Chat with the President, March 3, 2009
Welcome to chat with McKendree University President James Dennis!
President_Dennis: Good evening. Welcome to our first McKendree University live chat. This is your opportunity to ask questions about McKendree online. I hope it will inspire you to visit our beautiful campus. There is always something exciting going on at McKendree and we encourage you to visit. So, let's begin. First question?
Jennifer_Marion: Good Evening Dr. Dennis! How is the weather in Lebanon?
President_Dennis: It's a beautiful day. The sun always shines on McKendree!
Nicole_St._Louis: Is it too late to apply for financial aid?
President_Dennis: No, we've just begun sending out our financial aid packages. If you have not filled out your FAFSA, now is the time to do so. I would urge you to apply for financial aid. If you have any questions please contact the Office of Admission at (618)-537-6831.
Brett_Bloomington: I don't know what to major in, can I still come to McKendree?
President_Dennis: Yes, of course you can apply to McKendree. Approximately half of our new students are undecided about their major. One of McKendree's strengths is providing a wide range of courses to introduce students to our various majors. Be sure to visit our career services web page to view all of the resources we offer. You can check out their page here: http://www.mckendree.edu/ocs/career_services_home.aspx
sarah_troy_triad: What do you think is the best thing about McKendree?
President_Dennis: Without question I think the best thing about McKendree is the people. The faculty, staff and students are exceptional and create a first-rate learning environment. We also have wonderful facilities, a beautiful campus, and interesting traditions that support the work of our faculty and students. I hope you'll come visit and see for yourself what McKendree has to offer.
DeannaBolingbrook: what is the honors program?
President_Dennis: The honors program provides an opportunity for students to enjoy small classes, take challenging coursework, engage in research opportunities with faculty, and prepare for graduate opportunities in many disciplines. The honors program is highly competitive and students enter by invitation only.
Jeff_California: Dr. Dennis, McKendree has a great reputation in California. Two questions for you - (1) how many McK students come from out of state; and (2) how is it that Georgetown's basketball team jumped McKendree in the latest NAIA poll, with G'town beating an inferior opponent at home and McK beating a good team on the road?
President_Dennis: It's good to hear from someone from California. We currently have students from 38 states and 24 countries. We are a very diverse student population, which offers an opportunity for students to learn from one another.
The polls don't mean much at this point. What counts is the success our team has in the National Championships and our graduation rate, which for basketball, is 100 percent. We also have a coach, Harry Statham, who is the winningest coach in the history of men's collegiate basketball. Go Bearcats!
Victoria09: When will housing forms be sent out?
Keegan_Schaumburg: Can I bring a car to campus? Is there a fee for parking?
President_Dennis: Yes, first-year students may bring cars to campus. Many, but not all, do so. We are one of the few campuses in America that do not charge for parking. I'd rather see you spend your money on books and pizza than on parking.
Nicole_St._Louis: Dr. Dennis, How are roommates assigned?
President_Dennis: We do our best to match you up with a compatible person. On the housing application you will answer a series of personal questions that help us match you to other students with similar interests.
Keegan_Schaumburg: Is it likely that I will be able to graduate in 4 years?
President_Dennis: Absolutely! Most of our majors are scheduled and designed to complete the requirements in four years. Some majors, such as athletic training and music education, require additional time because of the requirements for certification. We expect our students to finish in four years and have a variety of services to help them achieve this.
Brett_Bloomington: A friend of mine goes to McKendree and he said he had pizza at your house, really?
President_Dennis: Every other week I host a group of students in the president's home for pizza or hot fudge sundaes. I look forward to this activity as it allows me to stay in touch with our students. There seems to be a lot of interest in this program!
bjkruep: do you anticipate a masters in computer information systems offered at McKendree
President_Dennis: We don't currently have a graduate program in CIS. However, we have added graduate work in the past five years in four disciplines: education, professional counseling, business, and nursing. Our faculty are always looking for additional opportunities where our students might excel.
We have an outstanding undergraduate curriculum in CIS and the MBA is a popular graduate program for many majors, including CIS.
Brett_Bloomington: What fun things are there to do on the campus?
President_Dennis: There are literally hundreds of activities on the McKendree campus and in the surrounding area. We have exceptional performing arts programs, a distinguished speaker series, athletic events, music programs, community service opportunities, and a wide variety of campus activities. You can view all the campus activities through the Campus Activities Board webpage www.mckendree.edu/CAB
Our students seem to have a very good time on campus.
Jennifer_Marion: How large are the classes at McKendree?
President_Dennis: We have a student-faculty member ratio of 12 to 1. The average class size is 18 students. Classes range in size from 5-35 students. This provides an opportunity for our students to know their professors very well and receive the most from their academic experience. Individual attention, high quality instruction, and student engagement are clearly the strengths of a small university like McKendree.
Debra_Springfield: My daughter will be attending McKendree this fall, is there any reason to be concerned about campus safety?
President_Dennis: McKendree is an extraordinarily safe campus and we have very few problems relating to safety. Having said that, I wish to remind students that they need to be cautious wherever they attend college.
The safety of students is one of my top priorities and I encourage each and every one of you to visit campus and see for yourself what an inviting and comfortable campus we have.
Haylee_Chicago: Will I have the opportunity to study abroad at McKendree?
President_Dennis: We have a very extensive study abroad program with opportunities to study in several countries. We are one of the few institutions that provides financial aid to students when they participate in these programs. There are also many opportunities for students to travel abroad with our student organizations and service programs. In recent years our students have traveled and studied in Ireland, England, France, Jamaica, Mexico, Brazil, and Japan.
Bon Voyage!
President_Dennis: I think we have time for one more question this evening.
Debra_Springfield: What do your students when they graduate?
President_Dennis: McKendree graduates attend graduate school in large numbers and many go immediately into their chosen field. 99.3% of our graduates are working or attending graduate school within 10 months of their graduation. We have a number of students who go on to law school, medical school, and veterinary school.
Our students report back that they are well prepared to take on the rigors of graduate study.
The real answer to your question is that when our students graduate they celebrate!
President_Dennis: Thanks everyone for taking the time to visit with me this evening. I look forward to seeing many of you on campus. If I may be helpful to you as you consider enrolling at McKendree University, please do not hesitate to phone me at (618) 537-6936. I really enjoyed this evening's conversation and I look forward to hosting another "chat" in the near future.