Winter 2019 Magazine
It is remarkable that our 190th celebration year has just ended and the spring semester is under way. We are excited to share with you our annual President’s Report, which contains information about our ongoing FORWARD campaign, and shares some of the other data behind the good work happening at McKendree every day.
Giving Tuesday - November 27, 2018 »
McKendree University received $99,991.08 in charitable gifts during its fourth annual #GivingTuesday campaign on Nov. 27, 2018. Contributions to McKendree on this day benefitted the University’s Annual Fund, which supports, in part, student scholarships and financial aid, student services, and academic instruction.
The McKendree University Board of Trustees is driven by a commitment to ensure McKendree
University remains a vibrant institution.
Honoring the University’s past, with a bold vision for its future, the Board meets
quarterly to enhance the McKendree University experience for current and future students.
However, unlike the professors, coaches and staff with whom students interact regularly,
many students may not know these key people who play a significant role in their education.
Sport Management Majors Go Pro »
Recent graduates of McKendree University’s sport management program now represent
the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL and athletic departments within the NCAA Power Five, Mid-Major
and Division II collegiate conferences.
In a short time, sport management has grown to become one of McKendree’s most popular
and successful majors. Initially a small and concise program started in 2011, it was
based largely on theory, with about 30 students. In 2018, it has developed into a
program of up to 90 students, with 14 to 20 graduates each year and classes that incorporate
hands-on experience.
Female Coaches Break Barriers »
Women coaching men’s sports. While rare in college athletics, McKendree’s Colleen
Lischwe and Nickie Sanlin have blazed the trail by taking the helm of two men’s programs—men’s
water polo and men’s volleyball.
The only female head men’s water polo coach in NCAA Division II and part of a small
group of women coaching men’s collegiate sports, Colleen Lischwe was named to the
position last June after two successful seasons coaching the McKendree women’s water
polo team.
Meet Our Outstanding Alumni
McKendree University celebrated several accomplished alumni at an awards dinner on Oct. 27 at the St. Clair Country Club in Belleville, Ill. Chosen by the Alumni Association Board, the 2018 winners have made their mark in their professions and at their alma mater.
Peter Akers Award
Loyal Service Award
Academy of Excellence
Rising Stars
Sports Hall of Fame
WOMEN’S BOWLING
Women's Bowling Coach Shannon O’Keefe won her first Professional Women's Bowling Association Player of the Year award in 2018 and became the first woman bowler to win the QubicaAMF Bowling World Cup in her home country. In January, junior Breanna Clemmer won the National Amateur Bowling Championship and made Team USA.
CROSS COUNTRY
The women's and men's cross country programs sent six runners each to the NCAA Midwest Regional.
Tennis Court Improvements Honor Veteran Alum »
Improvements made to the University tennis courts in recent years honor the memory of a former student athlete and fallen soldier, the late Kenneth Frazer ’67. Ken came to McKendree from Chester, Ill., in the fall of 1963. He studied sociology with a minor in psychology, played singles and doubles on the tennis team, and joined Phi Rho Chi (Ferox), serving as fraternity president in 1966. In April 1968, he was moved to serve his country as an Army medic during the Vietnam War. Ken made the ultimate sacrifice, losing his life for others in a heroic effort on Sept. 9, 1968.
McKendree Women's Wrestling: An Inside Look »
In his six years as the McKendree women’s wrestling head coach, Sam Schmitz has helped shape the program into a national contender—one that is making a name internationally, as well. In January, the team won its first National Wrestling Coaches Association championship by defeating King University 24-17 in the championship match of the National Duals. Internationally, junior Alex Glaude, and sophomores Kori Bullock and Brenda Reyna, all qualified for world championship events in Slovakia and Romania in 2018. Alex and Kori became the first female Americans to medal at the Senior U23 World Championships, both receiving bronze on Nov. 16 in Romania.
National Recognition
♦ McKendree University remained in the top tier of Midwest regional universities and
on the “Best Value Schools” and “Best Colleges for Veterans” lists in the category,
in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 “Best Colleges” edition.
♦ The online bachelor’s degree, MBA, graduate education and nursing degree programs
were among U.S. News’ “Best Online Programs” for 2018.
Maintaining the lovely landscape of the Lebanon campus is a highly visible, year-round job for Grounds Manager Adam Kasper and his crew. Adam began his career at age 16 at the Potted Plant Garden Center in his hometown of Mascoutah, Ill., where he serves on the Parks and Recreation Commission and its tree subcommittee. A certified arborist, he earned an associate degree in horticulture from Southwestern Illinois College.
Andrew Wagner is Our Student Laureate »
Multitalented senior Andrew Wagner—who excels in public speaking, Model UN, music and Spanish—is our 2018 Student Lincoln
Laureate. The Lincoln Academy awards the State of Illinois’ highest student honor
for leadership, service and excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities.
“Andrew possesses intellectual talent, has an outstanding work ethic, and is a consistent
and thoughtful leader, making him a model student,” said Dr. Christine Bahr, provost.
Emma Mooneyham is Gilman Scholar »
The beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of Luján was one of many places Emma Mooneyham visited in Buenos Aires, Argentina, during the fall semester. The senior biopsychology major from Fort Worth, Texas, received a prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, to study at the Universidad de Belgrano. Emma returned not only more fluent in Spanish but also more self-reliant and confident as a world traveler.
A dedicated and rigorous instructor who molds his students into complex thinkers is
McKendree’s 2018 recipient of the Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Brian Frederking ’90, professor of political science, was among 100 St. Louis educators honored for their
outstanding contribution to the teaching profession and to their students.
An expert on the United Nations Security Council and global governance and security,
he is an accomplished scholar who has published four books to date and numerous articles,
often in collaboration with his students.
CIC Senior Leadership Academy »
Dr. Alan Alewine, associate dean for curriculum, is participating in the Senior Leadership Academy of the Council of Independent Colleges and American Academic Leadership Institute. In a highly competitive selection process, 45 mid-level administrators were chosen from independent colleges and universities nationwide. Participants in the yearlong program acquire knowledge, skills and experiences necessary for the duties of a college or university vice president or officer.
A Fascinating Week in Cuba
Dr. Aurélie Capron, associate professor of Spanish, Dr. Janice Wiegmann, professor of nursing, Erin Fleshren ’18, Megan Birdsong ’14 and junior Spanish majors Emily Berry and Cassie Craig spent a week in Cuba in May. Their educational travel group learned about Cuban culture, history, politics, laws, and government-funded health care and education in the capital city of Havana; the old colonial town of Trinidad, a UNESCO World Heritage site; and the coastal city of Cienfuegos. The McKendreans received a warm welcome from their hosts and those they met at a medical clinic, coffee plantation, rum museum, bakery, urban farm and an American-operated English bookstore.
‘ALL IN’ For Civic Engagement »
Responsible citizenship is a core value at McKendree. As part of the national ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, the University held Constitution Day and Election Day activities, voter registration, discussions about social justice and equality, and a screening of the documentary “One Vote” at the Hett, attended by the associate producer. In September, author Kelsey Timmerman (“Where Am I Giving? A Global Adventure Exploring How to Use Your Gifts and Talents to Make a Difference”) challenged the audience to move beyond awareness to action and to live purpose-filled, generous lives.
Dr. Jennifer Hope and fellow members of The Gathering United Methodist Church in St.
Louis, Mo., traveled to Mozambique last spring for the dedication of a new school
and a clean water well. Her church supports a UMC initiative to build schools and
safe wells in the southeastern African country.
The need to haul water from the river for crops and daily necessities had prevented
many students from attending school, Jennifer explained. “Or they were walking more
than seven miles, including two river crossings, complete with crocodiles, to get
there.”.
‘The Hate U Give’ Author Addresses MLK Award Ceremony
Keynote speaker Angie Thomas (left) author of “The Hate U Give” congratulates senior political science major Naeelah Chism; senior secondary education major Ebony Luster; and Dr. Lauren Thompson, assistant professor of history, on receiving the University’s 2019 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award on Jan. 24. The annual award recognizes social justice leaders on campus who demonstrate care and compassion, understanding and tolerance, humanitarian principles and ideals, and service.
HLC Reaffirms Accreditation
A Higher Learning Commission (HLC) evaluation team, which visited campus in October,
submitted a very positive report, recommending that McKendree University be awarded
the designation “met” for all five criteria. The HLC Institutional Actions Council
(IAC) met on Jan. 15 and took official action on the team’s recommendation to reaffirm
accreditation for the University.
“Thank you to all of the board members, faculty, staff and students who participated
in writing the Assurance Argument, gathering Federal Compliance documents, or meeting
with the reviewers during the site visit,” said Dr. Tami Eggleston, associate dean
for institutional effectiveness. “We were pleased with the opportunity to share our
McKendree story and our many accomplishments over the last ten years.”
Hett Leadership Change
The hiring process is under way for a new director of the Hettenhausen Center for
the Arts, following the departure of former director Peter Palermo in November. He
became the executive director of The Sheldon Arts Foundation in St. Louis, Mo., on
Dec. 3, 2018, succeeding the retiring director, who served for 24 years.
“We thank Peter for his outstanding leadership of the Hett for the past 12 years,”
said Victoria Dowling, senior vice president. “He certainly made his mark on the arts,
entertainment and education not only at the University but also our region. We congratulate
him and we wish him continued success.”
LSU Archives Dr. Gordon’s Research »
Research, papers and articles by the late Dr. Betsy Gordon are now in the Libraries
and Special Collections of Louisiana State University (LSU), where she received her
Ph.D. in speech communication and rhetoric.
Recognized as a landmark study, her 1991 dissertation, “The Rhetoric of Community
Ritual: The Blessing of the Shrimp Fleet at Chauvin, Louisiana,” was archived previously
in LSU’s Hill Research Library. She interviewed local residents and observed their
preparations and performance of the annual blessing and boat parade held in the Cajun
community.
A Message from from the Alumni Board President Ryan Furniss ’00 »
As we roll into the new semester, it is time to reconnect with McKendree family and friends. There have been numerous changes on campus over the past year and we encourage you to visit and reconnect with McKendree. The FORWARD capital campaign is ongoing and we hope McKendree will soon have a new science building and upgraded library. These facilities are much needed to continue the world-class education that students, alumni and prospective students have come to expect from our great institution.
Singing onstage at New York City’s TimesCenter Theater last September was a once-in-a-lifetime thrill for Dave Philip ’70, who performed in the 35-member chorus of “The Flood,” an off-Broadway musical. Based on the town of Valmeyer, Ill., which was destroyed by the rising Mississippi River in 1993 and later rebuilt on higher ground, it is an uplifting story of perseverance and renewal.
In 2017, Sean Lashley ’02, senior vice president and partner at FleishmanHillard, a St. Louis-based public
relations and marketing agency, was named to PRWeek’s “40 Under 40.” The annual list
acknowledges upcoming leaders in public relations throughout the U.S.
“It was an honor that my company and colleagues thought enough of me to take the time
to put my name in the hat for consideration,” Sean said. “It was an even bigger honor
to be selected and stand next to 39 of my peers who do such impressive work. It’s
humbling, to say the least.”
Jeremy Alexander ’09 donates his time to his alma mater by returning to campus to participate in Homecoming, Scholarship Days, Founders Day, the Senior Dinner Celebration, and Commencement to serve as a volunteer. Jeremy believes in making a difference in the lives of McKendree students. He understands that the time he spends volunteering is just as valuable as his financial contributions. In addition, Jeremy gives back to the University as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
Chris Deaville ’17 stood watch at the Capitol Rotunda guarding the casket of former President George
H.W. Bush for four-and-a-half hours overnight on Dec. 3 into Dec. 4. Chris is part
of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Ceremonial Honor Guard, which serves the Military District
of Washington, D.C.
“The process to join the honor guard is very prestigious,” said Chris. “Honor guard
is in charge of funerals in Arlington National Cemetery, ceremonies for world leaders
and dignitaries, jobs at the Pentagon and the White House, and big events such as
the death of a president.”
Educator Enters Extra Innings »
Living three hours northeast of St. Louis, lifelong loyal Cardinals baseball fan Tracy Snyder Martz ’78 missed the excitement of watching home games from the stands at Busch Stadium.
“It’s my ‘happy place’,” explained the former English, reading and language arts teacher,
who retired in 2017. “It wasn’t unusual for me to leave school at the end of the work
day for a midweek game in St. Louis and arrive back at home in the wee hours of the
morning, so I wouldn’t miss teaching the next day.”
Make It McKendree
