McKendree University Welcomes the Class of 2024
First-Year and Transfer Students Represent 27 States, 21 Countries
(LEBANON, Ill., August 19, 2020) — McKendree University welcomes the Class of 2024
to campus, as 370 first-year students and 110 transfer students began fall semester classes on Aug. 17.
First-year and transfer enrollment at McKendree in 2020 has increased by approximately
15 percent over last year. Representing 27 states and 21 countries, the Class of 2024
has a collective high school grade point average of 3.4. Eighty-six percent of first-year
Bearcats are living on campus this fall, under the university’s Safe Return-to-Campus
Plan.
In opening convocation videos shown throughout the day at the Hettenhausen Center
for the Arts, President Daniel Dobbins and others welcomed the new students virtually.
“We look forward to seeing the remarkable things you do while a student at McKendree,
and as importantly, what you do once you leave here,” the president said. Also appearing
on the video to greet the incoming class and offer advice to the new students were
senior Shelby Benn, Student Government Association president; Ryan Furniss, Alumni
Association president; and Dr. Jennifer Moder-Bell, associate professor of music education
and winner of the 2020 Grandy Faculty Award.
Moder-Bell encouraged students to “follow your dreams. Throw yourself into your classes.
Spark your sense of wonder and creativity. Learn to communicate effectively. Question,
argue, debate, create, learn. Never stop learning…. and don’t be afraid to fail.”
Continuing a longstanding McKendree tradition, each new student signed the Matricula,
a document that signifies their enrollment and becomes an official, permanent university
record.
-McK-
