Summer 2022
A Message from President Dobbins
As summer break begins to wind down, our faculty and staff are preparing themselves for another successful and memorable academic year. I find myself eagerly awaiting convocation and meeting the newest Bearcats who will make up the Class of 2026. This ceremony celebrates the start of each academic year. It represents a new beginning and a time for hope and promise.
The early 2000s were a special time. Before the dawn of smartphones, Facebook and YouTube, Bearcats who arrived at McKendree in the year 2000 were busy debating about which boy band was the best, tuning into the first season of reality TV game show “Big Brother,” and testing out the myriad of sports games on the all-new PlayStation 2. McKendree in the early 2000s was also changing and growing to meet students’ needs.
100 Years of The McKendree Review
Since 1921, the McKendree Review has brought the latest information to students and the McKendree community, telling
stories while simultaneously recording history. This year, the Review celebrated its
100th anniversary.
The McKendree Review began on November 15, 1921. It began as a means for the journalism students to practice
their work, and was published by them from the beginning.
Say Hello to Our Newest Trustees!
The Board of Trustees has welcomed four new members in 2022 so far: Dr. Jeff Dosier ’87 of Belleville, Ill., Kent Marty ’80 of Edwardsville, Ill., The Reverend Dr. Victor Long ’83 of Mt. Vernon, Ill., and Lawrence “Larry” Carrico of St. Louis, Mo.
McKendree University Unveils Its Latest Strategic Plan, U.N.I.T.E.D.
Since 1828, McKendree University has adapted to changes in education, culture, economics
and technology – and recent years have been no exception. In the past five years,
McKendree has experienced a presidential transition, an increase in staff and faculty
retirements, shifting student needs, increased technology needs and, of course, a
global pandemic.
Have you ever wondered what your favorite retired faculty and staff members are up
to these days? Now you can read up on how the people who formed your life at McKendree
are doing in our all-new “Where Are They Now?” feature!
In each issue, we will highlight an emeritus faculty member or emeritus staff member.
For our very first installment, we decided to check in with both an emeritus faculty
member and an emeritus staff member.
Hats off to the Class of 2022!
High-fives and hugs. Happy tears and heartfelt cheers. Impressive dance moves. The McKendree community came out in full force to celebrate commencement as undergraduates and graduates of all disciplines received their hard-earned diplomas on Friday, May 13. The University conferred a total of 656 degrees, and 114 students graduated with Latin honors.
Kyle Garrett Wins Technos International Prize
Kyle Garrett ’22 of Troy, Ill., is this year’s recipient of the Technos International
Prize. The award was presented on May 13 during the undergraduate commencement ceremony,
where Kyle graduated with a degree in chemistry.
Kyle plans to attend a Ph.D. program in chemistry at the University of Michigan-Ann
Arbor.
Sticking With His Path: Meet Dmytro Golovko
In the midst of a global pandemic and a declaration of war on his home country, Dmytro Golovko, ’20, MBA ’22 admitted to having a difficult time balancing his many commitments alongside his worries and concerns for his family and friends on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. “I missed my parents a lot,” he said. “But my wife, Kristen, helped me stay on track.”
Jean Sampson Wins Grandy Award and UMC Award in One Semester
Dr. Jean (Scheller) Sampson ’83, professor of management and marketing, has undoubtedly had a big spring semester this year. She received both the 2022 United Methodist Exemplary Teacher of the Year Award, given by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church, and the 2022 William Norman Grandy Faculty Award, given by the Alumni Association. There’s no doubt that Jean’s passion and commitment to the University and its students has earned her such prestigious accolades – and all in one semester, to boot.
McKendree Welcomes Stephen Kull as New Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Stephen Kull, a native of Texas, was welcomed into the Bearcat family on May 2 as the University’s new vice president for institutional advancement. An experienced advancement leader in the Midwest and fundraiser for 17 years, Stephen had served as vice president for advancement and chief philanthropy officer at Rockford University in Rockford, Ill.
Stand out from the Crowd with McKendree's All-New Healthcare Management Degree!
Students wishing to become strong leaders and make a difference in the area of healthcare
may now earn a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Healthcare Management through McKendree
University! This all-new degree is designed to fulfill the educational needs for skilled
managers in healthcare by providing students the opportunity to apply management skills
and strategies unique to the healthcare industry.
Holman Library's Renovations Near Completion!
If it’s been a while since you’ve visited Holman Library’s second floor, you’re in for a delightful surprise! The second floor’s renovations are nearing completion and are still trajected to be complete by the end of August, just in time for the 2022-2023 academic year. The books, shelves and furniture that were once housed on the top floor were moved to the basement in the fall 2021 semester. These renovations are a part of McKendree’s FORWARD campaign.
Excellence Doesn't Stop in the Summer!
Excellence can always be found in the faculty members at McKendree – even in the summer!
Our knowledgeable professors are working diligently during these hot months to improve
themselves and the content they’ll be teaching in their upcoming classes by partaking
in institutions, research and more.
Retirement: A New Chapter in Life
McKendree University sends fond farewells to its retiring faculty and staff, who look forward to the next chapter in life after several years of dedicated service. Three retiring faculty members and one retiring staff member received emeritus status: Dr. Timothy Richards, professor of secondary education; Dr. Duane Olson, professor of religious studies; Dr. Jackie (Kemp) Simmons ’88, professor of psychology; and Debbie Larson, assistant dean and registrar.
Two Associate Faculty Members Recognized for Excellence in Teaching
Melissa Ray, adjunct instructor and staff accompanist, received the 2022 McKendree University Associate Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award. Dana Longmeyer, associate faculty of nursing, was the recipient of the 2022 McKendree University Associate Graduate Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Stephani Stark Receives President's Award for Professional Excellence
Stephani Stark, a cooking staff member at Ames Dining Hall at McKendree University, has recently been awarded the President’s Award for Professional Excellence. The winner of this award shines as an ideal example of an ambassador of McKendree University who is respected by the entire campus community.
Division of Nursing Recieves $70,000 Grant to Aid in Vaccine Confidence Messaging
McKendree University’s Division of Nursing is one of only 10 institutions of higher learning in the nation to have recently been awarded a $70,000 grant to participate in the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) latest campaign. AACN will be using their recently-awarded $1 million in funding from the CDC to launch their new initiative.
McKendree Hosts UMC Clergy Session of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference
McKendree welcomed hundreds of pastors to campus during the Clergy Session of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church on June 5 and 6. During the session, clergy voted to receive associate members, elected candidates, and recognized the leadership of those clergy persons moving into retired relationship with the conference. Pictured left are The Reverend Tyson Parks, Sr., pastor of Peoria Bethel United Methodist Church, and The Reverend Dr. Beverly Wilkes-Null, university chaplain.
Antione Watson Shares the Wealth with St. louis Area Foodbank
Junior Antione Watson was one of the 19 randomly selected winners in Sodexo’s “Share the Wealth Sweepstakes” this spring, which gave students across the nation the chance to win one of 19 $500 donations. Antione, who is double-majoring in business administration and management, chose the St. Louis Area Foodbank as his charity beneficiary because of his connection to the area.
McKendree Stands with Ukraine through Benefit Concert
McKendree University’s Center for Faith and Spirituality, along with the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), joined forces to host a benefit concert called “Stand with Ukraine” at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts on May 18. The concert featured a lineup of star-studded performers that wowed people of all ages. The benefit raised $10,655. All proceeds from the event were donated directly to Ukraine Relief through the UMCOR.
McKendree Formally Installs The Reverened Dr. Beverly Wilkes-Null on Founders' Day
On Sunday, Feb. 20, McKendree University celebrated its 194th year during its Founders’ Day celebration at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts. During the event, The Reverend Dr. Beverly L. Wilkes-Null was formally installed as the University’s new chaplain.
McKendree Community Celebrates Academic Excellence
More than 170 students presented their original research, collaborative projects and creative talents at the ninth annual Academic Excellence Celebration (AEC) on Thursday, April 28. The AEC gives friends, family, faculty and staff members a chance to appreciate the scholarly achievement and creativity of students from all disciplines. Sessions featured honors theses, capstone projects and research posters, as well as a student art exhibit, 11 honor society inductions and a performance at the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts.
Cheers from London!
Dr. Alan Alewine and Dr. Heather Dye, along with first-year Aaron Brown, senior Chloe Gamber and senior Addie Smith, visited London this May. The group visited iconic locations including Kensington Park, Stonehenge, the Tower of London, St. Paul’s, Westminster and even Lacock, the setting for the Harry Potter movies. The trip counted as a cross-cultural requirement for the students.
McKendree Makes Transferring Even Easier for Rend Lake College and John A. Logan College
Students
This winter, McKendree University established 23 articulation agreements with Rend
Lake College and 28 all-new articulation agreements with John A. Logan College. These
agreements enable students in the Southern Illinois region to advance their education
and careers by ensuring a seamless transfer process to McKendree.
MLK Humanitarian Awards Honor Exceptional Student Leader and Newly-Retired Chaplain
Junior Emmanuel Segbedzi from Accra, Ghana, and former chaplain The Reverend Dr. B. Tim Harrison of Lebanon, Ill. were this year’s recipients of McKendree University’s 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Awards. The annual awards celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Reverend Dr. King.
Two Psychology Majors Study in Canada This Summer
Juniors Peyton Osgood and Breanna Sampo received a Fulbright-Mitacs internship to
conduct research in Canada this summer. The Fulbright-Mitacs Globalink enables about
60 students from the United States to attend a Canadian university in which they will
undertake advanced research projects for 10 to 12 weeks in their area of interest
under the supervision of a professor.
Q & A: Jordon Spence // National Champion
I started powerlifting my sophomore year in high school. I also played football, so I hated it at first because of the way your body has to adjust to lifting that much weight. Both sports benefited the other, of course, because conditioning carried over to the weight room and the strength carried over to the field. I come from a small town called Corinth in the state of Mississippi.
For the third consecutive year, the women’s wrestling team won the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling (NCWWC) Championships team title. The team totaled 188 points, 22 more than No. 1 ranked King University, who finished in second place. Fifteen wrestlers competed with twelve earning All-American accolades for their top-five efforts and two winning national championship titles.
National & Regional Highlights
73 athletes and 12 teams qualified for Nationals, 3 individuals and 2 teams won national championships, 4 players won major national awards, 52 athletes earned All-American honors, and 56 scholar-athletes were named Academic All-Americans.
Congratulations to the Class of 2022! Remember that life at McKendree University doesn’t
end when you graduate; it only continues to grow and thrive. You are now part of a
distinguished network of 21,000 alumni.
As the Director of Alumni Relations, I am working continuously to promote events and
activities that will strengthen the relationship among our alumni.
Time, Talent & Treasure: Jim Forrler '65
Nothing speaks more highly of a university than alumni, friends and patrons who enthusiastically serve and support it. McKendree University and its Alumni Association offer a variety of ways to reconnect, serve and give back. In this issue, we highlight the accomplishments of Jim Forrler ’65, who has enthusiastically given his time, talent and treasure to McKendree University.
The Reverend Dr. Miley Palmer '58 | 1937-2022
Miley passed away on Jan. 24, 2022. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from McKendree, a master’s degree in theology at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a doctor of ministry degree at Christian Theological Seminary.
The McKendree University Accounting Club hosted an accounting alumni reception on Friday, April 29. Several accounting alumni stopped by the McKendree Gallery of Art to celebrate the retirement of Jeff Brasel ’81, enjoy light appetizers and beverages and catch up with one another.
