McKendree University Endows Two Faculty Members with Prestigious Awards

by Tina Tebbe

Lebanon, IL (08/25/2021) — McKendree University is proud to have recently endowed two professors of the University with awards during its convocation ceremony on Wed., August 18. Provost Dr. Tami Eggleston surprised the two faculty members with the awards before first-year students signed the Matricula for the 2021-2022 year.

"There are many things that make McKendree University such a special place, but the main reason is simple - it is the people and the connections that you can make here," Dr. Eggleston said. "We celebrate a few of our amazing faculty members with these awards and know that they will hold them with pride for years."

Dr. Lauren Thompson, newly-promoted associate professor of history, was awarded the Hedding Deneen and Charles Samuel Deneen Memorial Professorship of Early American History. She teaches and conducts research on early American history with a focus on African American history, slavery and the Civil War. She recently published a book titled "Friendly Enemies: Soldier Fraternization throughout the American Civil War" and has authored other history-based pieces. Thompson serves on the University's Social Justice and Equity Committee and was the recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2019.

Dr. Brenda Boudreau, professor of English, was awarded the James M. Hammill Chair of English award, based on the approval from the Board of Trustees. Boudreau has been a full-time faculty member at the University since 1998 and is the longest serving member of the English department. She teaches courses in English literature and composition and her scholarly expertise is in media communications with a focus on pop culture and women's issues. An advocate for teaching with technology, Boudreau has published 13 articles or book chapters and has given more than 40 presentations to professional audiences. The University has honored her with the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2010, The United Methodist Exemplary Teaching Award in 2008 and the William Norman Grandy Faculty Award in 2003.