McKendree Hypes Chamberlin
President of McKendree College

Amazon US

Available from Amazon UK

WHSmith UK

Available from Bookdepository
(free int'l shipping)

The original building

1928

Girls Basketball Team 1928

His father was an itinerant Methodist preacher—a circuit rider called the "Wild Yankee" as he was from Vermont.

Rev. David Chamberlin (from an original oil painting)

His lifelong dream was to see that McKendree College a small college in his home town was properly endowed.

To fulfill his dream, after his graduation from McKendree, and a masters degree from Harvard, Dr. Chamberlin embarked on a varied and colorful career. He became a lawyer in Kansas City, and then an innovative financial advisor to the nation’s growing railroads, next becoming secretary of the Illinois Railway Commission. He developed mines in the far west, fleeing from the Apache Indians in Black Hills, and finally returning to Lebanon where he became President of McKendree College, saving it from the sheriff's hammer.

In a speech given at McKendree in1894, Dr. Chamberlin was both inspirational and prophetic: “Stanford University, great as it is, fails to have what is found in this Institution of yours—a record. … When Stanford is twenty-five years old, McKendree will be pressing hard toward the mark of a century. It [McKendree] was founded back yonder in the same year the railway system was born; before Morse had unlocked the secret whereby the world is now filled with electrified intelligence … What Harvard is to the East, McKendree should be to the west … In this electrical era, new modes of thought, as well as new modes of motion, are stimulating the minds of the public … Edison's harnessed horses of lightning, before the next decade, will place your College within 15 minutes' ride of St. Louis, the ruling queen of the great Father of Waters, and Lebanon will be its educational suburb."

Founded in 1828 and Illinois oldest college, McKendree College is now McKendree University with a 100-acre campus in Lebanon, Illinois and campuses in Louisville, Kentucky, Radcliff, Kentucky and a McKendree Center at Scott Air Force Base.

Nestled comfortably among the quiet streets and historic homes of Lebanon, Bothwell Chapel rises prominently above the outline of lush trees that dapple the campus of McKendree University. A simple, yet stately herald of higher education, the chapel stands as a symbol of the institution’s rich history and continued reputation for excellent academics.

In 1828, McKendree University was founded by the some 200 townspeople of Lebanon, Illinois making it the first college established in Illinois. Abraham Lincoln assisted with the passage of McKendree's very liberal charter.

Since that time, the classes, programs and students have evolved to fit current trends; however, one element has remained steady: McKendree’s commitment to providing students with the best education and resources needed to accomplish their goals.

Now, serving a student body of approximately 1,400 students of diverse backgrounds and nations, McKendree University offers six Bachelor degree programs in 40 major areas of study and has recently expanded its graduate school services.

McKendree now gives students the opportunity of earning a Master’s degree in Education, Professional Counseling, Business Administration and Nursing in addition to a new curriculum of off-campus courses known as AiM (Accelerated Instruction with McKendree).

Small class sizes consisting of on average 16 students to one professor allow for personal interaction and create a more effective learning environment. With a vast array of degree selections and methods of attainment, the university prides itself in the fact that 97 percent of its graduates are enrolled in additional schooling or have a full-time career within six months of graduation.

Students attending McKendree can choose to participate in any of the 20 varsity sports the university has to offer or become involved in the countless clubs designed to fit all interests. From an impressive music program to sports, McKendree provides numerous ways for students to learn from each other and give back to the community. Student volunteer work is highly encouraged by the university in the belief that public service not only benefits those with a need, but it also gives student workers a way of viewing their world from new perspectives.

For over 180 years, McKendree has played a vital role in the Lebanon community and continues to serve its students in ways that extend beyond merely the walls of a classroom.

McKendree University's 100-acre campus in Lebanon, Illinois is 25 minutes from downtown St. Louis. McKendree's Louisville, Kentucky campus is located at 10168 Linn Station Road and our Radcliff campus is located at 1635 W. Lincoln Trail Blvd., Radcliff, Kentucky.

There also is a McKendree Center at Scott Air Force Base.

When you visit our campus you will notice mature trees, beautiful grounds, and 28 buildings - several of which have been cited by the National Register for Historical Buildings. In historic Lebanon (pop. 4,000), McKendree students enjoy the security and sense of community a small town provides. In addition, McKendree students are minutes away from the bustling city of St. Louis.

Charles Dickens visited Lebanon in 1842, and wrote about it in his book, American Notes. The Mermaid Inn, at which Dickens stayed, is still standing on Lebanon's main street.