The MacMurray College American Sign Language and Interpreting Program presents the ASL Performance Showcase on Saturday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in Bailey Auditorium inside Julian Hall along Clay Avenue on the MacMurray campus. 

The event is free and open to the public and will feature students from the ASL program. Student interpreting services will be provided. 

“Our ASL students along with members from our Mac choir will be putting on a musical performance in American Sign Language,” Susan Hall, assistant professor of the ASL interpreting program, said. “We will have a student interpreter available, so we encourage our Deaf community to attend.”

For more information, contact Hall at 217-479-7695 or at susan.hall@mac.edu. 
 

MacMurray College will step back in time to the Renaissance period with a Madrigal Dinner on Saturday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. in McClelland Dining Hall on the college campus.  

The Madrigal Dinner was an annual event at MacMurray from 1967 to 1997 and was revived last year by MacMurray choir alumni. This year, MacMurray College students are performing and hosting the event. 

During the evening, traditional songs will be performed such as “Here We Come a Caroling,” “Masters In This Hall,” “Wassail” and “Boar’s Head,” along with a concert portion which will include “All Ye Who Music” by Baldassare Donato, “Sing We Now of Christmas” arranged by John Ricketts and “Dixit Maria” by  J. Leo Hassler as well as other selections.

Performing at the event include students Sierra Condon ’21, Shallon Crossley ’19, Jacob Dougherty ’22, Kendale Eads ’21, Autumn Hobrock ’22, Kaylee McClanahan ’21, Michael Muhung ’22, Bethany Randall ’21, Ashley Reed ’22, Beth Saathoff ’22, Peyton Spitzer ’20, Sierra Starwalt ’22, Geogia Suau ’20, Terria Stiverson ’19, Jabril Wali-Uddin ’20 and Ashley Wittekiend ’20. Community member and friend of the college Caleb Elmore will also perform. Herald trumpet player will be Kyla Pattie with Jeannie Zeck, professor of English, narrating and Christine Smith, director of performing arts, directing the music. 

Tickets are $25 per person. Please RSVP by Nov. 28 by calling 217-479-7123 or emailing studentlife@mac.edu. 

For more information, contact Smith at 217-479-7603 or email christine.smith@mac.edu.
 

MacMurray College’s annual Advent candlelight service, Lessons and Carols, will be Sunday, Dec. 2, at 5 p.m. in Annie Merner Chapel, located on the northeast corner of College Avenue and Clay Street on the MacMurray campus.

The celebration of Christmas will include the MacMurray Concert Choir along with the congregation singing traditional Christmas carols. The service will also feature scripture readings from the Christmas story by MacMurray students. The program will be led by College Chaplain Todd Sweatman and Director of Performing Arts Christine Smith. 

The event is free and open to the public. Request interpreting services 72 hours prior to event at dss@mac.edu or call 217-479-7123.
 

MacMurray College senior Faythe Newberry of Clinton, Illinois, was honored by the Lincoln Academy of Illinois at the 43rd Annual Student Laureate Convocation at the Old State Capitol in Springfield on Nov. 17.

“It was such an amazing experience,” Newberry, a social work major, said. “I was so honored to be chosen by the faculty and staff at MacMurray to receive the award.” 

The Lincoln Academy’s Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Awards are presented for excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities to seniors from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities, and one student from the community colleges in Illinois. At the Student Laureate Convocation, Each Student Laureate was presented with a certificate of merit, a Lincoln medallion, and a $1,000 check from The Lincoln Academy.

“The success that I have had at MacMurray, whether it be graduating an entire year early or the work I have done itself, is owed to the social work program staff and their ability to equip students with everything they need to be confident in their work,” Newberry said. “I feel overly prepared for the field and I could not be more grateful.”

Pictured with Newberry is Jodi Colbert, clinical assistant professor of social work at MacMurray, along with officials from the Lincoln Academy of Illinois.

The following students were named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2018 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 full time for at least 12 credit hours.

Stephanie Abell — Eldorado, Ill.

Monteirra Alexander — Springfield, Ill.

Filippa Alfano — Jacksonville, Ill.

Brooklynn Allen — Decatur, Ill.

Haley Alt — Freeburg, Ill.

Lauren Anderson — Mount Pulaski, Ill.

Marcus Atkinson — Harvey, Ill.

Sarah Bailey — Hettick, Ill.

Allison Baker — Lincoln, Ill.

Madison Baker — Hull, Ill.

Storme Barton — Alpha, Ill.

Devin Battefeld — Meredosia, Ill.

Peyton Beal — Jacksonville, Ill.

Jennifer Bell — Petersburg, Ill.

Janelle Benson — St. Peters, Mo.

Niah Bevolo — South Roxana, Ill.

Shannon Bishop — Litchfield, Ill.

Jace Bland — Park HIills, Mo.

Allison Boehs — Washington, Ill.

Cassandra Borcky — Greenfield, Ill.

Philip Bowen — Country Club Hils, Ill.

Tobi Brackett — Jacksonville, Ill.

Auryana Bradley — East Galesburg, Ill.

Ryan Bradley — Karnak, Ill.

Charles Brauch — Saint Charles, Mo.

Andrew Bridges — Nilwood, Ill.

Reese Britton — Calhoun, Ill.

Ashley Brown — Carlinville, Ill.

Kaitlyn Brown — Chatham, Ill.

Michael Brown — Mattoon, Ill.

Luis Carbajal — Chicago Heights, Ill.

Grant Carmody — Jacksonville, Ill.

Edgar Castillo — Carpentersville, Ill.

Natasha Childers — Springfield, Ill.

Sadie Courson — Beardstown, Ill.

Shallon Crossley — Springdale, Wash.

Ryan Davidson — Jacksonville, Ill.

Karlie Davis — Pittsfield, Ill.

Alicia Day — Virginia, Ill.

Alejandra De Los Santos — Beardstown, Ill.

Rebecca Delaney — Aurora, Ill.

Erin Detter — Atoka, Tenn.

Grace Devlin — Ashland, Ill.

Taylor Dodson — Pana, Ill.

Tamara Dohoney — Lawrenceville, Ill.

Margaret Doss — Jacksonville, Ill.

Jacob Dougherty — LeClaire, Iowa

Darian Drake — Mt Sterling, Ill.

Laura Dudley — Taylorville, Ill.

Meka Elmore — Streator, Ill.

Kayla Enochs — Greenfield, Ind.

Braden Erickson — Rigby, Idaho

Gerardo Estrada — Carpentersville, Ill.

Megan Evans — Arenzville, Ill.

Sarah Evans — Centralia, Ill.

Jeremy Fennewald — Joliet, Ill.

Jordan Fisher — Riverton, Ill.

Kamryn Flesner — Payson, Ill.

Hannah Foran — Bement, Ill.

Anthony Fowler — Bloomington, Ill.

Randa Freeze — Crystal City, Mo.

Hannah Gazdzicki — Elgin, Ill.

Sydney Grant — Morton, Ill.

Rebecca Graves — Jacksonville, Ill.

Emanuel Green — Decatur, Ill.

Bryce Griebler — Springfield, Ill.

Mason Hale — Springfield, Ill.

Corey Hammer — Bluford, Ill.

Kiersten Hann — Moline, Ill.

Hannah Harbaugh — Freeburg, Ill.

Emma Harris — Streator, Ill.

Kasey Harris — Virginia, Ill.

Austin Hatfield — Springfield, Ill.

Kierra Henke — Auburn, Ill.

Matthew Heren — Auburn, Ill.

Nichole Hester — Jacksonville, Ill.

Autumn Hobrock — Beardstown, Ill.

Caitlyn Hoene — Teutopolis, Ill.

Kerrigan Horn — Hobart, Ind.

Hannah Huber — Sorento, Ill.

Ashley Huels — Carlyle, Ill.

MaKendra Jennings — White Hall, Ill.

Montgomery Jennings — Norwalk, Calif.

Cassandra Johnson — Springfield, Ill.

Kolton Johnson — Hamilton, Ill.

Lindsey Johnston — Evansville, Ind.

Alyssa Jurasik — Olney, Ill.

Molly Kern — Vandalia, Ill.

Abigail Kilbride — Mackinaw, Ill.

Benjamin Kline — Lewistown, Ill.

Kourtney Knecht — Washburn, Ill.

Emily Kolo — Edwardsville, Ill.

Cody Koprowitz — Girard, Ill.

Samantha Kubes — Lindstrom, Minn.

Brittney Lehr — Eldred, Ill.

Ian Leib — Flora, Ill.

Savanna Long — Jacksonville, Ill.

Alexis Lopez — El Paso, Texas

Alexis Lucas — Concord, Ill.

Kendall Lustik — Plainfield, Ill.

Alec Lyle — Farmer City, Ill.

Michael Mahung — Glasgow, Ky.

Anastacia Maio — Rockford, Ill.

Everth Maldonado — Matteson, Ill.

Mariah Markert — Mt. Sterling, Ill.

Nicole Maul — Jacksonville, Ill.

Brian Mayberry — Jacksonville, Ill.

Kaylee McClanahan — Springfield, Ill.

Lucas McEvers — White Hall, Ill.

Madelyn Mckeown — Springfield, Ill.

Lesley McNeely — Jacksonville, Ill.

Victor Mendoza — Englewood, Colo.

Victoria Menge — Franklin, Ill.

Mikaela Milligan — Lockport, Ill.

Anthony Moll — Mascoutah, Ill.

Alexis Moore — Winchester, Ill.

Jessica Moore — Minooka, Ill.

Kayla Moore — Winchester, Ill.

Skyler Moorman — Mt. Sterling, Ill.

Shanena Morris — Clinton, Ill.

Ali Morton — Chambersburg, Ill.

Harlie Nelson — Jacksonville, Ill.

Jessica Newell — Chapin, Ill.

Gavin Ogburn — Paxton, Ill.

Cayla Olivo — Plainfield, Ill.

Ayla Pace — Shipman, Ill.

Byron Peacock — Jacksonville, Ill.

Karyssa Pedersen — Abingdon, Ill.

Colton Pettyjohn — Jacksonville, Ill.

Kateland Pollard — Decatur, Ill.

Samantha Potts — St. Francisville, Ill.

Casey Praught — Naperville, Ill.

Nathan Randall — White Hall, Ill.

Brenna Rande — Joliet, Ill.

Ashley Reed — Sherman, Ill.

Judah Renfro — Blue Mound, Ill.

Paul Rhodes — Pana, Ill.

Kacie Rodriguez — Corp Christi, Texas

Maeghanne Roemer — Taylorville, Ill.

Abigail Rowe — Ottawa, Ill.

Trevor Schubert — Mount Vernon, Ill.

Lucaas Secrist — Hillsboro, Ill.

Trisha Sheley — Pleasant Plains, Ill.

Wyatt Sherwin — Roodhouse, Ill.

Tristen Six — Decatur, Ill.

Andrew Smith — Jacksonville, Ill.

Allison Snodgrass — Jacksonville, Ill.

Morgan Spaulding — Jacksonville, Ill.

Craig Spencer — Highland Park, Ill.

Peyton Spitzner — Clay City, Ill.

Josiah Spivey — Glendale, Ariz.

Sierra Starwalt — Toledo, Ill.

Elizabeth Staub — Millstadt, Ill.

Kelli Steward — Clinton, Ill.

Kaylie Stowe — Newburgh, Ind.

Georgia Suau — Peoria, Ill.

Danielle Suhre — Franklin, Ill.

Tanner Sussenbach — Mt Sterling, Ill.

Brianna Sutton — Springfield, Ill.

Alexandra Taberski — Plymouth, Ind.

Alec Taylor — Beardstown, Ill.

Bailee Taylor — Fonda, Iowa

Sarah Thornley — Jacksonville, Ill.

Bryana Tipsword — Springfield, Ill.

Kylie Titus — Lincoln, Calif.

D'artagnan Todd — Hamilton, Ill.

Zynia Townsend — Springfield, Ill.

Jacob Trim — Arlington, Tenn.

Briana Turner — Jacksonville, Ill.

Gregory Urbanc — Edelstein, Ill.

Rebekah VanBebber — Auburn, Ill.

Isabella VanDyke — Saint Peter, Mo.

Zachary Vespa — Springfield, Ill.

Cory Volz — Cooksville, Ill.

Rachael Walker — Evansville, Ind.

Emma Weller — Palmyra, Ill.

Rebecca Wellman — Pleasant Hill, Ill.

Donna Wenig — Blue Island, Ill.

Hannah Wetzel — Blue Mound, Ill.

Lexi Wiley — Fayette, Ill.

Jade Williams — Braceville, Ill.

Taren Williamson — Robinson, Ill.

Felicity Witt — Pawnee, Ill.

Ashley Wittekiend — Peoria, Ill.

Billie Wooldridge — Jacksonville, Ill.

Christi Yielding — Humboldt, Ill.

Abigail Youngblood — Charleston, Ill.

Cody Zulkowski — Decatur, Ill.

When you watch Super Bowl LIII on Sunday, be on the lookout for a MacMurray College connection. Matt Taylor ’04 is an assistant equipment manager with the Los Angeles Rams and will be on the sidelines Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Taylor started working with the then St. Louis Rams in 1998 when he was just 16 years old. 

“The Rams held training camp about 35 minutes from my house at Western Illinois University and I would go watch all the time,” said Taylor. “I saw kids my age shagging balls and I wanted to do that, so I made a lot of calls and wrote a lot of letters to the university until I got my chance to be a part of the team.”

What started as just a summer job for Taylor throughout high school and college turned into a world of opportunity in the National Football League. Taylor continued to intern for the Rams for two years after graduating from MacMurray before finally being offered a full-time position in 2006, and his job and responsibilities have evolved yearly which makes for constant learning along the way.

“I know I’m sounding like an old-timer here,” joked Taylor. “But the game and the industry is constantly evolving, and if you don’t evolve with it you get left behind. It is so important to stay ahead of the curve.”

While a job in the NFL sounds exciting and glamorous, the job has come with hardships – most notably the franchise’s move from St. Louis to Los Angeles in 2016. 

“The move was stressful, tense and uncomfortable for a lot of the time,” said Taylor. “It was a very difficult time for not only myself and my family, but for the entire organization. The move was hard on its own, but we had to shift everything to Los Angeles. From the extended hotel stays, to storing items in a storage facility, to holding camp at a local university because our facility wasn’t ready yet, it was a period of change.”

The relocation gave Taylor a vote of confidence, as he was selected to be a part of organizing the move. 

“Hopefully this is a once in a lifetime transition, but it showed that the Rams believed in me and my skills. It helped make it a little less stressful, and open up a new and exciting chapter.”

A 20-plus year job in the NFL was born from a MacMurray degree. Taylor graduated in the spring of 2004 with a degree in sports management and a minor in business administration. He wants to make it known that people should never limit themselves because they come from a small school.

“People think because you go to a small school you can’t go on to do big things or work at high-profile organizations or become the head of a company. Even at a small school, the opportunities still come to you. You have to zero in on your goals and aspirations and make some sacrifices to reach the highest level, but it is possible,” said Taylor.

Taylor also laughed about how it was not uncommon to see professors out at Walmart or a restaurant in town. 

“The education is specialized. I never felt overwhelmed. It’s easy to get lost in the shuffle at big schools, but at MacMurray you always could tell the professors and coaches truly cared.”

Besides a cross-country move, Taylor continues to make a number of sacrifices, including giving up his weekends and holidays to be at work with the team. 

“People only see what they see on TV. I love going to work every day, but it comes with its sacrifices and challenges.”

A four-year player on the baseball team, Taylor continues to keep in contact with athletic director, Justin Fuhler, and head baseball coach, John Grana. He recently visited campus last spring for the first time in years and was impressed with the changes and upgrades the college is making.

“The upgrades make the student experience universally better for everyone. I’m excited to see the progress that continues to be made,” said Taylor.

As Taylor enjoys this time at the Super Bowl, he reminds us that he’s still going to work as usual, just on a bigger stage. 

Photos courtesy of Los Angeles Rams
 

MacMurray College has announced that it is bringing back two majors, a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education, starting in the Fall 2019 semester.

“We are very excited by the opportunity to, once again, offer majors in elementary education and chemistry,” Beverly Rodgers, provost and vice president of academic affairs and student life, said. “We know that Illinois has a desperate need for elementary education teachers and we have had serious interest from high school students in becoming educators.”

With chemistry, Rodgers said that the college is “reinstating a major that has a long history of producing graduates who have gone on to very successful and productive work lives.” 

She added, “These majors will enrich our campus exponentially.”

The board of trustees voted in January to bring the two majors back to MacMurray. More information can be found on each major's webpage – Elementary Education and Chemistry. 
 

In a statement to the Board of Trustees on February 23, MacMurray College President Dr. Mark Tierno announced his intention to retire from the presidency effective July 1, 2019. The Board has accepted his resignation. Tierno served as the 16th president in the College’s distinguished 173-year history.

Tierno has led the institution since 2015. His accomplishments include the development and adoption of a comprehensive strategic plan, an expansion of relationships with alumni, substantial fundraising growth, a positive accreditation review by the Higher Learning Commission, multiple building renovations and several strategic property purchases. Tierno also has become well-known for his popular 2017 MacNation cross-country alumni tour in an RV.

“My four years at MacMurray College have been among the most enjoyable and productive of my career,” Tierno said. “My main goal has been to partner with the College’s trustees in efforts to put MacMurray on a clear path toward institutional success. I came here when the College was facing several challenges, a few unexpected, but with the ceaseless support of staff, faculty, students, alumni and trustees, we are confident our institution is moving in the right direction. I should add that I never could have expected to be so warmly embraced by MacMurray’s alumni and campus communities; this place is special, the people are remarkable and MacFam (MacMurray Family) is real.”

Tierno had previously served as the President of Cazenovia College (New York) from 2000-2015. He has also held leadership positions at the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan, Elmira College (New York), Lake Forest College (Illinois), and the University of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania). His future plans include relocating to his home in Chicago, investing in a business with his son and returning to his writing. “I’ve wanted to return to these undertakings for many years and now is the perfect time,” Tierno said.

Board of Trustees Chair Charlie O’Connell stated, “Mark will undoubtedly be missed, but we understand and support his decision. His role over the past four years has been crucial and he will forever have MacMurray’s collective gratitude. Mark may not have had the longest tenure, but his time here was impactful, and his legacy is certainly distinguished. We are all grateful for the experience he brought and guidance he’s provided.”

In response to a request by the Board of Trustees, transitional leadership was accepted by the College’s Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Life, Dr. Beverly Rodgers, who will serve as Interim President. O’Connell affirmed that Rodgers’ appointment will provide a seamless transition as the College begins its presidential search.

“I will be honored to continue the good work of Dr. Tierno,” Rodgers stated. “We are not standing still and will continue to move forward on infrastructure, curriculum growth, new faculty and staff, and fundraising.”

A presidential transition team is being assembled and the College will begin its search immediately. A plan to celebrate President Tierno’s tenure is in development.
 

Students, faculty and staff from MacMurray College completed a video and a training manual designed to assist human resource departments and local businesses in implementing a welcoming environment for the deaf and hard of hearing community.

“The purpose of the training manual and accompanying video is to give concise tips and other information to human resource staff, local businesses and managers who train staff, that could be used for training purposes,” Dr. Joe Squillace, director of the social work department at MacMurray, said.

The video, “Reach Out; Don’t Freak Out: Serving the Deaf Community,” shows and describes what not to do when working with deaf customers, and then follows with appropriate ways of interacting. The manual mirrors the video with some basic information about working closely with customers and provides additional sources for training videos.

“If businesses understand how to work with Deaf customers, where people feel welcomed, it will increase customer traffic, and ultimately revenue for the business,” Squillace said. “A goal was to keep the video short (5 minutes), and training manual concise with additional references to resources so individuals can go deeper into these issues if they desire. It can be used at a weekly staff meeting, or to train new employees.”

The project was first conceptualized by Squillace, social work students Codi Poe and Megan Gillis, and American Sign Language-Interpreting students Randa Freeze and Brittany Foldes.

“The project grew out of previous research we had done with the Jacksonville Commission on Disabilities and Human Relations regarding access to services in Jacksonville,” Squillace said. “Survey respondents expressed concerns about treatment at local businesses and wanted to have more welcoming environments created.” 

Dr. Jeannie Zeck, professor of English, and Susan Hall, assistant professor in interpreting, assisted with video production with the Office of Communications and Marketing at MacMurray.

The MacMurray College Nursing Program is ranked No. 1 in the State of Illinois in the third annual RN Program Rankings by RegistredNursing.org. 

Out of 78 RN programs in the state, RegisteredNursing.org ranked the top 30 nursing schools in Illinois by analyzing current and historical National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates. 

For three consecutive years, MacMurray College has had a 100 percent pass rate on the first attempt taking the exam. The national average for first time pass rates on the NCLEX-RN is 88 percent for U.S. educated students according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

“The pass rates reflect the student’s level of knowledge and readiness to care for patients at an entry level and directly correlates to the quality of the college’s curriculum,” Angela Pierson, director of nursing at MacMurray, said. 

 A certain percentage of students passing the NCLEX-RN the first time is required for accreditation and Pierson added that these statistics are viewed by potential students as well as other nursing programs interested in knowing who is producing nurses that are prepared for today’s societal demands. 

“It is a good feeling to know that MacMurray’s nursing program surpasses the national average and ranks number one,” Pierson said. “This is accomplished with the hard work of experienced faculty who focus on each student, assuring mastery of content and an ability to pass the exam.”

RegisteredNursing.org’s methodology stems from the importance of the NCLEX-RN. This exam is used by all state boards of nursing across the United States to help assess a student's competency and is required for licensure. RegisteredNursing.org also notes that many state boards of nursing use the total overall NCLEX pass rates for a school as one of the main ways to approve a school's ability to provide a nursing education in the state. “This is why we feel the NCLEX-RN pass rates are one of the best ways to determine a nursing program's student preparedness, and that is why we decided to rank them using this method.”