Anita Gentry Receives President's Award for Professional Excellence
Lebanon, IL (06/13/2024) — Anita Gentry, assistant director of undergraduate admission and transfer counselor at McKendree University, has recently been awarded the President's Award for Professional Excellence. The winner of this award shines as an ideal example of an ambassador of McKendree University who is respected by the entire campus community. They take on many roles outside of their primary duties and responsibilities and epitomize the One McKendree spirit through their leadership and outstanding service to the university.
A resident of Breese, Ill., Gentry began working at McKendree in 2016 as an undergraduate admission counselor and then became a transfer counselor in 2021. She also serves as a transfer advocate, assisting students as they navigate the college search and admission process and finding and removing barriers that prevent them from learning and succeeding. Additionally, she oversees the Office of Admission Student Ambassador program and the campus's tour guides.
Gentry's nominators have noted that she "bleeds purple" and sets a great example for the admission counselors. She is a true ambassador of the university, and her efforts have resulted in a significant increase in the number of successful transfers to McKendree. She is involved in Private Illinois Colleges and Universities (PICU) and is on the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling (IACAC) Transfer Advisory Committee. Additionally, she is a member of Tau Sigma, the academic honor society for transfer students.
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Anita Gentry, left, receives the President's Award for Professional Excellence from President Daniel C. Dobbins '81, right.