Alumni Notes
A Whole Different Ball Game
Jon Becker ’13 and Mike Sole ’13, both former New York Yankees minor league athletic trainers, were honored during the New York Yankees HOPE (Helping Others Persevere & Excel) Week in June 2024. Last year, after learning that Mike needed a liver transplant, Jon started a GoFundMe page, which raised over $25,000 to cover Mike’s medical expenses and also spread the word that Mike desperately needed to find a living donor. With the site up and running, it dawned on Jon that he should find out if he was a candidate. Months later – after many doctor visits - the pair underwent a living liver transplant procedure that saved Mike’s life.
Outdoor Movie Night Comes to McKendree
On Friday, July 12, McKendree University Alumni Association and the Hettenhausen Center for the Arts hosted a fun-filled Outdoor Movie Night on the University’s front lawn, featuring Disney-Pixar's "Elemental." Over 100 attendees, including alumni, parents, faculty, staff, students, and community members, enjoyed the movie under the stars. Flashlights, popcorn, and Fantastick Pops were crowd favorites, making the evening a delightful success for all!
Alumni Cardinals Outing
On June 22, 2024, 24 McKendree alumni and their family and friends gathered on the Hoffmann Brothers Rooftop for a fun day of camaraderie and baseball at a St. Louis Cardinals game! Follow the McKendree University Alumni Association on social media to know when the next alumni events are happening! You can also subscribe to McKendree alumni e-mails, see how to get involved as an alum, and more at mckendree.edu/alumni.
#PurpleFriday
#PurpleFriday came to Counselors Associated Ltd. at the Troy, Illinois location in January 2024! This growing organization is founded by alumna and new trustee, Kristin Kneedler ’03. It’s awesome to see where your McKendree education can take you! Thanks for having us.
The #PurpleFriday program recognizes our McKendree alumni groups that work together at various organizations. The Alumni Association brings a little McKendree to their workplace and provides the latest campus information.
A Salute to Departing Board Members
The McKendree University Alumni Association would like to give a big shoutout to these individuals for their long-standing commitment and service as members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.
The Alumni Association Board of Directors’ annual June meeting was their final meeting as board members as they are off to their next adventure. We thank each of them for the many ways in which they’ve given back to the Alumni Board and to McKendree University over their tenure! We know this isn’t goodbye, but rather a “see you later!” as all will continue to stay well connected as alumni. With that being said – we’ll see you at Homecoming!
Dave Phillip ’70 – 20 years, Ryan Furniss ’00 – 12 years, Clay Thornhill ’95 – 11 years, and Bob Hardy ’76 (not pictured) – 12 years.
