McKendree University, formerly known as McKendree College, is a private liberal arts college located in Lebanon, Illinois. The area is a part of the Metro-East region of Greater St. Louis. Founded in 1828 as the Lebanon Seminary, it is the oldest college in Illinois. McKendree enrolls approximately 2,000 undergraduates and nearly 1000 graduate students and remains affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The school changed its name to McKendree University beginning with the 2007-08 academic year. McKendree University comprises McKendree College, a School of Business, a School of Health Professions and a School of Education. Established by pioneer Methodists, McKendree is the oldest university in the state and continues to have ties to the United Methodist Church. First called Lebanon Seminary, the school opened in two rented sheds for 72 students in 1828 under Edward Raymond Ames. In 1830, Bishop William McKendree, the first American-born bishop of the Methodist church, permitted the Board of Trustees to change the institution's name to McKendree College. Later Bishop McKendree deeded 480 acres (1.9 km²) of land in Shiloh, Illinois to endow the college.