Development, Alumni and Parent Relations

Victoria Dowling
Senior Vice President
Office: Wildy Hall, 3rd Floor
Phone: (618) 537-2154
Email: vadowling@mckendree.edu
Kimberly A. Mayden
Associate Vice President for Development, Alumni and Parent Relations
Office: Alumni House 1st Floor
Phone: (618) 537-6825
Email: kamayden@mckendree.edu
Education:
M.S., Bemidji State University, 1982
B.S., Ball State University, 1979
Kim began working at McKendree in November 2010. Prior to coming to McKendree, Kim
was the Executive Director for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of North Central
Florida as well as the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
Scott Billhartz
Director of Donor and Prospect Management
Office: Alumni House 2nd Floor
Phone: (618) 537-6869
Email: slbillhartz@mckendree.edu
Education:
M.B.A., Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, 1988
B.A., McKendree College, 1985
Scott began working in the Development Office in April 2001. His primary responsibilities include database administration of the office computer system (Raiser’s Edge), endowed scholarship stewardship and prospect research. Prior to coming to McKendree, Scott was employed in the corporate sector as a manager of information technology and financial accounting.
Personal Quote:
“I feel privileged to be able to make a difference at my alma mater.”
Beth Buehlhorn
Administrative Assistant for Development, Alumni and Parent Relations
Office: Alumni House, First Floor
Phone: (618) 537-6443
Email: eabuehlhorn@mckendree.edu
Beth began her career at McKendree in January 2004. Her primary responsibilities include day to day management of all office administrative functions including the coordination of events.
Personal Quote:
"My time at McKendree has allowed me to be part of a strong family community and I
am so proud of that legacy."
Whitney Fraier
Director of Alumni Relations
Office: Alumni House
Phone: (618) 537-6813
Email: wlfraier@mckendree.edu
Education:
M.A., Lindenwood University
B.A., Murray State University
Whitney began her career at McKendree in August 2011. Her primary responsibilities include the planning and implementation of programs and projects that strategically engage alumni with the University and provide tangible benefits to alumni and current students.
Personal Quote:
“I am very happy to be a part of the McKendree family, and to represent the wonderful
alums from this fine institution!”
Vincent Piazza
Coordinator of Annual Giving
Office: Alumni House
Phone: (618) 537-6500
Email: vppiazza@mckendree.edu
Education:
M.M., Boston University, 2009
B.M., University of Illinois, 2007
Vincent began his career at McKendree in January 2012. His primary responsibilities include the management of the University's annual fund, development programming and events and student led phonathons, as well as a regular and sustained pattern of giving to the University.
Tricia Poettker
Major Gifts Officer
Office: Alumni House
Phone: (618) 537-6843
Email: tapoettker@mckendree.edu
Education:
B.A., Southern Illiniois University at Edwardsville, 1998
Tricia began her career at McKendree in October 2011. Her primary responsibilities include securing support for campus-wide priorities as well as developing, establishing and maintaining relationships with members of the McKendree University community.
Whitney Strang
Director of Major and Planned Giving
Office: Alumni House
Phone: (618) 537-6456
Cell: (618) 792-2615
Email: wbstrang@mckendree.edu
Education:
B.A., McKendree College, 2005
Whitney began her career at McKendree in August 2011. Her primary responsibilities
include the overall management of the major gifts and planned giving programs, management
of the major gift officers as well as the development and implementation of a plan
for major gift fundraising across the country.
Sean Taylor
Database Administrator
Office: Office of Institutional Advancement, 2nd Floor
Phone: (618) 537-6820
Email: srtaylor@mckendree.edu
Education:
B. A., Blackburn College
Sean began his career at McKendree in January 2008. His primary responsibilities include maintaining donor files for alumni, friends and family, oversight of gift processing and overall database management.
Jenn Gauthier-Lyke
Director of Parent Relations
Office: Office of Institutional Advancement, 2nd Floor
Phone: (618) 537-6823
Email: jlgauthier-lyke@mckendree.edu
Education:
Former Student of Religious Formation with Sisters of the Most Precious Blood and
Religious Studies at Fontbonne University
Jenn began her career at McKendree in January 2013. Her primary responsibilities include the planning, development and execution of intentional parent initiatives and programs designed to engage parents and provide directed benefits to families and students alike.

