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McKendree University Receives Gift of 67-Acre Property from Alum John Bailey

by Tina Napper

Lebanon, IL (11/20/2025) — McKendree University has received the former Locust Hills Golf Course property in Lebanon, a 67.62-acre site given by alum John Bailey, a 1976 graduate. The university's Board of Trustees recently approved the acceptance of the gift, which includes three buildings on the extensive plot of land.

The university previously owned the property before selling it to Bailey in 2019. Since then, Bailey has made substantial upgrades and expansions to the facilities. Now, after years of improvements and developments, Bailey has donated the enhanced property back to the university.

The site includes three primary buildings, which the university will evaluate for future use:

  1. The Clubhouse, formerly known as the Locust Hills Pro Shop and Clubhouse, features a large kitchen and gathering spaces with offices and entertainment spaces.
  2. The Gathering Place, which was converted from the former Locust Hills golf cart shed and storage, features entertainment areas and a commercial kitchen.
  3. The Maintenance Complex features a mezzanine-style office and a large five-vehicle garage.

"We are incredibly grateful to the Bailey family for this generous gift," said Daniel C. Dobbins, president of McKendree University. "This property creates new exciting opportunities for the university as we continue advancing our mission ahead of our bicentennial. We look forward to exploring how this gift can help us accomplish our goals and continuing our efforts to be a good partner and neighbor with the City of Lebanon."

A former resident of Mascoutah, Ill., Bailey currently resides in Dallas, Texas. He earned a degree in business administration from McKendree in 1976 and became a successful real estate entrepreneur and philanthropist. A longtime member of the university's Board of Trustees and the William McKendree Society, Bailey is no stranger to giving graciously to his alma mater, including a $6 million donation in 2019 to the university's FORWARD capital campaign, which made the necessary renovations to Holman Library and Voigt Science Hall possible.

Founded in 1828, McKendree University's historic Lebanon, Ill., campus is 25 miles from St. Louis, Mo. McKendree also offers degree programs online and is one of U.S. News' 'Best Regional Universities,' 'Best Value Schools' and 'Best Colleges for Veterans' in the Midwest.

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