Opinion - The McKendree Review

Reminisces of the Freshman First Semester: Tips & Tricks

10Feb

By Delaney JudkinsNo Comments

Opinion

Reminisces of the Freshman First Semester: Tips & Tricks

Article By Delaney JudkinsPhotography By RMCAD The first few weeks of college are unlike anything else. It’s exciting, overwhelming, and a little confusing starting out. For freshmen at McKendree specifically, starting college means adjusting to a new campus, new expectations, and a new level of independence. From navigating campus hills to figuring out Brightspace, freshman year comes with experiences that upperclassmen instantly recognize. These moments may feel stressful in the moment, but they quickly become shared stories that define the beginning of college life. Freshman year is not about having everything figured out; it’s about learning, adapting, and growing. The habits and experiences I’m sharing below highlight what makes the start of college at McKendree so memorabl...

2Feb

By The McKendree ReviewNo Comments

Opinion, Personality

Throw-Back 2025 Music Review

By Ainsley Leal-Salazar On August 8, 2025, rapper JID released his fourth studio album, God Does Like Ugly. JID is known for his incredible flow and lyricism, and this album definitely continues that experimental genre. The album has 15 tracks, 14 songs and a single interlude, featuring Westside Gunn. The name God Does Like Ugly came from JID’s grandmother after they were talking about an event that happened in the world. This is a top three album of the year for me, alongside Alfredo 2 by Freddie Gibbs and The Alchemist and Hurry Up Tomorrow by The Weeknd. This was a really enjoyable listen and I liked every single track. However, three stand out in particular.The opening song on the album “YouUgly” has a surprising feature from Westside Gunn- I was not expecting him to be on the a...

15Sep

By Madison RohnNo Comments

Entertainment, Opinion, Perspective

Bearcat at Barbenheimer

By: Madison Rohn, Editor Cover Image received from syfy.com This summer, I participated in the historical event that will go on to define 2023: Barbenheimer! Following the trends, I went with my friends and siblings to see Greta Gerwig’s Barbie and Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer back-to-back on the same day. Both movies were different from my go-to genres of science fiction and fantasy (The Lord of the Rings movies are my favorite), so I was excited to try something new. We started at ten in the morning and went on the day after the movies premiered, so the theater was crowded and the busiest I had seen since COVID-19. I loved seeing all the people who were dressed up, especially all the pink or sparkly Barbie-inspired outfits. Since we were going to be at the theater for fi...

15Jun

By The McKendree Review2 Comments

Community Events, News, Opinion

This Is Not The End

By Emma Martin-Hilker, contributing writer Photos by ExpectUS I am going to state now that I am a white woman. I will never understand the fear of walking on the streets, or the terror that strikes the hearts of black individuals when they see flashing red and blue lights. I will not understand their feelings, nor will I be able to capture their view. Let me say -- I’m not trying to. I’m sharing what I saw, and what I believe. I refuse to remain silent -- and I’m hoping by sharing my point of view, it will encourage some of you to do the same, especially those of you who are people of color and reading this. The world needs to hear your stories because you matter. Your words and your feelings matter, and no white person (no, not even me) will be able to capture how you feel about ev...

12Jun

By The McKendree Review3 Comments

Opinion, Perspective

Inside A Peaceful Protest

By Haley Rey, contributing writer Photos by Haley Rey Susan Sontag once said: “A writer, I think, is someone who pays attention to the world.” Lately, I’ve been trying to pay more attention than usual, so as to learn about the movement taking place and to try to be a part of it. After what I’ve learned so far, it seems the best thing I can currently do is inform whomever possible about what is happening and why, and amplify the voices I learn from within the POC community. That is what I wish to do in writing this article. Last Thursday, a peaceful protest was held in my hometown, Columbia, IL. It included many students and alumni of Columbia’s school district, friends, parents, local business owners, citizens of neighboring towns, etc. The group marched from Bolm Schuhkraft ...

11Jun

By The McKendree Review1 Comment

News, Opinion, Perspective

Thoughts from Nickie and Anthony

By Nicolette Sanlin and Anthony Francis Photos by Nicolette and Anthony As I sit at home looking for the “right” way to begin, I’ve come to the realization that there is no “right” way. It feels right to be uncomfortable regarding my past, present, and future conversations. It feels right to lean into my discomfort when educating myself and the young lives I impact. It feels right to use the medium of sport to be the stimulus for social change. Sadness and hurt have been reoccurring emotions knowing that, as a country, we have not done enough to create REAL change, to take a stand against systematic racism. Without a meaningful plan of action from our communities, arbitrary blanket statements serve as an empty attempt to pacify the masses. There have been times I have...

30Mar

By The McKendree Review5 Comments

Opinion

I Prefer Corona With a Slice of Lime

Magdalena Knapp, Editor in ChiefDear Diary, It’s 9 a.m. on a Friday morning. I should be in the United States. I should be sitting in Senior Thesis right now, looking at Dr. Boysen while he is writing down the plan for today’s class. Instead, I am back at home in Italy. I am looking at Dr. Boysen through his webcam, while he shares his screen with the class in order to teach us something about SPSS. This is a new situation for me. A situation that no one would have expected could happen only three weeks ago. Three weeks ago everything was different; my cap and gown for graduation came with the mail and my roommate and I tried them on and took funny pictures with them. We were excited and thrilled that the moment we were working for since 3.75 years was finally coming closer. Little did we...

11Dec

By The McKendree Review1 Comment

Opinion

Apartment Living or Living Space?

Article and pictures by Annika Beal, Contributing Writer According to the McKendree website, West apartments are “Apartment style residential areas with each apartment consisting of two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a full kitchen, and living and dining spaces.” All of these apartments are co-ed and are about half-mile away from campus. They come with an outdoor swimming pool and a club house with washing facilities and a main lounge. The apartments are supposed to have these basics, but I want to see what McKendree students have to say about them. I interviewed three fellows who all lived in different apartment buildings: Hope Gramly, 1201, Erin Stroberg, 1219, and Alissa Zeitelhack, 1207. Let’s talk about the similarities and differences in opinion about the apartments. The first person I...

9Dec

By The McKendree ReviewNo Comments

Advice, Opinion

Cleveland-Heath

Article and picutres by Jawaun Jackson, Contributing Writer An Edwardsville favorite located on North Main Street - with a blink of an eye you may miss it. The front of the eatery is modest compared to the back that is much livelier with the outdoor seating. Inside it is warm and cozy; the décor has resemblance to grandma’s house with modern undertones. No matter the season the décor remains in a state of late summer early autumn. The décor may look like gramgram’s but the food is not! A very sophisticated array of choices lies upon the ever-changing menu, all including the freshest ingredients possible, so fresh that if it is not available local during a certain season the menu/recipe will be altered. I took on a complete three course dinner and was not disappointed. Founded by culinar...

13Nov

By The McKendree Review18 Comments

Opinion

McKendree Does Not Care About You

The following article represents the author's opinion about a specific topic. Freedom of speech is part of the First Amendment of the US Constitution and therefore every writer has the right to share his or her opinion. Feel free to email your editors about any issues with the article or leave your comment here. Sources are provided at the end of this article. The author of this article wishes to stay anonymous. McKendree University does not care about you. This is not an obfuscated statement I am making about the theoretical entity that is McKendree University. This is a statement about the clear lack of care for the students, the faculty, and the campus itself (excepting the lawn of course, which is mowed daily). It has become apparent in the past years that the priorities of this “insti...