[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E124-E125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 180TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF McKENDREE UNIVERSITY

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2008

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring the 180th Anniversary of the founding of McKendree 
University, the oldest college in Illinois.
  McKendree University was founded in 1828, by Methodist pioneers in 
Lebanon, Illinois. First named, ``Lebanon Seminary.'' the name was 
changed in 1830 in honor of William McKendree, the first American-born 
bishop of the Methodist Church. McKendree University is not only the 
oldest college in Illinois, but it is also the oldest college in the 
United States with continuous ties to the United Methodist Church.
  While McKendree University is justifiably proud of its rich history 
and tradition, it continues to grow and modernize in order to attract 
the quality of students and faculty needed to maintain its excellent 
academic standing. This continuous evolution was made evident with the 
recent name change from McKendree College to McKendree University in 
2007. This name change reflects the broad range of academic 
opportunities available at McKendree, including the introduction, 
beginning in 2004, of several graduate programs. These graduate 
programs--including education, professional counseling, business 
administration and nursing--have become so popular that their 
enrollment now accounts for one quarter of the entire student body.

[[Page E125]]

  McKendree has continued to evolve physically as well as academically. 
The university now includes two campuses in Kentucky as well as the 
main campus in Lebanon, Illinois. It also hosts off-campus offerings at 
nearby Scott Air Force Base, in addition to other locations in Illinois 
and Kentucky. In 2006, McKendree opened the new Hettenhausen Center for 
the Arts which has rapidly developed into one of the premier performing 
arts centers in the region.
  As McKendree has continued to expand and evolve, it has earned more 
wide-spread recognition of the excellent academic reputation it has 
long enjoyed locally. Recent awards and rankings include being ranked 
among the top 14 percent of ``Comprehensive Colleges--Bachelor's'' by 
U.S. News & World Report's Best Colleges 2007 and U.S. News & World 
Report's ``Great Schools, Great Prices'' ranking.
  McKendree University has come a long way from its humble beginnings 
in 1828, with 72 students in two rented sheds. It now boasts a dynamic, 
multi-state campus with a full range of extra-curricular offerings to 
complement its excellent academic programs. Throughout its impressive 
evolution, however. McKendree University has remained true to its 
roots. Students still come first at McKendree. The focus of the entire 
McKendree community on enabling each student to fulfill his or her 
potential continues to mark McKendree University as ``Illinois'' First 
and Finest.''
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to say that my wife, Dr. Georgia Costello, 
received her undergraduate degree from McKendree and is a member of the 
Board of Trustees of the University.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Board of Trustees, administration, faculty and students of McKendree 
University on the occasion of their 180th Anniversary.

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