Alumni Award Recipients
Edward “Ed” McGlynn ’68 | 2022 Peter Akers Award Recipient
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 Inter-Society 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.
Rising Star Awardees
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.
Ryan Vincent ’12
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 ’12
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 ’13
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.
Academy of Excellence
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 All-American 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.