bearcats - The McKendree Review

2May

By Megan MeloneNo Comments

Letter from the Editor

Senior Spotlight: Grace Gross

By Megan Melone, Writer and Editor & Grace Gross, Editor-in-Chief Photos provided by Grace Gross I (Megan Melone) interviewed senior Grace Gross. Grace is a communication major from Cottage Hills, Illinois. She is the president of the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society, editor for the McKendree Review, captain of the McKendree College Guard, and much more. Academic Excellence Celebration, 2025 OK, so starting the interview, where are you from? GROSS: I am from Cottage Hills, Illinois. It's about 45 minutes from McKendree. OK, and why did you decide to come to McKendree? GROSS: McKendree is a nice small school, and I found the faculty-student ratio to be appealing. I also really liked the music program here. What about the music program? ...

30Apr

By Bogey D. BearcatNo Comments

Advice

Dear Bogey: A Queer Questioning Bearcat

Dear Bogey, I have had wonderful experiences in college so far. I feel like I have truly found myself here. College has allowed me the freedom to explore things like my sexuality, spirituality, and gender. But it has been some time since I have seen my family, and through my new experiences, I have learned that I no longer fit into the identity that my parents would like me to have. I currently identify as non-binary, but every day I struggle internally of whether or not I'm being true to myself by holding onto parts of a gender I no longer identify as. Looking in the mirror every morning makes me wish I were born as the opposite sex, and I am mulling over labeling myself as transgender. I'm mostly worried that my parents may not accept me. My partner has been amazing and supportive th...

Celebrating the Retirement of Dr. Joni Bastian

28Apr

By Grace GrossNo Comments

Personality

Celebrating the Retirement of Dr. Joni Bastian

By Grace Gross, Editor-in-Chief Photography by The McKendrean As many of you know, Dr. Joni Bastian is retiring this Spring semester. "Dr. Joni Bastian, vice president for student affairs and one of the university’s most beloved staff members, has been serving the campus community and making plenty of positive changes for 3[6] years" (The McKendrean). In celebration of Dr. Bastian's many years of hard work, I interviewed her about her time at McKendree. What inspired you to pursue a career in student affairs and higher education? "I was very involved in leadership activities, including a New Student Orientation Leader, a Resident Assistant, a Student Ambassador, and a Preview Guide during my undergraduate years. I remained in close contact with my supervisors after graduation...

16Apr

By Bogey D. BearcatNo Comments

Advice

Dear Bogey: Privacy Patty

Dear Bogey, I need your help with an extremely nosy friend. Recently, I have made a new friend, Katelyn, and we have been getting along quite well. However, whenever we hang out, she always asks questions within context of a conversation. Sometimes, within the conversation, I understand why she asks questions, however, she will ask questions about every statement I make. Whenever I go out, she always asks what I am doing, where I am going, and what is happening. She'll even follow up after I am done going out. Lately, it has been frustrating me, and I want to address the problem; however, I don't want to hurt her feelings. What should I do? Sincerely, Privacy Patty Dear Privacy Patty, I can certainly see why this situation would be frustrating. It sounds like you and your ...

Student Government President: Trevor Pickerell

31Mar

By Megan MeloneNo Comments

Profiles

Student Government President: Trevor Pickerell

By Megan Melone, Writer Photography By Trevor Pickerell Junior Trevor Pickerell is our 2024-2025 Student Government Association president. Trevor is from Maryville, IL, and is studying exercise science. He plans to pursue an occupation in physical therapy. I interviewed Trevor about his position and his experience here at McKendree. Ok, so I’m here with Trevor Pickerell. You’re a junior, right? PICKERELL: Yes, yes, I am. Where are you from? PICKERELL: Maryville, Illinois. It’s about 30 minutes from Lebanon. Why did you come to McKendree for your undergrad? PICKERELL: I loved the small-town environment and the small campus. You can form closer relationships with your classmates and professors. What is your major? PICKERELL: I’m an...

3Mar

By Catalyst TeamNo Comments

Entertainment

McKendree’s 2025 Catalyst

This year’s student editors are excited to work on Catalyst, McKendree’s student-run undergraduate arts and literary magazine. Catalyst is a way for students to be recognized for their art, short stories, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Catalyst gives students a chance to express their love for art and literature, which originated as a website in 2016, while Catalyst has been a printed magazine for over 30 years, starting in 1991. Submissions for the 2025 Catalyst are due March 21st, so get your art in so the student editors can get to work! With each year comes new excitement and creative students. A past contributor, Sonia Halabi, who read her poem at the Academic Excellence Celebration last year, talked about her experience, saying, “Presenting at AEC was a very beautiful fe...

From Senior Bearcats to Freshmen: Tips for Making the Most of College

17Feb

By Grace GrossNo Comments

Advice

From Senior Bearcats to Freshmen: Tips for Making the Most of College

By Grace Gross, Editor-in-Chief Photography provided by seniors Seniors, it is that time of year! Graduation is coming so soon, yet not soon enough! As a senior, I’ve thought a lot about what I would tell my younger self entering college for the first time. Similarly, I’m sure there are many things you might change or do differently. Although we cannot go back in time, we do have the opportunity to share our experiences with those of you who have more time at McKendree. Also, if any future Bearcats are out there, pay close attention! I interviewed three seniors in the class of 2025: Elena Melzer, Andres (Andy) Aguilera, and Mia Wylie–all of which are actively involved in campus life! What study habits have helped you the most throughout college? Elena finds that breaking bi...

22Jan

By Elana MelzerNo Comments

Campus News, Perspective

Inaccessibility: A Barrier to Education

By Elana Melzer, Head Producer of McK Radio Photography by Elana Melzer The front of Piper Academic Center, facing the road When walking to class, have you ever noticed loose bricks, uneven sidewalks, or stairs at the entrances of nearly every building? For most students these little details might be annoying minor inconveniences but for disabled students they stand out. These little details can be a massive barrier for some students and faculty members. McKendree is the oldest private university in Illinois meaning our buildings are also old. Buildingslike Old Main and Eisenmayer have historical significance on campus. We also have some newer buildings, like Piper Academic Center (PAC) and the Hett. And, with the campus being built on a hill, we have many stairs a...

Trick or Treat at the Stevenson House 2024

13Nov

By Madison BonnerNo Comments

Campus Events

Trick or Treat at the Stevenson House 2024

Written by Madison Bonner Photography by Madison Bonner On Halloween night, McKendree hosted its annual trick-or-treat event. ResLife and SGA organized the event, though it was a little different from years past. This year, it opened up to a wider audience, allowing trick-or-treaters of all ages to attend, including not only McKendree students but also residents of Lebanon. It was also hosted outside the Stevenson House rather than on campus, which made it more accessible and visible to the town of Lebanon. Improv Club members Coleman Cummins and Dow White dressed as mimes and performed silent skits for passing trick-or-treaters. (Photo credit: Megan Melone) Melissa McHenry provided a booth for McKendree’s Health & Counseling Services, giving away candy, water and glo...

4Nov

By Megan MeloneNo Comments

Profiles, Sports

Senior Spotlight: Kiley Hasenfratz

Written by Megan Melone Photography by McKendree Athletics and Kiley Hasenfratz Kiley Hasenfratz is a senior exercise science major from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Kiley is a forward on the McKendree women’s hockey team. I interviewed Kiley to find out more about her time at McKendree: What is your major? HASENFRATZ: I’m an exercise science major. I got really interested in the body one year, after getting hurt a bunch while playing hockey. So, I initially taught myself how to take care of myself after a game and recover properly, and that just made me really interested in the body, and I thought like you know what? This would be a really good profession to take over and help other people when they can't. Kiley Hasenfratz Why did you decide to study abroad? HASENFRATZ:...