Profiles - The McKendree Review

1Dec

By Megan MeloneNo Comments

Profiles

Senior Spotlight: Maria Vitoria Salomao

By Megan Melone, Writer Photography submitted by Maria Vitoria Salomao Maria Vitoria Salomao is a senior international relations major with a management minor. She is from Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Maria is a captain of the McKendree women’s tennis team and was the number-one-ranked junior tennis player in Brazil. She is also a resident assistant, Student Government Association President, and the McKendree Vice Chair of the Illinois Board of Higher Education. I interviewed Maria about her time at McKendree and her plans after graduation: What’s your home like? SALOMAO: My home is literally my favorite place in the world. It’s beautiful, and we have a huge garden. My neighborhood is full of nice people. We are always making good food; my home is always open to my family frien...

FreshEats: Students Helping Students Eat Fresh

18Oct

By Madison BonnerNo Comments

Profiles

FreshEats: Students Helping Students Eat Fresh

By Madison Bonner, Writer Title photo: students Mike Milesi and Tomoki Asano present their sushi to-go box for FreshEats. It all started with a Snapchat story… In August of 2023, students began seeing menus posted to the McKendree group Snapchat story. Flyers appeared around campus and at apartments. These advertisements promised several home-cooked meals such as salmon, chicken and rice, and sushi. But what were these menus for? And who started it all? The menus were posted by a food delivery service called FreshEats: a brand new, completely student-run organization. It is managed by two students at McKendree, who work together to cook, advertise, and deliver the food. The idea is to give McKendree students healthy alternatives to processed food, such as fast food or instant ...

21Sep

By Kristina Ferry1 Comment

Campus News, Personality, Profiles

Behind the Scenes: Bogey the Bearcat

By: Kristina Ferry Bogey the Bearcat has been the face of McKendree University since the 1960s. The mascot has evolved over the years from a simple bear mask to a full-fledged suit. This month I have sat down with the dance team’s coach and Bogey’s caretaker, Sara Miller, to delve into the behind-the-scenes of who Bogey is, what his schedule is like and what students adore about him. Without spoiling the magic, Miller has provided more about who has the opportunity to play Bogey. She revealed that the privilege of playing Bogey differs from year to year but this year he is played by two students. These students are usually on the dance team but that is not a requirement to be Bogey. All that is required is for a student to participate in the work-study program and to sit down for an...

1Apr

By The McKendree ReviewNo Comments

Profiles, Sports

Giving More Than the Status Quo

Meredith Geyer, Contributing WriterEnergetic, goofy, caring, feisty, competitive, wearing Lululemon pants…these are just a just a few words that characterize Nathan Townsend, McKendree swim team’s new assistant coach. After growing up in Kingwood, Texas and being a part of an extremely talented swimming community, Nathan developed a love for the sport of swimming. After a semester at his dream college, Nathan knew that something was missing and that swimming needed to become an integral part of his life: “I went to the University of Texas, which is where I wanted to go for a long time, but I realized something was wrong because I just didn’t feel right. I made the realization that I needed to swim.” And swim he did, for the rest of his college career before eventually going overseas (afte...

4Mar

By The McKendree Review1 Comment

Profiles

Limitless: A Man and his Brand

Christopher Fernandez, Contributing Writer Photo Credits: Ifeolu Adeoye To some, the ideas of limitations in life have kept them from reaching many different places, but for one man and his brand, that mold is in the process of being broken. Ifeolu Adeoye, a man of just 21 years, has started a fight for the betterment of people in the form of a clothing brand. Limitless is a brand that was started just this year and Ife had so much to say about the process and his inspiration behind his company. Although he was raised in Decatur, Illinois, Ifeolu’s family started from his parents' humble beginnings in Africa. The town’s motto was simply the word “Limitless” and through this, he put his brand out into the world. Taking motivations from this and several motivational speakers, he wanted t...

The Man Involved in Everything, but in Charge of Nothing

6Dec

By The McKendree Review3 Comments

Profiles

The Man Involved in Everything, but in Charge of Nothing

By Alexis Wesling, Contributing Writer If you are a McKendree student, chances are you have been to an event on the quad, the front lawn, the Hett, and more. There are usually tents involved, tables and chairs set up, and sometimes a projector. However, do you ever wonder who sets up the events or tears them down? Who is in charge of making these elaborate events come to life? You might have heard of a man named Shawn Connelly: the operations coordinator on campus. Not many people see him if they don’t know him - but once they know him, they realize he is everywhere. If students don’t know Shawn they are missing out on knowing one of the most interesting people at McKendree University, but let us back up for a minute because in order to understand how this man came to be, we have to dive i...

2Dec

By The McKendree ReviewNo Comments

Profiles

Lebanon’s Best Cup of Coffee

Article and pictures by Quinn Polaski, Contributing Writer If you've never noticed, our small town of Lebanon has its own small cafe. The Foundry is a cafe and market situated off the red brick roads of St. Louis Street. I interviewed the owner of the Foundry, Stephanie, to find out more about Lebanon’s best cup of coffee. Stephanie bought the lot from a previous cafe owner in the summer of 2016. It was been a staple business on the broadway of Lebanon since. The Foundry has its own flair. When first walking in the store, you see the various bean grinders and latte machines behind the counter. Along the walls are trinkets such as comedic kitchen ware, chapstick holders, and art prints. My first impression of this place was that it would be the best study area for any coffee-loving McKendr...

1Nov

By The McKendree Review2 Comments

Profiles

An Inspiration to Music

This piece is part of a series called Faculty Friday that focuses on staff at McKendree University. Each Friday, the Review team will highlight a faculty or staff member. By Hayley Luster, Contributing Writer Dr. Jennifer Moder-Bell has been a professor at McKendree University for almost seven years. She is the Associate Professor of Music Education and is in charge of the concert band and wind ensemble, while also serving as an advisor for the music education group NAfME (National Association for Music Educators). She is also an advisory board member for the Music Educators Journal. Music has always been Dr. Moder-Bell's largest passion. She always knew that she wanted to persuade a career that dealt with music in some way. Moder-Bell attended the University of Illinois where s...

18Oct

By The McKendree Review4 Comments

Profiles

Back on Track

By Madeline Cade, Contributing Writer Pictures from mckbearcats.com Early in the summer of 2019, McKendree announced that they would be searching for a new Head Men and Women’s Track and Field and Cross Country Coach. While it was slightly unexpected, the team was ready for a new challenge and experience. After a nation-wide search and over 100 considered applicants, Agne Eggerth was selected as McKendree’s new head coach. Before coaching, Eggerth began her career as an amazing sprint athlete. She attended McKendree as a student and was a part of one of the most influential women’s teams the school has ever had. That team collected five NAIA national championships. Four of those five were consecutive from 1999-2002. This indoor team was inducted into the McKendree Sports Hall of Fame in ...

9Oct

By The McKendree Review4 Comments

Profiles

Be Careful, Passion is Contagious

By Mallory Raber, Contributing Writer I had the privilege of interviewing a bubbly, self-driven, and inspiring McKendree alumna known across campus as Dr. Sara Trask, PhD. Anyone who has taken a class with Dr. Trask can agree that she is all-in when it comes to teaching her students how to improve their communication. All of her course content is geared to prepare students for success in their personal and professional life. As an inspired student who wishes to spread light and positively impact as many people as Dr. Trask has, I cannot help but to wonder, why? Why is she so passionate? Without hesitation, Dr. Trask credited two of her previous professors at McKendree, Dr. Gordon and Dr. Haskins. “Both individuals could be anywhere and still be talking about what was being taught in their...