The Vision FORWARD: A Conversation with Three McKendree University Trustees

“THE FORWARD CAMPAIGN WILL HELP ENSURE THAT PASSION AND SUCCESS CONTINUE AS MCKENDREE EMBARKS ON ITS NEXT 100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE.” —DAN LETT ’91

 

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.

Three Board members shared their thoughts about their service to the University and their excitement for its future.

Dr. Val Thaxton ’76, retired vice president for community services and campus operations at Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Ill., is the longest-serving female trustee. “I attended McKendree beginning in the fall of 1973 and joined the Student Affairs staff after I graduated in 1976. When I left McKendree in 1983, I served on the Alumni Board for several years. When the opportunity to join the Board of Trustees presented itself, I wanted to do it. For me, it was a natural extension of my relationship with the University.”

More than half of the 32 members of the Board are McKendree University alumni like Dr. Thaxton.

During her 45-year relationship with the University, Val has experienced and been an active part of the growth of the institution. “The McKendree I attended in the mid 1970’s is not the McKendree of today,” she said. “Piper Academic Center, The Hett, upgraded athletic facilities, expanded sports offerings, an enhanced spectrum of academic programs and the addition of graduate programs comprise the McKendree of today. We need to be diligent about developing programs, facilities, and infrastructure for the McKendree of tomorrow.”

Greg Mennerick ’06, partner at Thompson Coburn LLP in St. Louis, became a member of the Board after the campaign was launched. “I believe that McKendree’s future is more exciting now than ever before,” he said. “In the face of modern challenges felt by all of higher education, McKendree has achieved extraordinary momentum and growth in recent years. Completing our FORWARD campaign will allow us to capitalize on that momentum and growth and transform elements of our campus for generations of students to come.”

“MCKENDREE STANDS OUT AS A PLACE COMMITTED TO EVOLVE AND RE-INVENT ITSELF TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION TO OUTSTANDING STUDENTS. THE FORWARD CAMPAIGN EXEMPLIFIES THAT COMMITMENT...” —GREG MENNERICK ’06

Dan Lett ’91, chairman of the board, is the executive vice president of corporate development and general counsel for Bunzl North America. He joined the Board by virtue of his role as president of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. “I have remained an active member of the Board, including my current role as chairman, because I believe in McKendree and what the institution offers to current and future generations of students like me.”

“The FORWARD campaign is a key element of the future success of McKendree. The campaign objectives are focused on areas that propel McKendree to the forefront of leadership in the student experience,” Dan added. “These objectives will provide an even better vehicle for our great faculty to deliver knowledge and inspiration to current and future generations of students in a beautiful, historic setting with modern amenities. In particular, the proposed science building will offer students a world class experience. While we have made tremendous progress toward our campaign goal, we have not completed it yet. We want to finish the campaign so we can make its important objectives a reality for our students.”

“After 191 years, McKendree is better than ever and her future is bright,” Dan concluded. “The passion that the faculty and administration along with the Board, students and the community at large share for McKendree is undeniable. The FORWARD campaign will help ensure that passion and success continue as McKendree embarks on its next 100 years of excellence. We thank everyone for their current and future support of McKendree and the FORWARD campaign.”