Phonathon
The McKendree University Phonathon is an important tool in helping raise money and increase participation for the University’s Annual Fund. The Annual Fund supports McKendree students through scholarship, academic instruction, student services, co-curricular activities, and more. If you are interested in being a Student Phonathon Caller, please contact the Office of Development, Alumni and Parent Relations at annualfund@mckendree.edu or (618)537-6824.
Quick Facts About Phonathon
• It is held twice a year for a four week span in the Fall and then two weeks in the
Spring…resulting in over 8,700 calls made!
• Gifts of any size benefit McKendree students and the institution. If each of our
alums, parents, and friends contributed just $25, it would amount to $500,000.
• Our student callers are among the best and brightest the campus has to offer. They
go through an interview and training program to get them prepared for this opportunity.
• Phonathon is FUN and our students agree. Thank you for making this a good experience
for them. Feel free to ask them all about how campus has changed, what their classes
are like, and who their favorite professor(s) are!
Fall Phonathon will be held:
Monday thru Thursday, October 1st - October 25th, 2018
From 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Giving Tuesday Phonathon calling will be held:
Monday, November 26th and Tuesday, November 27th, 2018
Spring Phonathon will be held:
TBD
MEET THE STUDENT PHONATHON CALLERS
Brandi Billingsley
Hometown: Goreville, Illinois
Major: Accounting and Human Resource Management
Class Year: Senior
Student Activities/Interests: Kappa Lambda Iota, Marching Bearcat Band, Colleges Against Cancer, Phi Eta Sigma,
Accounting Club and Student Annual Fund Supervisor
Skylar Bowrey
Hometown: Davenport, Iowa
Major: Exercise Science and Sport Performance
Class Year: Freshmen
Student Activities/Interests: Marching Bearcat Band and Theatre
Arianna Brooks
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Major: Business Management
Class Year: Junior
Student Activities/Interests: Military Family
Maleah Brotherton
Hometown: St. Ann, Missouri
Major: Psychology
Class Year: Junior
Student Activities/Interests: United Feminists, Spectrum Alliance, and E.L.I.T.E. Club
Bri Caraker
Hometown: Damiansville, Illinois
Major: English
Class Year: Freshmen
Student Activities/Interests: Marching Bearcat Band and Music Ensemble
Naeelah Chism
Hometown: Fairview Heights, Illinois
Major: Political Science
Class Year: Senior
Student Activities/Interests: Assistant Resident Director of the Suites, Treasurer of United Feminists, and New
Student Orientation Leader
Alyssa Coats
Hometown: Centralia, Illinois
Major: Music Education - Instrumental Emphasis
Class Year: Freshmen
Student Activities/Interests: Marching Bearcat Band and Flute Ensemble
Josh Cobbins
Hometown: Crete, Illinois
Major: Public Relations
Class Year: Senior
Student Activities/Interests: Alpha Delta Gamma
Mekaela Deguire
Hometown: Granite City, Illinois
Major: Undecided
Class Year: Freshmen
Student Activities/Interests: Marching Bearcat Band, Spectrum Alliance, and Concert Choir
Marian Espinoza
Hometown: O'Fallon, Illinois
Major: Biology
Class Year: Freshmen
Student Activities/Interests: Commuter Student, Dairy Queen employee
Jace Franklin
Hometown: Springfield, Illinois
Major: Business Management
Class Year: Sophomore
Student Activities/Interests: Football
Brenye Johnson
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Exercise Science & Sports Performance
Class Year: Sophomore
Student Activities/Interests: Women's Volleyball, E.L.I.T.E. Club, Alumni House Student Worker
Emma Martin-Hilker
Hometown: St. Charles, Missouri
Major: Biopsychology
Class Year: Sophomore
Meina Rice
Hometown: East St. Louis, IL
Major: Art
Class Year: Sophomore
Student Activities/Interests: Black Student Organization
Michaela Schmidt
Hometown: Fenton, Missouri
Major: Biopsychology
Class Year: Freshmen
Student Activities/Interests: Marching Bearcat Band, Jazz Band, and Theatre
Paris Suzuki
Hometown: Covina, CA
Major: Communication
Year: Sophomore
Student Activities/Interests: Women's Ice Hockey, Color Guard, and Kappa Sigma Tau
Abby Weidner
Hometown: O'Fallon, Illinois
Major: Marketing
Class Year: Sophomore
Student Activities/Interests: Women's Lacrosse, and Spirit and Positivity Chair for Sigma Sigma Sigma
Wesley Werner
Hometown: Lasalle, Ontario
Major: Business Administration
Class Year: Freshmen
Student Activities/Interests: Goalie for D2 Men's Ice Hockey Team and Campus Ministries
Emiah Williams
Hometown: Buffalo, New York
Major: Organizational Communication
Class Year: Junior
Student Activities/Interests: President and Founder of E.L.I.T.E. Club of NACWC Inc., Vice President of Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee, Secretary for United Feminists, and Women's Lacrosse