When Maya Angelou Came to McKendree, and What Became of Our Gift to Her
By Greg Kassen, Contributing Writer
On Feb. 4, 2003, Dr. Maya Angelou, a St. Louis native, spoke as the keynote speaker at McKendree’s Founder’s Day celebration honoring 175 years of operation. At this time McKendree was not yet a university. Angelou, who is arguably the most influential literary voice to speak at the college, drew in a packed crowd of 2,600 listeners in the Statham Center.
Dr. John Greenfield, a retired professor who taught for 33 years at McKendree, attended that day. He recalls: “It was in the big gym and was totally packed. She was very moving and powerful when she related how she had the strength to persevere in the face of many obstacles --abuse, poverty, racism. It was probably the best attended speaker event since I've been here.” Angelou died a year later in May...