McKendree University Senior Class Gift

05/14/2026

Toast to the Tassel Marks a New Bearcat Tradition 🥂

One week ago today, we celebrated the incredible seniors of the Class of 2026 at our inaugural Toast to the Tassel event at the fountain!

This special celebration honored the seniors who made their $20.26 Senior Class Gift in support of the McKendree Annual Fund, helping future Bearcats through scholarships, academic programs, student services, and more. Your gift is a lasting part of your McKendree legacy, and we are so thankful for your support.

From Senior Sunrise to Toast to the Tassel, it was a meaningful full circle moment celebrating the friendships, memories, and experiences that made your time at McKendree so special.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for an evening filled with music, refreshments, photos, yard games, and a champagne toast to the future. A special thank you to our senior speakers, Joylene Bills and Konnor Dagg, for sharing such thoughtful words with your classmates.

We also want to thank the faculty and staff members who came out to celebrate and support the Class of 2026.

Congratulations again, seniors! Once a Bearcat, always a Bearcat 🐾

05/07/2026

You made it, Class of 2026. Let’s toast to that. 🥂

Celebrate with us TONIGHT at 4 p.m. at the Circle Drive Fountain/Campus Quad for Toast to the Tassel — a senior celebration for the memories, milestones, friendships, and legacy you’re leaving behind at McKendree University. ✨

Senior shoutout to Joylene Bills and Konnor Dagg who will be giving the official toast. 🍾

Your $20.26 Senior Class Gift gets you entry + swag + a Class of 2026 champagne glass you get to keep forever.

Still time to RSVP! https://bit.ly/4cY8gMV

05/06/2026

From Senior Sunrise to your final toast… 🥂💜

Class of 2026, we’re bringing it full circle at the fountain for 𝑻𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒍. Come celebrate this milestone with your classmates and raise a glass to what’s next!

🎓 Your Senior Class Gift is your ticket

Make your gift: https://bit.ly/4kAC5Fj
RSVP: https://bit.ly/4cY8gMV

05/04/2026

🥂 Seniors… it’s almost time!

Don’t forget to make your 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐟𝐭 and 𝐑𝐒𝐕𝐏 to secure your spot at 𝑻𝒐𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒍 💜

You started the year with a 𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡… now let’s finish it with a
𝐭𝐨𝐚𝐬𝐭!

📅 Thursday, May 7
🕓 4:00–5:30 PM
📍 Campus Fountain

🎶 Music
🍴 Light refreshments
🥂 Champagne toast
📸 Photo ops
🎤 Hear from fellow seniors 𝐉𝐨𝐲𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 & 𝐊𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐠

This celebration is for seniors who have made their Senior Class Gift—your gift is your ticket (and includes your alumni t shirt + Class of 2026 champagne glass 🥂)

👉 Make your gift and RSVP using the link below

SCG: https://bit.ly/4kAC5Fj
RSVP Toast to the Tassel: https://giving.mckendree.edu/e/2026-toast-to-the-tassel/

Let’s celebrate one last time together before graduation 🐾💜

02/19/2026

💜🎓 Seniors, we’re almost there! 🎓💜

Make your Senior Class Gift of $20.26 today and help us reach our goal of 600 gifts during One McKendree Giving Day! Every gift is a chance to celebrate your time at McKendree and leave a lasting impact for future Bearcats.

Let’s finish strong, Class of 2026 — your gift makes a difference! 🙌

🔗 www.mckendree.edu/onemckendree

🔥🐾 WE ARE SO CLOSE 🐾🔥

The thermometer is rising and we’re just 50 GIFTS AWAY from reaching our goal and unlocking $200,000 for McKendree students and programs!

And right now, your impact goes even further. 💥
Thanks to The Big Roar Challenge, every gift to the Annual Fund is being amplified 5X — making this the perfect moment to help push us over the finish line.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time… this is it.
Be one of the final 50 and help us Raise the Roar in a BIG way.

👉 Give now and help us cross the line:
🔗 www.mckendree.edu/onemckendree

02/19/2026

🎓 Seniors, there's still time to leave your mark! 💜

Make your Senior Class Gift of $20.26 and be part of a tradition that supports future Bearcats and celebrates your McKendree journey. Every gift makes an impact!

✨Bonus: When you make your gift, you'' be entered for a chance to win a McKendree branded blanket!

👉 Make your gift here: www.mckendree.edu/onemckendree

Join your classmates, give back to a place that gave you so much, and help us continue to Raise the Roar!

02/19/2026

💜🎓 Seniors, it’s Power Hour Match time! 🎓💜

From 4:00–8:00 PM today, every gift to the Annual Fund will be matched dollar for dollar (up to $12,000) thanks to President Dan Dobbins ’81 and Mrs. Mickey Dobbins ’81!

Make your Senior Class Gift of $20.26 during this window and double your impact as you celebrate your time at McKendree and leave your mark before graduation. Plus, when you make your gift this week, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a McKendree branded blanket! 🐾✨

Let’s show what the Class of 2026 can do! 🙌

🔗 www.mckendree.edu/onemckendree

🚨 CHALLENGE ALERT 🚨
⚡𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 is Now Live!⚡

Ready to double your impact, Bearcats? 🐾💜

During the Power Hour Match, 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫-𝐟𝐨𝐫-𝐝𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 thanks to the generosity of 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑫𝒂𝒏 𝑪. 𝑫𝒐𝒃𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒔 ’81 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒓𝒔. 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝑫𝒐𝒃𝒃𝒊𝒏𝒔 ’81.

🕓 February 18 | 4:00–8:00 p.m. (CT)
💥 All gifts matched up to $𝟏𝟐,𝟎𝟎𝟎

Your gift during this four-hour window goes twice as far in supporting students, programs, and the areas of greatest need across campus. Don’t miss your chance to help us Raise the Roar!

🔗 www.mckendree.edu/onemckendree

02/18/2026

💜🐾 One McKendree Giving Day is HERE, SENIORS! 🐾💜

We’re officially in the middle of 1,828 minutes of giving and working toward our goal of 600 gifts — and the Class of 2026 has a chance to make its mark! 🎓✨

As you get ready to cross the stage, your Senior Class Gift of $20.26 is a meaningful way to celebrate your time at McKendree and leave a legacy for future Bearcats. Every gift helps create the same opportunities, memories, and experiences that shaped your journey.

Let’s come together, celebrate this moment, and Raise the Roar one last time as students! 🎉

🔗 www.mckendree.edu/onemckendree

02/18/2026

🎉 Class of 2026, it’s your time to leave your mark!

Celebrate Founders Week and McKendree turning 198 by making your Senior Class Gift of $20.26. Your gift to the Annual Fund supports scholarships, academics, student services, and future Bearcats!

✨ BONUS: Make your gift during Founders Week and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a McKendree branded blanket!

Ways to give:
💻 Online: www.mckendree.edu/onemckendree
Select Senior Class Gift
🏡 In Person: Alumni House, 216 N Alton St.

As a thank you, you will receive a McKendree Alumni T-shirt, a Class of 2026 champagne glass, and two complimentary tickets to the Senior Celebration in May!

Let’s Raise the Roar together!

02/17/2026

🎉 Class of 2026, it's your time to leave your mark!

Celebrate Founders Week and McKendree turning 198 by making your Senior Class Gift of $20.26. Your gift to the Annual Fund supports scholarships, academics, student services, and future Bearcats!

✨ BONUS: Make your gift during Founders Week and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a McKendree branded blanket!

Ways to give:
💻 Online: www.mckendree.edu/onemckendree
Select Senior Class Gift
🏡 In Person: Alumni House, 216 N Alton St.

As a thank you, you will receive a McKendree Alumni T-shirt, a Class of 2026 champagne glass, and two complimentary tickets to the Senior Celebration in May!

Let's Raise the Roar together!