2012 News Releases

MacMurray student demonstrates the real reason for the season

Mendy Overly, a junior majoring in social work at MacMurray College, and her family are opting to give donations to the needy this Christmas instead of giving each other gifts.   Read more.

MacMurray student honored

Rochelle McElroy, of Springfield, IL, was named the student of month for December at MacMurray College.  Read more.

Derek James Inducted into SLIAC Hall of Fame

Head golf coach and assistant men’s and women’s basketball coach Derek James has been inducted into the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame, class of 2013.  Read more.

Area student honored

Mendy Overly, of Jacksonville, IL, was named the student of the month for November at MacMurray College. She is a junior social work major.  Read more.

MacMurray professor wins teaching award

MacMurray College cognitive psychologist and assistant professor of psychology, Dr. Matt Wiediger, received the United Methodist Board of Higher Education Teaching Excellence Award for 2012 – 2013.   Read more.

MacMurray professor publishes health article

Joe Squillace, assistant professor and chair of the division of social and behavioral sciences, has published an article in the latest online issue of the Missouri Electronic Journal of Sociology.   Read more.

Derek Crouch named Lincoln Laureate

MacMurray College senior Derek Crouch has been named the Student Laureate for the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.   Read more.

Speakers Series to focus on women's athletics

Amy Wilson, an expert on women's athletics, will talk about the effects of Title IX, the federal law that made discrimination based on gender illegal. She will talk at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6 at the Thoresen Recital Hall at the Springer/Putnam Center.  Read more.

Faculty member speaks at national conference

MacMurray writing instructor Thomas Winski spoke in a session of a national convention of student journalists in San Antonio, TX, earlier this month.  Read more.

English professor defends dissertation

Ashley Green, writing professor at MacMurray College, successfully defended her dissertation earlier this month to earn her Ph.D. in English/Literature from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.   Read more.

MacMurray students show artwork

The opening of the MacMurray College Senior Exhibition and Student Show will be 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the Applebee Gallery in the Putnam/Springer Center, at State and Clay streets on the MacMurray campus.   Read more.

Choir to perform holiday music

The MacMurray College Choir will perform in the college's annual Christmas service, Lessons & Carols, 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 at the Annie Merner Chapel.  Read more.

V'ball gives thousands for the cure

The MacMurray and Illinois College volleyball teams presented the Mia Ware Foundation with a $3,165.36 donation from the Set, Serve and Rally for the Cure fundraiser last month.  Read more.

MacMurray professor publishes health article

Joe Squillace, assistant professor and chair of the division of social and behavioral sciences, has published an article in the Nov. issue of the Journal of Public Health Dentistry.  Read more.

Anastasia Morwell named Student of the Month

MacMurray College named Anastasia Morwell of Quincy, IL as the Student of the Month for October. She was nominated by Dan Callihan, assistant director of the Center for Learning excellence.  Read more.

Eric Berg publishes paper on ethics of technology

Eric Berg, associate professor of philosophy and religion at MacMurray College, has published a paper in the current issue of the Journal of Lutheran Ethics.  Read more.

MacMurray athlete competes in food challenge

MacMurray College football player Dakota “Cody” Cane competed in the Clydesdale Challenge,at The Brickhouse Barbeque restaurant in downtown Jacksonville.  Read more.

MacMurray professor speaks at conference

Danielle Doerfler spoke at the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) “Women’s Leadership in Athletics...Discover What's Possible" Symposium in Chesterfield, MO, on Saturday Nov. 10.   Read more.

MacMurray hires PR staffer

Alyssa Eason has joined the MacMurray Public Relations Office as a public relations associate. She will specialize in social media marketing for the College.  Read more.

MacMurray, SLU exploring MSW Program

The MacMurray College Social Work Program is developing plans with St. Louis University’s School of Social Work to be a host for SLU’s Master’s in Social Work (MSW) program.  Read more.

Speaker gives voice to the powerless

Robert Wolf will read and discuss the writings of farmers, homeless men and women and others whose voices are seldom heard in our tumultuous society. His talk, part of the MacMurray Speakers Series, will be 7 p.m., Nov. 1 at the Thoresen Recital Hall.  Read more.

MacMurray College Mortar Board receives award

The Cap & Gown chapter at MacMurray College received the Silver Torch Award at the 2012 Mortar Board National Conference, held late July in Chicago.   Read more.

Highlanders Host ‘Set, Serve, and Rally for the Cure’

MacMurray College hosted a volleyball match against Illinois College to raise money for the Mia Ware Foundation, a Jacksonville organization the supports cancer research and treatment.  Read more.

MacMurray board leadership changes

MacMurray Board Chairman Allen Croessmann stepped down Thursday after nine years as Board chairman. Board member Charles O'Connell took over the chairman position.   Read more.

Choir to take journey through the '80s

The MacMurray College Choir will take a “Journey Through the ’80s” in its fall concert, 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 26 at the Annie Merner Chapel, performing songs written in the ’80s across the centuries, from the 1680s, 1780s, 1880s and 1980s.  Read more.

Ashley Sanders named Student of the Month

MacMurray College named Ashley Sanders, of Chapin, as the Student of the Month for October. She was nominated by Dr. Joe Squillace, director of the Social Work Program.   Read more.

Tragic Mother’s Day

Jacksonville native Nan Hocking-McDonough will show her documentary, “Mother’s Day,” about the abusive relationship between her father, a former Jacksonville mayor, and her mother at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 25 at the Thoresen Recital Hall.  Read more.

Volleyball team plays for a cure

The MacMurray and Illinois College volleyball teams will face off Tuesday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. in the Bill Wall Gymnasium in the Education Complex at MacMurray in a charity match to raise money for cancer research and treatment.  Read more.

got kilt?

The 2012 MacMurray Homecoming begins Thursday, Oct. 18 with the traditional torchlight parade and pep rally. The festivities continue through Sunday.   Read more.

MacMurray to present college comedy/drama

Four MacMurray students take the stage Oct. 11-13 in the fall play production of "The Shape of Things," a play about relationships, love and the ethics of artistic creation.  Read more.

MacMurray celebrates 100 years of social work

The MacMurray College Social Work Program is celebrating its 100th anniversary of social work education and 20 years as an accredited program, starting this week with Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard signing a proclamation in the program's honor on Friday.  Read more.

Philosophy professor to talk in London

Eric Berg, associate professor of religion and philosophy at MacMurray College, will present a paper on religious imagery at the annual conference in November of the Albert Camus Society of the United Kingdom.  Read more.

Mac president to show photos

President Colleen Hester will exhibit her photographs of MacMurray and around the world at the Applebee Gallery beginning Oct. 5.  Read more.

College to create park on campus

MacMurray College will be creating a green space on the southeast corner of campus, at Hardin Avenue and Chambers Street, on the land where Blackstock House now stands. Blackstock House was completed in 1957 and was MacMurray’s first dorm for men.  Read more.

MacMurray sees double-digit growth

MacMurray College fall enrollment grew for the fourth straight year, significantly increasing its enrollment to 625, an increase of 77 students from fall 2011 and a 14 percent growth in its student population.   Read more.

MacMurray artist has solo show

Khara Koffel, associate professor of art at MacMurray College, has a solo show at the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center on the campus of Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, IL. The exhibition continues through Oct. 12.  Read more.

Child abuse advocate to speak

Betsy Pope Goulet, an advocate for children, will talk on child sexual abuse as part of the MacMurray Speakers Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20 at the Thoresen Recital Hall in the Putnam/Springer Center.  Read more.

Koffel to show in massive ArtPrize competition

Khara Koffel, asssociate professor of Art, will exhibit a piece in the massive ArtPrize show in Grand Rapids, MI.  Read more.

MacMurray, Knox begin traveling soccer competition

MacMurray College and Knox College have agreed to an annual contest between the two school’s men’s and women’s soccer teams, with the winner taking home the traveling Ferris Trophy each year.  Read more.

Professor's work selected for KY show

MacMurray Associate Professor of Art Khara Koffel will show two of her sculptures in Kentucky.7, a biennial exhibition of contemporary that runs through Sept. 9, sponsored by the Lexington Art League.   Read more.

MacMurray artist selected for national show

Associate Professor of Art Khara Koffel has had one of her works selected for a national show in St. Louis.  Read more.

MacMurray hires new registrar

Glen Clatterbuck, of Jacksonville, and formerly of Illinois College, began his duties earlier this month as registrar at MacMurray College.  Read more.

College announces May graduates

The following students graduated at the May 5 Commencement ceremonies at MacMurray College.  Read more.

College announces spring Dean's List

The following students were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2012 semester at MacMurray College.   Read more.

Art professor honored at Midwest show

Art Professor Khara Koffel's work was awarded an Honorable Mention at an Indianapolis show.  Read more.

Mac training against sexual assault

The Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault teamed up with the MacMurray College Social Work Program last week to conduct a 40-hour professional training for sexual assault intervention.  Read more.

Chamber, city workers offered tuition incentive

MacMurray has entered agreements with the Jacksonville Area Chamber of Commerce and with the city to encourage continuing education in the area.  Read more.

Nursing attends Advocacy Day

The MacMurray College Nursing Department took all the senior nursing students and several faculty to Springfield, IL on Tuesday April 24, 2012 to participate in an Advocacy Day.   Read more.

MacMurray launches major in Homeland Security

The MacMurray College faculty approved Thursday, April 26 a new major in Homeland Security. Classes in the field will begin being offered in the fall.  Read more.

Local educator, Mac grad to speak at Commencement

Marybeth Lauderdale, superintendent of both the Illinois School for the Deaf and the School for the Visually Impaired in Jacksonville and a 1979 graduate of the College will be the keynote speaker at 2012 Commencement.  Read more.

Mac athletes volunteer time

The MacMurray College men’s and women’s soccer teams have been helping coach soccer players this spring in both the Jacksonville Soccer Association (JSA) and Winchester Soccer Academy (WSA).   Read more.

Mac student to thank vets

Freshman Meghan Fornecker will be getting notes and signatures this weekend at the corner of Clay and College avenues as a giant thank-you to veterans.  Read more.

Athlete named April student of the month

Derek Crouch, of Chatham, IL, was named MacMurray student leader of the month for April 2012. To be named a student leader, scholars must show academic excellence and involvement around campus.  Read more.

MacMurray recognizes scholar

MacMurray named Cara Crain, of Manchester, IL, as student leader of the month for March 2012. To be named a student leader, scholars must show academic excellence and involvement around campus.   Read more.

MacMurray to hold 2nd Highland Games

The second annual Highland Games kicks off 3:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, on the Rutledge Lawn. Competitions include a caber toss (pictured) and other games themed to the College's Scottish heritage.  Read more.

Choir to hold a 'Spring Sing'

The MacMurray Choir will hold is spring performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Annie Merner Chapel on campus.   Read more.

Mac artists put on a show

The annual MacMurray Student Art Show makes its debut 6 p.m. Thursday, April 19 at the Applebee Art Gallery in the Putnum/Springer Center on campus.  Read more.

MacMurray celebrates Broadway

MacMurray College will celebrate Rogers & Hammerstein with a musical review of love songs from their musicals. The event will be 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13 and Saturday April 14 at the Schaefer Theatre.  Read more.

New members inducted into Mortar Board

Nine students and three honorary members were inducted into MacMurray College’s Mortar Board organization on Sunday Apr. 1, 2012 during the Mortar Board induction ceremony.  Read more.

Chapin native joins MacMurray staff

Matthew Snodgrass, a Jacksonville-area native, , has joined the MacMurray Office of Institutional Advancement as the director of major and planned giving.  Read more.

MacMurray Choir to perform in Virginia

The MacMurray Choir will perform a concert of spring songs 2 p.m. Sunday, April 15 at the Virginia United Methodist Church, 401 E. Broadway, Virginia.  Read more.

Assistant professor contributes to published book

Jill Parsons, assistant professor of nursing, was on the revision team as a contributor for the Sensory Alterations chapter of the eighth edition of Fundamentals of Nursing, published by Elsevier.   Read more.

College announces Presidential Scholarship winners

MacMurray College announced its winners for the second annual Presidential Scholarship Competition.   Read more.

Social work sponsors an Advocacy Day

The Social Work Program, in honor of March as Social Work Month 2012, sponsored an Advocacy Day in Springfield, IL for students in the Social Policy class as a service learning experience.  Read more.

Pianist to perform at MacMurray

Claude Cymerman, who has played five times at Carnegie Hall in New York, will play Thursday, March 22 at 7 p.m. in the Thoresen Recital Hall.  Read more.

Mac student recognized as leader

MacMurray College named Leonel Coronado of Coppell, TX, student leader of the month for February 2012.  Read more.

Students take alternative spring break trip

In honor of March as National Social Work Month, four students from MacMurray’s Social Work Program took a three-day alternative spring break trip to St. Louis.  Read more.

Nursing students educate community

MacMurray nursing students participated in a health fair for Village Manor residents at the Labor Drive Community Center in Jacksonville.  Read more.

Mac professor to judge student work

Associate Professor of Art Khara Koffel has been asked to judge the 38th Annual High School Art Competition this month sponsored by the Quincy Illinois Art Center.  Read more.

MacMurray to ‘Take Back the Night’

MacMurray College will host a Take Back the Night Rally 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14 in McClelland Dining Hall. The Rally focuses on the many common types of violence in the world, especially family violence.  Read more.

Assistant coach makes playoffs

Blake Ordell, MacMurray assistant men's and women's soccer coach, helped his team to the Professional Arena Soccer League this year.  Read more.

MacMurray in the West Wing

President Colleen Hester visted Chris Lu at his White House office recently. Lu was the 2011 Commencement speaker and was awarded an honorary doctorate.  Read more.

MacMurray tops Webster in SLIAC semifinal game

In front of a huge Highlander crowd full of MacMurray students and parents, the MacMurray College men’s basketball team topped Webster University 68-62.  Read more.

An improbable life

Richard Nelson, a longtime, highly respected world history teacher at Jacksonville High School, will recount the uplifting life of Nobel poet Vaclav Havel 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1 at the Putnam/Springer Building.   Read more.

Koffel speaks at alma mater

Associate Professor of Art Khara Koffel gave a guest lecture Feb. 16 at her alma mater, Juniata College, in Huntingdon, PA.   Read more.

New York artist to show photos

Margaret LeJeune's images will go on display at the Applebee Gallery with opening reception for the show, “The Modern Day Diana,” 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 1 at the gallery.   Read more.

Choir to preview tour

The MacMurray College Choir will perform 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 17 at Annie Merner Chapel, showcasing music the choir will take on a spring tour later this year to Washington, D.C.   Read more.

Student named January student of the month

Joseph Essig, of Homer, IL, was named MacMurray student leader of the month for January. To be named a student leader, scholars must show academic excellence and involvement around campus.   Read more.

MacMurray recognizes scholar

MacMurray named Daniel Routh of Edelstein, IL, as student leader of the month for December 2011.   Read more.

MacMurray to audition for Spring play

MacMurray College will hold an audition for the play “Bleacher Bums: a nine-inning comedy,” 7-9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6 at the Thoresen Recital Hall in the Putnam/Springer Building. NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION  Read more.

Speaker to explore deaf culture

Katherine "Kitty" Aubry will discuss cultural similarities and differences, including the role -- or not -- of music in the deaf community, during her talk Tuesday, Feb. 7.  Read more.

Inspirational speaker to share wit, wisdom

Naima Johnston-Bush will bring her uplifting music, wit and wisdom to MacMurray at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 6 at the Marian Chase Schaeffer Studio Theatre in the Education Complex.   Read more.

Student recognized as leader

MacMurray named Amy Goodman of Peru, IL, student leader of the month for November 2011. Student leaders are selected by showing academic excellence and involvement around campus.   Read more.

College announces fall Dean's List

The following students were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2011 semester at MacMurray College. To be named to the dean’s list, a student must have a 3.5 grade point average and be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours.   Read more.

MacMurray hires Dean of Student Affairs

MacMurray welcomed Marty Sabolo to campus this semester as the new Dean of Student Affairs.   Read more.

Long time professor receives emeritus status

Dr. John Cox, longtime social work professor and chair of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences at MacMurray College, has been awarded for emeritus status.   Read more.

MacMurray hires new Admissions Specialist

Whitney Phillips, of Rushville, IL, recently joined the MacMurray staff as an admissions specialist.  Read more.

Collaborative show continues art season

Artists Alison Ouellette-Kirby and Noah Kirby of the St. Louis area open the spring season of the Applebee Art Gallery. An opening reception for “Things Unsaid" will be Thursday, Jan. 19 6-8 p.m. at the Putnam/Springer Building.   Read more.

Area musicians to explore ‘America’s Music’

The Rob Killam Trio will demonstrate through performance “America’s Music: the evolution of blues into jazz.” The free event will be 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Thoresen Recital Hall in the Putnam/Springer Building.  Read more.

MacMurray announces December graduates

The following list of students completed requirements for graduation in December 2011 at MacMurray College.   Read more.

Pipers gets new look

An upgrade to Pipers snack shop was underway in preparation for students' return for spring semester. The new look is part of many projects made possible by a Board of Trustees fundraising campaign.  Read more.