MLB Broadcaster Fran Charles Opens McKendree Chapel Series Sept. 13
Leadership, Relationships, Hospitality and Service are Themes
(LEBANON, Ill., August 22, 2017) — Sportscaster Fran Charles, Jr., of the Major League
Baseball (MLB) Network, will open McKendree University’s 2017-2018 Chapel Series at
noon on Wednesday, Sept. 13. The public is welcome to attend at the Hettenhausen Center
for the Arts on campus.
As a rising star at the MLB Network, Charles is no stranger to athletes’ personal
and professional lives. His experience broadcasting a variety of sports has provided
him unique perspectives. The former St. Louis resident began his career at KSDK-TV
and received his degree from the Columbia School of Journalism. He has moved up the
ranks of sports analysts to work alongside Kurt Warner, Brian Billick, Jim Mora, Deion
Sanders and others. Charles also was featured in EA Sports’ Madden NFL 10 video game
as the main host of “The Extra Point” weekly wrap-up show.
Future guest speakers at Bothwell Chapel on campus will include:
Sunday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m.: Rev. Dennis Price, recently retired senior pastor of Troy United Methodist Church
and a 1973 McKendree graduate, will talk about relationships at the homecoming weekend
chapel service.
Friday, Dec. 1, noon: Hospitality is the theme of the holiday season’s Lessons and Carols Service with
spirituality writer, blogger and facilitator Sara McGinnis Lee, director of formation
at Ascension Health, the largest Catholic nonprofit health care system.
Thursday, Jan. 18, 2018, 4 p.m.: Tom Cummins, a volunteer chaplain for two Missouri Department of Corrections maximum-security
prisons, will be the keynote speaker at the annual Christian Unity and Martin Luther
King Service. After more than 30 years working at Monsanto, he earned a master’s degree
in pastoral studies with a concentration in preaching.
Wednesday, April 3, 5 p.m.: A Jewish Seder Meal, a ritual feast that marks the beginning of Passover, will be
served in the chapel’s Circuit Riders room. The Seder involves a retelling of the
story of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt.
Wednesday, April 25, noon: A retiring professor, to be announced, will share insights, memories and significant
moments from his or her career.
-McK-
