Student Perspectives
We asked students to describe the McKendree experience …
Terrence “TJ” Abernathy
“The Music faculty really care and want you to become the best musician, educator
and person you can be."
Lauren Apetz
“I have gotten the most out of interning with broadcasting outlets, along with working
in McKendree's Marketing and Communications office.”
Christin Austin
“The most meaningful academic experience that I received at McKendree University was
having the opportunity to personally interact in classes taught by professors who
desired quality education and my success.”
Benjamin Bauer
“My most memorable experience while attending McKendree is contributing to the local
FIRST Lego League Robotics. Helping children pursue their goals was a very positive
experience.”
Kellie Beard
“I have had the pleasure of having several wonderful professors while attending McKendree
University, one in particular, Professor Misiak, helped me to establish my career
goals and really taught me the value of loving what you do.”
Kathryn Berndsen
“Each and every one of my nursing instructors has been so very helpful, and each one
provided the guidance and encouragement that I needed at just the right time. There’s
no better place than McKendree to further one’s nursing education!”
Lisa Campbell
“The most meaningful academic experience I have had at McKendree was being the first
person in my family to graduate from college.”
Krystiana Clarke
"The most meaningful academic experience I’ve had at McKendree has been learning from
the faculty who go beyond the textbook by bringing their real life experience into
the classroom to teach us practical, professional, and innovative skills."
Valeria Cueto
“During my time in this program, I learned that everyone you meet has something to
teach you; it simply takes having an open heart and mind to learn the lesson.”
Mary Clare Engel
“My most meaningful academic experience at McKendree University has been the opportunity
provided to apply the skills and knowledge taught in the classroom to real-life situations.”
Rebeca Gabel
“The most meaningful academic experience I have had at McKendree University is the
opportunity to grow personally through higher education with the support of my instructors,
Mr. Tom Pawlow, Tia Crowder, and the entire McKendree staff.”
Christy Geary
“My most meaningful academic experience at McKendree involved the selection, research,
and hands-on experience with completing my Scholarly Project - Disaster Preparedness
in an Emergency Department.”
Erin Genteman
“I cannot put into words how meaningful it has been interacting with students in the
classroom; I am extremely grateful for the guidance given to me during this time.”
Cassandra Gillespie
"I have most enjoyed collaborating with peers in my program, providing insight and
experiences from working with students with a wide range of exceptionalities and advocating
on behalf of this population in the classroom and community."
Maleah Grothaus
“McKendree's exemplary faculty offered guidance, encouragement and provided me with
an excellent education.”
Cameron Harsey
"My favorite academic experience was presenting my thesis at the 37th annual Mid-America
Conference on History on campus."
Redell Hendricks
“UNI 201 opened my eyes to not only jobs available for English majors, but also to
the inherent value of my life and my story.”
Amanda Hoover
“My most meaningful academic experience at McKendree would be my time taking the Astronomy
course that taught me to always look up, to reach for the stars, and to dream big!”
Craig Huegen
“I was able to take my undergraduate education, put on hold in the early 1990's, to
completion among a full-time work schedule and full-time family schedule.”
Megan Jackson
“The entire AiM program was an enjoyable academic experience for me because I was
able to complete my education, continue to work full time, volunteer in my church
and community, and continue fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.”
Jeremiah James
“I enjoyed working on my honors thesis with my classmates Sami Renth and Stefanie
Strack, and, of course, Dr. Heather Dye, who are all far more intelligent than I.”
Cathy Johnson
“My most meaningful education experience at McKendree has been acquiring a double
BBA and new friendships in two years with the support of my family, friends, and the
counselors of the AiM program.”
Daniel Johnson
“The SMARTEST people know that there is always more that can be learned.”
Denise Jones
“Great value was derived from the diversity, unique expertise, and leadership experiences
of instructional staff enhancing intellectual growth.”
Brigitte Kollman
“I had two equally meaningful experiences while attending McKendree University: the
successful accomplishment of a lifetime goal, and the development of friendships that
encouraged me to pursue that goal.”
Samuel Lidisky
“Hosting the McKendree Mile for Lebanon Kids because my peers and I were able to raise
over $500 for the youth of Lebanon.”
Mariah Logan
“My most meaningful academic experience was participating in the Association for Applied
Sport Psychology conference to present my research about sport psychology text books;
it allowed me to conduct research and communicate it to an audience that had personal
investment in my topic.”
Morgan Maberry
“As I look back on my education at McKendree, I will not only remember the awesome
opportunities I've had or the many new things that I've learned, but I will forever
remember the family that I have gotten to be a part of and the wonderful relationships
I've formed that have allowed me to become the person I am today.”
Lauren Mantei
“The most meaningful experience I have had at McKendree University was being selected
to become a member of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, as it represents all of
the hard work that I have put in to place myself in the top ten percent of my graduating
class.”
Ramonda Miller
“I enjoyed the small class sizes where I had greater access to my professors and had
the opportunity to interact and collaborate with my classmates which made the conversations
more appealing and academically stimulating for me.”
Ron Mudra
“I enjoyed meeting and working with so many interesting people while going to McKendree.”
Kristen Noll
“My most meaningful academic experience while attending McKendree University was the
rare privilege of spending the day with the Amish observing their schools in preparation
for research about their culture.”
Kenneth O’Dell, Jr.
"When I realized that college was about learning how to learn, I began to embrace
the liberal arts."
Jan Peters
“The opportunities to take Intermediate Microeconomics with only two students enrolled
in the course and Intermediate Macroeconomics one on one, both with Dr. Abrams, underlines
McKendree's commitment to provide the best possible academic experience to each individual
student.”
Lauren Putbrese
“My most meaningful experience at McKendree was playing on the Women’s Tennis team,
because through that, I developed friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Katie Roesch
“My time at McKendree has allowed me to form relationships with professors, staff,
and students who believe in me and encourage me to reach my full potential.”
Kailee Rule
“The classes that weren’t taught necessarily from textbooks, but instead taught through
experiences and from a life lesson perspective.”
Alexis Sauerwein
“I learned so much from attending the Disney Leadership Conference my sophomore year
by making special bonds with people I would not normally have gotten to know and step
out of my comfort zone and interact with some of the top names at Disney.”
Megan Schmid
“I just can't imagine how different my life would be if it weren't for the students
and faculty I have had the pleasure of working with here at McKendree.”
Raymond Seeber
“My most meaningful academic experience is the unlimited support and business knowledge
I routinely receive from every McKendree teacher, professor, and academic adviser.”
Taylor Simmons
“My most meaningful academic experience at McKendree University would be utilizing
our small class size to make connections with my classmates and let the professors
get to know me as an individual allowing for the highest quality education.”
Riley Smith
“My most meaningful academic experience while attending McKendree University was being
a part of the RBC Networking Program because of the information that I learned about
the real world of business.”
Julia Surdyke
“The most meaningful academic experience I've had at McKendree University is that
I've had the opportunity to work with countless wonderfully talented people who have
taught me so much about my craft and about life.”
Curtis Toler
“Living in different parts of not only the US, but also the world, has allowed me
to gain a perspective into different cultures, and that has broadened my understanding
of how people think and react to the same concepts.”
Susan Wagner
“The concepts I learned in the Leadership and Management course will be very beneficial
in my future as a nursing leader.”
Renee Wilcox
“The best academic experience at McKendree did not lie within the classroom experience,
but more so the assigned out of classroom projects and activities provided me the
skills that has given me the motivation and confidence that I needed and wanted to
succeed professionally within my career.”
Judith Wolters
“Learning, discussing, researching and reflecting with my McKendree cohort and instructors
has deepened my skills and appreciation for the craft of teaching and leading.”
Cheryl Wright
“McKendree University challenged me to think beyond the immediate and develop a plan
for my contribution in sustaining professional nursing.”
Make It McKendree
