McKendree University Welcomes Largest Incoming Class in School History
The Class of 2028 is the university’s bicentennial class.
(LEBANON, Ill., August 27, 2024) – McKendree University welcomed the Class of 2028, its bicentennial class, to campus on Thursday, Aug. 22 as more than 540 first-year students and transfer students arrived on campus this week. They are part of the largest class in the university’s history, representing McKendree’s third consecutive year in which the institution has experienced enrollment growth. Palpable excitement filled the air on this mild summer day as the new students lined the streets and proceeded to the university’s front lawn flying international flags or holding posters of the states they represented.
Continuing a trend from recent years, an increasing number of new Bearcats are from out of state or from other countries. While 59 percent of the Class of 2028 have come from throughout Illinois, others represent 33 additional states, as well as 29 other countries. International students have arrived from Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Norway, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, and Vietnam.
Additionally, 85 percent of the incoming class will be receiving academic scholarships, and 25 percent of these students will be receiving the Honors scholarship, which is a new record for the highest academic award given to new students by McKendree. An impressive 21 percent of students have had a relative attend the university in the past, and 10 percent have had a parent, sibling, or grandparent call McKendree their alma mater.
“You have become part of a family here at McKendree, and that family is here for you,” Daniel C. Dobbins, president of McKendree University, said to the incoming class. “We will do our very best every day to educate, to support, to nurture, and to serve you in a manner that treats you as a member of the family you’ve become part of – the One McKendree family.”
Senior Trevor Pickerell, president of the Student Government Association, welcomed the new class of students, charging them to get out of their comfort zones and meet people who are different from them.
“Your college journey is just the beginning, so make the most of it,” Pickerell said. “Attend as many events as you can and make as many friends as you can.”
Dr. Shelly Lemons, professor of history at McKendree, also addressed the incoming class, drawing parallels from the history of 1824 that still echo in 2024.
“We pledge to do our best to prepare you for a world we do not yet know. Nearly 200 years of history got us this far, and together we take the first steps toward 200 more, ready for today, prepared for tomorrow, always a Bearcat,” Dr. Lemons said. “Welcome to McKendree, Class of 2028. We’ve been waiting for you, and we’re so excited that you are here.”
Continuing a longstanding McKendree tradition, all new students signed the matricula, a document that signifies their enrollment and becomes an official, permanent university record. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the fight song, led by David Justice ’24, senior Kyle Dailor and the McKendree University Spirit Band. Bogey D. Bearcat also made an appearance to pump up the spirit on this special day.
New students will also participate in three days of orientation, activities, and “Into the Streets” volunteer service in Lebanon and the surrounding areas before classes begin on Monday, August 26.
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