Profiles - The McKendree Review

5Nov

By The McKendree Review1 Comment

Governor #42: Bruce Rauner

By Victoria Sananikone, Assistant Editor With the midterm election peeking over the horizon, some may say that governor Bruce Rauner has a storm coming for him. The candidates running for governor are strong and unique within their stances on how to further the success of the state of Illinois. However, Bruce Rauner has already succeeded in fulfilling this concept. Currently serving as governor number 42 of Illinois, his greatest mission was to improve all of the education systems across Illinois. He has been victorious with this goal in multiple different ways, but this success only came after he climbed to the top of the latter. Born and raised in Illinois, Rauner is a self-made businessman whose goal is to transform Illinois because it is his home, and “home is worth fighting for.” Hi...

Illinois’ Republican Candidate -Mike Bost

5Nov

By The McKendree ReviewNo Comments

National News, News, Profiles

Illinois’ Republican Candidate -Mike Bost

By Kenneth Spisak Mike Bost is from Murphysboro, Illinois and has represented Illinois as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, on behalf of the 115th district from 1995-2015. Now, Bost is a representative for Illinois’ 12th congressional district after emerging victorious in the 2014. Mike Bost likes to be known as one of the people and not just a politician by being a “passionate voice of the people of Southern Illinois.” A solid example of him being “one of the people” is his background of being in the United State Marine Corps, a firefighter, a small business owner, and working for his uncle and dad’s trucking business. Mike got involved in the local politics in his hometown of Murphysboro but was irritated with the federal government’s way of treating small town businesse...

The People’s Governor – Inside the political campaign of JB Pritzker

5Nov

By The McKendree ReviewNo Comments

National News, News, Profiles

The People’s Governor – Inside the political campaign of JB Pritzker

By Justin A. Smock On Tuesday, the general midterm election will be in full swing. Illinoisans will be faced with the challenge of electing a new governor. Sitting Governor, Bruce Rauner, arguably has been given a run for his money. On this midterm ballot, Illinois Democrats have produced a candidate that shows passion and commitment to the state in ways of financial and educational withstanding. Born to a Jewish family in California, JB Pritzker is an active entrepreneur and philanthropist. Pritzker acquired his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Duke University and soon after studied law at Northwestern University School of Law. Staying in Illinois, Pritzker became an attorney and member of the Illinois and Chicago Bar Associations. JB now resides in Chicago with his wife and...

Caitlyn Westfall: Empowered Woman Empowering Women

29Oct

By The McKendree Review4 Comments

Personality, Profiles

Caitlyn Westfall: Empowered Woman Empowering Women

By Halle Douglass There is an anonymous quote that says, “Leaders become great not because of their power, but because of their ability to empower others.” After hearing McKendree Alumna Caitlyn Westfall’s story about her experience in Sigma Sigma Sigma, I could not agree more. I recently met her during formal recruitment, where she shared her story with all members, old and new. I felt incredibly moved and inspired by her story. Westfall came to McKendree as a freshman in the Fall of 2010, and she had convinced herself that she was not going to join a sorority in college. Shortly after the start of her freshman year, Caitlyn’s best friend asked her to accompany her to the involvement fair because she had been interested in joining a sorority and wanted to visit the tables. Caitlyn was ...

Alexis Porter; Student, Wrestler, Inspiration

24Oct

By The McKendree Review3 Comments

Profiles, Sports

Alexis Porter; Student, Wrestler, Inspiration

By Kyle Boldin When considering female athletic inspirations, a couple names come to mind: Venus, Serena Williams, Simone Biles and Rhonda Rousey. All outstanding athletes in their respected fields, all with accomplishments that will inspire generations to come. So much so, the next generation has already been inspired, one of those people being senior Alexis Porter. Hailing from the great state of New York, Porter has carved a name for herself in the world of women's wrestling. She began her career as a young child, where she would be used as a wrestling dummy, for her older brother, as he practiced his moves. As time went on, Porter began to pick up the steps, and shortly after seeing her raw talent, her father placed her in a minors wrestling tournament amongst her male counterparts. A...

15Oct

By The McKendree Review3 Comments

Profiles

The Incredible ‘Houk’

By Justin A. Smock Nestled in the heart of Holman Library, one will find the second home of Mckendree’s very own Technical Services & Government Documents Librarian. Debbie Houk, a McKendree Alumni, has a passion for history that is a compendium in itself. With elephant trunks pointed to the east, Hello Kitty as the main decor, and a bowl of candy on stand-by, Houk invites all who are hungry and eager to learn about the rich history of the University and the surrounding areas. Born and raised in Belleville Illinois, Houk is no stranger to our quiet corner of the world. During her summers, Houk found joy participating in seasonal programs at her local library. “I would go every year, we played library scavenger hunts and we learned the Dewey Decimal system”, Houk said with a smile on h...

8Oct

By The McKendree ReviewNo Comments

Personality, Profiles, Sports

Krysten Baker: Coach and Counselor

By Kenneth Spisak Krysten Baker goes by multiple names: Krysten, Coach Baker, Ms. Baker, KB. Depending how you are acquainted with her, one of these will be how you address her. Baker is on the coaching staff for McKendree’s track and field team as the throwers coach. Not only is coaching essentially a full-time gig, she also has her daily job of a high school guidance counselor for Columbia High School. Often times I wonder how coaches got into their beloved sport from the get-go, and after kindly agreeing to an interview, Baker answered that very question. “I technically got involved in track and field in 5th grade," Baker said. "We had a small team at my elementary school where we had modified versions of regulation track events. It was in 6th grade when I actually joined my junior hig...

The Woman Who Refused to Give up on Her Dream

28Sep

By The McKendree Review1 Comment

Profiles, Sports

The Woman Who Refused to Give up on Her Dream

By Victoria Sananikone, Copy-Editor Swimming is a sport that produces athletes of true grit that is so raw and uncultivated, it's as if they carried this quality straight out of the womb. These athletes are unlike any other; they can persevere through any hardship the world throws at them due to the suffering they endure within their sport. The McKendree University Swimming and Diving program’s new assistant coach, Amanda Siehs, is the optimal example for this phenomenon. Siehs was not always a swimmer. At the age of nine, she began synchronized swimming, a sport that's only related to actual swimming in that they both take place in the water. “One day a friend asked me if I wanted to do a swim clinic with her and it just escalated from there,” Siehs said. “I wanted to get stronger in sy...

26Sep

By The McKendree Review5 Comments

Local News, Profiles

Remembering Dr. Betsy Gordon

In lieu of our previously scheduled article, the editors of the McKendree Review would like to offer up this space to remember our beloved Dr. Betsy Gordon. An avid supporter of Bearcat athletics and the arts, Dr. Gordon taught speech communication at McKendree University for twenty-seven years, enriching the lives of countless students with her positive outlook and unforgettable southern charm. While there truly are no words to express how much she will be missed, we hope those of us who knew her can come together and love and support eachother a little more in her memory. Feel free to share your favorite memory of this amazing woman in the comments. There will be a memorial service for Dr. Gordon today at noon in Bothwell Chapel for all who are able to attend. Rest in peace,...

Kevin Kao: “This should probably be turned into a brown bag”

19Sep

By The McKendree Review3 Comments

Profiles

Kevin Kao: “This should probably be turned into a brown bag”

By Gabrielle Madewell, Contributing Writer Kevin Kao, assistant professor of art, is a very personable and energetic person, who really helps bring Benson Wood to life. “Hi," he says, leaning into the recorder. "I’m Kevin Kao. I like long walks on the beach, fried chicken, and the Target clearance section… but only on Wednesdays.” Senior art major Darla Allen described Kao as “a good teacher. He’s tough; he doesn’t bullshit.” Allen continued: “I’ve stared at some of my work and thought of everything that Kevin could possibly say about it, to make sure I was prepared.” Kao responded to this by applauding and saying, “Oh, I feel so good. You can’t see this, but I pat myself on the back.” As an instructor, Kao says he enjoys having students create projects that have something ...