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.

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.