McKendree University Welcomes the Class of 2026
First-Year and Transfer Students Represent 33 States, 30 Countries
(LEBANON, Ill., August 19, 2022) – McKendree University welcomes the Class of 2026
to campus as 425 first-year students and 125 transfer students arrived on campus this
week. This is the second largest class in the University’s history. The new students
lined the streets as they processed to the University’s front lawn, international
flags flying and students 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 58 percent of the Class of 2026 have come
from throughout Illinois, others represent 32 additional states, as well as 30 other
countries. International students have arrived from Argentina, Australia, Austria,
the Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ethiopia, France, Germany,
Ghana, Hungary, India, Ireland, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal,
Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and Vietnam.
The Class of 2026 has a collective high school grade point average of 3.54 with 80
percent of first-year Bearcats entering as academic scholars and a record-breaking
28 percent coming in as honor scholars, which requires a GPA of 3.75 or higher. Ten
percent of students are legacy students, meaning they have had a parent, grandparent
or sibling attend the University in the past.
“At McKendree, we want you to know that we are preparing you in many ways, be it your
classroom experience, in academic activities, by your engagement and co-curricular
activities, and finally by preparing you for careers through your personal and intellectual
growth,” said Daniel C. Dobbins, president of McKendree University. “We are committed
to your success, and I look forward to witnessing your success in the classroom, on
the stage, and on the field. Remember this day. You marched in a procession today
as an individual, as part of a state or country, and as part of a class. You’ll do
that again at your commencement.”
Emmanuel Segbedzi, president of the Student Government Association, challenged the
incoming students to believe in the One McKendree mission, do what gives their lives
meaning and continue to soar higher in their academics and extracurricular activities.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tami Eggleston, provost of McKendree University, instilled a sense
of “purple pride” in the newest Bearcats. “Some of those faculty members are going
to become some of your favorite people,” she said. Since Dr. Jean Sampson, professor
of management and marketing, recipient of the 2022 William Norman Grandy Faculty Award,
and speaker at this year’s convocation, was unable to attend the event, Dr. Eggleston
relayed a message from her to the students. “I would like to tell the students that
in addition to having a great new student orientation, try to make some new friends
this week, be yourself, smile at other students, meet someone who’s different than
you, be honest, and have fun as you meet new people,” Dr. Eggleston said in Dr. Sampson’s
stead.
Continuing a longstanding McKendree tradition, all new students signed the Matricula,
a document that signifies their enrollment and becomes an official, permanent University
record. They will participate in three days of orientation, activities and “Into the
Streets” volunteer service in Lebanon before classes begin on Monday, August 22.
The ceremony concluded with the singing of the fight song, led by the McKendree University
Spirit Band, the football team, the volleyball team, and Bradley Eston, senior and
music education major at McKendree. Bogey D. Bearcat also made an appearance to pump
up the spirit of this special day.
-McK-
