Homecoming 2019
PLAN ALTERNATE ROUTE: St. Louis Street in downtown Lebanon will be closed from Route. 4 to Monroe St. on Saturday, Oct. 5 for the Lebanon Fall Festival. Visitors coming to campus for Homecoming activities should take Hwy. 50 to Belleville Street. Turn left onto Alton Street (at the stop sign by the entryway monument).
Throughout the Homecoming weekend, there will be opportunities to celebrate the retirement
of Dr. Dennis. Please join us to celebrate his more than 25 years of service to the
University.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2019
Class of 1969 Golden Anniversary Luncheon
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts Lobby,
$15
Members of the Class of 1969 and the Golden Anniversary Club (all classes prior to
1969) are invited to reminisce, reconnect and relive your favorite McKendree memories
at this special event.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Golden Anniversary Campus and Lebanon Tours
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m., Driving Tour of Campus and Lebanon, FREE
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Golden Anniversary (50 Plus) Happy Hour
5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Cash Bar ONLY
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
All Alumni Reunion
6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts Lobby, Cash Bar ONLY
All Alumni are invited to join us for a special reception and to reconnect with fellow
alumni while enjoying hors d’ oeuvres and live music. The classes of 1969, 1984,
1994, and 2009 will be recognized during the event. Men’s and Women’s Tennis alumni
will also be recognized. This event is free of charge. Business Attire Requested.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Performance at the Hett (The Fabulous Equinox Orchestra)
7:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. - The Russel E. and Fern M. Hettenhausen Center for the Arts
Direct from Savannah, Ga., two sophisticated Southern gentlemen put their stamp on
the Great American Songbook with their fiery-hot, high-energy 17-piece big band. Lifelong
best friends and Louisiana natives Jeremy Davis (bandleader, tenor sax, vocals) and Clay Johnson (vocals, trombone) bring their original arrangements and phenomenal musicianship
to the Hett stage with style, swagger, and charm. (Check the Hett's website for more information.)
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2019
William McKendree Society Homecoming Breakfast
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - Ames Dining Hall (By invitation only)
Alumni Registration
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Tailgating Area, McKendree Tent
Check in at the alumni registration tent. Stop here for questions about the weekend
or any additional information you may need. Be sure to RSVP to receive your McKendree University Alumni gift. Find us in the Tailgating parking lot!
Bearcats of the Last Decade (BOLD) Tailgate Party
10:00 a.m., Tailgating Area, FREE
Join other young alumni for an all fun day party event during tailgating.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
"It's a Purple Party!"
10:00 a.m., Tailgating Area, FREE
Alumni are invited to celebrate with us at our Homecoming Tailgate Party hosted by
the McKendree University Alumni Association. Join us for beer, bags, games and more
while you relive all your wonderful memories.
Join us for a fun filled experience of reconnecting with the alumni members of your
student organizations. To reserve an alumni reunion tailgating space contact PJ Thompson
@ pbthompson@mckendree.edu. Space is limited and will fill up fast.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Men’s and Women’s Tennis Alumni Reunion Tailgate Party
10:00 a.m., Tailgating Area, FREE
Join Alumni Host Chris Mitchell ’99 and the Men’s and Women’s Alumni Tennis players
for the 2019 reunion. At the end of tailgate an all alumni team photo will be taken
at the tennis courts..
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Homecoming BBQ
10:30 a.m., Lunch $7
Join Bearcat alumni, families, and friends or a kickoff lunch and tailgate celebration!
Lunch will be served in the tailgate area. Enjoy delicious food, family entertainment,
giveaways, and special appearances by Bogey D. Bearcat, McKendree marching band, cheerleaders,
and dance teams. This year we will also have Food Trucks (Spud Shack and Truckeria
de Valle). The $7 lunch does not include the food trucks.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Homecoming Parade
11:00 a.m., Alton Street
NEW PARADE ROUTE 2019: The route will start on the corner of College Road and Roger
Street, back to the McKendree West Clubhouse Area. Larger entries will feed into the
parade line-up from Roger Street and (if needed) Hunter Street. We will proceed down
College Road, then left onto Alton Street, right onto Summerfield Street, right onto
Monroe Street, right onto Center Street, and finish on Alton Street.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Tennis Alumni Photo
12:30 p.m., Tennis Courts
Football Game
1:00 p.m., Leemon Field, Tickets Purchased at the Gate
McKendree Bearcat Football vs Lindenwood University
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Alumni Awards Dinner
6:00 p.m., Bellecourt Manor, 225 East A St., Belleville, Illinois, $35
All alumni are invited to join us at the Annual Alumni Awards Dinner to celebrate
the accomplishments of this year’s alumni awardees. A welcome reception begins at
6:00pm and dinner will begin at 7:00pm. Tickets are required in advance.
The 2019 alumni inductees are:
Academy of Excellence
Education: Dr. Steven D. Webb ‘92
Humanities: Thomas Helfrich ‘77
Language, Literature, and Communications: Natalie Jablonski ‘99
Math and Science: Dr. Michelle Starke ‘92
Rising Stars
Dr. Stephen Kissel ‘09
Victoria “Tori” Gale ‘09
Sports Hall of Fame
Eric Palm ’10 (Basketball) Former Athlete
Sharon (Huffman) “Huffy” Marquardt ’01 (Softball) Former Athlete
Wendell Johnson ’69 (Basketball/Baseball) Old-Timer
Wade Lowe ’12 (Wrestling) Former Athlete
Chris Mitchell ’99 (Tennis) Sports Professional
Loyal Service
Maria Page ’89 & MAED ‘06
Peter Akers
Nicholas “Nick” Tropiano ‘69
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2019
Choir Alumni Gathering
8:30 a.m., Circuit Riders - Bothwell Chapel
Choir Alumni are invited to participate in the annual Homecoming Chapel Service. Join
fellow vocalists for a rehearsal at 9:00am and Chapel Service at 10am.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Chapel Service
10:00 a.m., Bothwell Chapel
Join McKendree Chaplain Rev. Dr. Tim Harrison as he leads alumni, students, faculty,
staff, and friends in worship. Deceased alumni of the past year will be honored during
the service.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
Bearcat Brunch
11:00 a.m., Ames Dining Hall, $8
The Alumni Association invites you and your family to be our guests for Sunday Brunch.
The food is fantastic, but the conversation among friends is better.
For additional questions, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@mckendree.edu or (618) 537-6826.
LODGING OPTIONS
Reservations must be made directly with the hotel.
Drury Inn
1118 Central Park Drive
O’Fallon, IL 62269
(618) 624-2211
Hilton Garden Inn
360 Regency Park Drive
O'Fallon, IL 62269
Comfort Suites
137 Ludwig Drive
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
(618) 394-0202
Super 8 Hotel
1100 Eastgate Drive
O’Fallon, IL 62269
Best Western Plus
9730 Hayden Drive
Mascoutah, IL 62258
(618) 808-0280
Dr. Jazz Bed & Breakfast
230 W. St. Louis St.
Lebanon, IL 62254
