Winter 2023
A Message from President Dobbins
As we welcomed the third largest first-year class in our University’s history this fall, we have been taking steps to ensure that our beautiful institution continues to provide a high-quality educational experience to all current and future Bearcats. These steps are coming to fruition thanks to our newest strategic plan called U.N.I.T.E.D.
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 “Where Are They Now?” feature! In this edition, we caught up with Dr. Ted Anderson, retired professor of biology, to see what he has been up to lately!
U.N.I.T.E.D. in a Worthy Cause
Since opening its doors as Illinois’s first college in 1828, McKendree University has witnessed countless historical events take place on American soil: the Civil War, the erasure of slavery, two World Wars, the Great Depression and the right for women and people of color to vote. The University was here before America received the gift of Lady Liberty from France, the completion of the Transatlantic Railroad and the discovery of the planet Neptune. Throughout history, McKendree has remained a testament of likeminded people joining forces to create something for the greater good.
Holman Library Starts a New Chapter
From the hushed corners of the basement to the quiet bustle on the main floor and
the silent studying spots upstairs, Holman Library has stood as a beacon for Bearcats
looking for a place to quietly study, find important resources and do their research
since 1969. Now, following the completion of the second floor’s renovations, the library
has become one of the best places for everyone in the campus community to study, learn
and grow.
We are honored to recognize Michael “Mike” Howie ’71, who passed away in December 2020 and left behind an incredible legacy of time, talent, and treasure. Originally from Chester, Ill., Mike graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While on campus, he was a member of the faculty/student committee on student life, faculty/student discipline committee, psychology club, and the inter-society council. He was also a resident assistant, student congress representative and vice president and president of Ferox, (Phi Rho Chi).
After graduating from McKendree, Ed McGlynn worked as a labor relations representative for General Motors Corporation for two years. He later graduated from Seton Hall University Law School in 1974 and joined McGlynn, McGlynn & McCormack. He served as planning board attorney for the Borough of Point Pleasant Beach for three years, then as the Borough attorney until 1982. Ed went on to become executive assistant deputy attorney general for New Jersey Attorney General Irwin I. Kimmleman.
Whether they were on the hunt to satisfy their sweet tooth at McKendree’s very first Trunk-or-Treat or marveling at vampires as they performed fang-tastic feats of finesse, Bearcats of every age found no shortage of spirited surprises during the 2022 Homecoming and Alumni Reunion Weekend.
The Class of 2026 Starts a New Tradition at Convocation
McKendree welcomed the Class of 2026 to campus during convocation on August 17. This class, which is the third largest class in the University’s history, began the new tradition of lining up in front of Stevenson House and processing to the front lawn, international flags flying and students holding posters of the states they represented. They will repeat this tradition in four years when they line up in black robes and hats upon their graduation, making Stevenson House a historic bookmark in these Bearcats’ lives.
McKendree Spreads Holiday Joy with a Special Family Event
McKendree celebrated its first-ever McKids Christmas and Holiday Open House on Dec. 17 in Ames Dining Hall. The day was filled with festive cheer, sweets, fun activities and plenty of smiling faces, along with a special visit from Bogey Claus.
Dr. Sara Frank Recognized for Excellence in Teaching
Dr. Sara (Trask) Frank ’05, associate professor of communication, joins an elite group of St. Louis-area educators who have received the 2022 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Award for their outstanding contribution to the teaching profession and to their students.
Psychology major Named McKendree University's 2022 Student Laureate
McKendree University senior Breanna Sampo, a psychology major from Cedar Point, Ill., received the state’s highest student honor – the 2022-2023 Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award – as a Student Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. It is the state’s highest student honor for leadership, service and excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities, awarded to a noteworthy senior from each college and university.
All-Americans
Scholar All-American & All-District Teams
National & Regional Highlights
GLVC Players of the Year
Athletic Staff & Coaching News
Fan Zone
Annual Bearcat Golf Tournament 2023
Stephen Kull
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Not everyone gets the opportunity to directly affect the lives of current and future
college students. While everyone on campus has the ability to use their unique gifts
to help uphold McKendree as the incredible institution that it is, others like Stephen
Kull, the vice president for institutional advancement, work hand in hand with alumni
and friends of the University to create philanthropic opportunities that transform
the lives of current and future Bearcats.
I hope this edition of The McKendrean finds you well. As I may be a familiar face
to you, it is an honor to introduce myself in a new capacity as the Director of Annual
Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement for McKendree University.
I find myself so fortunate to be able to have a career that serves my alma mater,
a place that I care so much about. As an alum from the Class of 2013 and as a staff
member for over seven years, McKendree is home.
It's Purple Friday! Did We Catch You Wearing Purple?
Homecoming Basketball Alumni Day on Oct. 29, 2022: Several women’s basketball alumni joined current players and coaches at a basketball reunion during the Homecoming tailgate, including: Kari (Crnkovich) Crask ’96; Brittany Willis ’14; Caty (Ponce) Happe ’16; Madison Hart ’20; Jordan Heberg ’20; Megan Jensen ’20 and Madison Parker ’20..
McKendree Alumni Couple Shares God's Love, Serves People in Need in Zambia
Curtis Stahl ’06 and Monica (Todich) Stahl ’06 took part in separate mission trips to Zambia this year with members from their church, Copper Creek Christian Church, in support of one of their mission partners, African Vision of Hope (AVOH) in Maryville, Ill. The couple decided to venture to Zambia to see AVOH in action, especially since they sponsor a child named Clement through the organization.
McKendree football celebrated its 25th season of the return of intercollegiate football
on Oct. 15th, after a two-year delay due to the COVID pandemic. Several players returned
and were honored on the field during half-time.
A 25-Anniversary 90-player team was selected in consultation with former head coach
Carl Poelker, current head coach Mike Babcock, and several others that have been associated
with McKendree football since its return in 1996.
