Academic Excellence Celebration
A McKendree Holiday like No Other
Palpable joy in PAC. Plenty of pride and thoughtful questions as students show off their projects. Purple as far as the eye can see.
Academic Excellence Celebration is, in a way, its own holiday at McKendree University.
As the morning sun shines brightly through the stained-glass window of William McKendree in Holman Library, a gentle murmuring can be heard as scores of inquisitive campus community members stop by to see what students have worked hard on throughout the semester. Students beam at these comments and questions, happily walking visitors through their colorful poster presentations.
Further up the hill, a sea of people greets you as soon as you walk through PAC’s
doors. You’ll find a selfie station accompanied by several fun props, including a purple
cowboy hat to the right, along with the members of McKendree Radio, who diligently
speak about the day’s events. Droves of curious people gather in the halls, waiting
for creative sessions, group projects, debates, Honors thesis presentations, and more
to begin. Hands shoot up with questions as the presenters answer them to the best
of their ability, only to have their shoulders droop in relief and a smile spill on
their faces when the audience claps for them in the end. Many students come out to
not only attend but also vociferously cheer for their friends on this special day.
A peek into the McKendree Gallery of Art houses a quiet, almost reverent atmosphere,
punctuated by ambling footsteps and admiring murmurs and exclamations as visitors
appreciate the beautiful, unique work these Bearcats have created. Paintings, clay
sculptures fired in the university’s brand-new kiln, and other creations in various
mediums grace these halls.
Journey to the Hett midday and you’ll be treated to a beautiful choral concert, conducted in a cozy classroom. The intimate space is permeated with the students’ dulcet tones, the piano bench creaking as accompanist Melissa Ray expertly makes the instrument beneath her fingers come to life. Dr. Nancy Ypma, professor of music and Chair of Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts, warmly welcomes dozens of concertgoers, giving brief explanations of the songs and inviting them to attend future choral performances.
