when it is time to apply for college: stick together or part ways? While twins are unavoidably compared to each other throughout their lives, studying at different colleges can offer a chance for each to assert his or her identity. Currently at McKendree University, at least 10 pairs of twins have decided to become Bearcats together, which seems an extraordinary number for a campus this size. What attracted them? For seniors Melissa and Melinda Bayer, identical twins from Collinsville, Ill., choosing to go to McKendree together was easy. “We didn’t really visit a lot of colleges,” said Melinda. “Being apart for us would be a challenge.” Melissa, a science education major, and Melinda, a math education major, plan to teach at the high school level after graduation. Having an older sibling who studied at McKendree, fraternal twins Adriana and Giuliana Gonzalez, juniors from Lima, Peru, explained this was their first and only choice. “We picked McKendree right away,” said Adriana.
Adriana and Giuliana Gonzalez ’13
Melissa and Melinda Bayer ’12
Sophomores Cody and Kyle Rhymer, of Cherry Valley, Ill., originally planned to go to separate schools—Cody to St. Francis
Cody and Kyle Rhymer ’14
Maile and Hanalei Mills ’15 Brooke and Brittany Koerkenmeier ’10, MBA ’12
to study physical therapy and Kyle to McKendree for sociology. Eventually, the identical twins decided to attend McKendree and play on the golf team.
Twins have someone to rely on if they are in an uncomfortable situation or need encouragement or a familiar study partner. Being together throughout childhood and now at college, do twins feel the need to break away from each other occasionally? “Definitely, yes,” answered the Gonzalezes. Their sisterly love is apparent but naturally they want time for themselves, too. “We try not to take all of our classes together,” said Adriana. With identical double majors—economics and finance, and management—they must take the same required classes to graduate. If her sister takes a particular class one semester, Giuliana explained, she plans on taking it the following semester. First-year students Dawn and Megan Schmid, of Columbia, Ill., feel indifferent about the need to separate. “The majority of the time we are together,” said Dawn. “[College] is easier if we stay together.” Dawn is a theatre major-music minor and Megan is a music education major. Both are in the Color Guard, Concert Choir and the Marching Bearcat Band. “Personality-wise, it can be scary how similar we are sometimes,” Dawn added. Experiencing college life with another family member has its advantages. Twins have someone to rely on if they are in an uncomfortable situation or need encouragement or a familiar study partner.
None of McKendree’s multiples believe that having a sibling close by has kept them from forming other friendships. Chelsey and Cody Stein, freshmen who commute from Trenton, Ill., say it is nice having a twin at school. “It made [New Student Orientation] easier but it hasn’t held us back any because we both have made our own friends,” said Cody, a computer science major. “I am more sociable [than my sister]. I like to be around people most of the time.” Accounting major Chelsey, the shyer of the two, prefers “being around smaller crowds of people or studying.” Their mom, Amy, is on campus as well; she works in the Information Technology Department. Graduate students Brooke and Brittany Koerkenmeier enjoyed having each other to rely on throughout their undergraduate years at McKendree. “We always had a friend,” said Brittany. The pair studied together and participated in campus activities that brought them closer. “Having a twin definitely did not hold us back,” Brooke said. “We would do our own thing.” The 2010 graduates from Breese, Ill., are now pursuing master’s degrees in business administration at McKendree. The Bayer sisters agreed that being together has made their years at McKendree more relaxed. “We took a couple of classes together and it made us more comfortable,” said Melissa. “It’s not just the two of us all the time,” Melinda pointed out. While both play on the volleyball team and have made friends through the sport, they have formed friendships through other clubs and campus activities. Though they bear a strong resemblance, “Melissa is more laid-back,” said Melinda, who is right-handed, describing her southpaw sister who is the more artistic of the two. Although they are roommates, Hanalei and Maile Mills’ schedules don’t allow them much time together. “We only see each other at lunch, really, and sometimes at work,” said Maile, a music The Magazine for
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performance and sociology-criminal justice double major. The twins are gradually learning more about themselves in their freshman year. “We’re becoming more independent and we tend to disagree more,” said Maile.
For some twins, academic or athletic competition becomes friendly sibling rivalry, as they joke or tease slightly to push one another to do better. Sharing a residence hall room can help ease twins’ transition to college. “When we moved to Mascoutah, we had separate rooms for a while,” said Hanalei, a psychology major. The Mills sisters chose to live together in Baker Hall to be more involved in campus activities, such as music. Maile plays the flute and Hanalei the euphonium. “We also share a car,” added Maile. The Rhymer brothers have been lifelong roommates. “We have had bunk beds for the majority of our life,” said Cody, “even during our freshman year.” He and Kyle share an apartment at McKendree West. For some twins, academic or athletic competition becomes friendly sibling rivalry, as they joke or tease slightly to push one another to do better. Dawn and Megan Schmid are mainly competitive academically. “Our grades are pretty much the same,” said Megan.
For the Gonzalez twins, who play on the women’s tennis team, “there is always a competition between twins.” The sisters are constantly aware of each other’s performance. “We have pressure to be equally successful,” said Adriana. And they are, on the tennis court and off; both are on the President’s List for their 4.0 grade point average. While they sometimes play as doubles, at times they must compete against each other. Even as the sisters battle to see who comes out on top, they still encourage each other, help each other with homework and are there for support when one of them needs it. Perhaps it is outside pressure that compels Adriana and Giuliana to out-do each other. “We get a lot of questions all the time about which one of us is better at something than the other,” said Giuliana. Paying for college for one student is more than enough, let alone two at the same time. The financial impact on the twins’ families is not always easy, but many of the students are thankful to receive a McKendree scholarship and financial aid. The Schmid sisters are assertive in finding ways to help offset the tuition cost. “We keep jobs and work whenever we get the chance,” said Dawn, “which means going home every weekend.” Both Cody and Kyle Rhymer—who have a third brother in college—received golf scholarships, as well as financial aid. McKendree’s many multiples could easily make an impression on the University in many ways. They could start their own unique campus organization if they wanted, for example. This movement would not end with the current group. According to Chris Hall, vice president of admission and financial aid, the trend is likely to continue; a number of twins have registered for Preview Days on campus as prospective new students.
Twins who major in the same subject, like the Koerkenmeiers, are natural rivals in the classroom. “We keep each other in check,” said Brittany.
Megan and Dawn Schmid ’15 20
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Cody and Chelsey Stein ’15
by Krysti Connelly, Executive Director for Communications and Marketing
F
or years bicycling has been a popular outdoor activity with
individuals, couples and families taking to the road on two wheels. Most people ride for recreation or health reasons, however for the following McKendree alum and professor, their passions for pedaling have ignited a deeper purpose within— raising funds and awareness for organizations close to their hearts. The Magazine for
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Lives in Tandem Krystal Goodwin ’04 and Michael Tiemeyer met on a charity bicycle ride from Michigan to Florida during the summer of 2009 that changed the course of their lives and marked the beginning of a new adventure together. Shortly after the bicycle ride, the two started dating and Krystal, originally from Belleville, Ill., relocated to Savannah, Ga. where Michael teaches at a local University and she is a chiropractor. The couple tied the knot on May 20, 2011 and decided to mark the way they met and honor the organization that brought them together by spending their honeymoon on a nine-week, cross-country bicycle tour. Along with 20 other cyclists, the duo pedaled their way across the country as part of the 4th annual Fuller Center Bicycle Adventure (FCBA) from June 10 through Aug. 15, 2011. The ride, a 3,600 mile journey from Seattle, Wash. to Washington, D.C., raised funds and awareness for The Fuller Center for Housing, an ecumenical Christian group based out of Americus, Ga. that seeks to eradicate poverty housing by promoting partnerships with individuals and community groups to build and rehabilitate homes for people in need. The riders raised money individually prior to the trip and along the way by talking to people across the country about their cause. After averaging nearly 80 miles a day riding their bikes, the cyclists gave community presentations, stayed overnight in churches, and worked on seven housing projects. “The FCBA allowed me to get my hands dirty working on actual Fuller Center homes helping actual people, spreading the Fuller Center message along the way,” said Krystal. “That’s the beauty of this particular “adventure,” the rewards are tremendous!”
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While this was the second bike adventure for the couple, the road to Washington D.C. had its bumps. In June, on their way to Seattle, the van they were riding in was involved in a rollover accident near Boise, Idaho. Fortunately no one was seriously injured, however the van and the attached trailer with all of their bikes and gear were damaged beyond repair—including Krystal’s bicycle. Undeterred, the couple purchased a tandem bike. Michael always wanted to ride a tandem, but his wife needed convincing. “I was reluctant,” Krystal said. “I had never ridden on one in my life. Michael and some others managed to convince me.” The couple likened tandem riding to marriage itself and admitted that spending the first few months of their marriage sharing a bicycle taught them a lot about how to be together. “Communication was a big thing,” Michael said, “just like marriage, we had to take two individual styles and merge them together.” In late July, the couple experienced another bump along the way when Krystal’s dad suffered a stroke. Fortunately, the couple had just arrived in Quincy, Ill. when they received the news and family members were able to meet them and drive them back to Belleville to be with the rest of the family. The couple took a week off before rejoining the rest of the pack in Ohio. Finally, on Aug. 14, the group reached its destination in Washington D.C. While cycling brought Krystal and Michael together initially, it has taught them how to negotiate marriage for the long haul and go the distance.
Pedaling with a Purpose George Fero can be seen riding his silver bicycle around Lebanon throughout the year. For most people a bike ride is just a quick way to get from place to place, however for this McKendree education professor it is a journey toward a healthier life and community. After having not ridden a bicycle since grade school, George began regularly riding his bicycle about five years ago to lose weight and control his diabetes. “I started by riding from my home to the office and now I average 10 miles a day,” said George. “In two years, I lost 50 pounds and my diabetes dosage dropped in half.” What initially started as a healthy hobby for George has turned into a passion for cycling. Over two years, he has pedaled more than 3,000 miles. In 2010, he participated in a weeklong, solo, self-contained, 200-mile ride on the Katy Trail from Sedalia, Mo. to St. Charles, Mo. The ride was an adventure. “I rode during the hottest week of the year and experienced four major thunderstorms in the first 36 hours, including 60 mph winds the first night,” George said. “I was even chased by two dogs along the trail.” This past summer, George’s son joined him on the Katy Trail ride. The duo rode 200 miles over four days, including 72 miles in one day. George and his son are planning an extended, six-day ride this summer from the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in North St. Louis County to Millennium Park in Chicago, Ill. The 368-mile ride, along Route 66, will cover trails, roads and highways. In addition to riding, George is also involved with multiple outreach, fundraising and lobbying efforts related to bicycling. As a board member of the League of Illinois Bicyclists, George was invited to participate in a four member Illinois delegation that lobbied in front of Congress at the 2011 National Bicycling Summit in Washington D.C. He is the Tour de Cure Illinois Acquisitions Chair and a recruiter of bicyclists for the annual ride that raises funds and awareness for diabetes research. To date, he has participated in two 50-mile Tour de Cure rides and has personally raised $1,740 for the organization.
He is also a member of the Ridge Prairie Trailhead Initiative (RPTI) board of directors, along with Professor Duane Olson. Formed in 2010, the 40 member group includes Lebanon residents, representatives from Metro-East bicycling clubs, civic leaders and bicycling advocacy groups. RPTI’s goal is to develop bicycle and pedestrian routes and trails that will establish Lebanon as a hub for regional biking and walking/running enthusiasts. George is responsible for promoting RPTI through the group’s website, ridgeprairietrailhead.org; Facebook and Google ads; and word-of-mouth marketing in the community. In 2010, the group developed the Lebanon Safe Streets Initiative, which is funded by a grant from the St. Clair County Pioneering Healthier Communities Grant Program. The grant provided funding for Share the Road signs for over five miles of designated shared bikeways in Lebanon, a mailing of bicycle and pedestrian safety information to all Lebanon households, and the development of a community survey. A future RPTI goal is to extend the Engle Creek/College Road Trail from College Rd. to Rieder Rd. “It will be a safe bike route to O’Fallon,” said George. “There is currently no safe way to ride a bicycle east, west or south from Lebanon.” The next Ridge Prairie Trailhead Initiative, the Spring Walk N’ Ride, will be held on May 19, 2012 on the McKendree campus.
Great McKendree Bike Chase On July 23, 2011, 24 cyclists participated in the inaugural Great McKendree Bike Chase on the Lebanon campus. Open to riders of all levels of cycling expertise, the six lap bike ride started at the campus fountain and included the challenge of high-speed straight-aways, tight turns, about 200 yards of brick surface on
West St. Louis Street, a narrow concrete ramp exiting Leemon Field stadium, and the track surface itself. The 2nd annual Great McKendree Bike chase is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2012. Register online at mckendree.edu/raceday. For more information, call 618-537-6420. The Magazine for
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BEARCATathletics CLASSnotes Bearcats to Begin Great Lakes Valley Conference Competition in 2012–13
McKendree athletic teams will be fully integrated into the Great Lakes Valley Conference schedules in 2012-13, a year earlier than originally anticipated. The Bearcats’ acceleration into the conference was made possible by the departure of Northern Kentucky University, which reclassified to NCAA Division I and was accepted into the Atlantic Sun Conference.
“This is indeed welcome news from the GLVC,” said Dr. Todd Reynolds, director of athletics at McKendree. “What this means for our coaches and studentathletes is that they have a confirmed schedule in all sports in an established NCAA Division II conference next year. The ability to fully participate in a conference schedule has removed enormous scheduling challenges faced by our coaches. The benefit of having this extra year to get to know the coaches, student-athletes, the venues and the competition in the GLVC will be invaluable to us as an institution.”
of Wisconsin-Parkside (Kenosha, Wis.). The GLVC currently employs a twodivision format in volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, and baseball. GLVC schools in the West Division include Drury University (Springfield, Mo.), the University of Illinois at Springfield, Maryville University (St. Louis, Mo.), the University of Missouri—St. Louis, Missouri University of Science and Technology (Rolla, Mo.), Quincy University (Quincy, Ill.), Rockhurst University (Kansas City, Mo.) and William Jewell College (Liberty, Mo.).
Since McKendree will assume Northern Kentucky’s schedule spot, teams will compete as members of the GLVC’s East Division, which includes Bellarmine University (Louisville, Ky.), the University of Indianapolis, Kentucky Wesleyan College (Owensboro, Ky.), Lewis University (Romeoville, Ill.), Saint Joseph’s College (Renssalaer, Ind.), the University of Southern Indiana (Evansville, Ind.) and the University
Although McKendree will compete as a member of the GLVC next year, teams will remain ineligible for post-season play until 2013-14. That is scheduled to be the Bearcats’ first year as full members of NCAA Division II.
Bearcat Spirit 1-2-3
1.
Show Your Bearcat Spirit by Ordering Your Official McKendree Athletic Gear Online Today! McKendree sports fans can now order gear online to support their favorite Bearcat teams. Thanks to a partnership with McKendree athletics, Curt Smith Sporting Goods, Under Armour and Required Team Gear, fans can select from a variety of sport-specific apparel to wear for the coming sports seasons. Order your McKendree athletics gear today at www.mckbearcats.com
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2.
Get Your Tickets to McKendree Athletic Events Today!
Purchase individual game tickets or season parking passes at www.mckbearcats.com
3.
Listen to Bearcat Basketball Online!
The broadcasts will continue to originate on the Bearcat Sports Network, which can be found online at www.mckbearcats.com
The team had an exceptional season this year, only losing one game to HannibalLaGrange. He enjoyed the team’s trip to California, where they played and were victorious against Vanguard. “That was a big win for us for sure,” he said. Another memorable game was the team’s victory over William Woods College. During that game the team broke the McKendree school record with 17 wins, which he described as a “personal high” for him.
Joe Sagar: Shutting out the Competition by Brianna Berens ’12 McKendree University senior Joe Sagar ’12, began playing soccer (football) at a young age in the United Kingdom. He attended Hulme Grammar School in Oldham, England, where his passion for the sport ignited and his superb skills garnered attention from across the pond at McKendree. Sagar was offered a soccer scholarship in 2007, when he sent in videotape demonstrating his soccer skills. “I knew I wanted to attend college in the United States, and I also knew I wanted to play soccer at the college level,” he said. Surprisingly, Sagar never visited McKendree before making his decision to attend. “I did a lot of research over the internet, talked to a lot of people and my would-be coaches, and made my decision from there.” Making the decision to leave his friends and family was not an easy one; however, he feels that he has adjusted well to a culture very different from his own.
“I feel that I have become more accepting of people and their views. I have learned so much from the people here and especially had many lessons in tolerance,” said Sagar. He quickly discovered when he arrived on campus that he was a member of a special team comprised of a core group of international and American players who all spoke the same language: soccer. A four-year starter for the Bearcats, Sagar’s goalkeeping ability has been an asset to the men’s soccer team. He has set career records in goals-against average (.90), wins (50), and shutouts (19). “I have enjoyed every moment of playing for McKendree and the thought of graduating and leaving this school that has given me so many opportunities saddens me,” said Sagar. “I have made so many great friends here and shared some awesome memories.”
Sagar is not only a great athlete, but a well-rounded student. The physical education major, has maintained a high GPA each year since his first year as a student, and plans to graduate with honors in May. He looks forward to it, but is somewhat saddened by the idea of leaving all of his McKendree friends and teammates. His advice to underclassmen would be, “Attend class. I know it sounds cliché but I have seen way too many students fail out of college for silly reasons. Don’t skip class to play Call of Duty. I feel that you will regret not working hard and getting your degree later in life if you don’t put in the effort now.” Sagar plans to continue his involvement with the sport that he loves after he graduates. His goal is to eventually become a head coach of a university. What will he miss the most? “Everything! Especially the team. I love being a part of such an awesome program at a great school. We are a very close-knit team, I have known most of the seniors since my first year here and we have been through a lot together. It has been a great journey and I have enjoyed every moment.”
Sagar describes his playing style as “intense.” “As a senior, the other upperclassmen and I are expected to be leaders for our team. We try to lead by example and show that we are a hardworking team made of grit and steel.”
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ALUMNInews
H o m e c o m i n g a n d R e u n i o n We e k e n d 2 0 1 1 M e m o r i e s
Dinner on Oct. 22. The Peter Akers Alumni Award is given annually to recognize a former student’s professional success, outstanding service and loyalty to the University. It is named in honor of the Reverend Peter Akers, the first McKendree president.
Akers Award McKendree University presented its highest alumni honor to Robert “Bob” Edwards ’57, of Mascoutah, Ill., at the Reunion Weekend Awards
Academy of Excellence
communications; and math, science and technology. Pictured from l. to r.:
Four alumni entered the Academy of Excellence for their achievement, leadership and character, representing community service, health care, social science and business. They represent excellence in education; the humanities; language, literature and
Charles Kamm ’55, of Lebanon, Ill., is a former teacher, principal, and superintendent in Lebanon for 38 years.
Charles Kamm
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After graduating from McKendree, Bob completed a master’s degree from Boston University School of Theology. His 45-year career in ministry with the United Methodist Church included six years as superintendent of the Vandalia District UMC. After his retirement in 1999, he was associate pastor of Union United Methodist Church in Belleville for four years. He is a University trustee, a William McKendree Society donor and a sponsor of the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts.
www.mckendree.edu
Robert Souders ’58, of Caseyville, Ill., retired in 2002 as senior pastor of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Belleville, Ill..
Robert Souders
Rising Star Award The Rising Star Award was given to two young alumni from the past decade who have excelled in their professions. Matthew Olmsted ’01 (left) is the director of sales for RR Donnelley Roman Financial in Korea, India, the Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong, where he resides and Joe Blasdel ’00, of Lebanon, Ill., coaches McKendree’s national award-winning debate and speech teams.
Anne Meyer-Thomure ’80, of Belleville, Ill., is the director of hospital and community relations at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Ill. Kristi (Daugherty) McQuade ’91, of Edelstein, is an associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Bradley University in Peoria, Ill.
Anne Meyer-Thomure
Kristi (Daugherty) McQuade
Cory Wilson’s family accepts award
Harry Statham presents award to John Batson
Sports Hall of Fame Four McKendree alumni entered the McKendree Sports Hall of Fame in 2011.
Jamie Dienell
John Batson ’88, of Chicago, Ill., recorded 1,211 career points and 92 wins with the basketball Bearcats from 1984 to 1988, becoming a member of the Bearcats’ 1,000-Point Club. Among his most successful post-McKendree ventures is the founding of the First Step Youth Foundation, a not-for-profit basketball, mentoring and tutoring organization in the greater Chicago area. Jamie Dienell ’04, MAED ’09, of Lebanon, Ill., anchored the midfield with 30 career assists for the soccer Bearcats in 2001 and 2002, earning her NAIA honorable mention All-America honors in both years. Following her playing days, Jamie has continued to contribute to the McKendree women’s soccer program as an assistant coach. Hank Feldt ’59, of Mascoutah, Ill., has spent over six decades coaching in the Lebanon school district. Some of the highlights of his career include posting 174 victories in his 12 years as the boys’ basketball coach; coaching Craig Virgin
Hank Feldt to five state championships in cross country and track; and leading the Lady Greyhound softball team to 355 victories and six state championship appearances. Cory Wilson ’05 was a starter on four Bearcat football teams that reached the NAIA post-season and posted a total of 34 victories from 1999-2003. His record setting 98 tackles in 2003 is a mark that still stands today. Before finishing his degree, Cory served as a student coach on the Bearcats’ staff. Cory’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 27 in January 2010 in a workplace shooting. However, his memory continues to live on in the Cory Wilson Scholarship Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that was founded shortly after his death. His family accepted the award posthumously.
Loyal Service Award Kent Marty ’80, of Edwardsville, Ill., received the Loyal Service Award for long and continuous service demonstrated by attendance at University functions, assistance in recruitment, service in fundraising for scholarships or programs, and positive influence on McKendree’s mission and image. Kent is the driving force behind the Steven Marty Memorial Scholarship Fund, created in honor of his late brother. He has honored his brother’s legacy by raising nearly $125,000 for the scholarship fund, which benefits students pursuing careers in law enforcement.
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ALUMNInews
H o m e c o m i n g a n d R e u n i o n We e k e n d 2 0 1 1 M e m o r i e s
The Financial Aid staff corralled enough props and decorations to rope the prize for the best decorated office in “Bearcat Country.”
Sara Daech Niebrugge ’61 entertains the The marching band and color guard perform during the pre-game crowd with favorite memories from her college show. The Bearcats posted their first win of the season, defeating days. Trinity International 24-9, and extending their streak of homecoming game victories to 16.
Members of the Alumni and Concert Choirs sing together at a special worship service in Bothwell Chapel.
Sarah Klucker, Wendy LaBenne ’97 and Maria Page ’89, MAED ’06 mingle before the awards dinner.
Homecoming queen candidate Shayna Dixon Lawrence Meggs ’63, Jim Barrow ’63 and ’13 and Lucas Ford ’13 Charles Korunka ’62 at the All Year Reunion. enjoy the Homecoming dance. 28
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Jerod Henderson ’09 and Ashlie (Reader) Henderson ’09 brought their puppy to the picnic.
McKendree’s latest royal couple Homecoming King and Queen, Darren Meeker ’13 and Michele Voegele ’12 with last year’s winners Cathy Webb ’12 and Zach Rhines ’12.
Those Ferox (Phi Rho Chi) tailgaters (with a special guest in the back row) know how to have a good time!
Joan (Weber) Barnes ’53 and friends enjoy the William McKendree Society breakfast in the newly renovated dining hall.
The Purple Pit cheers the Bearcats on to victory.
Towing some unusual “livestock,” Alpha Phi Omega’s “Sweet Home McKendree” barnyard float took first place at the parade. Riding in the float are Christina Burden ’14, Brittaney Schreiber ’14 and Melissa Wilkinson ’12; Courtney Motl ’13 wears the chicken suit.
Graduates from the past decade mingle at a wine party held at Fezziwig’s in downtown Lebanon.
On “Alex McMahon Day” at the football game, Barbara Finley and Gay Dougherty sold “Road to Recovery” bracelets, a fundraiser created by teammates to support the Bearcats punter, who is fighting cancer.
Brian Dulski, MBA ’07 and Anne Dulski ’06 enjoy watching the parade with their children. The Magazine for
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CALENDARhighlights For more information about the events listed below, or the most current McKendree news and events, visit www.mckendree.edu. For information about athletics, including times and locations, go to www.mckbearcats.com. For details about programs at the Hett, check out www.theHett.com.
MARCH 3
Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting FAFSA Filing Workshop 8 ScrapArtsMusic (sold out) – The Hett 9-10 Baseball Home Opener vs. William Woods University 10-18 Spring Break 16 Softball Home Opener vs. Knox College 17 Belleville Philharmonic Youth Orchestra – The Hett 19 Saint Louis Symphony Monday – The Hett 22 Soweto Gospel Choir – The Hett 24 Ramble Into Spring 5K/10K/10 Mile Run FAFSA Filing Workshop 25 Career Conference 29-31 Theatre Department Spring Play “The Trial of God”
APRIL 1 10-12 14 15 20 21 21 22 25 25 27 28
Theatre Department Spring Play “The Trial of God” Model United Nations Conference Preview Day – Lebanon campus Kentucky Honors Day Lebanon Honors Day Concert Band Concert Spring Fling – Lebanon Campus William McKendree Society Dinner World Champion Trinity Irish Dancers (sold out) – The Hett Distinguished Speaker Series: Eric Schlosser – The Hett Softball Season Closer vs. Lindenwood University McKendree Concert Choir with Belleville Philharmonic Orchestra – The Hett Baseball Season Closer vs. Lindenwood University
MAY 6 11 12 19
Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra – The Hett Senior Farewell Service & Graduation Celebration Commencement – Lebanon campus front lawn Ridge Prairie Trailhead Spring Walk N’ Ride
JUNE 2 9 22
Alumni Association Board of Directors Meeting Commencement for Kentucky campuses – Louisville, Ky. Bearcat Booster Golf Tournament – St. Clair Country Club, Belleville, Ill.
JULY 6-7 16 28 30
Lebanon Firemen’s Picnic & Parade Drum Corps International Show The Great McKendree Bike Chase
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DCI Returns to McK “DCI St. Louis,” a Drum Corps International premier event, will return to campus for an encore competition on Monday, July 16 at 7 p.m. at Leemon Field. This past July 18, Marching Music’s Major League™ entertained a sold out crowd on the McKendree campus. The Cavaliers, a Chicago area corps, triumphed among the eight competing ensembles that featured over 1,000 of the country’s best brass musicians, percussionists and dancers. In 2012, nine of DCI’s elite corps will compete at Leemon Field, including Carolina Crown from Ft. Mill, S.C.; the Cascades from Seattle, Wash.; the Cavaliers from Rosemont, Ill.; the Crossmen from San Antonio, Tx.; Music City from Nashville, Tenn.; Phantom Regiment from Rockford, Ill.; Pioneer from Milwaukee, Wisc.; Teal Sound from Jacksonville, Fla.; and the Troopers from Casper, Wyo. The All-Star High School Marching Band, made up of 100 top student musicians and color guards from the St. Louis and Metro-East area, will lead off the show with a patriotic musical tribute. “DCI St. Louis” ticket prices range from $20 to $45 for premium reserved seating. Purchase tickets online at www.dci.org/tickets. Advance orders will end approximately one week before the event. Tickets may be purchased from the stadium box office on the afternoon of the show for an additional $5. Proceeds from “DCI St. Louis” will support the McKendree’s Music Department’s interactive, hands-on “Music in Our Schools” program for pre-K through 12th grade students.
CLASSnotes McKendree Alumni Association Board Seeking New Members
Ramble into Spring McKendree’s road races offers fun, fitness and a chance to challenge yourself, train or compete. Up next is the fourth annual “Ramble Into Spring” on Saturday, March 24 with three distance options: a 5K (3.1 mile) run-walk, 10K (6.2 mile) run or 10-mile run. Register online at mckendree.edu/raceday. For more information or to volunteer at the event, call 618-537-6420.
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Mike Gauble ’66 and Kay (Snyder) Gauble ’66 celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Dec. 24, 2011.
70’s Lloyd Cueto ’74 retired from the St. Clair County 20th Judicial Circuit in December 2011.
Cyril Curtis ’43 organized the 15th Annual Community Music Recital at the First United Methodist Church in Albion, Ill. on June 26, 2011. The church’s interim pastor, Rev. David Eadie ’67 and wife Gwen (Holsapple) Eadie ’67 are pictured with Cyril.
50’s H. Donald Winkler ’54 gave a presentation, entitled “Confederate Complicity in the Plots Against Lincoln,” to a sold-out audience at historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. on July 19, 2011.
60’s Harry Statham ’60 received the Carl O. Bauer Award at the 42nd annual Jack Buck Sports Awards Banquet on Dec. 14, 2011.
Christine (Burchyett) Brewer ’76 recently recorded “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” with Lynn Harrell, cellist and John Williams, conductor for a recording for Save the Children, which was released in the fall of 2011. Other artists joining her on the recording are Joan Baez, Paul Simon, Jessye Norman and the Blind Boys of Alabama. The recording session took place in Los Angeles, Ca., in the same studio where Judy Garland recorded the song in 1938. Proceeds from the sale of the recording will go to HEARTbeats, a part of Save the Children that specifically targets artistic and musical needs of children around the world. Christine also returned to campus and gave a pre-show “curtain talk” on the composer Handel and her life as an opera performer, before the Met at the Hett performance of “Rodelinda” on Dec. 3, 2011. Barry Harris ’78 is the director of administrative services for Madison County, Ill.
The McKendree Alumni Association is always growing with the addition of hundreds of new alums each year. Because of our ever-growing population the Alumni Board is looking to expand! Being a part of the McKendree Alumni Association Board is a tremendous opportunity and way for you to: • Give back to your alma mater • Be a part of the future of McKendree • Connect with other McKendree alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends • Provide valuable feedback and insight on programs and priorities of the Alumni Office • Assist in creating programs and events which match the interests and needs of the alumni The Alumni Association Board of Directors is committed to being a strong and visible organization and is comprised of alums whose class years span several decades. The mission of the Alumni Association Board is to strengthen the relationship between alumni and the University, enhance the relationships among alumni, and develop a culture of stewardship toward McKendree among our alums. If you are interested in learning more about the McKendree Alumni Board or would like to serve as a member, please visit us online at www.mckendree.edu/alumni/ or contact alumni@mckendree.edu. The deadline is April 2, 2012.
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CLASSnotes Michael Palmer ’78 is the principal for the new Father McGivney Catholic High School in Maryville, Ill. The school is scheduled to open in August 2012.
80’s
Mike Engel ’88 was awarded a Those Who Excel Award of Excellence from the Illinois State Board of Education in October 2011. Mike is a social worker at O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Ill.
90’s
Mindy Hopper ’80 received the Washington, D.C.-based International Alumnae of Delta Epsilon Sorority Fellowship Award for 2011. Ginger (Ogden) Johnson ’83 was awarded an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in November 2011. Ginger is a chemistry and biology teacher at O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Ill. Jean (Scheller) Sampson ’83 was awarded an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in November 2011. Jean is an associate professor of management at McKendree. Donald Meeks ’85 is the pastor of the First United Methodist Church in Vienna, Ill. Christina (Jones) Luelf ’88 is the communications manager at Standing Partnership in St. Louis, Mo.
What’s New With You? Have you moved recently? Have you had a career or family change? Do you need to just update your email address? We want to hear from you. Email your new contact information to alumni@mckendree.edu.
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Kim (Miller) Brandt ’90 is the manager of career services at Carrington College in Chicago, Ill. Valerie (Mason) Isaiah ’90 wrote her second book, entitled “Where Was GOD? A New Revelation.” Valerie is a bishop, chief apostle and senior pastor at Christ Church International Grow in Grace Ministry in Florissant, Mo. Mary Jo (Piek) Gruber ’91 is the chief financial officer for the Clayton School District in Clayton, Mo. Craig Green ’92 is the vice president and general manager of Ayrshire Electronics in Harrodsburg, Ky. Tracy (Oltmann) Byer ’94 is the information technology program manager at Health Information Systems at SLUCare-The Physicians of Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. Sharon Szatkowski ’94 is a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner at Salem Medical Center in Salem, Ill. Jami (Satterfield) Brokering ’95 was promoted to director of problem management for the American Red Cross National Testing Laboratories in St. Louis, Mo. She oversees problem management activities in five testing laboratories across the nation, as well as at testing support. Jamie Moll ’95 was awarded an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in November 2011. Jamie is a third grade teacher at High Mount Elementary School in Swansea, Ill.
Kathleen Holmes, RN, MHP, ’97 is the program director for systems development at Missouri Foundation for Health (MFH). She is responsible for coordinating and supervising MFH funding activities. Wendy (Cooley) Ashabranner ’98 graduated with a master of arts degree in education from Maryville University in December 2010. She is a substitute teacher for the Parkway School District in Chesterfield, Mo. Kyle Gordon ’98 was awarded an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in November 2011. Kyle is a history teacher at Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Ill. Carla (Murphy) Mudd ’98 is the new Illinois Farm Bureau manager of consumer communications.
00’s Robert Pickerell ’00 is the vice president and branch manager at PNC Financial Services in Belleville, Ill. Julie (Kerner) Carpenter ’01 and husband, Grant, announce the birth of Oliver Neil on Feb. 8, 2010. Shaun Roberson ’01 was a recipient of the Missouri Community College Association’s Excellence in Teaching Award for 2011. Shaun is a mathematics instructor at East Central College in Union, Mo. Scott Skinner, MBA ’01 is the systems director of clinical engineering at Norton Healthcare in Louisville, Ky.
Several alumni returned to campus for the Choir Reunion and sang along with the McKendree choir during chapel service on Sunday, Oct. 23 in Bothwell Chapel. Alumni participants included: Albert Allen ’66; Catherine (Goodal) Allen ’66; Stacie Banjavcic ’10; Jeremy Becker ’01; Barbara (Bradshaw) Brewer ’57; Kim (Campbell) Christ ’91; Edward Cook ’83; Rebecca Cox ’83; Devin Dippold ’07; Kayla (Miller) Dippold ’07; Brad Dirks ’72; Joy (Fauss) Dirks ’71; Matthew Gordon ’96; Tammy (Brewer) Hall ’94; Charlotte Heeren ’80; Beverly (Gamble) Imming ’65; Melvin “Bucky” Jordon ’61; Tommy Kupferer Jr. ’03; Jason Luitjohan ’06; Hannah McDowell ’11; Matthew Olmstead ’01; Gina (Deiters) Parker ’98; David Philip ’70; Mary (Reinhardt) Philip ’66; Jennifer (Harris) Pickerell ’99; Marianna (Davis) Romine ’69; Travis Rosenthal ’08; Ruth (Summers) Storey ’59; Walter Storey ’56; Tiffany Taylor ’99; Elizabeth Usher ’00; Brandon Voss ’01; and John Zweck ’04.
Members of the Class of 1961 traveled from Memphis, Indiana, and throughout Illinois to celebrate their Golden Anniversary. Front row, l. to r.: George Pence; Bonny (Funkhouser) Gardner; Sara (Daech) Niebruegge; Lucille Kruse; Elveria (Schwarze) Miller; Naomi (Hall) Davidson; Back row: Bob Campbell; Gene Fuller; Ron Coleman; William “Bill” Roberts; Melvin “Bucky” Jordan; James “Jim” Meyer; and Edward Tuten III.
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CLASSnotes
Kristin Roberts ’03, Stephanie Sparks ’05, MAPC ’07, debra bellm ’04, debra’s therapy dog, Gypsy, and Chaz Franke ’04 gave a presentation on the topic “Graduate School and Finding a Job in Your Profession,” to Murella Bosse’s Senior Survey of Psychology students on Sept. 28, 2011. Shannon Yung ’03, MSN ’09 is a clinical trial liaison team member at Acurian, Inc. in St. Louis, Mo.
Five alumni returned for the annual volleyball reunion game on Oct. 22, 2011. Pictured in front row, from l. to r.: Hilary Richter ’15; Melinda Bayer ’12; Erica Johnson ’15; Emilye Duncan ’15; and Trina Isaak ’15. In middle row: Lauren Richter ’12; Maggie Mueller ’15; Lindsay Amerson ’09; Kristina Paisley ’11; Ashley Perry ’11; Samantha Jarvis ’12; and Nadia Moore ’12. In back row: Laura Payne ’13; Melissa Bayer ’12; Cheryl Ahrens ’94; Lauren Sarver ’10; Kaitlyn Kollman ’12; and Melissa Conley ’14. Whitney (Pankey) Strang ’05 is the director of major and planned giving at McKendree University.
Krystal Goodwin ’04 and Michael Tiemeyer were married on May 20, 2011. Krystal is a chiropractic consultant. The couple resides in Savannah, Ga. Elizabeth Hise ’04 and Billy Brennan were married on Dec. 31, 2010. Elizabeth is the senior marketing and communications coordinator at Fontbonne University. The couple resides in St. Louis, Mo. Adam Kee ’04 recently starred as Prospero in Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” at the Winnipesaukee Playhouse in New Hampshire. He also performed in a production of “The Music Man” at the Broward Stage Door Theatre in Coral Springs, Fla. He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Shop the Bookstore! Show off your Bearcat spirit with official McK apparel, gifts and more. Check out our store on the Lebanon campus or visit us online at www.mckendreebooks.net.
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Christopher “CJ” Dulaney ’05, MBA ’08 and Stephanie Coartney ’10 were married on June 25, 2011. CJ is a computer programmer/analyst at Boeing in St. Louis, Mo. Stephanie is pursuing a master’s degree in communication at Lindenwood University. The couple resides in Belleville, Ill. Beverly Rowland ’05 was promoted to associate professor of nursing at Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, Ky.
Adam Biggs ’06 recently graduated with his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Notre Dame. He is currently working on his post-doctoral research at Duke University.
Katie Cole ’06 is a home mortgage consultant at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage in Cape Girardeau, Mo.
Brian Dinkelman ’06 was honored by the McKendree baseball program during the Alumni/Parents’ Day doubleheader at Hypes Field on Oct. 2, 2011. He was recognized for his achievements both during his days at McKendree and throughout his professional career. In 2011, Dinkelman was twice promoted to the Minnesota Twins major league team and batted .301 with four runs batted in.
Kara Patterson ’06 and Jonathan Bevis were married on April 30, 2011. Kara is a senior accountant at Kemper CPA Group LLC in Marion, Ill. The couple resides in Herrin, Ill.
The following alumni returned for the men’s soccer reunion game on Aug. 28, 2011. Pictured in back row, from l. to r.: Timothy Dew ’08; Jason Mathenia ’98; Robert Lugge ’06; Ryan Miller ’09; Dave Schmermund ’08; Cole Harres ’08 and Robert Blackwell ’75. In front row: Josh Hemmer ’11; Eric Polka ’11; Nathan Mason ’04; John Stremlau ’07; and Joseph Lofink ’09.
The following alumni returned for the women’s soccer reunion game on Aug. 28, 2011. Pictured in back row, from l. to r.: Keri Ousley ’05; Lucy Elliott ’09; Lindsey Ponder ’12; Kyla Nighohossian ’11; Katelyn Cleveland ’10; Ashley Varns ’11; Sarah Ryan ’10; Jenna Shellenberg ’07; Jan Delaney ’04; Jill Wolfmeier ’08; Jackelyn “Ray Ray” Cole ’10; April Schatz ’08; and Liz Yanko ’10. In front row: Alexandra Adams ’10; Teresa Kaiser ’12; Sarah Eckelkamp ’12; Jamie Dienell ’04; Sarah Brede ’12; Kathleen Beck ’07; Mikla Economy ’00; and Katie Hubbard ’07.
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CLASSnotes Marcy Gibson ’07, ’10 is employed as a sixth grade special education teacher for Mt. Vernon City School District in Mt. Vernon, Ill. She resides in Salem, Ill. with her husband Gabe and son Jaret.
Krissy Hackstadt ’07 and Jonathan Schneider were married on Aug. 20, 2011. Krissy is a contracting officer with
Corey Beyerle ’08 is a commercial credit analyst at Republic Bank in Louisville, Ky.
Tyler Sondag ’07 and Kasey Williams were married on Jan. 22, 2011. Tyler is a software engineer at Intel. The couple resides in Ames, Iowa.
Ashley Jelks ’08 and O.C. Fragier were married on Oct. 10, 2010. Ashley is the child and youth program assistant for the U.S. Army in Fort Carson, Co.
USTRANSCOM/Scott Air Force Base and recently earned a master’s degree in procurement and acquisition management from Webster University in March 2011. Sue Harmon ’07, MSN ’11 is a staff RN/educator at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Ill.
Several psychology alumni returned for a special homecoming reunion lunch on Friday, Oct. 21. Pictured from left to right: Katie Ringering ’11; Katie Woolsey ’05; Tommy Kupferer Jr. ’03; Tami Eggleston; Sarah Adams ’12; Kristin McKinney ’11; and Katherine Thomas ’12.
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Alex Bigley ’08 and Amanda Snyder ’10 were married on July 9, 2011. Alex is the music events and logistics coordinator at McKendree. The couple resides in Mascoutah, Ill.
Deidra Thomas ’07 and Cory Doerr were married on May 28, 2011 in Columbia, Ill. Her McK friends Sara Rubenacker ’06 and Leslie (Gummersheimer) Heutel ’06 were bridesmaids. Deidra is a tax services supervisor for Anders Minkler & Diehl CPAs & Consultants in St. Louis, Mo. The couple resides in Waterloo, Ill.
Lindsay Weathers ’07, MAED ’10 and Jordan Fark ’10 were married on Sept. 10, 2011. Lindsay is a teacher and cheerleading coach at Carlyle Junior High School in Carlyle, Ill. Jordan is the owner of Fark Training Systems, a strength and conditioning coach at McKendree, and is pursuing his master’s degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania.
Alumni Awards Call for Nominations The Alumni Association is looking for leaders—graduates of McKendree University who have shown strong leadership in their careers, outstanding service to the community, and success in athletics or other notable accomplishments. Each year during Homecoming weekend, the McKendree University Alumni Association proudly presents the Academy of Excellence Awards; Loyal Service Award; Peter Akers Award; Rising Star Awards; and Sports Hall of Fame Awards to deserving McKendree alumni. To nominate an individual for one of these awards, or to learn more, please contact Whitney Fraier, Director of Alumni Relations, at (618) 537-6813 or alumni@mckendree.edu. The deadline is April 16, 2012.
Do you have a new Bearcat in your family? Send an announcement and photo of your little Bearcat and he/she may be printed in a future edition of The Magazine for McKendree. The Alumni Association will also send a special gift to your new bundle of joy.
Tracey (Matzenbacher) Held ’01 and husband, Aaron, announce the birth of Collin Henry on June 28, 2010.
Facundo Oyenard ’03 and wife, Aimee, announce the birth of Amalia Maria on Jan. 13, 2011.
Jamie (Maedge) Dressler ’03, husband, Scott, and big sisters, Taylor and Morgan, announce the birth of Parker Matthew on Feb. 24, 2011.
Stephanie (Windham) Koerber ’05, MBA ’08 and husband, Matt ’04, announce the birth of Brennan James on July 26, 2011.
Heather (Thornton) Lane ’03 and husband, JD, announce the birth of Brody Maddox on April 23, 2011.
Nick Rahar ’05 and wife, Kim, announce the birth of Riddick James on Oct. 21, 2011.
Please send high-resolution digital images to alumni@mckendree.edu.
Dana (Long) Donovan ’97 and husband, Josh, announce the birth of Aidan Michael on May 18, 2011.
Gina (Deiters) Parker ’98 and husband, Jeff, announce the birth of Aria on July 31, 2011.
Robyn (Ballew) Hermann ’99, husband, Mark, and daughter, Sarah, announce the birth of Matthew Josef in July 2011.
Sarah (Ireland) Largent ’03 and husband, Joe, announce the birth of Gabriel Xavier on May 6, 2011.
Amelia (Wofford) Roberson ’09 and husband, Earl, announce the birth of twin boys Zaki and Zisland on May 27, 2011.
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CLASSnotes Ayanna (Porter) Franklin ’08 was recently awarded the University of Minnesota’s Dorothy McNeill Tucker Fellowship for 2011-2012. She is currently pursuing a doctorate degree in sport and exercise psychology from the University of Minnesota. Eric Owens ’08, MBA ’09 is a staff accountant at Fabick CAT in Fenton, Mo. Laura Pruett, MAED ’08 was awarded an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in November 2011. Laura is a fourth /fifth grade teacher at St. Jacob Elementary School in St. Jacob, Ill.
Alumni e-Newsletter Naming Contest With lots of exciting and visionary changes happening at McKendree University we are hosting a contest to find a new exciting name for our e-newsletter. This is where you come in! Use your ingenuity and creativity to come up with an original and appropriate newsletter title. The contest winner will win a McKendree Alumni Gift package worth $100, and of course bragging rights! To submit your e-newsletter name, please fill out the form online at www.mckendree.edu/alumninewsletter or email your submission to alumni@mckendree.edu with subject line “e-Newsletter Contest”. All submissions must be received by March 1, 2012. Once they are all received, our Alumni Board will vote and select the top 3 submissions. All alumni will be able to vote online for their favorite choice! The winner will be announced in late March.
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Mellisa Robert ’08 and Joshua Hogan were married on April 9, 2011. Mellisa is the attendance secretary at Waterloo High School in Waterloo, Ill. Travis Rosenthal ’08 is the executive director of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra Association. Miriam Ruiz ’08 has spent the past two years teaching English at Arcibiskupsky gymnasium, the number two ranked prep school in Prague. She also co-founded the Moravian Rhapsody Art Collective of Prague, which promotes the arts in the expatriate community and hosts charity events. Kallan Virgin ’08 and Brian Quinn were married on May 21, 2011 in Bothwell Chapel. Kallan is employed at Allison Knapp & Siekmann, Ltd. in Belleville, Ill. The couple resides in Maryville, Ill.
Jessica Clark ’09 and F. Peter Nester IV were married on March 12, 2011. Jessica is currently employed as a strategic basing program analyst at Headquarters Air Mobility Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The couple resides in Swansea, Ill. Katie Hoffmann ’09 and James Barnard were married on May 21, 2011. Katie is a registered nurse at Alton Memorial Hospital in Alton, Ill. and Oliver C. Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill.
Seeking Volunteers for Annual Career Conference We need your help with mock interviews at the Office of Career Services’ annual Career Conference on Sunday, March 25, 2012 from 3:15-5:15 p.m. in the Piper Academic Center. In a tough job market, having the opportunity to practice interview skills is more important than ever. We hope that you will consider volunteering to assist with this important student program. Immediately following the mock interviews, you are invited to join us for a networking reception. If you are interested in participating, please register by March 12 online at www.mckendree.edu/careerconference; via phone at (618) 537-6813; or by email to alumni@mckendree.edu.
Alicia Kirchner ’09 and Drew Hawkins were married on April 2, 2011 at Pere Marquette State Park. Alicia works for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in the Bureau of Maternal and Child Health Promotion and recently earned a master’s degree in public health from the University of Illinois-Springfield in May 2011. The couple resides in Virden, Ill.
In Memoriam
Gary L. Gehrs ’69, 8/28/2011
Kathleen P. Moran ’82, 10/31/11
Deceased alumni and friends through Jan. 17, 2012
Charles R. Ord ’51, 8/31/11
Milla A. Engel, 11/15/11
Marna P. (Rutledge) Kettwich ’73, 9/1/11
William T. Davinroy, 11/24/11
Leontine (Morlock) Day ’30, 8/26/09 Margaret Gibson ’61, 3/21/10 Dr. Ruth (Murphy) Sanders ’60, 9/18/10 Emma Jean (Duff ) Lawson ’62, 4/30/11 Paul Bateman ’36, 7/22/11 Johanna J. Hood ’02, 7/22/11
William Burton Gedney ’54, 9/3/11 Willie E. Williams ’63, 9/4/11 Juanita V. Eckert, 9/7/11
John W. Grob ’53, 12/19/11 Deborah S. (Blackburn) Reynolds ’81, 12/21/11
Floyd R. ‘Rick’ Schutta ’71, 9/12/11
Landon M. Moore Jr. ’74, 12/29/11
Ruby M. (Meyer) Deppe ’39, 9/18/11
Craig S. Thomas ’00, 1/9/12
Charles I. Baugh, 9/25/11
Anna E. (Keller) Stutz ’59, 1/12/12
Charles W. Postel, 10/7/11
John J. Calliott ’00, 8/1/11
Bertram V. Jones ’58, 10/20/11
James H. Hines, 8/8/11
Margaret I. (Hursey) ‘Peg’ Werle ’43, 10/22/11
Juanita Kaeser, 8/13/11
Mary F. (Otwell) Hall, 12/14/2011
Richard E. Coleman ’70, 9/12/11
Dolores C. (Cooper) Parker ’41, 7/31/2011
Grace (Renner) Welch ’30, 8/10/11
John R. ‘Bob’ Dosier ’55, 11/27/11
William S. Badgley, 10/27/11
When reporting deaths, please provide as much information as possible, especially date, location, graduation year and McKendree connected survivors. Whenever possible, please provide a printed obituary.
Margaret A. Edwards ’09, 10/27/11
John R. “Bob” Dosier ’55 died on Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011 at his residence in Belleville, Ill.
counselor. After retiring from education, Bob worked as a contract manager for Healthlink. He was an active member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church. For 35 years, he served on the McKendree University Board of Trustees. During his tenure on the Board, Bob served on virtually every committee, including serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees from 1992 to 2000. He was a significant donor for over 40 years. He was recognized on three special occasions for his commitment to his alma mater with a Doctor of Humane Letters honorary degree in 2000, the Peter Akers Award in 1989, and the Loyal Service Award in 1986.
Bob was a retired superintendent from Belleville Township High School District 201, where he also worked as assistant superintendent, assistant principal and
He also served on the boards for Hospice of Southern Illinois, the United Methodist Children’s Home, and St. Matthew United Methodist Church, as well as
several other community and civic organizations and was appointed to serve on many state educational committees and commissions. “The importance of Bob’s steady hand, clarity of thought, decisive judgment, gentle demeanor, and constant support and encouragement of this University cannot possibly be overstated,” said James Dennis, president. McKendree University is richer for having benefitted from Bob’s leadership and I personally will miss his advice and counsel, and most of all his friendship.” He is survived by his wife Donna Faye (Roper) ’56, and sons, John ’83 (Kay) Dosier of Carbondale, Ill. and Jeff ’87 (Heidi) Dosier of Millstadt, Ill.; and his grandchildren, Ryan, Robert, Olivia ’15, Ross, and Chloe.
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CLASSnotes 1ST ANNUAL BEARCAT GOLF TOURNAMENT BENEFITTING THE MCKENDREE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS
Friday, June 22, 2012 St. Clair Country Club Belleville, Illinois Shot Gun Start at 9:00 AM +30* 83962%1)28 *33( %;%6(7 ')6)132= 7-0)28 %9'8-32 Individual player entry is $125 Team of four golfers is $500 Sponsorship packages available The entry deadline is Friday, June 1, 2012. For more information or if you are interested in being a participant or sponsor, please contact Kimberly Mayden, Associate Vice President for Development, Alumni, and Parent Relations, at (618) 537-6825 or kamayden@mckendree.edu.
1G/IRHVII IHY/golf
Katelyn Kombrink ’09 and Corey Hagarty were married on July 9, 2011. Katelyn is a physical education teacher at O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Ill. The couple resides in O’Fallon, Ill. Amber Nikolauzyk ’09 and John Voellinger were married on July 23, 2011 in Bothwell Chapel. Amber is a physical education teacher at Central Elementary School in O’Fallon, Ill. The couple resides in Swansea, Ill.
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Molly Reed ’09 and Craig Session ’10 were married on June 18, 2011. Molly is employed as a claims assistant at Allsup Inc. in Belleville, Ill. Craig is a co-owner of Session Brothers construction company. The couple resides in Belleville, Ill. Ashley Walker ’09 is a physical education and music teacher at Cathedral of The Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Ill.
Amelia Wofford ’09 and Earl Roberson Jr. were married on June 26, 2010. The couple resides in Belleville, Ill.
10’s Elizabeth Alvarez ’10 is an assistant professor of nursing at Southwestern Illinois College. Staci Combs ’10, MBA ’12 and Adam Atteberry were married on May 21, 2011. Staci is employed at Fairfield Memorial Hospital in Fairfield, Ill. The couple resides in Fairfield, Ill.
Make Your Mark: Alumni Profile Marchelle (Mueller) Kassebaum ’85, of Litchfield, Ill. was recently appointed as the Regional Superintendent of Schools for Christian and Montgomery Counties on Jan. 1, 2012. Prior to her new post, Marchelle was a fourth grade teacher at Ida J. Russell Elementary School in Litchfield, Ill. for 18 years. She achieved National Board certification in 2001 and has been a local coordinator for the Illinois Comprehensive Support System. In addition, Marchelle has been a regional trainer for the Illinois State Board of Education Gifted Seminar, served as the Litchfield district’s 4th and 5th grade gifted coordinator, co-directed the Litchfield Summer Gifted Academy, and served as an afterschool instructor for the IMSA Excellence 2000+ program.
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The mission of ProjectVETS is to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and provide veterans the opportunity to educate students in the classroom.
”
As the founder of ProjectVETS (Veterans Educating Today’s Students), Marchelle is passionate about serving veterans and committed to teaching her students the importance of honoring veterans and encouraging other teachers to start similar veterans programs. “The mission of ProjectVETS is to honor the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, and provide veterans the opportunity to educate students in the classroom,” noted Kassebaum. “Over the years, veterans have taught my students the importance of defending America’s freedoms and have shared their stories of courage.”
and the Illinois State Superintendent of Schools, as well as teachers and administrators in other districts to promote ProjectVETs throughout the state.
In 2010 the Litchfield Veterans Coalition presented her with an Illinois Governor’s Award, “for her outstanding support to our nation’s veterans.” For the past decade, Marchelle’s students have interviewed veterans and created a PowerPoint presentation that has been featured at the annual Veteran’s Day Tribute. In addition to the tribute, students in her classroom participate in a wide variety of patriotic activities, including a re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence; collecting items and sending Christmas stockings to wounded soldiers at veteran’s hospitals; and starting an initiative to encourage local residents to fly their American flags on Flag Day. With the help of parent volunteers, a traveling memory wall has been created featuring photos of local veterans from WWI to the present day conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Marchelle has developed a strong bond with many of the veterans her class has interviewed over the years. In 2010 the Litchfield Veterans Coalition presented her with an Illinois Governor’s Award, “for her outstanding support to our nation’s veterans.” She was also recognized as the 2011 Litchfield Veiled Non-Profit, a 2009 Illinois VFW Teacher of the Year and VFW Patriot Salute Excellent award recipient, and an honorary veteran in her community. She recently served as guardian for a World War II Pearl Harbor veteran on the Illinois Honor Flight to Washington, DC and assisted in the development of a collaborative website project, mymilitaryhero.us, which features stories and photos from several local veterans. In her spare time, she enjoys being a pilot and spending time with her husband, Andy Kassebaum ’82, and two grown children AJ and Amy.
Marchelle designed a website, www.projectvets.us, which salutes veterans and provides educators with step-by-step instructions on how to start a program in their own community. She has written letters to local Congressmen
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CLASSnotes Chyrisse Rennegarbe ’11 is a kindergarten teacher at C.A. Henning School in Troy, Ill. Lindsey Freeman ’10 and Jake Apple were married on March 5, 2011. Lindsey is pursuing her master’s degree in social work at Saint Louis University. The couple resides in Edwardsville, Ill. Sasha Joyce ’10 won the Miss World Bahamas title in May 2011. She competed in the Miss World Pageant in November 2011 in London. Charles ‘Chuck’ Noud, MAED ’10 was awarded an Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award in November 2011. Chuck is a music teacher at Coolidge Middle School in Granite City, Ill. Erin Thoman ’10 is a math teacher at O’Fallon Township High School in O’Fallon, Ill.
Lora Blackwell ’11 received a $1,500 scholarship from the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics in October 2011. Lora is a first-grade teacher at J. E. Hinchcliffe School in O’Fallon, Ill.
Lindsey Christensen ’11 and Jeremy Alexander ’09 were married on July 8, 2011. Lindsey is pursuing a master’s degree in music at Eastern Illinois University. Jeremy is the coordinator of residential communications at Eastern Illinois University and recently graduated with an MBA in May 2011. The couple resides in Charleston, Ill. Ashley Dachsteiner ’11 is an English teacher at Belleville West High School in Belleville, Ill.
Tiffany Wilhelm ’10 and Kyle Kruse ’09 were married on July 16, 2011 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Lebanon, Ill. Tiffany is a high school math teacher at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill. Kyle is a chemist at Sigma Aldrich in St. Louis, Mo. The couple resides in Lebanon, Ill. Jill Alderman ’11 is a first grade teacher at J. E. Hinchcliffe Elementary School in O’Fallon, Ill.
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Sarah Garner ’11 is a public affairs specialist at the U.S. Army Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. Brittany Kellerman ’11 is a middle school social studies teacher at Damiansville Elementary School in Damiansville, Ill. Amy Piland ’11 and Matt McKendree ’09, MAPC ’12 were married on May 28, 2011 in Bothwell Chapel. The couple resides in Lebanon, Ill.
Emily Renschen ’11 is an English teacher at Galatia High School in Galatia, Ill. Emily Thoman ’11 is a K-4 general music teacher in the Collinsville Unit #10 School District in Collinsville, Ill.
Stay Connected with Facebook, Linkedin or the Alumni e-newsletter With all of our official online networks, staying in touch with your friends and classmates after graduation, and connecting with McKendree alumni has never been so easy! Sign-up for one of our online networks today! Facebook — Become a fan of the Bogey D. Bearcat alumni group on the most popular online networking site in the world. The alumni Facebook page is a great resource for alumni; you can stay connected, catch up with classmates, and see what is happening on campus. Linkedin — Connect with other McKendree Alumni on Linkedin. Discover business opportunities, search for great jobs, make inside connections that can help land jobs, and get introduced to fellow alumni on Linkedin. Alumni E-Newsletter — Subscribe to the Alumni e-newsletter to stay connected with the latest McKendree events and local happenings. Sign-up online at www.mckendree.edu/alumni. It’s a convenient monthly reminder to keep you in the loop!
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Submit your Class Note McKendree likes to boast about its Bearcats and now is your chance to share your good news with us! Let classmates, faculty and staff know what you have been up to since your days at McKendree. Share with us your professional accomplishments, such as job changes, promotions and awards, or personal milestones, such as advanced degrees earned, marriages or births. Please note the information that is published in The Magazine for McKendree may be subject to the availability of space and editing. Due to the high volume of class notes received and the long lead time required for typesetting, design, and printing, submissions may not be printed in the issue immediately following their receipt. All photos should be saved in a .tif or .jpg format and have a resolution of 300 dpi. .jpg photos should be at least 800KB or larger in size; .tif photos should be at least 3MB or larger in size. You may submit your class note by emailing your name, class year, and any relevant information to alumni@mckendree.edu; by filling out the form at www.mckendree.edu/classnotes; or by mailing the form below to the McKendree University Office of Alumni Relations, 701 College Road, Lebanon, IL 62254.
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CLASSnotes
Homecoming & Alumni Reunion Weekend October 5-7, 2012 Homecoming registration form and complete details coming soon! Online registration and a full schedule of events will be coming soon at McKendree.edu/homecoming or call (618) 537-6813. We hope to see you on campus in October!
Join the Homecoming Committee 2012 Looking for a fun way to get involved with your alma mater and connect with fellow McK graduates? The Office of Alumni Relations is looking for enthusiastic alumni volunteers to assist with the planning of Homecoming & Alumni Weekend on Oct. 5-7, 2012. More detailed committee information is available online at www.mckendree.edu/homecomingcommittee.
If you are interested in volunteering to serve as a member of the McKendree Alumni Homecoming Committee, please fill out the interest form online. The 2012 committee requests will be reviewed by the Office of Development, Alumni & Parent Relations, and selected alumni can expect a response in March. The first committee meeting will be held in early Spring. The Homecoming Committee gives alumni an excellent opportunity to give back to the campus and the community while having a blast celebrating their Bearcat pride!
w w w. M c Ke n d re e . e d u / a l u m n i Or find us with your mobile device! Download a QR scanner on your smartphone to scan the QR code to the right and check out our new Alumni webpage!
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Inspired by Place... Though people give to McKendree University for many reasons, at the heart of each gift is a single purpose – to make a difference in the lives of our students. “Without the support I received from the generosity of McKendree University donors, I would not be here today. The scholarships that McKendree offered me made the difference in my search for the right University. When I talk to my friends who attend different schools, there’s no comparison between our experiences… McKendree is head and shoulders above the rest. I feel strongly that McKendree’s faculty and staff are united to prepare me for my future and each day they inspire me to achieve my goals.” &VERHSR ,SI¾IMR ´ TMGXYVIH
Your gift is important and there’s no limit to what it can do. To inspire more students, make your Annual Fund gift online at McKendree.edu/give or by contacting the 3JJ½GI SJ (IZIPSTQIRX %PYQRM ERH Parent Relations at (618) 537-6826. 8LERO ]SY JSV WYTTSVXMRK 1G/IRHVII
United by Purpose McKendree University recognizes the importance families play in their students lives, before, during and after graduation! It’s the goal of the Parent Association to help families stay connected to campus in a meaningful way that helps their student accomplish their goals. Membership into the Parent Association is open to parents of current students as well as parents of alums. &IRI½XW SJ QIQFIVWLMT MRGPYHI 1SRXLP] I RI[WPIXXIVW [MXL XMQIP] ERH MQTSVXERX information for you and your family -RZMXEXMSRW XS WMKREXYVI TEVIRX JEQMP] IZIRXW SR campus and in your community 2YQIVSYW TYFPMGEXMSRW ERH VIWSYVGIW EZEMPEFPI XS help you navigate your student’s collegiate career 1ER] SXLIV MRGIRXMZIW HMWGSYRXW ERH JIEXYVIH FIRI½XW XLVSYKLSYX XLI ]IEV SR MXIQW ]SY ERH your family will want/need If you haven’t registered yet to be a part of the Parent Association, you can do so at anytime by visiting the webpage McKendree.edu/parents.You can also email us at parents@mckendree.edu SV GEPP SYV SJ½GI 618) 537-6823. We are McKendree and you are part of our family!
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University Expands its Online Programs Offering the same quality and rigor as our traditional on-campus experience. Bachelor of Business Administration t #VTJOFTT "ENJOJTUSBUJPO t )VNBO 3FTPVSDF .BOBHFNFOU t .BOBHFNFOU t .BSLFUJOH Bachelor of Science Nursing (RN-to-BSN completion program)
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