Meet the Class of 2011
From a sea of 1,140 applications, 344 first-time students from 144 high schools in 11 countries joined McKendree University’s class of 2011 this past fall.
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| First-year student Drew Dolan (left) and Associate Professor of Political Dr. Brian Frederking ’90. |
“With a high school class grade point average of 3.5 and an average ACT score of 24, McKendree’s class of 2011 underscores the university’s success in attracting top students,”said McKendree University President James M. Dennis.
Seventy members of the class of 2011 were ranked in the top 10% of their high school graduating class and 70% of first-year students were awarded academic scholarships. Their personal achievements complement McKendree’s distinguished student body and elevate university’s national profile by adding to the scores independent organizations u se to compare institutions of higher education.
U.S.News & World Report once again ranks McKendree among the top 14 percent of Baccalaureate colleges in the nation. McKendree’s Midwest ranking jumped from 23rd to 18th in the 2008 edition of U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges.” A positive national reputation attracts a national and international student body as reflected in the new class that represents 11 states and 11 countries.
“While the high-school success of the new class is notable, I look forward to seeing their engagement in the classroom and in co-curricular activities impact spirit and community on McKendree’s campus,” said Dennis.
Members of McKendree’s Class of 2011 have already made an impact in the community through volunteer work. Teamed with classmates, instructors and peer mentors of the new University 101 course, members of the new class contributed hundreds of service hours during McKendree’s 2007 “Into the Streets” New Student Orientation event. The United Methodist Church of Lebanon, Ill., a North St. Louis Habitat for Humanity home site, the Highland (Ill.) Animal Shelter and the 2007 Salute to the Arts in Fairview Heights, Ill. are just a few of the sites that benefited from the helping hands of McKendree students, faculty and staff.
Drew Dolan, a first-year student from Wildwood, Mo., spent time sorting merchandise and cleaning out deep closets at Catholic Charities in Granite City, Ill. As a member of McKendree’s soccer team, he was on campus for two weeks before New Student Orientation activities began and said he appreciated the opportunity to get to know his classmates through the “Into the Streets” program.
“It’s a pretty cool way to start school,” Dolan said. “It’s all about getting to know everyone and you’re also helping people.”
Bringing hundreds of new ideas and contributions to the classroom and co-curricular activities, the voice of McKendree’s talented Class of 2011 can already be heard around campus and in the community.
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