Alumni Association Board of Directors

The Alumni Association Board of Directors is committed to being a strong and visible organization and is comprised of alums whose class years span several decades. The Alumni Association Board of Directors mission is to strengthen the relationship between alumni and the University, enhance the relationships among alumni, and develop a culture of stewardship toward McKendree among our alumni.

The Alumni Association Board meets four times each year on the second Saturday of March, June, September and December. The June meeting is the Annual Meeting and is open to all alumni. Board officers are elected at the Annual Meeting.

The McKendree Alumni Association is always growing with the addition of hundreds of new alums each year. Because of our ever-growing population the Alumni Board is looking to expand!

Being a part of the McKendree Alumni Association Board is a tremendous opportunity and way for you to:

• Give back to your alma mater

• Be a part of the future of McKendree

• Get connected with other McKendree alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends

• Provide valuable feedback and insight on programs and priorities of the Alumni Office

• Assist in creating programs and events which match the interests and needs of alumni

There are 3 committees within the Alumni Association Board: Alumni Engagement, Personal and Professional Development and Student Engagement. Each member is required to join at least one committee. 

If you are interested in learning more about the McKendree Alumni Board or would like to serve as a member, please contact Alumni Relations at 618-537-6824 or alumni@mckendree.edu.

Please note nominations are accepted throughout the entire year.

 

Meet the McKendree Alumni Association Board of Directors:

 

Ryan Furniss, Esq. '00

President

Bachelor of Arts in History 

Juris Doctorate from Washington University 

Years active on the Alumni Board: June 2012 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: Community service was engrained in  me from a young age. Where I grew up in Pike County, Illinois, it took dedicated citizens giving their time and what little money was available to make our little town work. Similarly, McKendree is a thriving university today because of the dedicated faculty, staff, alums, parents and students. The reason I enjoy serving on the Alumni Board is simple: I take pride in the fact that McKendree is a better place because of the time and money I gave as a student and now as an alum.

 

Brandon Voss '01

Vice President

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

Years active on the Alumni Board: June 2015 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: I joined the alumni board as an opportunity to give back to the University. I was given a great opportunity during my time at McK through generous donors, wonderful professors and a long history. I want to continue to ensure those opportunities are available for generations to come. 

 

 

Connie (Holzinger) Elmore '86

Chairman of the Student Engagement Committee

Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Management

Master of Business Administration from Fontbonne University

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2000 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: Serving on the Alumni Board is a perfect opportunity for me to give back to McKendree. I had a great learning opportunity at McKendree, and my internship is what jump-started my 30+ year career in the managed healthcare field. By joining forces to serve others, inspiring trust, and rising to the challenge, we can do so much more for our current students and alumni.

 

 

Tashia Billups '92

Co- Chairman of the Alumni Engagement Committee

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2019 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: My time dedicated to the McKendree Alumni Board allows me to lend my support, time, energy and resources to the institution that assisted me in shaping my future. More importantly the relationships, the new students and faculty that I get to interact with is priceless to me. It fills my cup!

 

 

 

Kaylee Darnall, Esq. '17

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Juris Doctorate from Saint Louis University 

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2022 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: Serving on the Board offers me the opportunity to stay connected to McKendree post-graduation. Further, it gives me a chance to give back to current and future students, and to participate in volunteer activities that benefit the local community.

 

 

Susan Harbaugh '04

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration emphasis in Accounting

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2019 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: Volunteering is crucially important to helping not-for-profits/similar organizations prosper. Giving back helps me lead a more fulfilling life and I enjoy the new people I’m meeting along the way.

 

 

Cheryl Heard '78

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

Master of Science in Education from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2013 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: Serving on the Mckendree Alumni Association Board allows me the opportunity to give back and pay it forward to the University; connect and collaborate with other alumni; apply my more than 30 years of work, civic and leadership experience in higher education; and most importantly, allows me to donate financially which is an investment in the future of students as they develop and emerge into well-rounded and engaged citizens of an ever-changing 21st century world.

 

 

Bruce Hogan '71

Bachelor of Arts in Business Education

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2005 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: I want to help in any way that I can to promote McKendree University, recruit students to come to McKendree for a great college experience, and to bring alumni together. 

 

Ali (Willoughby) Jeffers '10, MAED '14

Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Management

Master of Arts in Education

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2022 - Present 

My reason for serving on the Board: I love serving on the Alumni Board because it is an opportunity for me to give back to a place that has done so much for me. I would not have my career or my core group of friends, that now feel like family, without McKendree. 

 

 

 

Dennis Korte '70

Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education

Master of Arts in Education from Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2003 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: I enjoy being around people who love McK. I like to help out when I can.

 

 

 

Dave Philip '70

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Economics

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2005 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: The best reason I have for serving as an alumni board member is to give back to the institution that gave me so much; a chance to further my education and career, a second family of friends, and a lifelong love of learning.

 

 

 

Michelle (Voegele) Powell '12

Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2022 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: Visiting McKendree always provides me a sense of being home. With no longer living in Illinois, being on the Board allows me to stay connected with the university that has meant so much to me. I am grateful for the influence McKendree had in shaping me into the professional I am today and I hope giving back on the Board is the first step to saying thank you. 

 

 

Lauren Reeves '17

Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2019 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: It allows me to stay close to my family and help bring real change to McKendree. I grew up on this campus, so I hope to continue to see it grow into something more beautiful.

 

 

 

Dr. Constance Rockingham '75

Bachelor of Science in Sociology

Years active on the Alumni Board:  2013 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: My service on the Board is  related to being an impactful and committed citizen while empowering students and individuals. My ultimate goal is about giving back to an institution that advanced my growth and development opportunities. 

 

 

Martha Roy '67

Bachelor of Arts in Education

Years active on the Board: 2017 - present 

My reason for serving on the Board: I enjoyed my years in college and want to help others do the same.  

 

 

 

 

 

Alan Thomas '80

Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration emphasis in Accounting

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2022 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: With more than 40 years in my career in accounting, I recognized the need to give back to upcoming students and  graduates by helping them understand and advance in their future career paths. What McKendree has provided for me, makes me want to help serve and help shape the future.

 

 

John Zweck '04

Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems

Years active on the Alumni Board: 2018 - Present

My reason for serving on the Board: To answer McKendree's call. During war times my family has answered the call to serve our country. Through my entire life service has been a major part of who I am. I am part of and hold leadership roles in a variety of services organizations including Phi Theta Kappa, Alpha Phi Omega, Son's of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars Men's Auxiliary, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary. It's my honor and privilege to serve with dedication giving back my time and talents as Bearcats have done for generations to ensure McKendree remains a relevant, prosperous institution.