From the Editor

Dear alumni, friends, and readers,

It truly is an exciting time to be at McKendree. It feels like no time at all has passed since I was making the daily trek to the third floor of Carnegie Hall for my English classes, or to the second floor of Clark Hall for my afternoon Spanish classes (or to spend quality time laughing with my best friends next door in the computer lab). Now, the landscape is slowly yet surely changing, and I’m filled with pride to see my alma mater move forward and improve even further for current and future Bearcats.

 

I often haunted The Lair as a student, either to work for a work-study job, help put events on for CAB, shoot pool or throw darts with my hallmates, share onion rings with friends after class, or sing my heart out with others during late-night karaoke. The Lair has always been a haven for hungry students to snag a bite to eat or commuters to catch up on assignments in between classes. This beloved hangout now sports a new look with plenty of beautiful renovations and additions. Tug open the door and you’ll find all-new furniture, which can effortlessly slide along the refinished floors, and plenty of televisions adorning the newly renovated walls. The café continues to hum with activity, and new pool and ping-pong tables await students itching to play after a long day of classes. Walking through this revitalized space blends the happy ghost spots of my time at McKendree College with the new, forward-thinking attitude that permeates McKendree University.

 

That’s not all – Voigt Science Hall is currently undergoing renovations as well. It’s wild to see the original hallways juxtaposed against the empty east side where I learned about the Krebs cycle in 2005, and where students just last fall analyzed the leaves they collected from the front lawn in Dr. Mickey Schutzenhofer’s class. I’m eager to see what beautiful changes these renovations will bring in only a few short years – and to share this news with you in the magazine.

 

McKendree is growing more and more every day as it sets its sails for its bicentennial in 2028. As an alumna, I’m thrilled to see this institution flourish– and to also play at least a small part in its growth. If you haven’t come back to campus in a while, I urge you to do so. I guarantee you’ll like what you see.

 

 

Tina (Napper) Tebbe ’08

Director of Institutional Communications