Curriculum
Established by pioneer Methodists, McKendree is the oldest university in the state and continues to have ties to the United Methodist Church
First called Lebanon Seminary, the school opened in two rented sheds for 72 students in 1828 under Edward Raymond Ames. In 1830, Bishop William McKendree, the first American-born bishop of the Methodist church, permitted the Board of Trustees to change the institution's name to McKendree College. Later Bishop McKendree deeded 480 acres (1.9 km²) of rich land in Shiloh Valley, Illinois, to help support the college.
Reverend Peter Akers, in 1833, was the first president of the newly named college. He was three times president of McKendree College and received its first degree, an honorary Doctorate of Divinity.
In 1835, the College received one of the first charters granted to independent church colleges by the Illinois legislature. The institution still operates under the provisions of a second, more liberal charter obtained in 1839.
McKendree has struggled throughout its history to be financially viable and only in the recent past has it achieved a measure of economic stability.
In 2001, the College embarked on a highly successful capital campaign which raised more than $20 million for the campus including the creation of a Performing Arts Center.

History of the University
Tailgate Party, 2005

Homecoming Queen & mascot "Bogey," 2005

Christmas Tree, Piper Academic Center, 2005


April: Spring Fling
September: Tailgate party - picnic, fest, and game kicks off the football season
October: Homecoming - parade, fest, and football game
December: Christmas tree lighting - eggnog, Christmas carols, and Christmas tree illumination
ifexist count: 0/500

ifexist count: 0/500

ifexist count: 0/500
Facilities
McKendree University is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Its teams are called the Bearcats. In football, which returned to the campus in 1996, the Bearcats play in the Midwest League of the Mid-States Football Association, an NAIA affiliate. In other sports, the Bearcats are members of the American Midwest Conference. The Bearcats participate at the intercollegiate level in 11 men's sports and 9 women's sports:
Men's sports
Women's sports
McKendree's men's basketball coach, Harry Statham, currently holds the all-time record for wins at a four year institution, with 915 victories at the beginning of the 2005-6 season

Baseball
Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Football
Golf
Hockey
Soccer
Tennis
Track and Field
Wrestling
Basketball
Bowling
Cross Country
Golf
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track and Field
Volleyball