Founders Week 2026
Thank You for Raising the Roar!
Founders Week is one of McKendree University’s most meaningful traditions - an annual celebration of history, community, and philanthropy that brings Bearcats together to honor nearly two centuries of impact.
Held February 16–20, 2026, Founders Week marked McKendree’s 198th anniversary, celebrating the legacy built since 1828 and the people who continue to shape our future through generosity, pride, and connection.
Throughout the week, students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and friends came together for meaningful moments of connection and gratitude across campus. Activities included the Dollars for Donuts giving campaign, a campus-wide Day of Gratitude, and McKendree’s birthday celebration in Ames Dining Hall, bringing the Bearcat community together to reflect and celebrate. Founders Week also featured storytelling signage displayed across campus, sharing the history of McKendree’s philanthropy and illustrating how outside support has transformed our campus, enriched the student experience, and strengthened the McKendree community.
One McKendree Giving Day: The Impact
At the heart of Founders Week was the 4th annual One McKendree Giving Day, a 1,828-minute giving campaign honoring McKendree’s founding year.
Together, the Bearcat community showed up in a big way - demonstrating what’s possible when we rally around a shared purpose and invest in the future of McKendree.
One McKendree Giving Day Results
THANK YOU, BEARCATS 💜
A heartfelt thank you to every alumnus, parent, student, faculty member, staff member, and friend who participated in Founders Week and One McKendree Giving Day.
Whether you made a gift, shared a post, attended an event, encouraged others to give, or helped behind the scenes - you helped Raise the Roar and carry McKendree’s mission forward.
This momentum honors our past, strengthens our present, and builds confidence in the future we are creating together.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
Founders Week and One McKendree Giving Day would not be possible without the incredible support of our sponsors and challenge partners. Your leadership and generosity amplified participation, inspired giving, and increased the impact across campus.
💜 Thank you for powering the Roar for McKendree University.
Missed Giving Day?
After-hours donations are still being accepted and will count toward the One McKendree Giving Day campaign. There's still time to support McKendree University!
👉 Make an After-Hours Gift Here
Questions?
For additional information, please contact the
Office of Development, Alumni and Parent Relations
📧 annual_fund@mckendree.edu
📞 (618) 537-6443
