2010 News Releases

New coach for men’s and women’s soccer teams

Shane Taylor, of Winchester, enters his first year as the men’s and women’s head soccer coach at MacMurray College.  Read more.

Mac prof’s work shown

Khara Koffel, associate professor of art at MacMurray College, had one of her pieces selected for a national, juried show at Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh, KS.  Read more.

Lincoln and MacMurray colleges to sign partnership

President Colleen Hester of MacMurray College and Lincoln College President Jon Astroth will come together to formally recognize a new agreement between the two historic liberal arts colleges.  Read more.

Area man named Student Leader of the Month

Michael Viles of Jacksonville was named Student Leader of the Month for November at MacMurray College.  Read more.

MacMurray professor receives Methodist teaching award

MacMurray Professor Robert Seufert is the 2010 recipient of the United Methodist Award for Teaching Excellence.  Read more.

Four fall athletes receive Academic All-Conference honors

MacMurray College had four fall athletes selected for the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Academic team.  Read more.

Mac prof presents conference paper

Danielle Doerfler, assistant professor and director of Physical Education at MacMurray College, presented a session at the Illinois Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Convention in St. Charles.  Read more.

Local students make Dean’s List

Three Jacksonville-area workers made the Dean’s List for academic excellence in the MacMurray Adult Completion Program.  Read more.

Highlander student athletes recognized by the UMAC

For the 2010 football campaign, a trio of MacMurray student athletes were awarded Upper Midwest Athletic Conference honors.  Read more.

Prof.’s work receives Award of Excellence

MacMurray College’s Khara Koffel received an Award of Excellence at the Art St. Louis, XXVI: The Exhibition at the Art St. Louis Gallery in St. Louis.  Read more.

Mac professor to help plan Chemistry Olympiad

Nadine Szczepanski, MacMurray College Shonle Professor of Chemistry, has joined the planning committee for the International Chemistry Olympiad scheduled for 2012 in Washington, D.C.  Read more.

Three fall sports athletes receive conference honors

Three Highlander student athletes have received conference honors for their performances this fall season.  Read more.

Local student wins state award

Mike Viles, of Jacksonville, has been chosen the student of the year by the Illinois Council of Exceptional Children.  Read more.

Area scholar named student leader of the month

LaToya Jones of Gurnee, IL, was honored as the student leader of the month for November at MacMurray College.  Read more.

Area scholar named student leader of the month

Joseph Essig of Homer, IL was named student leader of the month for October at MacMurray College.  Read more.

More than just OK

Within weeks of the release of Allan Metcalf’s “OK: the improbable story of America’s greatest word,” the book has been generating interest in the national media.  Read more.

‘Arts Alive!’ offers three events

Friday, Nov. 12 brings the centerpiece of MacMurray’s Fine Arts Series -- Arts Alive!, an evening of the visual arts, music and theater.  Read more.

Lincoln exhibit shows politics of 1860

The Henry Pfeiffer Library at MacMurray College is hosting an exhibit from the Illinois State Historical Society’s collection on Abraham Lincoln, with many pieces displayed from the 1860 presidential campaign, 150 years ago this month.  Read more.

Area student named Lincoln Laureate

Kelli Ruppel of Chandlerville, Ill., has been named a Lincoln Laureate Award recipient.  Read more.

MacMurray announces 2010 Homecoming Court

MacMurray students voted 10 of their peers to the 2010 Homecoming Court, which was announced at a pep rally on Thursday, October 21.  Read more.

MacMurray College places in national rankings

MacMurray College was ranked 52 of 200 colleges in the 2011 edition of U.S. News Best Colleges in Regional Colleges (Midwest) by U.S. News & World Report.  Read more.

Director of Annual Giving hired

Jenni Gee of Jacksonville, Ill. begins this month as Director of Annual Giving for MacMurray College.  Read more.

Choir reunion concert set for Homecoming

The MacMurray Choir reunion will perform Saturday, Oct. 23 as a feature presentation of the College’s Homecoming activities that weekend.  Read more.

MacMurray grads come home

The MacMurray College Homecoming festivities kick off Thursday, Oct. 21 with the traditional torchlight parade and pep rally and continue through the weekend.  Read more.

Ensemble Chaconne to perform Monday

Ensemble Chaconne will perform at MacMurray College this Monday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Thoresen Recital Hall in the Springer Center.  Read more.

Mac artist to have works displayed

Khara Koffel, Associate Professor of Art at MacMurray College, has had two works accepted for Art St. Louis XXVI, The Exhibition, the Art Saint Louis organization’s 26th annual, juried show.  Read more.

Alumni show to open Oct. 2

The Committee on the MacMurray Art Collection presents a show by two of its alumnae, with an opening reception 5-7 p.m., Saturday Oct. 2, at the Putnam Center for the Arts.  Read more.

MacMurray honored by Mortar Board

MacMurray College has been named a Silver Torch Award Recipient by the Mortar Board National Conference.  Read more.

Nursing to move to Springer Center

By the end of the year, MacMurray College will be closing the Norris Educational Building and moving the College’s successful nursing program to the Springer Center, where there is more space for the growing program.  Read more.

MacMurray announces Fine Arts Series

MacMurray College begins the 2010-2011 Fine Arts Series with a performance by Jacksonville’s own nationally acclaimed storyteller and dulcimer player, Mike Anderson.  Read more.

MacMurray shows uptick

MacMurray College started off the 2010-2011 school year with an increase in the number of students enrolled.  Read more.

MacMurray, LLCC announce partnership

MacMurray College and Lincoln Land Community College - Jacksonville and Beardstown are building a partnership designed to leverage each institution’s strengths and take advantage of efficiencies that mutually support the missions of the colleges.  Read more.

Innovations support access to quality education

MacMurray College has planned a number of new initiatives to support student access and affordability in these challenging economic times.  Read more.

MacMurray College announces scholarship recipients

MacMurray College honored the following merit-scholarship recipients at its 164th opening convocation on August 25, 2010.  Read more.

Students elected to executive leadership

MacMurray College named the executive leadership of the MacMurray Student Association (MSA) at its 164th Convocation Ceremony on August 25.  Read more.

Koffel has work accepted for show

In the past year, Koffel has had her work accepted by juried shows in Indianapolis and Chicago as well as having a one-woman show at the Walnut Gallery in Gadsden, Ala.  Read more.

MacMurray alum named new women’s golf coach

Derek James embarks on his first year as head women’s golf coach at MacMurray College, as well as assuming the positions of assistant men and women’s basketball coach.  Read more.

Award honors influential alumna

MacMurray College is honoring an alumna, former faculty member, and continuing supporter who made significant contributions to MacMurray College, the Jacksonville community and girls’ high school sports in Illinois.  Read more.

11 students graduate in summer session

The following area students graduated from MacMurray College in the summer session.  Read more.

Mac professor publishes paper

Eric Berg, Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion at MacMurray College, has had a paper on religious thought published in an international scholarly journal.  Read more.

Assistant director joins the Center for Learning Excellence

Danny Callihan joins MacMurray’s staff as assistant director at the Center for Learning Excellence.  Read more.

Classes resume for the fall semester

Classes resume for the 2010-11 school year Wednesday, August 25 at MacMurray College. Members of the media are welcome to attend and photograph the following events, which lead up to the beginning of the fall semester.  Read more.

New assistant coach for Mac’s soccer teams

Arielle Berna enters her first year on MacMurray’s coaching staff this fall.  Read more.

MacMurray division chair presents research

John Cox, Chair of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, MacMurray professor and U.S. military veteran, recently presented a paper at the annual meeting of the Institute for Rural Social Work and Human Services.  Read more.

New gym equipment arrives at MacMurray

New fitness equipment will be available to MacMurray students and athletes when they return to campus this fall.  Read more.

Mac alum sets up scholarship

A MacMurray College student in the class of 1980 has established a MacMurray scholarship in honor of Steve West, longtime Jacksonville High School teacher and wrestling and soccer coach, and Henry “Chip” Marchetti, a former MacMurray wrestling coach.  Read more.

Staff member recognized for service

Cori Wagner, Coordinator for Career Services and Student Activities at MacMurray College, was recognized for her service to the Jacksonville community.  Read more.

Instructor joins biology faculty

Christy Wolovich will join MacMurray’s biology program as an assistant professor this fall.  Read more.

Dhom promoted to chief fundraiser

Bridget Dhom, Interim Director of Development, has been named Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, the College’s head of fundraising and alumni relations.  Read more.

MacMurray hires coach/sports information director

Samantha Burmeister recently began as softball coach and sports information director at MacMurray College.  Read more.

MacMurray hires biology instructor

Dr. Srinivasan Durairaj will join the Biology Program at MacMurray College as an assistant professor this fall.  Read more.

Spring 2010 Dean’s List announced

MacMurray College honored 141 students for academic excellence by naming them to the Dean’s List.  Read more.

MacMurray hosts nursing camp

MacMurray College welcomed 30 high school students to campus for Teens Experience Nursing (TEN) Camp, which gives teens a hands-on introduction to the nursing career.  Read more.

New coordinator for Residence Life

Dan Roberts begins this week as Coordinator for Residence Life, Student Conduct and Student Organizations.  Read more.

Summer renovations begin at MacMurray College

Campus-wide facility renovation projects are underway at MacMurray College this summer.  Read more.

MacMurray hires educational director

Jenny Briney begins as Director of the Center for Learning Excellence.  Read more.

2010 honors recipients

Students are honored for scholarship and leadership.  Read more.

Five trustees awarded lifetime status

Five long-serving MacMurray College trustees stepped down this spring, most with more than a decade of service apiece.  Read more.

Mortar Board names 17 members

The Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board, MacMurray’s premier honor society, inducted 17 members for the 2010-11 academic year.  Read more.

MacMurray president to teach leadership

MacMurray College President Colleen Hester will be teaching a class this summer on leadership as part of the College’s Adult Degree Completion program.  Read more.

Softball places 6 on Academic All-Conference

The MacMurray College softball team had six members selected for the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s Academic All-Conference team.  Read more.

Pittsfield native named Academic All-Conference

MacMurray baseball player Joe Butler has been named to the Academic All-Conference team by the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.  Read more.

Art professor to have solo show

Khara Koffel, assistant professor of art at MacMurray College, has been invited for a solo show of her sculpture at the Walnut Gallery, in Gadsden, Ala.  Read more.

Football players perform service project

About 15 members of the MacMurray College football team got a different view than their dorms and the practice field when they spent an afternoon recently at Knollwood Retirement Village in Jacksonville.  Read more.

Rikki Jenkins named to SLIAC first team

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) named MacMurray College softball player Rikki Jenkins to the All-Conference first team.  Read more.

MacMurray hires successful coach, administrator

Dane Pavlovich, presently the Associate Athletic Director and head women’s basketball coach at Stephens College in Columbia, Mo., has agreed to become the head women’s basketball coach and athletic director of MacMurray College effective June 1.  Read more.

Federal jurist to speak at MacMurray Commencement

Federal Judge Larry J. McKinney, a 1966 graduate of MacMurray College, will be the speaker at MacMurray’s 2010 Commencement , 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 8 at Annie Merner Chapel.  Read more.

MacMurray, Passavant team up for benefit

MacMurray College and Passavant Area Hospital are co-hosting a benefit Mother’s Day concert with the proceeds going to Passavant’s Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit.  Read more.

Mortar Board admits new members

The MacMurray College Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board, a national honor society of seniors, inducted 17 new members earlier this month.  Read more.

Mother, daughter combine for learning, instruction

MacMurray junior Anna Dickhut’s Elementary Education class, “Integrating Music and Movement into the Elementary Classroom,” got some hands-on training earlier this month courtesy of Anna’s mother, Karen (Hagen) Dickhut.  Read more.

Holy Fools to hold last service this year

The Holy Fools will hold the final service of the school year 6 p.m. Saturday, April 24 at the Annie Merner Chapel on the MacMurray College campus.  Read more.

Dog Days at MacMurray

After its double-header against Fontbonne University Saturday, the MacMurray softball team will provide dog washings for donations and will be collecting pet and food supplies.  Read more.

Former Virginia choir director honored

Members of the MacMurray Choir will perform 2 p.m. Sunday, April 25 at the Virginia United Methodist Church to begin the Judy Schaeffer Memorial Concert Series.  Read more.

Anna Dickhut named April leader

Anna Dickhut, a senior elementary education major has been named Student Leader of the Month for April.  Read more.

Christina Benoit named Student Leader for March

Senior Psychology major Christina Benoit has been named the Student Leader of the Month for March.  Read more.

Art collection fundraiser set to entertain

There’s a Song in My Art II, the reprise of the popular musical event, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., Saturday, April 10 at the McClelland Dining Hall on the MacMurray College campus.  Read more.

MacMurray art teacher’s painting selected for show

Raymond Yeager, Associate Professor of Art at MacMurray College, has had a work accepted for a contemporary art exhibit in the Thompson Gallery at the Cambridge School of Weston, in Weston, Mass.  Read more.

Break the ‘Day of Silence’

The Drag Show ’10, the annual musical revue featuring cross-dressing performers, will be held 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 16 at the MacMurray College Gamble Campus Center.  Read more.

Dean Fitz selected for leadership conference

David Fitz, MacMurray College Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College, will join 19 other chief academic officers from around the country in July for a seminar on Leadership for the 21st Century for Academic Officers.  Read more.

Two seniors invited to national bowl game

MacMurray College football players, Jimmy Perry and James Rollon, were named to the NCAA Division II/ Division III All American Bowl that was played Saturday, March 27, 2010, in Charleston, WV.  Read more.

Prof. Cox tapped by Mortar Board

On Thursday, March 25, the Social Work Policies class delayed its start while Professor John Cox was tapped as an honorary member of the MacMurray College Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board.  Read more.

MacMurray to host percussionist

MacMurray College will host accomplished and versatile percussionist Dennis Maberry, 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, March 29 at the Thoresen Recital Hall on the MacMurray campus. The public is welcome.  Read more.

Panel for veterans on affording college

MacMurray College will host a panel explaining education benefits to veterans 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 26 on the second floor of the Gamble Campus Center.  Read more.

Modern art show to hold closing reception

The Ratcliffe Collection will wind up its six-week run with a reception beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at the Applebee Art Gallery in MacMurray College’s Putnam Center for Art, on the southeast corner of Clay and State streets.  Read more.

Nursing professor speaks at national conference

Mikel W. Hand, assistant professor of nursing at MacMurray College, presented a paper earlier this month (March 6), at the Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assembly conference in Boston, Mass.  Read more.

MacMurray Drum Circle to host guest percussionist

The newly formed Drum Circle at MacMurray College will host a performance by accomplished and versatile percussionist Dennis Maberry, 6:30-8 p.m. Monday, March 29 at the Thoresen Recital Hall on the MacMurray campus.  Read more.

Derek James to coach women’s basketball, golf

Derek James, assistant women’s and men’s basketball coach at MacMurray College for the past two years, will step in as interim Head Women’s Basketball and Golf Coach, effective immediately.  Read more.

Local bands headline MacMurray music festival

The “MacAppalooza” music festival this weekend will showcase such local bands as Jeff Davidsmeyer and Friends, the Rob Killam Trio, performers from Tapestry, and a group of new bands that include MacMurray students.  Read more.

MacMurray students to hold reception for ‘Nobody’s Perfect’

A reception for the cast of “Nobody’s Perfect,” a play based on a children’s book by Marlee Matlin, will be held 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. March 21 at the lower level of the Education Complex on the MacMurray College campus.  Read more.

MacMurray president named chair-elect of ACE Fellows Program

MacMurray College President Colleen Hester was elected chair-elect of the American Council on Education’s Council of Fellows Executive Board of the ACE’s Fellows Program at ACE’s annual meeting in Phoenix, Ariz.  Read more.

3 MacMurray students take student-athlete honors

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has named three MacMurray basketball players to its winter All-Academic Team.  Read more.

MacMurray Choir to perform vespers service

The MacMurray Choir will lend its sweet sounds to this year’s vespers service at 6 p.m. Sunday, March 21 at the Annie Merner Chapel on MacMurray College’s campus.   Read more.

MacMurray students help local homeless

The MacMurray College Department of Social Work is striving to raise awareness of and help the area homeless this month.  Read more.

MacMurray College to host music festival

MacMurray Concert Choir is hosting a music festival, “MacAppalooza,” showcasing a lineup of local bands.  Read more.

Mac alumna featured as Cheerios New Author

Young athletes dream of having their pictures on Wheaties boxes. Lori Degman will take Cheerios.  Read more.

MacMurray College meets goal in annual phonathon

Despite the anxious economic times, MacMurray College supporters across the country are keeping the college at the top of their giving lists.  Read more.

Slagle, Creal take top conference honors

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has announced that MacMurray College's Brady Slagle is the 2010 SLIAC Newcomer of the Year and coach Todd Creal is the co-winner of the 2010 SLIAC Coach of the Year award.  Read more.

MacMurray College Highlanders Celebrate Tournament Bid

The MacMurray College men’s basketball team is one of four teams earning the honor to play in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference(SLIAC) post season tournament.  Read more.

MacMurray College postpones lecture slated for tonight

MacMurray College regrets that Dr. Sidney Milkis will be unable to give his lecture "The Obama Presidency: Change We Can Believe In."  Read more.

MacMurray’s Art Gallery hosts Modern Art Collection Exhibition

The Art Committee of MacMurray College in conjunction with the MacMurray College Art Department, are pleased to announce the upcoming public exhibition of the Vera Maxine & Albert H. Ratcliffe Modern Art Collection.  Read more.

Kerry Hahn named the new Advisor/Recruiter for the Adult Degree Completion Program at MacMurray

MacMurray College would like to announce Kerry Hahn, as the Advisor/Recruiter for the Adult Degree Completion Program (ADC).  Read more.

Musical Revue at MacMurray College

MacMurray College Theatre will present A… My Name is Alice. The musical revue, directed by Rich McCoy is scheduled for February 25-27, 2010.  Read more.

National prayer vigil held at MacMurray College

MacMurray College, through its Office of Religious Life, will take part in a national prayer vigil organized by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.  Read more.

UMAC awards MacMurray football players to Academic All-Conference

UMAC (Upper Midwest Athletic Conference) has honored two MacMurray highlander football players as members of the Academic All-Conference team for fall 2009.  Read more.

MacMurray College Speaker Series, “The Obama Presidency: Change We Can Believe In”

Dr. Sidney Milkis, author, lecturer and White Burkett Miller Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia will present, “The Obama Presidency: Change We Can Believe In” as part of the College’s 2009-10 Speaker Series.  Read more.

MacMurray’s Baseball Coach Fred Curtis inducted into Jacksonville Hall of Fame

On Saturday, February 13, 2010, MacMurray Baseball Coach, Fred Curtis, will be inducted into the Jacksonville Hall of Fame.  Read more.

MacMurray women’s basketball host Pink Zone games

The MacMurray College women’s basketball team will host two Pink Zone games to help support awareness for breast cancer on Wednesday, Feb 10 at 6:00 p.m. against Fontbonne University, and Saturday, Feb 13 at 1:00 p.m. against Westminster College.  Read more.

MacMurray College welcomes new Alums

MacMurray College announces the following fall 2009 graduates.  Read more.

SLIAC named Mac’s Brady Slagle as Player of the Week

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) has named MacMurray men’s basketball freshman, Brady Slagle, as the SLIAC Player of the Week for January 25-31.  Read more.

SLIAC named Mac’s Ashley Will as Player of the Week

The St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) has announced MacMurray women’s basketball sophomore Ashley Will as the SLIAC Player of the Week for the week of January 18-24.  Read more.

Indianapolis Art Center hosts Mac Art Professor’s work

MacMurray’s Khara Koffel, Assistant Professor of Art, is highlighted in an Art from the Heartland juried exhibition in the Indianapolis Art Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Read more.

MacMurray Art Professor displays work in Chicago Exhibition

MacMurray’s Khara Koffel, Assistant Professor of Art, is featured in an art exhibition in the Woman Made Gallery in Chicago, Illinois.  Read more.

MacMurray College Announces Fall 2009 Dean’s List

MacMurray College released its Dean’s List of academic achievement for the 2009 Fall Semester honoring students who exhibited outstanding performance in class during the first semester of the school year.  Read more.

MacMurray holds program on “Spiritual Songs” to celebrate Black History Month

MacMurray College Black Student Union and the Office of Religious Life will host a program on “Spiritual Songs” by Dr. Naima Johnston in celebration of Black History Month on Monday, February 1, 2010.  Read more.

MacMurray College Speaker Series, “What is Gloss” held on Jan 28

Dr. Laura Blackburn, Dr. Samuel Supalla and Dr. Jody Cripps will present, “What is Gloss?” as part of the College’s 2009-10 Speaker Series entitled “Challenging Your Perspectives.”  Read more.

Morgan County voters’ forum scheduled on Jan 27 at MacMurray

The League of Women Voters of Morgan County and the Jacksonville Journal Courier will co-sponsor a voters’ forum on Wednesday, January 27, 2010, at 7 p.m. in MacMurray’s Thoresen Recital Hall.  Read more.

MacMurray’s Applebee Art Gallery hosts senior art exhibition

MacMurray student Albert James Grable will feature his work, “The Next Chapter,” during the senior art exhibition held in the Applebee Art Gallery on the MacMurray College campus.  Read more.

Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Commemoration held at MacMurray

A special Vespers service to commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. will be held on Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. in Annie Merner Chapel.  Read more.

Macs’s women basketball players help with food distribution

On December 18, 2009, the MacMurray College Highlander women’s basketball team assisted with the Jacksonville Salvation Army Christmas food distribution for needy families.  Read more.