Adult Education Program Offers Free GED and ESL Classes for Adult Learners Posted on September 5, 2023 Lake Land College’s Adult Education program offers free GED and ESL classes with the support of funding from the ICCB Adult Education and Family Literacy grant. These classes help students age 17 or older continue their education and develop valuable employment skills. Lake Land instructors and advisors help students in these courses achieve their academic goals and prepare for successful employment by assisting with résumés and providing access to community resources. In Lake Land’s GED courses, students receive instruction, texts, online resources and practice tests to help enhance their language arts, social studies and math and science skills in preparation for GED exams. Specialized instructors are also available to provide individualized guidance to ensure all students achieve their learning goals. Lake Land also helps eliminate barriers to completion by covering the cost of two GED exams for all students who regularly attend class. Lake Land College celebrates all who pass the GED with a graduation ceremony in May. In Lake Land’s ESL classes, non-native speakers receive an introduction to the English language and develop the skills needed to function in American society. Students are immersed in the language via reading, writing, and conversational activities. Students are assessed upon their entrance into the program and are matched to a corresponding level of expertise to ensure a productive and beneficial learning experience. In both the GED and ESL courses, students begin with an orientation session, where they learn about the classes and take their first assessments. Orientations for Lake Land’s GED courses are held the first week of the month in September through November and January through April. Upon completion of the orientation, students can begin attending GED classes at one of the following locations during the Fall 2023 semester: Charleston: Eastern Illinois University, Booth Library, Room 4450 Effingham: Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology, 1204 Network Center Dr., Room 203 or 222 Marshall: Eastern Region Center, 224 S. 6th St. Mattoon: Workforce Development Center, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Room 105 Pana: Western Region Center, 600 E. 1st St. Paris: Old Paris High School, Corner of South Central and West Crawford, Entrance S6 Shelbyville: First Assembly of God, 108 S. Oak St. Sullivan: Sullivan High School, 725 N. Main St., Room 14 For Lake Land’s public ESL courses, orientations are held the second week of the month in September through November and January through April. Upon completion of the orientation, students can begin attending ESL classes in one of the following locations during the Fall 2023 semester: Arthur: Arthur Public Library, 225 S. Walnut St. Charleston: Newman Center, 500 Roosevelt Ave. Effingham: Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology, 1204 Network Center Dr. Marshall: Eastern Region Center, 224 South Sixth St. Mattoon: Workforce Development Center, 5001 Lake Land Blvd. To view the full orientation and class schedules for both the GED and ESL courses, visit https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/adult-education/. To see if these programs may be right for you or someone you know, call the Adult Education line at 217-238-8292 to speak with an Adult Education representative, or contact Shannon McGregor, director of adult and alternative education, at 217-238-8383 or at smcgregor2@lakelandcollege.edu. -30-
Lake Land Welcomes New Coordinator of Mental Health Services Posted on August 18, 2023 Lake Land College is pleased to welcome Thomas Moll as the College’s new coordinator of mental health services. With over 20 years of behavioral health experience, Moll seeks to support the success of Lake Land students by providing wellness services throughout the college. Moll is a Lake Land College alumnus, graduating in 1997 with an associate degree in human services. He then completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 2000 before attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and obtaining a master’s degree in social work in 2002. Recently, he served as a licensed clinical social worker for Family Care Associates in Effingham. “The opportunity to work at Lake Land College allows me to take everything I have learned in the behavioral health field for over 20 years and bring it back home to the place my educational journey began,” Moll said. Moll’s behavioral health services include both individual and group therapy sessions to help students navigate struggles with anxiety, depression, and many other forms of crisis. These services are available to all Lake Land students at no charge and are completely confidential. Students are welcome to access therapy services on a walk-in basis and will soon be able to schedule appointments through a student app called Navigate. “We are fortunate to have someone of Tom’s experience at Lake Land College to serve as a resource to help students with their wellness challenges on their pathway to success,” said Vice President for Student Services Valerie Lynch. Moll’s position is part of Lake Land’s new Student Wellness Center, which also includes nursing services, the Laker Food Pantry and the Active Minds student peer to peer club. These services help ensure that Lake Land students are safe, healthy and empowered to pursue their personal and academic goals. All health services are available in room 512 of the Luther Student Center. Complementing these services is Lake Land’s partnership with TimelyCare, a web-based platform that offers 24/7 access to wellness resources. All Lake Land students can receive up to six free virtual treatment sessions through the TimelyCare platform. Students also have free access to a meditation and relaxation app called Calm. To learn more about Lake Land’s Student Wellness Center and available mental health resources, contact Moll at tmoll@lakelandcollege.edu or Lake Land Counseling Services by email at counsel@lakelandcollege.edu or by phone at 217-234-5232. -30-
Three Lake Land Students Selected to Receive GROWMARK Scholarships Posted on Mattoon, IL – Fifty-five students have been selected to receive scholarships totaling $2,000 each through the GROWMARK Foundation. More than 500 students from across the United States and Ontario, Canada, applied for the scholarships. Students who received the scholarships will have those funds available for the fall 2023 semester. We are pleased to announce that Kaylee Blackford, Alexanndria Osborne, and Anna Webel from Lake Land College have been chosen to receive a $2,000 scholarship. “At GROWMARK, we recognize the value of investing in students pursuing careers in agriculture or business-related fields. By doing so, we not only assist students in achieving their academic goals but also cultivate a potential future workforce for GROWMARK and FS member cooperatives,” Mark Orr, CEO of GROWMARK, Inc. The GROWMARK Foundation was formally incorporated in 2005 and supports 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organizations. The Foundation is focused on programs and activities which support: the vitality of the industry of agriculture; agriculture education and consumer understanding of agriculture’s contributions to society and the economy; agricultural leadership development; and education about the benefits of the cooperative way of doing business. The GROWMARK System has been involved in a variety of philanthropic efforts, including youth and young leader education and development and scholarships, for decades. More information is available at GROWMARK.com. -30-
Community Education Program Provides Classes and Events for Local Community Members Posted on Lake Land College is excited to invest in the strength and development of its local communities with a rebuilt Community Education Program and new class offerings. Lake Land Community Education offers classes in knitting and food sanitation. The knitting course is designed for beginners and will be held from 6-8 p.m. on September 13, 20 and 27. The course costs $75, which includes all three class sessions and knitting supplies. The three class sessions will all be held in room 102 of Lake Land’s Workforce Development Center. The food sanitation class will be held on September 22 from 4-8 p.m. and September 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The course costs $125, which includes both class sessions and a voucher to take the Food Sanitation Exam. Only 12 total spots are available for the course, so interested students are encouraged to register early. Both class sessions will be held in room 105 of the Workforce Development Center. Lake Land’s Community Education program also provides testing for individuals to become qualified paraprofessional teacher’s aides. Testing preparation and examinations are available year-round by appointment only. Initial exams cost $135 and retakes cost $50. The Community Education program also offers unique opportunities for senior citizens. Through the program, Lake Land organizes monthly day trip events for seniors to visit locations such as the Shelbyville Hot Air Balloon Festival, Aikman Wildlife Park, the Effingham Performance Center and more. The first of such events will be held on August 25, with seniors visiting the Golden Nugget Casino in Danville. This event is capped at 12 seniors and will cost $35. The program is also working to develop numerous classes in topics such as dancing, cake baking and decorating, art, community growth and much more. Individuals are also welcome to make requests and suggestions for future classes that would interest themselves and their fellow community members. To learn more, contact Community and Professional Programs Coordinator Shelly Martin by email at smartin2@lakelandcollege.edu or by phone at 217-234-5087. To register for any of the currently available classes, tests or events, contact Martin or visit www.lakelandcollege.edu/learn. -30-
Lake Land College Summer 2023 Graduates Announced Posted on August 14, 2023 Lake Land College is pleased to announce the students who have graduated following completion of the Summer 2023 term. The 2023 Summer graduates are: First Name Last Name City Degree Program Title Melani Baxter Montrose Associate in Applied Science Medical Assistant Blake Bryant Mt. Pulaski Associate in Applied Science John Deere Tech Emily Carl Greenup Associate in Applied Science Marketing Karina Davis Mattoon Associate in Applied Science Medical Assistant Cailen Drum Casey Associate in Applied Science Human Services – Psychology Grace Durre Effingham Associate in Applied Science Medical Assistant Zeke Fox Chesapeake Associate in Applied Science Marketing Elijah Garwood Paris Associate in Applied Science Broadcast Communication Conner Grant Owaneco Associate in Applied Science Agriculture Business & Supply Brendon Groves Neoga Associate in Applied Science IT-Network Administration William Hite Yale Associate in Applied Science Management Emma Johns Arcola Associate in Applied Science Medical Assistant Cole Johnston Merrill Associate in Applied Science Agriculture Production & Management Heather Ladeira Paris Associate in Applied Science Management Kristen Morgan Martinsville Associate in Applied Science Human Services – Psychology Megan Nichols Mode Associate in Applied Science Marketing Eric Paradee Moweaqua Associate in Applied Science Law Enforcement Cassi Payne Brownstown Associate in Applied Science Agriculture Business & Supply Hunter Shelite Pana Associate in Applied Science Management Kristen Stout Casey Associate in Applied Science Medical Coding & Health Information Boyd Turnbow Mattoon Associate in Applied Science IT-Network Administration Zachary Will Charleston Associate in Applied Science Electronic Systems Technology Abigale Woodall Charleston Associate in Applied Science Medical Assistant Seth Bartimus Bethany Associate in Arts Psychology Patience Beever Charleston Associate in Arts Art Sid Boyars Paris Associate in Arts Criminal Justice Arnardo Camacho Bronx Associate in Arts Physical Education Shania Cornell Effingham Associate in Arts Business Chloe Custis Greencastle Associate in Arts Business Kennedy Czyzewski Louisville Associate in Arts Sociology/Social Work Lukus Donaldson Dieterich Associate in Arts Business Mackenzie Florida Altamont Associate in Arts Early Childhood Education Carson Foley Marshall Associate in Arts Agriculture Transfer Emma Haywood Indianapolis Associate in Arts Early Childhood Education Emily Hicks Bingham Associate in Arts Elementary Education Victoria Iler Neoga Associate in Arts Elementary Education Tyson Jones Edgewood Associate in Arts Business Maggie Kelly Windsor Associate in Arts Pre-Veterinary Medicine Ryleigh Kercheval Mattoon Associate in Arts Business Haley Kramer Savoy Associate in Arts Business Olivia Lanman Mattoon Associate in Arts Psychology Brayden Lynch Charleston Associate in Arts Undecided Jayden Macklin Mason Associate in Arts History Cyra Miller Shelbyville Associate in Arts Sociology/Social Work Savannah Morrissey Effingham Associate in Arts Business Brittany Mosley Mattoon Associate in Arts Psychology Caitlyn Onigkeit Mattoon Associate in Arts Art Alex Petitjean Newton Associate in Arts Business Ian Plank Sullivan Associate in Arts Business Hayvin Prather Edwardsville Associate in Arts Business Lauren Repp Casey Associate in Arts Liberal Arts Mackinzee Reynolds Shelbyville Associate in Arts Business Jacey Roberts Casey Associate in Arts Liberal Arts Nellie Schout Charleston Associate in Arts Business William Unkraut Effingham Associate in Arts Liberal Arts Cole Webster Chrisman Associate in Arts Agriculture Transfer Paige Wendling Altamont Associate in Arts Elementary Education Olivia Williams Altamont Associate in Arts Elementary Education Xylia Greeson Mattoon Associate In Engineering Science Jon Filipkowski Fort Pierce Associate In Liberal Studies Joshua Ramage Mattoon Associate in Science Other Major Reese Wagoner Paris Associate in Science Pre-Engineering Kalea Yagow Saint Elmo Associate in Science Environmental Science Nathalie Angel Effingham Certificate Practical Nursing Savanna Barnes Effingham Certificate Esthetics Melani Baxter Montrose Certificate Medical Assistant Isaiah Beltran Mattoon Certificate Entrepreneurship Devin Bennett Charleston Certificate Cosmetology Cassandra Bickel Mattoon Certificate Practical Nursing Chayli Blackwell Pana Certificate Cosmetology Jodee Brookins Charleston Certificate Practical Nursing Anastaicia Brown Newman Certificate Cosmetology Emily Carl Greenup Certificate Business Development Emily Carl Greenup Certificate Marketing Emily Carl Greenup Certificate Professional Sales Megan Carver Sullivan Certificate Practical Nursing Derek Clark Charleston Certificate Industrial Maintenance Summer Combs Altamont Certificate Cosmetology Tyson Craig Nokomis Certificate Diesel & Ag Power Technology Randall Curry Neoga Certificate Programmable Logic Controllers Karina Davis Mattoon Certificate Medical Assistant Cassandra Diener Lovington Certificate Cosmetology Nicole Dixon Brocton Certificate Practical Nursing Lorena Doty Beecher City Certificate Cosmetology Riley Douthit Effingham Certificate Practical Nursing Grace Durre Effingham Certificate Medical Assistant Vanessa Dyer Mattoon Certificate Practical Nursing Chloe Earp Mattoon Certificate Practical Nursing Kelsey Fletcher Montrose Certificate Practical Nursing Trista Foor Shelbyville Certificate Medical Assistant Zeke Fox Chesapeake Certificate Business Development Zeke Fox Chesapeake Certificate Professional Sales Zeke Fox Chesapeake Certificate Marketing Minnie Gadison Decatur Certificate Practical Nursing Danielle Goldsborough Altamont Certificate Practical Nursing Shyanne Gouchenouer Edgewood Certificate Practical Nursing Natalee Gough Kansas Certificate Esthetics Crystal Hall Neoga Certificate Practical Nursing James Hall Neoga Certificate Practical Nursing Delaney Hand Fillmore Certificate Cosmetology Taylor Hawbaker Shelbyville Certificate Practical Nursing Kambri Hinds Charleston Certificate Cosmetology Teacher William Hite Yale Certificate Entrepreneurship William Hite Yale Certificate Management William Hite Yale Certificate Business Development William Hite Yale Certificate Professional Sales William Hite Yale Certificate Marketing Madeline Horath Mattoon Certificate Esthetics Bionca Howe Flora Certificate Esthetics Tammie Hudson Charleston Certificate Practical Nursing Winter Huffman Neoga Certificate Esthetics Mackenzie Hutchings Paris Certificate Esthetics Madison Inman Ashmore Certificate Practical Nursing Emma Johns Arcola Certificate Medical Assistant Tasha Johnston Mattoon Certificate Practical Nursing Cole Johnston Merrill Certificate Crop Production Sadie Keller Shelbyville Certificate Medical Assistant Hayley Kroening Mattoon Certificate Esthetics Heather Ladeira Paris Certificate Management Jennifer Lang casey Certificate Practical Nursing Presten Lasky Charleston Certificate Medical Assistant Stevie Lasswell Charleston Certificate Practical Nursing Marissa Lawson Paris Certificate Cosmetology Joline Matheson Sullivan Certificate Medical Assistant Ramey Maynard Dennison Certificate Medical Assistant Jami McConnaha Humboldt Certificate Practical Nursing Bliss Mead Mattoon Certificate Practical Nursing Victoria Morgan Lovington Certificate Medical Assistant Savannah Morrissey Effingham Certificate Esthetics Shelby Musselman Neoga Certificate Practical Nursing Megan Nichols Mode Certificate Entrepreneurship Megan Nichols Mode Certificate Marketing Erin Oliver Charleston Certificate Practical Nursing Janice Parkhill Shelbyville Certificate Medical Assistant Cassi Payne Brownstown Certificate Ag Business Abigail Pettry Tuscola Certificate Cosmetology Danielle Pitts Charleston Certificate Esthetics Leah Pontious Mason Certificate Cosmetology Alicia Quick Shelbyville Certificate Medical Assistant Gracie Ray Mattoon Certificate Practical Nursing Logan Reardon Effingham Certificate Crop Production Elizabeth Reyes West Des Moines Certificate Medical Coding Specialist Elizabeth Rose Kansas Certificate Practical Nursing Evelynna Rudibaugh Charleston Certificate Geospatial Technology Hannah Saril Tuscola Certificate Practical Nursing Hunter Shelite Pana Certificate Management Hunter Shelite Pana Certificate Business Development Hunter Shelite Pana Certificate Professional Sales Hunter Shelite Pana Certificate Marketing Sarah Springman Bethany Certificate Medical Assistant Kristen Stout Casey Certificate Medical Coding Specialist John Walls Beecher City Certificate Auto Mechanic I Larissa Wellbaum Greenup Certificate Cosmetology Lauran Wendt Teutopolis Certificate Cosmetology Abigale Woodall Charleston Certificate Medical Assistant Elise Wright Newton Certificate Cosmetology -30-
Laker Volleyball Holding Open Tryouts Posted on August 10, 2023 Lake Land College will be holding open tryout sessions for the Laker volleyball team on Wednesday, August 16 and Friday, August 25. Both sessions will be held in the Laker Field House gymnasium from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Lake Land students interested in joining the volleyball team are welcome to showcase their abilities at either tryout session. Students can register to attend the session of their choice at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScc6hyqwVtVo7NH1OiH8x8hz4Fgf0VHJdDGXzz0CYq6b4ndZA/viewform All students trying out are required to bring a current physical with them to the session they attend. Anyone interested in trying out but unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions can contact Head Volleyball Coach Lainey Jackson by phone at 217-234-5296 or by email at ljackson7215@lakelandcollege.edu for alternate arrangements. For more information, please contact Coach Jackson or Field House Administrative Assistant Meredith Perez by email at mperez2@lakelandcollege.edu or by phone at 217-234-5333. -30-
Foundation to Host Golf Classic on September 29 Posted on August 8, 2023 The Lake Land College Foundation will host its annual Golf Classic on Friday, September 29, at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club. The golf outing will be played in the popular four-man scramble format, with registration and lunch for golfers beginning at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Golfers can register as a team of four or individually. Individual players are encouraged to sign up, as all players will be placed on a team. Entries for Friday’s outing are limited to the first 144 golfers. The entry fee is $125 per golfer or $500 per team of four. Lunch, 18-holes, cart and refreshments are included. All proceeds assist the Lake Land College Foundation in building relationships that will support and enhance the educational opportunities and services to students through financial support from alumni and friends. The outing is made possible by the support of the event’s sponsors. Confirmed sponsors at this time are Consolidated Communications, Planning Design Studio, Martin Hood LLC, Patterson Technology, Prudential, Diamond Bros. Insurance, Heartland Dental, Sherri Branson – State Farm Insurance Agent, Grunloh Construction, Inc., IBEW 146, and SC3F Wealth Management. Teams or individuals can sign up through the Lake Land College Foundation at lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/golf or by contacting Amanda Allen at 217-234-5376 or atucker1563@lakelandcollege.edu. All mail entries should be sent to Lake Land College Foundation, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, IL 61938. -30-
Medical Assistant Graduates Honored at Pinning Ceremony Posted on August 3, 2023 Lake Land College honored the Summer 2023 Medical Assistant Program graduates at an annual pinning ceremony. The Clinical Excellence Award was presented to Karina Davis, Mattoon. The award for Overall Most Improved Student was presented to Sadie Keller, Shelbyville, and Presten Lasky, Charleston. The Outstanding Student Achievement award was presented to Sarah Springman, Bethany, and Abigale Woodall, Charleston. The following graduates received pins at the ceremony: Graduate Hometown Melani Baxter Montrose, IL Karina Davis Mattoon, IL Grace Durre Effingham, IL Trista Foor Shelbyville, IL Emma Johns Arcola, IL Sadie Keller Shelbyville, IL Presten Lasky Charleston, IL Joline Matheson Sullivan, IL Ramey Maynard Dennison, IL Victoria Morgan Lovington, IL Janice Parkhill Shelbyville, IL Alicia Quick Shelbyville, IL Sarah Springman Bethany, IL Abigale Woodall Charleston, IL -30-
Practical Nursing Graduates Honored at Pinning Ceremony Posted on Graduating nurses received their pins at the Summer 2023 Lake Land College Practical Nursing pinning ceremony. The Practical Nursing Program Peer Awards were presented to Danielle Goldsborough, Altamont, and Stevie Lasswell, Charleston, for their excellence in helping others and demonstrating professionalism in both classroom and clinical settings. The Clinical Excellence Award was presented to Minnie Gadison, Decatur, for displaying clinical excellence and confident professionalism throughout the Practical Nursing Program. The Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Nursing Award was presented to Kelsey Fletcher, Montrose. Voted on by faculty, this award is presented to a graduating student who is considered to be the all-around best student in the class. The recipient of this award must demonstrate professionalism, responsibility, compassion and dedication while possessing the technical skills, knowledge base and composure to navigate the most difficult situations. The following students received pins at the ceremony: Lake Land Campus Graduates Name Hometown Cassandra Bickel Greenup, IL Jodee Brookins Charleston, IL Megan Carver Sullivan, IL Nicole Dixon Brocton, IL Riley Douthit Effingham, IL Chloe Earp Mattoon, IL Minnie Gadison Decatur, IL Jacob Habing Teutopolis, IL Tammie Hudson Charleston, IL Madison Inman Ashmore, IL Tasha Johnston Pana, IL Jennifer Lang Charleston, IL Stevie Lasswell Charleston, IL Jami McConnaha Mattoon, IL Bliss Mead Mattoon, IL Erin Oliver Charleston, IL Elizabeth Rose Kansas, IL Chelsey Rouleau Saint Elmo, IL Hannah Saril Tuscola, IL Kelsey Stark Charleston, IL Kluthe Center Graduates Name Hometown Bailey Allsop Bethany, IL Nathalie Angel Effingham, IL Vanessa Dyer Mattoon, IL Shelby Edwards Pana, IL Haley Evans Beecher City, IL Kelsey Fletcher Montrose, IL Adriana Garza Aleman Arcola, IL Danielle Goldsborough Altamont, IL Shyanne Gouchenouer Edgewood, IL Crystal Hall Neoga, IL James Hall Effingham, IL Taylor Hawbaker Shelbyville, IL Stormy Judson Greenup, IL Mackenzie Koester Effingham, IL Cairra Leasher Edgewood, IL Emma Maulding Casey, IL Wesley Motley Kansas, IL Shelby Musselman Noblesville, IN Kelsey Neihls Effingham, IL Destiny Ragan Shelbyville, IL Gracie Ray Mattoon, IL Madysen Sharp Maroa, IL Ella Shuler Effingham, IL -30-
Fall 2023 Registration Giveaway Posted on August 1, 2023 Kick off the fall the semester with a chance to win a 3-credit hour tuition waiver or a brand new swag bag from the Laker Nest Bookstore! To be eligible for the drawing, you must register for at least one Fall 2023 Lake Land College class by midnight on August 17! Already registered? You’re in luck! You will be automatically entered into the drawing! If you’re ready to register and need any help, contact Counseling Services at 217-234-5232 or counsel@lakelandcollege.edu. If you’re a new student, go to https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/enroll/ to get started. You’ll receive information on your next steps and how to register. And, just in case that isn’t exciting enough, all winners will be announced LIVE on Facebook! Be sure to tune in at https://www.facebook.com/lakelandcollege/ on August 18 at 2 p.m. to catch the livestream and see if you are one of many lucky winners! -30-