Laker Nation News

The Lake Land College Women’s Basketball Team celebrated the first NCJAA Division II National Championship victory in the school’s history during a recognition event in the Field House on campus Friday evening.

The team earned the national title at the championship game April 24 where the Lakers won against the Johnson County Cavaliers with a score of 53-49 in Hickory, North Carolina.

The team qualified for the national tournament last year, but the event was cancelled due to the pandemic. With 10 sophomores on the team, Head Coach Dave Johnson said missing out on last year’s tournament only fueled the team’s motivation to win this year.

“From day one we said ‘We’re getting back’,” Johnson said. “They just kind of willed their way to win. We were down five in the fourth quarter. We called time out. Everyone was calm and they just went out and did it.”

Finishing the season with a 25-2 overall record, the Lakers achieved a 16-game win streak to close out the season including the national championship game.

“We knew this could be the year we would bring home a Laker championship,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “As a college community, we are so proud of our Women’s Basketball Team for working so long and so hard to make this victory possible.”

During the event, the college revealed a new permanent national championship banner that honors the team.

Harley Barry, Shiloh, was voted Most Valuable Player, and Kamaria Gant, Bloomington, earned 2nd Team All-American. Johnson also earned the Coach of the Tournament Award at the national championship game, and was named NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year.

The members of the Lake Land College Women’s Basketball Team include freshmen Karrington Krabel, Paris; Olivia Niemerg, Teutopolis and Avery Still, Sullivan and sophomores Barry, Gant, Joanna Schultz, Altamont; Tresior Newson, Normal West; Abigayle Weis, Effingham; Jaelynn Riggleman, Casey-Westfield; Shania Schoonover, Pana; Josie Orris, Sullivan; Elizabeth Buescher, Charleston and Mikayla Sirjord, Ulen-Hitterdal, MN.

For the latest Laker Athletics information and updates, follow @LLCAthletics on Facebook and Twitter.

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Lake Land College held a virtual Student Recognition Event via Zoom April 28 to recognize several students for their achievements in the classroom and beyond. Interim Director of Student Life Dave Seiler hosted the event with faculty and staff offering praise for the outstanding student leaders.

Lake Land College President Josh Bullock began the event with a few words of congratulations and appreciation to the students.

“The strength in Lake Land College truly lies in our students,” Bullock said in his remarks. “It lies in the quality and commitment of our students to their educational journey and their learning process.”

Interim Vice President for Student Service Valerie Lynch also expressed her gratitude to the students at the event, saying though the event was done in a different modality, the sentiment remained the same.

“We really want to recognize the amazing work that all of the student leaders do,” Lynch said. “Even students who maybe haven’t had a lot of time on campus-they’ve chosen to be involved, and that’s what is most important.”

Every year faculty from each of the seven divisions select one student to earn an Outstanding Student Award from the Lake Land College Faculty Association. The award recipient receives a certificate and a reward of $200.

The Agriculture Division Outstanding Student Award recipient was Hannah Tappendorf, Altamont. As an Agriculture Transfer major, Tappendorf will be transferring to the University of Illinois in May. Not only did Tappendorf excel in the Agriculture Division, she got involved at Lake Land as a Student Ambassador and served as a student representative on the Foundation Board.

“Hannah has been a great student in the classroom,” Division Chair Agriculture/Agriculture Instructor Ryan Orrick said. “She has a very pleasant demeanor, and she is very talented and responsible. Anything she does is very professional and outgoing.”

Haleigh Miller, Mattoon, earned the Outstanding Student Award for the Business Division. Having begun the Cosmetology program in August 2020, Miller had to adjust to hybrid learning from the start. She did so exceedingly well and, after graduating from the Cosmetology program in August 2021, plans to continue at Lake Land to earn an associate degree in Business Management.

“Haleigh is a very dedicated student who, when given tasks, is able to excel and complete additional projects,” Cosmetology Instructor/Director of Cosmetology Peggy Strange said. “Haleigh is always willing to work with clients in the student clinic with professionalism and excellent technical skills.”

For the Math & Science Division, Lucas Duduit, Pana, was the Outstanding Student Award recipient. Duduit will be transferring to Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois in May. During his time at Lake Land, Duduit served as Student Trustee on the Lake Land College Board of Trustees, PTK president, a Student Ambassador and a member of the Student Government Association.

The Lake Land College Cabinet members also recognized and thanked Duduit for his time as Student Trustee to the Board of Trustees.

“Lucas has been extremely involved in extracurricular leadership,” Mathematics Instructor Bambi Jones said. “He was an excellent student and hard worker. He also had a thirst for knowledge that went far beyond the classroom.”

Seth Bohnhoff, Dieterich, earned the Outstanding Student Award for the Humanities & Communications Division. Bohnhoff frequented Lake Land’s radio station, WLKL 98.9 FM, reporting on sporting events. After completing his time at Lake Land, Bohnhoff plans to transfer to a four-year university to major in meteorology.

“It was a pleasure to get to know Seth,” Speech Communication/Broadcasting Instructor/Broadcast Operations Director Greg Powers said. “On behalf of the Humanities and Communications Division Seth comes highly recommended and we wish him all the best.”

In the Social Science & Education Division, the Outstanding Student Award went to PTK Treasurer Rachel Buening, Effingham. Buening is majoring in elementary education and will be transferring to Eastern Illinois University in the fall after graduating with full honors from Lake Land.

“Rachel was very eager to participate and offer her opinions in class,” Division Chair Social Science/Education/Psychology Instructor Charlie Jarrell said. “She also took my online class where she continued to give fantastic answers to any question that I asked.”

The Allied Health Division Outstanding Student Award recipient was Fatima Viramontes, Farina. Graduating from the Dental Hygiene program in August, Viramontes has demonstrated her ability to provide strong leadership and performance under pressure during her time as a student. She has also been able to provide communication assistance in the clinic as she is bilingual.

“Fatima is a really stand-out student,” Division Chair Allied Health/Nursing Instructor Erin Swingler said. “She holds very high academic standards for herself, submitting stellar assignments in many different forms.”

For the Technology Division, Steve Clinard, Mattoon, earned the Outstanding Student Award. As a non-traditional student, Clinard returned to school after a career in the technology industry. With a great deal of attention to detail and his questions about procedure and results, Clinard made an impression on his instructors and fellow students.

“I witnessed firsthand Steve’s exceptionally earnest efforts in striving for academic excellence,” Renewable Energy Instructor/Program Coordinator Joe Tillman said. “His struggles to meet the various challenges faced by many non-traditional students, his joy when the challenges were successfully met, and the humility and kindness he showed to fellow students in need are the things I will remember most.”

Buening also earned the Outstanding Honors Student title alongside PTK Secretary Macy Vogt, Teutopolis, Vogt will also be transferring to Eastern Illinois University in the fall to major in exercise science. As well as being active in Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society (PTK), both students were Presidential Scholars and achieved full status honors via the Honors Program courses.

“Macy was such a dedicated student and I saw tremendous growth in her throughout the time she was in my class,” Lotz said. “I cannot say enough nice things about her. She was fantastic.”

The Student Government Association was also recognized at the event, including SGA President Caralee Hayes, Effingham; Vice President Cassie Peters, Crescent City; Public Information Officer Calandra Donley, Linton, IN and Secretary Kambelle Ashmore, Mattoon.

Student Life Specialist Dustyn Fatheree also recognized The Navigator News staff including Editor-in-Chief Madelyn Kidd, Neoga; Layout and Design Editor Breanna Moore, Mattoon; Copy Editor Samantha Stokes, Ramsy; as well as photographers and reporters on the staff.

For the Student Activity Board, Chair Wyatt Zumbahlen, Newton, and Vice Chair Kierstin Clark, Newton, were recognized for their leadership.

The Student Ambassadors chose Kailynn Bobbett, Findley, as the Outstanding Student Ambassador. The six other members include Bloemer, Duduit, Tappendorf, Bobbett, Makenna Green, Arthur, Katherine Smith, Marion and Emmalynn Walk, Neoga. The seven ambassadors for the 2020-21 school year returned from the previous year when COVID-19 prevented the selection of new ambassadors.

Seiler closed with a thank you to the attendees and the students honored.

“Thank you to all the Lake Land College students,” Seiler said. “We are here because of you.”

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C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation Youth Program is designed to help teens and young adults develop a career path or find employment through training and job search assistance.

The services are available to young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 who meet eligibility requirements and need assistance in paying for college, finding a job, earning a GED, paying for transportation, paying for childcare or many other areas of need.

C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation Youth Program offers paid college tuition, books, and fees, paid work experience, GED and tutoring, leadership skills, career guidance, financial literacy training, mentoring, resume development and supportive services such as required tools, uniforms, transportation, childcare and more.

C.E.F.S Economic Opportunity Corporation is a partner of American Job Centers, Illinois WorkNet Centers and also works in partnership with Lake Land College.

The WIOA Youth Services program offers many areas of assistance as well, including access to job fairs and recruitment opportunities, part-time and full-time jobs, paid work experience, resume assistance, on-the-job training, vocational training programs, assistance with obtaining high school diploma/GED, supportive services such as transportation, child care, uniforms and tools and learning career development skills.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities at Illinois workNet Centers, and funding is provided in whole or in part by the Department of Commerce.

Counseling services are also available including career and college advice, tutoring, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) assistance and referral to other community services.

With centers in Effingham, Centralia, Mattoon, Robinson and Vandalia, the programs have career planners available to assist with education, career and future planning.

For more information, or to check eligibility, visit cefseoc.org or contact C.E.F.S. at 217-279-0371 or cefs@cefseoc.org.

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The newly updated speech and radio/TV programs are now housed together under a new Communication Studies department, designed to facilitate students’ pathways to success in this in-demand career field.

“I have discovered so many different job opportunities people have because of a Communication Studies degree,” Salisa Hortenstine Olmsted, division chair Humanities & Communications/Communication Studies/English instructor, said. “This is why we want to focus our courses now on COM, so students can recognize this and say ‘Wow, I can do a lot with that major’.”

All speech classes and radio/TV broadcasting classes are now indicated with a prefix of “COM” versus the previous “SPE” and “RTV” prefixes respectively.

Communication Studies Instructor Eva Ritchey said one advantage of the new prefix is that it will decrease the likelihood of misunderstandings about content and majors. Under the divided prefixes, she said some students misinterpreted the content of a course or what someone was studying based on the designation of the courses the student was taking.

“I think the communication prefix is going to be so helpful,” Ritchey said. “It really encompasses what we teach and will hopefully eliminate some confusion.”

Another lasting benefit of making the shift to the new prefix is the adaptation to a more modern understanding of the Communication field of study.

“Communication study has never been more important in our world,” Communication Studies Instructor Ed Thomas said. “As devices occupy more and more space in our lives, people are messaging more than ever. Communication study helps give messages context, and allows us to see how those messages and devices affect humanity.”

With communication being an important factor in many career fields, Communication Studies gives students opportunities to succeed in several areas. Social media, television, writing and many other career areas rely on strong communication skills to accomplish tasks and goals.

“The change puts us on a more even playing field with other institutions,” Speech Communication Studies/Broadcasting Instructor Greg Powers said. “The opportunities students have in Communications and Humanities here at Lake Land College are second to none when it comes to community colleges and even many four-year institutions.”

To learn more about communications opportunities at Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu/guided-pathways and explore Humanities and Social Science.

Lake Land College named PTK Treasurer Rachel Buening, Effingham, and PTK Secretary Macy Vogt, Teutopolis, as 2020-2021 Outstanding Honors Students. Both recipients were honored at the virtual Student Recognition Banquet April 28.

As well as being active in Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society (PTK), both students were Presidential Scholars and achieved full status honors via the Honors Program courses. PTK, the Honors Program and Presidential Scholars are the three components included in the Lake Land College Honors Experience.

Buening is majoring in elementary education and will be transferring to Eastern Illinois University in the fall. She said her goal as an educator is to make a difference in all of her students’ lives.

“I was lucky enough to have so many teachers that were very influential and kind to me,” Buening said. “I would love to do the very same for other students in the future as all we need sometimes in life is for someone to have a little faith in us.”

Buening’s hard work and dedication also caught the attention of her instructors.

“Rachel has an inquisitive nature and a drive to jump into topics and critically think,” Psychology Instructor Lara Bacino-Althaus said. “She had excellent questions and comments in class.”

Sociology Instructor Katie Parrish echoed Bacino-Althaus’ sentiments, saying Buening was an excellent student who participated well in the class.

“She never hesitated to reach out to me anytime she had a question or wanted additional help,” Parrish said. “Additionally, she went above and beyond for the honors project about the Underground Railroad Museum.”

Buening likewise spoke highly of the honors faculty members, saying the best part of the honors courses was the faculty who taught them.

“The faculty members were all very dedicated to their work and had coursework and setups that were engaging and concise,” Buening said. “I truly feel that the faculty in the honors program are what makes it so amazing!”

Because of her participation in the honors program, Buening said she was able to test and strengthen her skills by collaborating with other honors students.

“I really enjoyed the extra challenge and discussion that was incorporated into the honors program as it pushed me to work even harder in my honors classes,” Buening said. “I definitely feel that participating in the honors program helped me to become a better student by giving me the opportunity to collaborate with other students and have more one-on-one communications with my professors.”

Vogt will also be transferring to Eastern Illinois University in the fall to major in exercise science. She said she plans to continue her education after earning a bachelor’s degree, and she hopes to use creative and effective treatment plans in her career to help her future patients gain full recovery, independence and strength to perform everyday activities.

Vogt offered her gratitude to several honors faculty members, complimenting in instructors’ passion and effort for the students.

“The honors faculty at LLC are key to making the program so special,” Vogt said. “The instructors are passionate about what they teach, and they make an effort to ensure that students understand the material. I had the pleasure of learning from Lara Bacino-Althaus, Ed Thomas, Katie Lotz and Katie Parrish. My advisor Krista Burrell has always provided advice and opportunities that allowed me to grow as a person.”

Instructors reciprocated Vogt’s sentiments, many complimenting her excellence and effort.

“Macy excelled in my classes and has shown that she puts forth a great effort in her academic and course work,” Parrish said.

Economics Instructor Katie Lotz praised Vogt’s dedication and progress in her class work and development.

“Macy was such a dedicated student and I saw tremendous growth in her throughout the time she was in my class,” Lotz said. “I cannot say enough nice things about her.  She was fantastic.”

Communication Studies Instructor Ed Thomas also complimented Vogt’s merit in class.

“Macy is an exceptional student,” Thomas said. “She was always professional and completed the coursework with excellence.”

The Honors Experience at Lake Land College has been so influential in my community college experience,” Vogt said. “The best connections I’ve made with other students and faculty have been a direct result of getting involved in the honors program.”