Winter 2023 The McKendrean: McKendree University Magazine

On the cover:

McKendree University has been guided by 39 leaders since 1828, including Rev. Peter Akers, McKendree’s first president. A circuit rider, Rev. Akers earned a modest salary of $700 a year as president. Under his leadership, McKendree College received its first charter in 1835 from the State of Illinois. In 1839, Rev. Akers was the recipient of the Doctor of Divinity degree, which was the first degree that McKendree College ever conferred. He served as McKendree’s president three times from 1833-1836, 1845-1846, and 1852-1857.

Learn more about Rev. Akers and all the Presidents’ Legacies!

Scan the QR code, or stop by Holman Library’s Presidential Leadership Gallery — one of many updates and improvements to be found on the second floor. Read more about the Library’s renovations on page 8, and see who won the Alumni Association’s Peter Akers Award on page 12.

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23 Alumni Notes

Our Contributors

Editorial content, writing and production:

Tina (Napper) Tebbe ’08 Director of Communications

Krysti Connelly Executive Director for University Communications and Marketing

Matt Seniour, M.A.Ed. ’22 Graphic Design and Multimedia Coordinator

Photography/Writing:

Scott Billhartz ’85

Brandi Brown-Harris, M.A. ’10

Lauren Eagleson

Michael Embrich

Michele Erschen

Nadia Ghahkenshah

Patrick Knapinski

Stephen Kull

Lori Kuper ’20

Holly (Weathers) Sallee ’13, MBA ’18 Published

Keep in touch! Call 1-800-BEARCAT, ext. 6826, or send e-mail updates to alumni@mckendree.edu.

Dear Campus Community, Alumni and Friends of McKendree,

As we welcomed the third largest first-year class in our University’s history this fall, we have been taking steps to ensure that our beautiful institution continues to provide a high-quality educational experience to all current and future Bearcats. These steps are coming to fruition thanks to our newest strategic plan called U.N.I.T.E.D.

This multi-pronged strategic plan serves as both a beacon and an engine for McKendree. It will be critical in driving our efforts and defining our paths to where we aspire to be as the University comes into its third century in 2028. On pages 6 through 8 in this edition of The McKendrean, we will highlight the first letter of U.N.I.T.E.D. and discuss the amazing work that has already been achieved so far.

Throughout its history, McKendree has seen excellence emerge and positively affect the world in many ways. Our annual Alumni Award ceremony, which takes place during our Homecoming week in October, shines a brilliant spotlight on the alumni, faculty and staff who have helped shape McKendree, our surrounding communities and beyond with the knowledge and gifts they cultivated during their time here. Read about this year’s winners of these prestigious awards on pages 12 through 15.

It is hard to believe that we will soon be celebrating McKendree’s 195th birthday on February 20. This Founders Day will also serve as a springboard in which we will begin counting down to our bicentennial. I eagerly anticipate what the future holds for the University, and I am continuously inspired by our faculty and staff members who tirelessly work to shape our community and make McKendree the incredible institution that it is today. Today and always, through the efforts and support of many, I remain proud to be a Bearcat!

The Class of 2026 represents 33 states and 30 other countries with 80 percent of first-year Bearcats entering as academic scholars. A record-breaking 28 percent entered as honor scholars, which requires a GPA of 3.75 or higher.

President Dobbins hands out ice cream to students on a hot day, a tradition that previous president Dr. Jim Dennis began.

Have you ever wondered what your favorite retired faculty and staff members are up to these days? Now you can read up on how the people who formed your life at McKendree are doing in our “Where Are They Now?” feature! In this edition, we caught up with Dr. Ted Anderson, retired professor of biology, to see what he has been up to lately!

Dr. Ted Anderson: Emeritus Professor of Biology (2004)

Previous students of Ted’s more than likely remember the dynamic biology courses that this professor taught at McKendree, including General Biology, General Zoology, Ornithology and more. Ted has continued pursuing his love for biology, particularly in the field of ornithology, in his retirement. In May 2005, he completed the manuscript for Biology of the Ubiquitous House Sparrow, from Genes to Population, completing nine years of work. His book was published by Oxford University Press in July 2006. “The house sparrow is my favorite bird,” Ted said. “It took me around the world.” He also published his second book, a biography of the English ornithologist and ecologist David Lack titled The Life of David Lack, Father of Evolutionary Ecology in 2013.

His work continued in 2014 when he wrote 53 weekly articles for the Bainbridge Islander, describing a bird species that could be observed that week in the world-famous Bloedel Reserve. The series was called “A Year of Birding in Bloedel.” Ted has also served as the In Memoriam editor of the American Ornithologist Society since 2016. In this position, he has edited or written nearly 70 memorial essays for outstanding ornithologists.

Ted and his wife Carol have enjoyed traveling in recent years as well. They have been on cruises to Alaska (including Denali), the western Caribbean, the Baltic and the Mediterranean. They also enjoyed a great trip to China including a four-day cruise on the Yangzi River. While the couple has retired to a wonderful home on Puget Sound with a gorgeous 180-degree panoramic view of the Sound and the Cascade Mountains, Ted and Carol have also spent upwards of three months in nine of the last 11 years in Venice, Fla. “We escaped some of the worst overcast, rainy days in the Pacific Northwest!” Ted said.

Perhaps the greatest change in Ted’s priorities since he retired in 2004 has been his commitment to developing and maintaining the couple’s perennial flower gardens. “With nearly an acre of land on which to garden, this requires a more intensive commitment than our garden on Schutz Street in Lebanon did!” he said. He also built a chicken coop and ran and raised four batches of egg-laying chickens. “At 80, I have given up chicken farming!” Ted said.

Ted still fondly remembers his time as a professor at McKendree. “Serving at McKendree for 32 years was a wonderfully rewarding experience,” he said. “I was blessed with the opportunity to help shape the lives of many students, some of whom I still remain in contact with. It was also a joy and a challenge to work with many outstanding colleagues. I believe that McKendree provides a great educational opportunity for many students. Keep that dynamic and formative environment alive!”

Ornithologist Ted Anderson searching diligently but unsuccessfully for the endangered but elusive Florida Scrub Jay. Photo taken in Venice, Fla.

27.109644 // -82.448792

in a Worthy Cause.

Since opening its doors as Illinois’s first college in 1828, McKendree University has witnessed countless historical events take place on American soil: the Civil War, the erasure of slavery, two World Wars, the Great Depression and the right for women and people of color to vote. The University was here before America received the gift of Lady Liberty from France, the completion of the Transatlantic Railroad and the discovery of the planet Neptune. Throughout history, McKendree has remained a testament of likeminded people joining forces to create something for the greater good; in the University’s case, it is a high-quality education for exceptional students near and far.

Within its walls, McKendree has also successfully adapted to various changes in education, culture, economics and technology for 195 years. Throughout these times of change, what remains steadfast is McKendree’s dedication to its students.

As the University approaches its 200th birthday in 2028, it will walk toward this new era with a forward-thinking attitude while maintaining the historical heart of the campus, thanks to the latest strategic plan, U.N.I.T.E.D.

In this edition of The McKendrean, we will spotlight the very important work that has been taking place within the first pillar: Updates and Modernization.

Redefining the Goal of One McKendree

Marrying Modernization with Historical Beauty.

The two main goals of the “U” in U.N.I.T.E.D. include establishing and implementing a campus master plan, and improving the student experience with updated buildings. In short, it means that McKendree will be – and has been – taking steps to ensure that the beautiful buildings and the technological infrastructure on campus will meet current and future Bearcats’ learning needs.

Plans are already underway to improve and maintain numerous buildings, including repainting, replacing furniture, making spaces more energy efficient, or bolstering technology-enhanced spaces, all while preserving the historic structure of the campus. In this strategic plan, the University plans to improve at least one academic space per summer.

Updates & Modernization

Name Recognition & Identity

Intellectual Experience

Technology & Training

Engagement

Diversity & Equity

This six-pronged plan will allow the University to enter its third century united as One McKendree. Each letter in the word “U.N.I.T.E.D.” stands for a singular idea or goal that McKendree will be striving for.

United in a Worthy Cause Tina (Napper) Tebbe ‘08

Feature by Tina (Napper) Tebbe ’08

McKendree ‘Bulks Up’ the Fitness Center

Tucked next to the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, the fitness center received modernizations and updates to help Bearcats stay in tip-top shape. There is now a soccer team locker room in the east portion of the building, and the facility obtained updated workout equipment, including Nautilus machines, a Smith machine, a cable crossover machine, one climber/stepper machine, four treadmills, three elliptical machines, two upright bikes, two rubber hex dumbbell sets, racks, multi-angle benches and a squat machine. The center will also be outfitted with new paint, flooring, ceiling tiles and lighting, making it fit for students to practice, get some reps in and knock out stress, just in time for the beginning of the spring semester.

In addition, the McKendree West Clubhouse and the student lounge in Residence Hall West will reap the benefits of these updates as the University seeks to place a few cardio machines within those walls, allowing Bearcats to exercise a little bit closer to home.

The Lair Gets Ready to Shine

Built as part of The Deneen Center in 1967, The Lair has worn many proverbial hats in years past as a student lounge: recreation area, stage, pit stop for a quick bite to eat, a hideaway to do homework in and more. It’s here where commuting students go to catch up on their studies in between classes, late-night studiers order a burger and onion rings to stave off hunger, friends gather to shoot pool or throw darts, and members of the Campus Activities Board (CAB) host karaoke nights, movie showings, video game tournaments and other entertainment.

Now, the University is working with a team of students from the Student Government Association (SGA) and staff at The Lair to create a multipurpose hangout area for Bearcats. This future area is envisioned as a bright open space that will be outfitted with new windows, doors, ceiling tiles, lighting, flooring and new furniture, and will continue to host campus entertainment including musicians and comedians.

“I am excited to develop a more modern student center where students will feel comfortable spending time with family members and friends,” said Dr. Joni Bastian, vice president for student affairs. “I am thankful to previous and current donors who have made these projects possible for the University.”

U.N.I.T.E.D. as One McKendree.

Perhaps it was Helen Keller who put it best when she said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” As the University begins marching confidently toward its bicentennial in five short years, the campus community grows even more fervent in making McKendree the beacon of educational excellence for current and future students. Be sure to pick up our next edition in the summer, in which we will spotlight another pillar of the strategic plan and learn how McKendree plans to leave an indelible mark on the community and beyond.

Keep an eye out for the finalized renovations in the online summer edition of The McKendrean!

Renovations made possible by generous contributions to the FORWARD campaign.

From the hushed corners of the basement to the quiet bustle on the main floor and the silent studying spots upstairs, Holman Library has stood as a beacon for Bearcats looking for a place to quietly study, find important resources and do their research since 1969. Now, following the completion of the second floor’s renovations, the library has become one of the best places for everyone in the campus community to study, learn and grow.

A Labor of Love from the Campus Community

Holman’s renovations began in November 2021 when students and staff began the process of moving the second floor’s books, shelves and furniture into the library’s basement. Construction began in March with Daryl Hancock, vice president of operations, acting as McKendree’s liaison and overall orchestrator of the affair. Finally, the furniture was delivered and a great majority of the technology was installed just in time for the start of the fall 2022 semester. Renovations for this 6,100 square foot space were made possible through the generous contributions from our donors to the FORWARD Campaign.

“We wanted to transform the library into a modern, technology-rich space, and the best place to approach that was the upper floor with its beautiful lighting and minimally-used space,” Daryl said. “We saw that many students shifted away from doing research through books and chose sources on the Internet instead. The idea was to make this space more flexible and student-friendly, and our campus community helped us achieve this goal.”

During the renovation process, students, faculty and staff were invited to take a look at the prospective furnishings, carpeting and color schemes and give their opinions. Their voices were heard when a poll was set up in Ames Dining Hall, allowing everyone to pick their favorites. Visitors can see the result of this vote whenever they stop by the second floor of Holman: new slate-colored carpet, plenty of versatile seating options, movable furniture, canned lighting and, of course, beautiful plum chairs.

From Hush-Hush to Bustling and Robust

If you were to venture upstairs prior to the renovations, you might find a student or two perusing the storied shelves for a book or huddled in a quiet corner to study or draft outlines for their papers. Now, the upstairs, while still holding the typical hushed tones of any library, has seen a huge increase in foot traffic during the fall semester, according to Debbie (Miller) Houk ’91, director of Holman Library. “After we reopened the second floor, everyone has been using the area. Our numbers are what we were pre-COVID. We have not been busy like this since 2020!”

In addition to providing a quiet, comfortable space for studying and researching, the second floor has played host to a myriad of events on campus. Already in the fall semester, faculty members presented their research in the campus’s second annual faculty showcase, and students from the Honors Program have given their presentations to a captivated audience. Faculty members have also elected to hold some classes in the new and updated Dilliard-Dorris Family Conference & Learning Center, which houses a 169-inch television, a podium with outlets for power and several USB outlets.

Feature by Tina (Napper) Tebbe ‘08

In addition to the learning center, Holman now has four unique spaces that the campus community can use. The Allison Cassens Learning & Conference Center Annex was a gift made in memory of Allison Cassens, an educator and daughter of former Board member, Allen Cassens, and current Board member, Linda Cassens. This room will soon be outfitted with microphones, cameras and computers that will control interface for virtual meetings.

“I really enjoy the Presidential Leadership Gallery. I love seeing the portraits on the wall – it’s probably my favorite space on the second floor! ”

Debbie

“The upper floor of the library was just used for studying or conducting research in the past. Now, you can hold meetings, conferences, in-person and remote classes and committee meetings. It has truly become a much more accessible and productive space for the campus community.”

The education and technology office, which is located in the northeast corner of the second floor, serves as an excellent resource for faculty and staff to ask questions about IT and more. The Lucille Sudol Study Area & Lounge was made possible by an estate gift made through the Trust of long-time library benefactor and friend to the University, Lucille Sudol. Finally, the Presidential Portrait Gallery, a space by the stained-glass window, recognizes and honors the University’s past presidents and shares their stories.

Renovations made possible by generous contributions to the FORWARD campaign.

- Daryl Hancock

-

(Miller) Houk ’91

Honoring the Past, Investing in the Future

Mary Sue Schusky is a devoted friend of McKendree, and her personal connection to the University spans almost four decades. Her professional career as a teacher and librarian provided her the opportunity to spend many hours in the library, which is what connected her to McKendree and Holman Library. However, her family history goes back to more than 100 years ago when her grandparents, Charles Dorris and Susie May Peach Dorris, attended McKendree, graduating in 1892 and 1893, respectively.

The family connection continues and even strengthens the McKendree relationship with her father, Irving Dilliard, a University of Illinois graduate who always held small, private liberal arts schools in high esteem. An editorial page editor at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Irving strongly supported the Bill of Rights and was a defender against social injustices. His expertise in the U.S. Supreme Court was legendary, and his personal library contained one of the finest collections of books on the Court in the country. He retired in 1960, but then went on to a 10-year career as a professor at Princeton University, during which he lectured at universities throughout the United States and in Europe, including teaching one-month courses at McKendree. He had a great love for libraries, which is what connected him to McKendree.

Like her father did before her, Mary Sue carried forward her campaign support of the renovation of Holman Library with outright gifts herself. One of the areas benefiting from the philanthropy of the Dilliard and Schusky families is the recently dedicated Dilliard-Dorris Learning and Conference Center. This beautiful, expansive, and technology-rich space, which is located in the southwest corner on the second floor in Holman Library, features a 169-inch television, a podium with outlets for power and plenty of USB outlets, making it a useful, intuitive and modern space that students, faculty and staff alike can employ throughout the academic year. Because of these gifts, the campus community now has a space in which they may hold in-person and virtual conferences, teach classes in an updated setting, and assist McKendree students to learn and grow.

“My family and I are so pleased with the recent additions and enhancements to the second floor of Holman Library. The Dilliard –Dorris Family Learning and Conference Center is truly a wonderful tribute to my McKendree alumni grandparents and my father. I know they all would be proud of their investment in the current and future students of the University.”

Irving Dilliard and Mary Sue Schusky

Above: Jane Weingartner, director emerita of gift planning, Mary Sue Schusky and Scott Billhartz ’85, senior director of advancement services and stewardship, take time for a photo at Holman Library’s ribbon cutting event during Homecoming.

Below: Irving Dilliard championed small, private liberal arts schools throughout his life. Holman Library held a special place in his heart.

- Mary Sue Schusky

We are honored to recognize Michael “Mike” Howie ’71, who passed away in December 2020 and left behind an incredible legacy of time, talent, and treasure. Originally from Chester, Ill., Mike graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While on campus, he was a member of the faculty/student committee on student life, faculty/student discipline committee, psychology club, and the inter-society council. He was also a resident assistant, student congress representative and vice president and president of Ferox, (Phi Rho Chi). He went on to graduate with a master’s degree from the University of Richmond in Richmond, Va.

Mike worked for the State of Illinois as the director of forensic services for 30 years until his retirement in 2002. He then worked with the Hope Institute as the director of support services until 2013. Mike traveled (with many of his Ferox fraternity brothers) to all seven continents and was a supporter of the National Park Association. He was active in the Ferox fraternity at McKendree as both a student and alum. He often organized homecoming and other alumni gatherings throughout the country with his Ferox brothers.

Mike was a loyal and consistent donor to his alma mater. In all, he financially supported McKendree University for 36 years, contributing to various campaigns as well as making gifts to the Hett, Athletics (basketball), and the Annual Fund. Creating a legacy through philanthropy was clearly important to Mike. At his passing, a gift was made from his estate. The gift will fund an endowed scholarship in his name to support current and future Bearcats. Additionally, a room in Voigt Science Hall will be named in his memory once the first phase of the renovation project is complete.

McKendree Giving Day is the University’s new annual giving day which will be recognized on February 22nd, during the founding week of our institution.

2022 Peter Akers Award Recipient Edward “Ed” McGlynn ’68

The Alumni Association’s highest honor recognizes remarkable professional success, outstanding service, and unparalleled loyalty to McKendree University.

After graduating from McKendree, Ed McGlynn worked as a labor relations representative for General Motors Corporation for two years. He later graduated from Seton Hall University Law School in 1974 and joined McGlynn, McGlynn & McCormack. He served as planning board attorney for the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach for three years, then as the Borough attorney until 1982. Ed went on to become executive assistant deputy attorney general for New Jersey Attorney General Irwin I. Kimmleman. As a result of his interaction between the Governor’s office and the State Legislature, he was named deputy chief of staff by Governor Thomas Kean from 1985-1990.

State government experience prompted Ed to go into private practice of law in January 1990 after the end of Governor Kean’s term, working extensively with the solid waste industry getting governmental licenses and governmental approval to continue operating in this state. In 1995, Ed formed ERM Government Affairs, Inc., working in tandem with The Alman Group, and specializing in traditional lobbying and government affairs along with a significant amount of business development for many clients.

In 2016, Ed joined The Zita Group as senior counsel for legislative and regulatory affairs. Ed is a member of the New Jersey and New York Bar Associations and is admitted to practice before the United States Third Judicial Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees of McKendree University until 2018 and is a member of the William McKendree Society.

While at McKendree, Ed met his wife, Jeanne (Manning) McGlynn ’70, and they married in 1968. Together, they have two children, Michele D. Castor and W. E. Richard McGlynn; five grandchildren, Alexander Kay Castor, Cade Edward McGlynn, Liam Charles McGlynn, Keegan Richard McGlynn and Aiden Patricia (Diemont) McGlynn; and one great-grandchild, Aubree Michelle Castor. Ed enjoys playing golf and collecting stamps, and he still works as an attorney and government affairs representative.

John Sanders ’73

Loyal Service Award

Recipients have shown distinguished, loyal service to the Alumni Association, its principles and purposes, and their commitment has enhanced the University’s goals and mission.

John Sanders of Rockford, Ill., earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from McKendree. As a student, John played on the men’s basketball team and on intramural teams and was involved with Phi Beta Lambda/Investment Club and Delta Phi Sigma. He also served on the InterSociety Council and was a resident assistant in Baker Hall. John earned his MBA from Indiana University Bloomington in 1975 and became a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in 1977. He worked for RSM McGladrey Pullen from 1975 until his retirement in 2015. He currently serves as the chief financial officer at Anderson Enterprises, LLC and also serves as a strategic partner for the Financial Executives International chapter in Rockford.

John has been a loyal supporter of McKendree since 1975, joining the William McKendree Society in 1995 and the Dean’s Circle of the Society in 1997 until he moved up to the President’s Circle of the Society in 2005. He regularly contributes to the McKendree Bearcat Booster Club. He serves on the board of directors for the Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers/ Big Sisters, Forest Hills Country Club and the Rockford Art Museum. He is also a member of the Lions Club and is on the finance committee at both Rockford University and the Rockford Country Club.

John is married to his wife, Dr. Mary K. Sanders, and has two step-children, Donald Wicker and Deanne Wicker. His hobbies include golf and yard work.

Edward “Ed” McGlynn of Brielle, N.J., earned a degree in history at McKendree. He was the founder and first president of Delta Phi Sigma and was also named to “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities” during his senior year.

Ryan Vincent ’12

Airika (Tyler) Detmer ’12

Jon Becker ’13

Ryan Vincent of O’Fallon, Ill., earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science from McKendree. As a student, Ryan was in the Honors Program and served as a tutor for the computer science and math department for three years. He was actively involved in Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, the Association of Computing Machinery, Sigma Zeta, Phi Kappa Phi, Math Club, and homecoming court. He was recognized as an Active Collegians Engaged in Service (ACES) recipient for having volunteered more than 400 hours of service to communities, churches, schools and organizations. He also spent the summer of 2011 as a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) intern at the University of Houston to study automatic text summarization.

Ryan regularly presents leadership development courses to college students across the country for Alpha Phi Omega. A member of the William McKendree Society, he also co-presented a discussion about career opportunities to the computer science department at McKendree and is the advisor to the Alpha Phi Omega group on campus. He has led and completed an effort to digitize leadership courses for APO in response to COVID-19 and was elected as the Alpha Phi Omega Section 49 chair for three years. Ryan is married to his wife and fellow McKendree alumna, Jennifer (Melusky) Vincent ’15, and has three children: Lucas and Olivia, and newborn daughter Alaina Joy, born this September.

Airika (Tyler) Detmer of O’Fallon, Ill., earned a degree in sociology with an emphasis in criminal justice from McKendree. She was active on the women’s track and field and cross-country teams and was a member of the Senior Class Gift Committee as a student. She was also a student ambassador, an NSO group leader and UNI 101 peer mentor, and a member of the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society and Pi Gamma Mu Honor Society.

After McKendree, Airika attended SIU School of Law and earned her JD in 2015. She began working in the St. Clair County State’s Attorney Office as an assistant state’s attorney in the juvenile division in 2017 and was named supervising assistant state’s attorney within the division two years later. Currently, she serves in the felony division as an assistant state’s attorney.

Airika is married to her husband, Colin, and has one son, Bentley Detmer. She enjoys reading, running, traveling and spending time with her son and husband. She also is a former Junior Service Club member in St. Clair County and a former basketball coach for 4th-6th grade girls at Lewis and Clark Jr. High School in Wood River, Ill.

Jon Becker of Effingham, Ill., earned a degree in athletic training from McKendree. As a student, he was a member of the men’s golf team and was active in the University’s chapter of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Government Association, New Student Orientation, intramural sports, and volunteered for Special Olympics and McKendree Race Day. He is a member of Iota Tau Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi. While earning his Athletic Training Certification (ATC), Jon earned Honor Student of the Year from the nationally-acclaimed program.

After graduation, Jon earned a position as head athletic trainer for all varsity athletics at Nashville Community High School in Nashville, Ill. He then served as a minor league athletic trainer in the New York Yankees organization from 2017-2022, most recently with the Hudson Valley Renegades. Jon recently was hired as the assistant golf pro at Effingham Country Club in Effingham, Ill. He enjoys golf, fitness, attending concerts, and playing cards and board games with his family.

These graduates of the past decade have made significant achievements in their professions or chosen fields and have been highly involved with the University or their communities.

Inductees have made exceptional contributions to the honor and prestige of the University through their achievements, leadership and character, and have demonstrated the values of a liberal arts education in their professions or chosen fields.

Kristin (Voegele) Kneedler ’03 | Social Sciences

Kristin (Voegele) Kneedler of Collinsville, Ill., earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is the CEO of Counselors Associates Ltd. On campus, she was the captain of the tennis team, a member of the psychology club and the speech and debate team, and volunteered at the Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service. She was also a delegate representative for the Technos International program in Japan and volunteered in Jamaican orphanages.

Kristin continues to serve McKendree by providing internships to students in the Graduate Counseling program. She also served as an adjunct professor for many years in the undergraduate psychology and sociology programs, the graduate counseling program and the School of Education. Kristin is married to her husband, Ryan. Together, they have four children: Bay, Parker, Kalen and Eli. Her hobbies include hiking, snow skiing, running, yoga, reading and playing with her children and two dogs, Nova and Oliver.

Glen Kinder ’02 | Business

Glen Kinder of Eddyville, Ky., earned a degree in business administration in economics and finance. He is the branch chief for the USDA Forest Service’s Government Purchase Card program. As a student, he was chosen as the Student Lincoln Laureate in 2002, was a regular volunteer for 4-H and the Second Chance Homeless Shelter in East St. Louis, Ill., and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), the nation’s largest community service fraternity. Through his service to APO, Glen has been recognized with a Distinguished Service Key at the Chapter Level in 2001, the Selection Level in 2008, the Alumni Association in 2019 and the Region Level in 2020.

Since graduating from McKendree, Glen has returned on several occasions to support the Presidential Scholarship interview and was also honored twice as an alum of the APO Chapter of the University. He is married to his wife, Becky, and has one son, Quin, and one daughter, Finley.

Regina Peterson ’09, MSN ’13, DNP ’18 | Nursing/Health Professions

Regina Peterson of Mascoutah, Ill., is a triple alumna of the University. She earned her BSN, MSN and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in Ethical Leadership. Following the completion of her degree, Regina became the chief nursing officer at HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, Ill. She continues to serve the University by mentoring nursing students for the BSN, MSN and DNP programs and providing preceptorship and clinical opportunities. She collaborated to help create the BSN and MSN cohorts at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, and she is a member of the nursing advisory council.

Regina is married to her husband, Clifford Lee, and has two children: Brittany Peterson-Marx and Zach Peterson. She is active at her church, St. Nicholas in O’Fallon, Ill.

Danita Lynn Smith ’02 | Community Service

Danita Lynn Smith of Black Jack, Mo., earned a BSN degree from McKendree. She then graduated with an MBA degree from Webster University in 2009. Danita is the owner and founder of My Blooming Health, a mobile phlebotomy company in St. Louis since 2013. She started the mobile medical lab after she realized that many disabled and elderly patients were not monitoring and maintaining their health due to their homebound status, transportation issues or work conflicts. She is also a volunteer nurse with Health Protection & Education Services in University City, Mo.

Danita has won many awards, including the St. Louis American Foundation Excellence in Healthcare Award in 2017, the National Black Nurses Association Nurse Entrepreneur of the Year in 2021 and the Distinguished Alumni Award of Alton High School in 2021. She is involved with the Urban League Guild, St. Louis Care Alliance and many community health fairs.

Sports Hall of Fame

Inductees are athletes, former coaches, alumni coaches or sports professionals who, through leadership and character, have made exceptional contributions to the honor and prestige of McKendree in the field of athletics.

Ricardo Harris ’03 | Football

Ricardo “Rico” Harris first arrived at McKendree in 1999, just a few years following the revival of the Bearcats’ football program. In his four seasons, he became one of the top defensive linemen in the program’s history. As a senior in 2002, he was named the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League Defensive Player of the Year and earned First-Team NAIA AllAmerican honors.

Ricardo currently stands tied for fourth in school history in forced fumbles (6) and sixth in tackles for loss (40), and he tied for 10th in quarterback sacks (16.5). Ricardo was a three-time MFSA All-Midwest League selection and a two-time NAIA All-American at defensive end. He is one of nine Bearcat football players to garner NAIA All-American honors twice in a career as he earned the honor in both 2001 and 2002.

Amy (Quirin) Kremmel ’09 | Softball

Amy (Quirin) Kremmel was one of the most dominant pitchers in McKendree University softball history during her four-year career as a Bearcat. She was a part of a McKendree program that won 128 games from 2006-2009 and advanced to the NAIA National Championships in 2009.

In her four seasons, she posted a career record of 65-36 with a 1.71 ERA in 688.0 innings of work. In those 688.0 innings of work, she tallied 619 strikeouts and recorded 84 complete games and 17 shutouts. She holds nearly every career pitching record in McKendree softball history as she is the school’s all-time leader in wins (65), appearances (115), starts (88), innings pitched (688.0), complete games (84), strikeouts (619), shutouts (17) and is fourth in career ERA at 1.71. In addition, she is one of two pitchers in school history to have three seasons with 125 or more strikeouts.

Dylan Mueth ’14 | Hockey

As the second men’s hockey player to be inducted into the McKendree Sports Hall of Fame, Dylan played two seasons in 2011 and 2012 before sitting out the next two seasons due to having open-heart surgery. When he returned to the ice in 2015, he led the team in scoring with 26 goals and 20 assists for 46 points. As a senior in 2016, he captained the Bearcats to the program’s second-ever National Tournament appearance. He was part of a McKendree program that won 57 times over his four seasons on the team, including winning 19 games during the 2015-2016 season. Dylan closed his Bearcat career with 93 goals and 62 assists for a total of 155 points.

Dylan spent the 2016-2017 season as a volunteer assistant coach with the Bearcats and then spent two years (2019-2021) as the head coach of McKendree’s Division II men’s hockey team. He currently serves as the head coach of the St. Louis AAA Blues U13 Pee Wee Major team.

2002-2003 Men’s Basketball Team

The 2002-2003 team finished the season with a 34-4 overall record and advanced to the NAIA Final Four for the first and only time in the program’s history. The 34 wins are the second most in program history, while the team’s .895 winning percentage is also the second highest in school history. During the regular season, the Bearcats earned their first No. 1 ranking in the NAIA poll and claimed the regular season American Midwest Conference (AMC) title with an unblemished 10-0 record – the first undefeated record in league play in school history. Matt Laur, who averaged 23.4 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, was named the NAIA National Player of the Year, while Coach Statham was named both the AMC and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association-NAIA Coach of the Year. Additionally, Coach Statham became the NAIA’s all-time leader in career victories with 817.

Front row from l. to r.: Eric Echelbarger ’03, M.A.Ed. ’07, Brad Fischer ’06, Chad Storck ’05, Coach Chad Mills ’98, Coach Harry Statham ’60, Shawn Byrne ’05, and Matt Koerber ’04. Back row, from l. to r.: Tim Schumacher ’04, Dwayne Shaw ’04, Pete Krumseig ’04, Jerome Gilmore ’05, Jeff Suelmann ’05, and Matt Laur ’03.

Whether they were on the hunt to satisfy their sweet tooth at McKendree’s very first Trunk-or-Treat or marveling at vampires as they performed fangtastic feats of finesse, Bearcats of every age found no shortage of spirited surprises during the 2022 Homecoming and Alumni Reunion Weekend.

It was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it kind of weekend! A non-stop parade of familiar faces, fantastic food and frightful festivities awaited any McKendrean brave enough to visit campus on Halloween weekend. But let’s be honest – not a great deal of bravery was required. The weather was perfect, and a fleet of food trucks fed the fun while the McKendree football team thrilled fans in the stands.

McKendree University also welcomed home the class of 1972 for a Golden Anniversary Reunion. Fond memories were shared, and friendships new and old were celebrated long into the night. One thing is certain – it’ll be a tough act to follow next year!

mckendree.edu/photos

Couldn’t make it to one of our in-person events? Scan here and catch up on what you missed!

McKendree Spreads Holiday Joy with a Special Family Event

McKendree celebrated its first-ever McKids Christmas and Holiday Open House on Dec. 17 in Ames Dining Hall. The day was filled with festive cheer, sweets, fun activities and plenty of smiling faces, along with a special visit from Bogey Claus.

The Class of 2026 Starts a New Tradition at Convocation

McKendree welcomed the Class of 2026 to campus during convocation on August 17. This class, which is the third largest class in the University’s history, began the new tradition of lining up in front of Stevenson House and processing to the front lawn, international flags flying and students holding posters of the states they represented. They will repeat this tradition in four years when they line up in black robes and hats upon their graduation, making Stevenson House a historic bookmark in these Bearcats’ lives.

McKendree Recognized as a 2022 ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for Student Voting!

The ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting recognized McKendree for making international efforts to increase student voter participation. Way to go, Bearcats! Read more here:

Dr. Sara Frank Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Sara (Trask) Frank ’05, associate professor of communication, joins an elite group of St. Louis-area educators who have received the 2022 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award for their outstanding contribution to the teaching profession and to their students.

A native of Jerseyville, Ill., and current resident of Carlyle, Ill., Sara is a 2005 alumna and has served McKendree since 2018. A master communicator who has been described as straightforward, lively and effusive, Sara is also the Provost Fellow for Communication, a role in which she advises the McKendree Review, the student-run newspaper on campus, and helps students make podcasts on a wide range of topics.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition,” said Sara. “Our McKendree faculty provides an exceptional educational experience for our students. To know I join a list of phenomenal colleagues and mentors who are dedicated to creating an engaging classroom culture is such a privilege. Every day I am reminded how lucky I am to get to call this a job, and to be recognized for my love of teaching and my students is incredible!”

During the fall of 2020, when educators everywhere were treading water in the ocean that was COVID-19, Sara embraced the problem of relationship-building during a pandemic by requiring one of her classes to publish “Dear Bogey” pieces in the McKendree Review. The students provided creative advice to their peers, faculty and staff on how to create and maintain healthy relationships. They were required to use course material, ancillary research and personal experience to craft their articles. Her recommenders called the project “inspiring.”

“Dr. Frank is known as a first-rate instructor. She is energetic and friendly, but no student is ever fooled – she maintains high, but not unreachable, standards,” said Dr. Alan Alewine, associate provost at McKendree University. “She works students hard but includes much laughter and light-heartedness in her courses.”

Other McKendree graduates who received the 2022 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award:

Psychology Major Named McKendree University’s 2022 Student Laureate

McKendree University senior Breanna Sampo, a psychology major from Cedar Point, Ill., received the state’s highest student honor – the 2022-2023 Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award – as a Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. It is the state’s highest student honor for leadership, service and excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities, awarded to a noteworthy senior from each college and university.

Deanne

Breanna has amassed an impressive record of scholarships, has been the coauthor on four peer-reviewed journal articles and three professional conference presentations and also presented her work at multiple undergraduate research conferences. She also recently earned a position as a Fulbright Canada Mitacs Globalink intern at Wilfrid Laurier University; during this time, she spent the summer designing and evaluating health literacy courses for educators in developing countries and is the first author on the paper being submitted for publication based on this project.

“Breanna is a model citizen at McKendree. Her myriad involvements prove that she not only possesses varied interests but also the drive to pursue them,” said Dr. Alan Alewine, associate provost at McKendree University. “Her research experiences are exceptional for an undergraduate and would rival those of students graduating from doctoral programs.”

During her time at McKendree, Breanna has been a tutor, an intern, a peer mentor and an academic mentor at the Student Success and Advising Center. The president of McKendree’s Psychology Club and Psi Chi, the international psychology honor society, Breanna has also served as the Student Government Association’s secretary and as a student representative on the Academic Excellence Celebration, in which she took the lead in promoting the day’s activities on campus and through social media. Off campus, Breanna has volunteered at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home in Lebanon, Ill., Trinity Social Services and the LaSalle Veterans Home and Spring Valley food pantry in her hometown.

In addition, Breanna is the captain of McKendree’s Color Guard, a member of Phi Eta Sigma and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies and a student academic mentor. Following graduation, Breanna plans to earn a doctorate in positive education research and become a professor at a university in which she can teach and mentor students. Another long-term career goal she has is to become a dean of students in order to advance school leadership in the direction of creating supportive inclusivity on campus.

Erin Connolly ’12, M.A.Ed. ’17, a reading intervention coordinator at Whiteside Elementary School in Belleville, Ill.

Jason Watts, MAT ’09, a science teacher at Charles Dorris Intermediate School in Collinsville, Ill.

Tamara Tally ’07, a third-grade teacher in Annette Officer Elementary School in East St. Louis, Ill.

Laub, M.A.Ed. ’07, a kindergarten teacher at Prather Pre-K/K Education Center in Granite City, Ill.

Jennifer (Barrington) Raetz ’05, an eighth-grade teacher at Notre Dame Academy in Belleville, Ill.

Casey (Hardesty) Bassler ’05, a first-grade teacher at High Mount School in Swansea, Ill.

Elizabeth (Murphy) White ’94, a teacher at Signal Hill Elementary School in Belleville, Ill.

All-Americans

Three men’s water polo players were named to the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Division II Men’s Varsity All-America Team, including junior Breno Tebet from Sao Paulo, Brazil (first team), graduate student Josh Carlson from New Lenox, Ill. and senior Nico Rodriguez from Bogota, Colombia (honorable mentions).

Scholar All-American & All-District Teams

Redshirt junior Jacob Bachman from Eureka, Ill. was named a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Division II Academic All-American first team honoree for football. Jacob, along with Turner Pullen, redshirt senior Kenny Thomason from Mahomet, Ill., redshirt junior Tyler Siever from Carlyle, Ill., redshirt sophomore Josh Bleich from Melvin, Ill., and sophomores Kaleb Barry from Kirkwood, Mo., Billy Doyle IV from Lockport, Ill. and Jordan Sprycha from Oak Lawn, Ill. were named CSC Academic AllDistrict Team honorees for football.

Women’s soccer garnered six CSC nods, including seniors Morgan Bova from Troy, Mo., Allison Frederking from Weldon Springs, Mo., Elizabeth Goldstein from Florissant, Mo. and Abby Tucker from Wentzville, Mo., and juniors Destiny Johnson from Maryville, Ill. and Reagan Mauch from Columbia, Ill. Women’s volleyball had four All-District selections, including senior Claire Diercks from Highland, Ill., and juniors Brianna Binder from Littleton, Colo., Lauren McCurley from Troy, Ill. and Colleen Preusser from St. Charles, Mo.

National & Regional Highlights

Bass Fishing

Strike King Bassmaster College Series National Championship on Sept. 2-4.

Eight Bearcats qualified for the Bassmaster National Championships, including fifth-year seniors Tyler Christy ’22 from Bolingbrook, Ill. and Trey Schroeder from Crestwood, Mo.; seniors Bailey Bleser from Burlington, Wis. and Trey Budach from Morris, Ill.; juniors Colton Hill from Patoka, Ill. and Harmon Marien from Eagle River, Wis.; and sophomores Kyle Hopping from Lake St. Louis, Mo. and Jaxson Freeman from Loda, Ill. Tyler and Trey finished third and earned a spot in the nationally televised College Classic Bracket Finals at Greenwood Lake in Greenwood, S.C. on Sept. 30-Oct. 3. Tyler advanced to the semifinals with a 7-10 catch on day one, before falling short on day two to finish in third place.

2022 Major League Fishing (MLF) School of the Year Race.

After strong appearances at three regional tournaments and an Open event, the McKendree bass fishing team earned the MLF Central Conference Team of the Year title with a total of 1,747 points and finished in second place in the National School of The Year competition.

Illinois State Championships held at Lake Egypt in Marion, Ill. on Oct. 23.

Jaxson Freeman and sophomore Maxwell Trotter from Decatur, Ill. won the state title with two bass weighing 6.63lbs. Trey Schroeder and sophomore Lane Stephens from Talala, Okla. finished in second place.

Bowling

Senior men’s bowler Jorge Rodriguez from Yauco, Puerto Rico was the top finisher with 1,489 pins at the Midwest Collegiate Bowling Championships. Daniel Chin from Daly City, Calif. was the top finisher with 1,339 pins at the Columbia 300 Western Shootout and 1,161 pins at the Boilermaker Classic. The men’s team amassed a total of 8,698 pins at the Boilermaker Classic on Oct. 30 to also bring home the team title. The women’s bowling team won the MOTIV Ladyjack Classic with a 12-2 record and a total pinfall of 15,230 on Nov. 13 and the 2022 National Collegiate Team Match Games with a total pinfall of 10,461 on Nov. 20.

GLVC CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR

Women's soccer junior forward Anna Stiffler from O'Fallon, Mo. was named the GLVC Offensive Player of the Year. She ranked atop a multitude of categories in the GLVC, leading in points (27), points per game (1.50), goals (13), goals per game (0.72), and game-winners (6 / 0.33 per game).

Redshirt junior quarterback Turner Pullen from Shelbyville, Ill. capped off his collegiate career by being named the GLVC Offensive Player of the Year. He led the league in passing yards (3,541), completions (329), attempts (469), completion percentage (70.1 percent), passing touchdowns (30), points responsible for (216) and total offense (341.0). In addition, he led all Division II quarterbacks in both total offense (341.0) and completions per game (29.91).

Football

Two football players were nominated for National Player of the Year awards. Turner Pullen was a candidate for the 2022 Harlon Hill Trophy for the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year.w Kenny Thomason was a candidate for the 2022 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award by the Manheim Touchdown Club.

Golf

The men’s golf team closed out the fall season with three tournament titles at the Bearcat Dual Gender Tournament at Far Oaks Golf Club in Caseyville, Ill., the Midwest Regional at Panther Creek Country Club in Springfield, Ill., and the Kentucky Wesleyan Fall Invitational at The Pearl Club in Owensboro, Ky. Sophomore men’s golfer Fabian Wennerlof from Onsala, Sweden tied for first place at the Midwest Regional Tournament with a 210 for 54 holes. Sophomore women’s golfer Imogen Rafferty from Derbyshire, England won medalist honors with a 235 for 54 holes at the Bearcat Dual Gender Tournament.

Powerlifting

The men’s and women’s powerlifting teams placed second and third respectively at the Midwest Collegiate Regional. Four Bearcats won their weight classes, including sophomore Jake Waltzer (75kg) from Elkton, Md., with a combined total of 650kg; first-year Dawson Stebbins (90kg) from Swartz Creek, Mich., with a combined total of 630kg; first-year Steven Singleton (100kg) from Nashville, Tenn., with a combined total of 685kg; and junior Kailee Carr (56kg) from St. Peters, Mo., with a combined total of 332.5kg.

Soccer

The women’s soccer team closed out the regular season with a program-first unbeaten record and qualified for their sixth straight NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament, where they lost in the first round to Cedarville University. Three players were named to both the 2022 D2CCA AllMidwest Region and United Soccer Coaches' AllMidwest Region Teams, including Anna Stiffler (first teams), Morgan Bova from Troy, Mo. (first and second team), and Allison Frederking from Weldon Springs, Mo. (second teams).

Swimming

Sophomore men’s swimmer Jackson Lustig from Milwaukee, Wis. set the third all-time fastest time of 1:42.14 in the 200 butterfly for NCAA DII at the Mizzou Invite in November. During the fall, he was named the PNC GLVC Men’s Swimming and Diving Athlete of the Week three times.

Tennis

Senior Ryan Fung from Miami, Fla. and sophomore Tomas Leston from Buenos Aires, Argentina won the Flight ‘C’ Doubles title at the Intercollegiate Team Association (ITA) Midwest Regional Championships. Two men’s doubles teams won their respective flights championships at the Southwest Baptist Invitational. Ryan and Tomas earned an 8-5 win in the “B” Doubles Draw final. Senior Leonardo Frederico from TijucasSanta Cantrina, Brazil and first-year Benedek Szombathelyi from Budapest, Hungary earned an 8-2 win in the “A” Doubles Draw final. Senior women’s tennis player Manuela Barriga from Bogota, Colombia claimed the “A” Singles Draw title with a 3-0 record.

Men’s Volleyball

Sophomore Kevin Schuele from Aurora, Ill. and first-year Robert Nardoni from Sierra Madre, Calif. competed at the USA Volleyball Beach Collegiate Challenge, at Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Md. in September.

Men’s Water Polo

The men’s varsity water polo team finished seventh at the 2022 Mid-Atlantic Water Polo Conference (MAWPC) Regional Championships in the Bronx, N.Y. The men’s club water polo team won the Missouri Valley Division Club Championship title and made a return trip to the 2022 National Collegiate Club Championships, where they finished in eighth place.

Athletic Staff & Coaching News

Brandi (Branka) Kordelewski ’13 was hired as the first-ever Assistant Athletic Director for Development. She is responsible for promoting and advancing McKendree Athletics to the broader community and increasing Bearcat Club membership and philanthropic gifts.

Amanda Howett was hired as an Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Compliance Officer. She comes to McKendree after spending nearly two years as the director of athletics at Penn State Shenango in Sharon, Pa.

Other new athletic hires include Cameron Conner, manager of event and game operations; Connie Henss-Nunn, athletic business manager; and Nick Staely, Division 3 head men’s hockey coach.

Check out McKBearcats.com for upcoming schedules, team news, and to purchase tickets. Visit shopmckendree.com to buy official athletics gear!

Not everyone gets the opportunity to directly affect the lives of current and future college students. While everyone on campus has the ability to use their unique gifts to help uphold McKendree as the incredible institution that it is, others like Stephen Kull, the vice president for institutional advancement, work hand in hand with alumni and friends of the University to create philanthropic opportunities that transform the lives of current and future Bearcats.

Stephen Kull Vice President for Institutional Advancement

Stephen joined McKendree in May 2022 and leads the Development, Alumni and Parent Relations team on campus. He also collaborates with colleagues on the President’s Cabinet as they work together to shape the future of the University. A Texas native and proud Aggie, Stephen grew up in Austin and graduated from Texas A&M UniversityCollege Station. Read on to learn a little more about Stephen and the work he does here at McKendree!

What should readers know about your job?

We genuinely care about the cause and the donors looking to support our cause. We are there to facilitate philanthropy and create opportunities to transform lives and situations.

What or who inspired you to follow your current career path?

In 1996, my youth pastor asked me what I wanted to do with my life. I told him I wanted a career where I traveled and got to talk to people about their passions. In 2005, I received a phone call from that same individual who told me about a job at Concordia Seminary doing just that, and he told them about me. I moved from Dallas to St. Louis and met my wife three weeks after I started, and the rest is history.

What is your favorite thing about your job?

One-on-one meetings with donors and aligning passions with institutional needs. We get to facilitate life change. What other job allows you to change lives of those that benefit from the support (students) and those that experience the philanthropy (donors)?

What is the most challenging thing about your job?

Not enough time. If I had my druthers, I would spend most of my time out traveling and meeting with alumni and friends of the University to identify passions, interests and stories that resonate with our current and future students.

What is something you absolutely cannot go without during your workday?

Coffee – at least 20 ounces to start the morning. Most people know me as someone who always has a coffee cup in hand in every meeting. I can drink coffee any time of the day and still get to sleep, but I cannot function without it in the morning. Little known fact: when I travel, which is often, I always seek out non-chain coffee shops in between meetings. During a workday where I am trying to buckle down and get stuff done, I am a big fan of a Piano Guys playlist on Spotify.

Alumni

1973

Dave Markwell was inducted into the Greater Illiana Sports Hall of Fame for coaching on June 25th.

1989

Carla Stone was recently elected to the McKendree Board of Trustees. She is the president/CEO at TechGuard Security, LLC.

1990

Maj. Gen. John Bartrum was promoted to major general in the U.S. Air Force in June 2022. He is the mobilization assistant to the Surgeon General of the Air Force and Space Force at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. In 2021, he was awarded the American Hospital Association Federal Health Care Executive Award for Excellence.

Paula Bull-Cooper, MSN ’08 is an executive council member of AARP Illinois.

1991

Mary Jo (Piek) Gruber is the chief financial officer at Pattonville School District.

1992

Adam Koishor is the vice president of strategic growth at Dort Financial Credit Union.

1995

Chris Koester was elected Randolph County assessor.

2000

Granite City Assistant Police Chief Maj. Nick Novacich was appointed to lead the Cross-River Crime Task Force.

Shaun Taylor was sworn in as a commissioner to the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County. 2001

Dr. Leslie (Fletcher) Daugherty, M.A.Ed. ’08 was promoted to head of design programs at Education Design Lab.

Jeffrey Dulle is the regional deposit manager for the St. Louis region of First Mid Bank & Trust.

Happy New Year, Bearcats!

I hope this edition of The McKendrean finds you well. As I may be a familiar face to you, it is an honor to introduce myself in a new capacity as the Director of Annual Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement for McKendree University.

I find myself so fortunate to be able to have a career that serves my alma mater, a place that I care so much about. As an alum from the Class of 2013 and as a staff member for over seven years, McKendree is home. You could say McKendree runs in my blood, as my immediate family holds 11 degrees from McKendree collectively. McKendree is also where I met my husband, Derek ’13, MBA ’16, when we were undergrads and where we were married in 2017.

I’m excited to serve McKendree in this new capacity and to connect with alumni and fellow Bearcats across multiple generations. I have great pride in upholding traditions and honoring the past while looking forward to current trends and meeting the next generation of Bearcats where they are. It’s important to find ways to support our alumni and engage them at many different stages of life. I hope to uncover what our alumni base is looking for today and how McKendree can continue to be supportive of their many different journeys of life.

Reflecting on the past year, I would be amiss to not acknowledge a huge day for the institution. McKendree participated in its 8th annual #GivingTuesday campaign on November 29, 2022. The campaign, which is centered around a 24-hour online wave of generosity, raised over $141,026 for the University. Because of the collective generosity of this incredible community, McKendree had the largest giving day in dollars raised to date for the fourth consecutive year. Thank you to all who gave back in some way and helped to make #GivingTuesday 2022 a huge success.

I look forward to seeing what 2023 holds for YOU and for McKendree. I hope to connect with you this year virtually, at an alumni event, or when you visit campus!

Best, Holly (Weathers) Sallee ’13, MBA ’18 Director of Annual Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement

Commencement

6/10/23: Annual Alumni Board Meeting

6/16/23: Bearcat Golf Tournament

10/20/23-10/22/23: Homecoming

2002

Rhonda (Buettner) Niemeier is the principal at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Red Bud, Ill.

2003

Illinois State Police Sgt. Calvin Dye copresented a session entitled “How Police Training Has Changed,” with McKendree Public Safety Chief Tony Tomlinson at the Nov. 9 Brown Bag/SJEC Conversation.

2006

Darren Robards is the chief information officer at Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill.

2007

Dr. Adam Clapp was a 2022 Central Illinois Business Magazine’s Forty Under 40 honoree. He is the superintendent of Monticello Schools in Monticello, Ill.

Matt Heck is a Kendall County Sheriff’s deputy in Yorkville, Ill.

Tim Moran, M.A.Ed. is the vocational education and district student safety coordinator for the Granite City School District.

2008

Amy Kelly (Wysocki) Johnson, M.A.Ed., Ed.S. ’22 is the principal at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, Ill.

Kellen Kettwich, M.A.Ed. ’13 is the principal at Scott Elementary in Mascoutah, Ill.

Karen Robertson, M.A.Ed., Ed.S. ’17 is the principal at Frohardt Education Center in Granite City, Ill.

2009

Dan Rudy, M.A.Ed. ’09 is the principal at Marie Schaefer Elementary School in O’Fallon, Ill.

2004

Jarrett Ford was promoted to chief of the Alton Police Department in Alton, Ill.

Kyle Luitjohan was promoted to project manager at Korte & Luitjohan in Highland, Ill.

Lynnae Robinson is the partner-in-charge of RubinBrown LLP’s Entrepreneurial Services Group in St. Louis, Mo.

Dr. Mary M. (Kehrer) Ruettgers is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in O’Fallon, Ill. On Oct. 14, 2022, Brandi Brown-Harris, M.A. ’10 visited Edward Jones for Purple Friday.

Charles Davis returned to campus to discuss his recently published book, “Without Apology,” at the Oct. 19 Brown Bag/SJEC Conversation.

2010

Dr Alex Herrell, M.A.Ed., Ed.S. ’16, Ed.D. ’18 is the principal at Edward Fulton Jr. High School in O’Fallon, Ill.

Megan (Heindselman) Winter is a nurse practitioner and acute care clinic team member at the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital Primary Care Clinic in Mt. Carmel, Ill.

2011

William Davis, MBA was recently recognized by “Becker’s Hospital Review” as one of “75 Black Healthcare Leaders to Know.” He is the CEO of Crossroads Community Hospital in Mt. Vernon, Ill.

Megan (Mark) Gardner, MBA ’12 is the brand manager at Vital Proteins.

2012

Kimberly (Hayden) Emrick, M.A.Ed. is the principal at Lebanon Junior/Senior High School in Lebanon, Ill.

Stacia Novy received a 2022 Love of Learning Award from Phi Kappa Phi and a 2022 James R. Koplin Travel Award from the Raptor Research Association. She used the award funds to travel to the Raptor Research Foundation Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from Oct. 4-9, where she presented a talk titled, “Beak shape varies with diet in Buteogallus raptors.” She is a wildlife biologist with the Audubon Center at Riverlands & U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Tara (Richerson) Roberts is a family nurse practitioner at the Benton County School Health Clinic at Briarwood Elementary School in Camden, Tenn.

Holly (Spence) Tharp, M.A.Ed. is vice president for finance and business at Monmouth College.

2013

Jonathan Becker was honored by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) as the 2022 South Atlantic League Athletic Trainer of the Year.

Grace Fisher performed the role of Yvette in Winter Opera St. Louis’ performance of Puccini’s “La Rondine” on Nov. 18 and 20, 2022.

Jacob Halde, M.A.Ed. ’18, Ed.S. ’22 is the principal at Jefferson Elementary School in Belleville, Ill.

2014

Brad Spotanski earned his certified public accountants designation. He is a supervisor at Scheffel Boyle’s Edwardsville office.

2015

Deena Brown is an APRN at OSF Healthcare Saint Anthony’s Health Center in Alton, Ill.

Caty (Ponce) Happe is the head softball and girl’s basketball coach at Edwardsville High School in Edwardsville, Ill.

2016

TJ Abernathy directed the St. Louis Civic Orchestra’s holiday concert on Dec. 3. He has been selected as a finalist for the orchestra’s artistic director, which will be announced at the end of the season.

Kendall Butler was promoted to director of operations at Spark Golf.

Dr. Courtney Castelli, Ed.D. is the superintendent of the Smithton Consolidated School District in Smithton, Ill.

2: Homecoming Basketball Alumni Day on Oct. 29, 2022: Several women’s basketball alumni joined current players and coaches at a basketball reunion during the Homecoming tailgate, including: Kari (Crnkovich) Crask ’96; Brittany Willis ’14; Caty (Ponce) Happe ’16; Madison Hart ’20; Jordan Heberg ’20; Megan Jensen ’20 and Madison Parker ’20

3: Fall Meetup at Halftime Pub & Grill on Aug. 27, 2022: Several alumni met for food, drinks, music and great company. Samuel James ’12, MBA ’21 and Erin (Kilian) James ’13 and Jimmy Vollmer and Kelli (Snyder) Vollmer ’12 are co-owners of Halftime Pub & Grill in St. Peters, Mo. Those in attendance, pictured from l. to r. and front to back, include: Eric Polka ’11; Brandi Brown-Harris, M.A. ’10; Annabelle Hedtkamp ’10; Ashley Reeves ’11 & ’16; Erin; Rianne Holzmeyer ’16; Erika (Smith-Thomas) Rice ’13, MBA ’16; and Janelle Woods ’16. Second row: Chandler Airaghi; Sarah (Eckelkamp) McIntyre ’12; Danni (Warren) Schroeder ’13; Meghan (McQuiston) Zinck ’11; Kelli; and Samantha Wiley. Third row: Scott Genz; Samuel; Sean Mueller ’11 and Jimmy. Not pictured: Katie (Doherty) Neal ’13.

4: Purple Friday on Nov. 18, 2022 at Kreitner Elementary School: Pictured, front row from l. to r.: Nicole (Basarich) Lane and Krista (Waltermire) Basuel ’07, M.A.Ed. ’12. Back row: Alissa Fuhrmann, philanthropic engagement officer; John Parciak ’14; Lori Drake ’10; Mary Lowe, M.A.Ed. ’08 and Brandi Brown-Harris, M.A. ’10, annual philanthropy and alumni engagement specialist. Not pictured: Jennifer (Stroot) Eschmann ’14, M.A.Ed. ’17

5a: Purple Friday on Nov. 10, 2022 at Edward Fulton Junior High School: Pictured from l. to r.: Ashley (Nolan) Fix ’11; Jacqulyn (Spencer) Nagel ’13 and Courtenay Martin-Woods ’06.

1: Grizzlies Game on July 15, 2022: Pictured from l. to r.: Kaylee Darnall ’18; Dr. Julie Smirl; Brandi-Brown Harris, M.A. ’10; Lauren Reeves ’17; Julia (Surdyke) Hunt ’16 and Nathan Hunt ’15

5b: Kenlea Meeker; Marguerite Rousseau, MAT ’20; Jana (Fournie) Vasquez ’96; Jessica Wright ’11 and Dr. Alex Herrell, M.A.Ed. ’10, Ed.S. ’16, Ed.D. ’18.

McKendree Alumni Couple Shares God’s Love, Serves People in Need in Zambia

by Tina (Napper) Tebbe ’08

Curtis Stahl ’06 and Monica (Todich) Stahl ’06 took part in separate mission trips to Zambia this year with members from their church, Copper Creek Christian Church, in support of one of their mission partners, African Vision of Hope (AVOH) in Maryville, Ill. The couple decided to venture to Zambia to see AVOH in action, especially since they sponsor a child named Clement through the organization. Curtis went from July 4 to 14, and Monica visited from October 28 to November 6.

“Sometimes when you support an organization, it’s hard to know exactly what they do just from a website. When we got to see what they do in person, it is amazing the impact they have in Zambia,” Monica said.

While in Zambia, Curtis fixed computers and their Internet network and also visited the AVOH’s schools and played with the children. The nurses on the trip with him measured the children and cared for those who were sick. Monica, meanwhile, interacted with children and visited the schools and the House of Hope, a rescue home for vulnerable women, children and families. At the schools, Monica and her group separated into classrooms to pray for the children. She also visited some homes in each of the villages. “It is very humbling to see how little the people here live with, yet they feel so blessed,” Monica said.

Perhaps the most impactful thing that happened to both Curtis and Monica was the joy that the children showed, even when they were hungry or sick. “Every school we visited, the children greeted us with songs about praising Jesus,” Monica remarked. “They were so grateful to be at school and to know someone cares about them.”

“Many of the children do not have any toys, so they make their own out of trash,” Curtis said. “For some of these children, lunch at school is their only meal of the day. With all this said, when we visited the schools the children were just so full of joy. They feel loved and cared for at school; it is a safe space where they can be themselves. They are viewed as a treasure.”

Of course, mission work can be challenging; even the most fervent struggle with knowing they can’t fix everything they see. “It was heartbreaking to see children in the streets that might not have any shoes or food to eat,” Monica said. “We gave many families and children some food we had in our backpacks, but we couldn’t help everyone.”

The Stahls have been serving others on mission trips since they were students. They both visited Mexico three times on mission trips to Loma de Flores with McKendree’s Campus Ministries. As alumni, Curtis has been to Oklahoma and Mississippi to serve those affected by Hurricane Katrina, and Monica visited the Ukraine on a mission trip in 2018 to see their church’s missions partner, Pioneer Bible Translators, in action. However, the couple stresses that real change can happen even in one’s own backyard.

“You don’t have to travel across the world to make a difference. You can support organizations that help others around the world,” Monica said. “You can pray for them and become involved. Just find something that is important to you and find out more.”

Asked if they would like to embark on future mission trips, the Stahls gave a resounding “yes.” “Who knows where God has planned for us? It will be an adventure and worth it, for sure,” Monica said.

McKendree’s football history has been a roller coaster, with multiple starts and stops through the years.

QB – Billy Gray, 1997-00

QB – Austin Fisher, 2008-11

QB – Isaac Fisher, 2012-15

Honorable Mention QB Selections: Jason Karnes, 199697; Reece Metcalf, 2016-18; Turner Pullen, 2019-present

RB – Brandon Murphy, 1997-00

RB – Jarrod Karnes, 1997-99

RB – Daryle Jones*, 2002-05

RB – Shayeen Edwards, 2014-17

Honorable Mention RB Selections: Louis Harden, 1997-98; George Smith, 2005-08; Preston Thompson, 2015-18

DL – Oku Satcher, 1999-01

DL – Ricardo Harris, 1999-02

DL – Nick Gianino, 2001-02

DL – Ardell Adams, 2004-06

DL – Brett Pearman, 2012-15

DL – Lucky Baar, 2013-16

Honorable Mention DL Selections: Zach Carter, 2001-04; Tobias Cook, 2014-17; Darion Simmons, 2014-17; Isaiah Ward, 2017-19, '21

K – Brian Schneider, 1998-01

K – Stephen Webb, 2002-05

K – Steven O'Block, 2013-16

K – Josh Lazaro, 2017-20

Honorable Mention K Selections: Kevin Kinsall, 200608; Jordan Fark, 2009-2010; Ryan Kastl, 2019-present

WR - Myron Hicks, 2008-11

WR – Cameron James, 2012-15

WR – Jalyn Williams, 2016-18

WR – Matt Cole, 2016-19

McKendree football celebrated its 25th season of the return of intercollegiate football on Oct. 15th, after a two-year delay due to the COVID pandemic. Several players returned and were honored on the field during half-time (picture below)

A 25-Anniversary 90-player team was selected in consultation with former head coach Carl Poelker, current head coach Mike Babcock, and several others that have been associated with McKendree football since its return in 1996. Honorees earned a combined 38 All-American honors, 155 All-Conference honors, seven Conference Player of the Year accolades and seven McKendree Sports Hall of Fame inductees (Mike Garavalia, Ricardo Harris, Scott Mehring, Brandon Murphy, Rory O'Connell, Oku Satcher, and Cory Wilson).

1892 - First football game vs. Smith Academy; 66-0 loss

1906 - Football was prohibited by the Board of Trustees for 11 years

1916 - Football returned as an intercollegiate sport

1951 - Football was dropped as an intercollegiate sport for 45 years

1996 - First modern football game vs. Lindenwood College 35-27 loss

OL – Justin Townsend, 1996-99

OL – Dennis Barnett, 1997-00

OL – Scott Mehring, 2000-02

OL – John Keeven, 2000-03

OL – Chris Cummings, 2002-05

Honorable Mention WR Selections: Dewayne Gatti, 2013-14; Sean Dowling, 2013-16; Jacob Bachman, 2019-present

TE – Kolin Peterson, 1999-01, '03

TE – Byron Gettis, 2008-10

TE – Zach Bobos, 2017-18

TE – Steven Leadlove, 2017-20

OL – Rick Schilb, 2002-05

OL – Mike Siverly, 2004-07

OL – Nick Hegger, 2007-10

OL – Richie Rebmann, 2010-13

OL – Cole Foster, 2016-18

OL – Jake Stevenson, 2017-21

Honorable Mention OL Selections: Ryan Presson, 199799, '01; Keith Jackson, 2004-05; Bryan Edgar, 200609; Craig Zurliene, 2007-10; Derrik Starrett, 2012-15

LB – Mike Garavalia, 1996-99

LB – Ryan Thornhill, 1996-99

LB – Darius Green, 1999-02

LB – Cory Wilson*, 2000-03

LB – Deveon Moss, 2002-05

LB – A.J. Wentland, 2013-16

LB – Austin Weltha, 2014-17

Honorable Mention LB Selections: Brandon Nigro, 200811; Jason Rejfek, 2008-11; Ricco Gipson, 2016-19

DB – Rory O'Connell, 1996-99

P – Mark Albertini, 1999-02

P – Jordan Spurlock, 2004-06

P – Alex McMahon*, 2010, '13

P – Monte Wolke, 2016-18

Honorable Mention P Selection: Bret Dougherty, 2007-10

DB – Colin Adams, 1997, '99-01

DB – David Rhodes, 2001-04

DB – Adam Clapp, 2003-06

DB – Mike Harrison, 2004-06

DB – Nate Powell, 2014-17

Honorable Mention DB Selections: Ryan Klier, 200508; Ryan Keen, 2010-13; Jamison Wilson, 2010-13; Blake Benoist, 2016-18

RS – Rory O'Connell, 1996-99

RS – Brandon Murphy, 1997-00

RS – Adam Clapp, 2003-06

RS – Cameron James, 2012-15

RS – Derrick Curry, 2014-17

RS – Matt Cole, 2016-19

LS – Brandon Zehr, 2013-16

LS – Caleb Shipley, 2017-20

The following is a list of the 25th-Anniversary McKendree Football Team (Players are listed by years played at McKendree)

Sarah Phelps was promoted to vice president of compliance and risk officer for FNB Community Bank in Ramsey, Ill.

Tony Viviano joined the faculty of The Fundraising School: Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University.

2017

Brad Groleau was honored by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society (PBATS) as the 2022 Midwest League Athletic Trainer of the Year. He served as the head athletic trainer for the Quad City River Bandits, a Class A franchise for the Kansas City Royals in 2022.

Jamie Kerley, M.A.Ed., Ed.S. ’21 is the superintendent/principal at Buncombe Consolidated School District 43 in Buncombe, Ill.

Rebecca (West) Yandell, M.A.Ed. is the principal at New Simpson Hill District #32.

2018

Kaci Bernard is the administrator at Friendship Manor Health Care in Nashville, Ill.

Rachel Ford graduated with her law degree from the University of Cincinnati School of Law in May. She is an attorney with Lashly & Baer, P.C. in St. Louis, Mo.

Justin Palm, M.A.Ed. is the principal at St. John’s Lutheran School in Red Bud, Ill.

Teagan Schwab is a learning community academic coordinator at Saint Louis University.

Daniel Thorson ’18 graduated from SIU School of Law in 2022. He is a law clerk at JCS Law in Webster Groves, Mo.

2019

Nicole Green, M.A.Ed. is the principal at St. Teresa of the Child Jesus Catholic School in Belleville, Ill.

In Memoriam

Deceased alumni and friends through Jan. 7th 2023.

Robert W. Culbert ’75, 7/27/22

Eric David Zutter-Brock ’12, 7/27/22

Carol Ann (Rennhoff) Kirby ’73, 7/28/22

Sandra (Ward) Raymo ’77, 8/18/22

Marjorie M. (Malick) Gedney ’54, 8/20/22

Robert J. “Bobby” Hughes ’92, 8/31/22

Lucille E. Kruse ’61, 9/1/22

Amy Marley, MSN ‘22 received the 2022 Illinois Rural Health Association’s Administrator of the Year award. She is the administrator of Lawrence and Crawford County Health Departments.

2020

Taylor Ganz recently earned her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law in May, passed the Missouri law exam, and was sworn into the Missouri State Bar. She is a student judge advocate and first lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and currently attending Basic School (TBS) in Quantico, Va.

Mackenzie Menn is a social media and program associate at Citizens for Modern Transit.

Isabela Scaturro graduated with a master’s of science degree in communications from Illinois State University in May 2022. She is an assistant speech coach and lecturer at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Justin Smock is the office administrative assistant for the Cahokia Mounds Museum Society.

Terence Tate, M.A.Ed. is the twelfth-grade associate principal at Cahokia High School in Cahokia, Ill.

2021

Zachary Huels, M.A.Ed. is the principal at Wesclin Middle School in Trenton, Ill.

2022

Phillip Hosfeldt, M.A.Ed. is the dean of system programs and early childhood education coordinator at Vienna High School in Vienna, Ill. Britaney Myers is a third-grade teacher at Evansville Attendance Center in Red Bud, Ill.

Adam Johnson ’14 and Katie Casey were married on Oct. 28, 2022.

Alyssa Patterson ’16 and Brandon Hoguet were married on July 9, 2022.

Paige Salthouse ’17, MBA ’18 and Daniel Thorson ’18 were married on July 30, 2022 in Sanibel, Fla.

Jason Beilke ’18 and Abby McMahon were married on Sept. 17, 2022.

Hailey Porter ’18 and Stetsen Traub were married on Oct. 27, 2022.

Emily Stanowski ’18 and Max Etter were married June 4, 2022.

Kaitlin Hayden ’20 and Dalton Whitted were married on Sept. 2, 2022.

Allie Ryan ’20 and Ian Maddray were married on Aug. 6, 2022.

Caleb Shipley ’21 and Miranda Gray were married on May 29, 2022.

Luella D. Ballard ’67, 9/14/22

Cathy Jo Kondracki ’95, 9/24/22

Linda S. (Rompel) Heap ’91, 9/27/22

William R. Prentice ’76, 9/26/22

Dr. Adam E. Peck ’95, 9/30/22

Gayle Davis-Black ’91, 10/16/22

Earl Dean Heberer ’75, 10/26/22

Gerald Dale Lagow ’71, 10/26/22

Margaret “June” (Render)

Leckrone ’52, 11/5/22

Carrol C. Lowe ’42, 11/6/22

Ruth K. Harris ’75, 11/13/22

Sharon D. Baker ’90, 11/16/22

Vickey L. Crum ’03, 11/19/22

Diane (Halloran)

Decker ’78, 11/26/22

Mary E. (Hurt) Dike ’54, 11/26/22

Danny W. Vest ’71, 11/26/22

Cynthia A. (Glaze) Neff ’90, 12/8/22

R. Zachary Miller ’74, 12/14/22

James C. Brock ’86, 12/30/22

Mabel Z. (Cozart) Porter ’50, 1/2/23

James J. Ferrall ’73, 1/4/23

Marjatta E. Myers ’83, 1/7/23

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Stephanie (Coartney) Dulaney ’10, husband C.J. ’05, MBA ’08, and big sister Avery, welcomed Ronan Joseph on May 19, 2022.

Tara (Ryterski) Beffa ’11, MBA ’13, and husband Sam, welcomed Charlotte Ann on Dec. 31, 2021.

Holly (Weathers) Sallee ’13, MBA ’18, and husband Derek ’13, MBA ’16, welcomed Robbie Jade on Feb. 12, 2022.

Jackie (Bassler) Hay ’14, husband Garrett, and big sister Avery welcomed sons Benjamin Clarke and Logan Robert on April 19, 2022. Ben was in the Cardiac ICU at St. Louis Children’s Hospital until he received a heart transplant on Nov. 26. He came home for the first time on his eight month birthday. You can follow our story on social media by searching “Brave Like Ben.”

Chelsea (Lehr) Johnson ’14, husband Jacob, big sister Amelia, and big brother Leland, welcomed Henry Oliver on Sept. 17, 2022.

Shelby (Callahan) Reece ’14, husband Joe ’14, and big brother Oliver welcomed, August Joseph on Sept. 11, 2022.

Jennifer (Melusky) Vincent ’14, husband Ryan ’13, big brother Lucas, and big sister Olivia, welcomed Alaina Joy on Sept. 20, 2022.

Caty (Ponce) Happe ’15, and husband Clinton ’14, welcomed Camryn Ray and Chase Danielle on June 3, 2022.

Hannah Hellyer, MBA ’15, and husband Andrew ’15, welcomed Lily Anneliese on March 11, 2022.

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Evonne (Huelsmann) Jacob ’15, and husband Kyle, welcomed Kyson Abraham on June 1, 2022.

Nyki (McLaughlin) Long ’15, husband Dyllan, and big sister Olyvia, welcomed Walker Dean on June 30, 2022.

Taylor (Simmons) Rosecrans ’16, husband John, and big sister Emery, welcomed William Thomas on Sept. 9, 2022.

Stephanie (Strack) Tichacek ’16, and husband Jared, welcomed Chandler on June 27, 2022.

Sarah (Goetze) Anderson ’17, M.A. ’18, and husband Grant ’17, welcomed Avery Jane on June 30, 2022.

Logyn (Norris) Beck ’18, M.A. ’21 and husband Nick, welcomed Gwinevere on July 30, 2022.

Jennifer (Blumberg) Rinkel ’18, and husband Eric, welcomed Easton Carl on July 23, 2022.

Matthew Strubhart, MBA ’22, and wife Shannon, welcomed Caleb Nicholas on June 24, 2020. Haley Jane and Brooklyn Elizabeth joined the family on Oct. 15, 2021.

Anna (Mernick) Strubhart ’18, husband Adam ’17, and big brother Weston, welcomed Wyatt Michael on July 11, 2022.

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Share your professional accomplishments, such as job changes, promotions and awards, or personal milestones, such as advanced degrees earned, marriages or births. There are two easy ways to submit your information.

1. Fill out the Class Notes Form:

https://www.mckendree.edu/alumni

2. Email a class note to alumni@mckendree.edu and include your name (maiden name when applicable), class year, and relevant information.

Information submitted will be posted in The McKendrean (print and online editions) and news releases and information from published news clippings may also be used. Please note the information that is published may be subject to availability of space and editing.

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As an alumni volunteer, you can give of your time, talent and treasure in a variety of ways. You can help with a specific program, speak at a career workshop, work alongside students, provide leadership for alumni activities, serve on a committee or as a class agent, and/or serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors. If you have a desire to serve your alma mater, please contact the Director of Alumni Relations.

Alumni Awards Call for Nominations Nominations for the 2023 Alumni Awards ends April 15, 2023. 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. For more information or specific awards criteria, check out the Alumni Association webpage.