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Katherine Gemmingen, Head Copyeditor Pictures from Katherine Gemmingen, Dr. Ann Collins On March 28, I traveled with three other students, Taylor Ganz, Chandler Henson and Caden Owens, along with political science professor Dr. Collins, to Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Our mission: attend a policy summit focused on solving issues plaguing Illinois. Hosted by SIUC’s Paul Simon Institute of Public Policy, the Renewing Illinois Policy Summit brought together about 35 students from 8 universities throughout the state. The four of us from McKendree all have lived in Illinois for most, if not all, of our lives. Given that we also are in Dr. Collins’s public policy class this semester, the trip was quite fitting. Illinois government and politics have long been criticized for the p...

By Daniel Kimmer, Contributing Writer It was a cool, breezy Saturday night at Melvin Price Convocation Center (MPCC) on McKendree University’s campus. The men’s volleyball game was about to start, hosting Lewis University. Lewis University was ranked No. 10 in the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (MIVA) coming into the game. It was going to be a tough game for the Bearcats needless to say. I walked inside MPCC directly towards the gymnasium, and the music was loud, volleyballs flying all over from teams warming up as the crowds in the stands were slowly starting to fill just before game time. I located my seat for the game, right in the middle section, second row, a stellar seat (I felt) to get the best experience for the game. As I was sitting in my seat looking at all ...

By Cole Landon, Contributing Writer All photographs credited to Celebration Day: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin It’s Friday, February 22nd at the popular St. Louis concert venue The Pageant. The stage lights flash to life and two amphetamine-thin figures swagger up from backstage and into the crowd’s view. The beer-infused, middle-aged audience roars in applause for the two rock stars decked out in 70’s counter-culture apparel. The men dawn skin-tight bell-bottoms, floral women’s blouses, and long, natural hair. The band is Celebration Day: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin, with vocalist Mark Quinn and guitarist Jimmy Griffin playing the roles of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, respectively. All St. Louis native musicians, drummer John Pessoni, bassist Cub Smith and keyboardist Dave Grelle complete the...

By Madeline Cade, Contributing Writer Group photo credits- Curt Copeland All other photos- Madeline Cade Even on the dreariest Wednesday nights Matthew DeTore and I pull up to the hole-in-the-wall bar around 9:30 PM. The small banner above the door reads “Seven Restaurant and Lounge.” A group of people hanging out outside are vaguely illuminated by the Guinness Draught sign. We fill our arms with a guitar case and multiple song books, and weave our way to our table—always the same small table in the back. We are greeted by musicians and regular patrons. To many, this is just a regular night at the bar. To others, this is their staple showcase. After 9 o’clock on Wednesday nights, a local musician, Curt Copeland, hosts an open mic night for other musicians to come up and sing and play the...

Hello McKendree, It is finally getting warmer and we can slowly (but surely) get out of our cozy rooms and spend more time outside! We provide you with a calendar of events that are coming up soon. Get up, go outside and enjoy being a student at McKendree University by attending some of these events! Art Department Related Events April 11-20 Senior Exhibition: Darla Allen Reception: Thursday, April 11, 5-7 pm   April 25-May 5 All Student Exhibition Academic Excellence Celebration Reception: Thursday, April 25, 4-6 pm   April 25 Academic Excellence Celebration, 4-6 pm Kappa Pi induction ceremony and reception, 6:30-7:15   Music Related Events Thursday, April 4 – Andrew Rist, clarinet, Senior Recital – 7:30 p.m. – Bothwell Chapel Thusday, April 11 – Beth Me...

By Rebecca Chicosky, Contributing Writer Photos by Jennifer Moder At around 7 o’clock on a chilly Tuesday evening, Bothwell Chapel filled with the rich sounds of 24 clarinets. On February 19th, McKendree University held its first “Clarinet Night” in which eighth grade through high school students were invited to a masterclass and concert alongside McKendree’s own clarinet section. The ensemble featured E flat, B flat and bass clarinets to an audience of parents, music teachers and overall lovers of the woodwind instrument. I got the amazing opportunity to play B flat clarinet in this ensemble and learn more about helpful and different ways to play the instrument. The night kicked off with a small masterclass given by clarinet instructor Mary Nan Jordan. Mary Nan received degrees in clari...

By Caylin Dean, Contributing Writer As my group and I creep through the door frame, struggling to get through with our full bags of craft supplies- construction paper, markers, scissors, and glue galore- we are greeted with the smiling faces of the residents who have waited so patiently for our arrival. I volunteer at a site that provides care to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Due to limitations at the site, I am prohibited from using any identifying information. Some of the people that we work with have Down’s syndrome, autism, or other forms of impairment. However, they are so much more than their disabilities; they are humans like you or me who long to have love and interaction, participate in meaningful activities, and make friends, which is why it has become such a passi...

By Tiffany Davis, Contributing Writer Did you know that intellectual wellness doesn’t always have to be about learning a new skill, reading a book, or journaling? Working on activities like puzzles, brain teasers, card games and crossword puzzles can also improve your intellectual wellness while enhancing your mood. They can even improve your social skills when you do them with friends. Game play can help to increase the capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding and other mental activities. To close out the week on learning about intellectual wellness, we are going to focus on why it’s good to take a break and play a video game, card or board game, and even work on a puzzle from time to time.  When we think of playing video games, we might think of shutting off our mind and relaxi...

By Victoria Sananikone, Assistant Editor Featured image and last picture by Victoria Sananikone Bearcat image by Lazar Lestaric An excerpt from the McKendree Swimming and Diving GroupMe: Swimmer 1: Like if you want to have a snowball fight *16 people like the message* Swimmer 1: 9:30? Swimmer 2: Wait tonight or in the morning? Swimmer 3: We should do it in place of our workout tomorrow Swimmer 4: We can have more than one bro Swimmer 3: TRU Swimmer 1: Okay football field at 9:30 tonight *insert snowflake and snowman emojis* It took my roommate and me around ten minutes to don layer after layer of our winter apparel in order to guard ourselves against the severity of the cold. Frozen rain was currently falling from the sky, an endangered element for Lebanon, Illinois; one that h...

By Greg Kassen, Contributing Writer When I first entered Dr. John Greenfield’s home just a few blocks away from the university to interview him for this article, I was welcomed by a set of cats named Darcy and Janey. As most of his students know, Dr. Greenfield is a big fan of the European rugby leagues and named his pets after the players Darcy Lussick and Cory Jane respectively. Not really. What his students will actually attest to is his love for Jane Austen and how he shows that love by naming one cat after the author herself, and the other one after the Pride and Prejudice character Mr. Darcy. “They’re usually not so friendly to strangers,” he told me as they approached. I spent the rest of the interview concerned that I may have smelled like food. For those who may not know him, Dr....