Laker Nation News

Lake Land College will offer an eight-week Welding Fundamentals (WEL – 057) course beginning Saturday, Jan. 11. The class will meet every Saturday from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on campus in Mattoon.

Basic welding processes including oxy-acetylene welding, arc welding, cutting and brazing will be covered within the course.

The condensed course has a cap of 12 students and will run eight weeks. The course is open to the public. Regular tuition and fees apply.

For more information, contact John Gentry, welding instructor, at 217-234-5065 or jgentry@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) officials met recently and renewed a partnership that provides an accelerated, seamless path to a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the SIUE School of Nursing.

Lake Land College President Dr. Josh Bullock, SIUE Chancellor Randy Pembrook, SIUE Dean of Nursing Laura Bernaix and Associate Dean Roberta Harrison discussed further initiatives regarding nursing educational opportunities.

Lake Land nursing students interested in the partnership option are dually enrolled in the SIUE program their second year at Lake Land and can take several co-requisites and general education courses at Lake Land. Once students successfully complete the Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) program at Lake Land College and obtain licensure as a registered nurse (RN), students may progress through the remaining RN to BS nursing courses through the SIUE online program.

“We know so many of our nursing graduates find employment in their hometowns and have limited options to complete a bachelor’s degree. This partnership eliminates geographic boundaries and provides a seamless opportunity for students to complete their goals,” Cheryl Beam, nursing instructor/director nursing programs, said.

“Our partnership with Lake Land College demonstrates our mutual dedication to ensuring lifelong learning for our students and our commitment to preparing the nursing workforce for the region and beyond,” said Dr. Laura Bernaix, dean of the SIUE School of Nursing.

The partnership provides students with the opportunity to advance their careers in the nursing field while simultaneously saving money and gaining valuable work experience along the way.

Kaylee Nottmeyer, Mattoon, Laker Nation Class of 2019, described her experience transitioning from Lake Land College to SIUE as effortless.

“I am currently working as a full-time RN at Sarah Bush Lincoln in the Emergency Room and taking classes online at both Lake Land College and SIUE,” Nottmeyer said. “The nursing staff at both schools are very approachable and they explain the entire process. It is clear that the partnership is designed to set you up for success.”

Lake Land’s ADN program is a competitive special admission program, providing students with a rigorous two-year program of study. Fully-equipped nursing labs provide students with hands-on learning allowing students to master required skills before completing clinicals in area healthcare facilities. In May of 2019, more than 70% of Lake Land College ADN program graduates were employed as an RN by graduation.

To learn more about the SIUE bachelor of science degree in nursing completion program and to begin your nursing career at Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu/high-demand and look for the nursing option. Review the ADN checklist and application procedures to meet the application deadline of Feb. 1, 2020.

Lake Land College nursing students recently received their pins at the Land College Associate Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony on Monday, Dec. 9.

Madeline Morrison, Neoga, received the Associate Degree Nursing Peer Award. Morrison was chosen because of her clinical and scholastic performance, willingness to help other students, professionalism, maturity and spirit. The award is characterized by a true team player, who also is considered a leader. Morrison was selected for this award by fellow nursing students.

Martha Vargas, Pana, received the award for Clinical Excellence, which is given to the graduate who demonstrates excellence in skills while exhibiting compassion, respect, integrity and professionalism.

The following students received their pins at the ceremony:

Amy Eggers                          Charleston

Andrea Spears                      Charleston

Emily Galbreath                    Charleston

Ramie Jenkins                      Charleston

Holly Simons                         Effingham

Jody Kollmann                      Effingham

Allison Posten                       Mattoon

Lauren Romack                     Neoga

Madeline Morrison                 Neoga

Karla Price                             Pana

Kristi Peters                           Pana

Martha Vargas                      Pana

Taylor Inman                         Pana

Tonya Claxon                        Pana

Kodie Martin                         Toledo

The eight-week fast track Manufacturing Skills Certificate program, offered collaboratively through Mars Petcare and Lake Land College, recently certified its first class of students on Friday, Dec. 13. Five individuals received a Lake Land College Manufacturing Skills Certificate and began working for Mars Petcare immediately following completion of the program.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our community members. It’s refreshing to partner with a company that is so committed to providing employment opportunities with so many career training options,” Bonnie Moore, director to center for business and industry, said. “Mars Petcare sets a high standard for employee engagement and, given their company culture and dedication to growth, the career prospects are truly endless.”

The unique program spanned eight weeks, beginning in October, with classes meeting from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. five days a week. This is the first group of students to complete the no-cost training and immediately receive a position working for Mars Petcare upon completion.

Dalton Dare, Oakland, and Shawna Hatten, Sullivan, both heard of the program opportunity through the Lake Land College Center for Business and Industry Facebook page.

“I saw on Facebook that there would be an orientation for the program to find out more information and I thought it sounded like a great opportunity,” Hatten said.

“I was curious to learn new machines, meet new people and learn to compute new things,” Dare said.

“We’ve been absorbing and retaining every piece of information since day one,” Jack Nacke, Arcola, said. “There’s been a lot of opportunities to take what we’ve learned and identify and use it in the real world.”

“It’s been a challenging few weeks, but Randy Strohl is an incredible instructor. He’s very good at explaining things and making sure we fully understand what we’re learning,” Nick Poorman, Mattoon, said.

“We’re all very proud of ourselves for the work we’ve done to reach this point,” David Gonzalez, Mattoon, said. “This has given me the opportunity to be a role model for my kids—to show them that they can accomplish anything if they work hard and stay focused.”

The hourly wage for graduates of the program begins at $17 with immediate full benefits including health, dental, vision, vacation time and retirement programs. All applicants completed a screening process and were selected by Mars Petcare before starting the program.

Located in Mattoon, Mars Petcare is the largest producer of dry pet food and care & treats in the company’s North American network. The site produces several iconic pet food brands including PEDIGREE®, DENTASTIX™, IAMS™ AND CESAR®, among others. Products manufactured in Mattoon are distributed nationally to serve consumers in more than half of the country.

The next Manufacturing Skills Certificate program will begin on Monday, Jan. 6, 2020 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Workforce Development Center.

The fast track program is eligible for Lake Land College Guaranteed Financial Assistance. Students are required to first apply for both state and federal financial assistance. Should those sources not cover the cost, Lake Land College will waive any tuition and fees that remain.

To learn more details about the Lake Land College Center for Business and Industry and the unique training and program opportunities available, visit lakelandcollege.edu/cbi/cbi-manufacturing-skills-lab or contact Moore at 217-238-8260 or bmoore71258@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College students and faculty are tuning in on the innate human need to contribute and provide support to those in need. Throughout the semester, students and faculty carried out initiatives to raise funds, charitable items and quality of life awareness through several acts of kindness.

Students from Philosophy/English Instructor Tara Blaser’s ethics course spent the semester raising awareness surrounding domestic abuse and raised nearly $3,000 in cash and other charitable items to be donated to HOPE of East Central Illinois in Charleston. Broadcasting Club students organized a campus-wide food drive to contribute to the Laker Food Pantry and faculty members created a competition between classes to collect items for the Coles County Animal Shelter. The competition accumulated more than 445 items including dog and cat toys, large and small animal beds and leashes, among several other items.

As the first installment of the domestic abuse project for Blaser’s ethics class, the students were eager to go out into the community and contribute the required 30 hours of volunteer work. One particular group spoke at area high schools about the signs of abuse and ways in which to approach possible victims of abuse. Another group assisted in the selling of meat sandwiches by Possum Lodge #812 in Shelbyville, raising more than $1,500, or one third of the total cash funds raised in the class. The near $1,000 profit was donated to HOPE where 12 teens were sponsored by the class.

“The idea to raise funds by partnering with Possum Lodge was the idea of our group member, Ashley Miller. She’s worked with Possum Lodge for several years and we felt this was the perfect opportunity,” Danielle Having, Effingham, said. “It turned out better than we had anticipated and we are incredibly thankful Possum Lodge was nice enough to help us.”

Other students worked solo on the project. Lacey Lynn, Mattoon, took into consideration mothers and women after noticing the profound support offered to children and the areas in which mothers and women can potentially slip through the cracks.

“I thought to myself, ‘they are struggling just as much as the kids, if not more, because they have to stay strong for them as well. Why not give them something a little special?’” Lynn said. “I decided to make toiletry and hot cocoa gift baskets for them using nice baskets that could be used again and again.”

“The purpose of this project was to show students that they can make a difference in the lives of others,” Blaser said. “In the end, the amount of effort the students put into this project was unbelievable.”

Lynn explained her fear of the project when she first heard that she would need to complete 30 hours of volunteer work, because of other responsibilities.

“I was dreading it, because I don’t have much spare time. However, once I completed the project, I felt very accomplished and happy to know that I made a difference in someone’s life,” Lynn said.

“It’s empowering knowing that our class assignment allowed us to give back in a large way to those in need. None of us realized before this project just how fortunate we are to live the lives we’ve been given,” Having added. “I would recommend every Lake Land College student take this class. It really helps you understand just how different everyone’s realities are.”

Other student and faculty organizations across campus also raised goods for those in need, including animals sheltered at the Coles County Animal Shelter.

English Instructor Matt Landrus, Chemistry Instructor Greg Capitosti and Speech Communication Instructor Eva Ritchey teamed up to create the first annual Animal Shelter Donation Competition among their classes.

Upon returning from the animal shelter in Charleston with his daughter, Landrus took note of the lack of supplies and donations. This evoked a cause for concern among Landrus, initiating the desire to give back to the shelter.

The competition ran for more than two weeks from Nov. 6 to Nov. 22 and the goal was to donate desperately-needed items to the shelter. Specifically, the following items: pet toys, blankets, towels, cat litter, paper towels, bleach, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, animal beds, cat trees, rugs and dog houses. The donations were categorized on a point system with smaller items worth one point and larger items worth 20 points. Each instructor provided students with extra credit incentives.

Capitosti’s organic chemistry class won the competition receiving the most points of all participating classes.

“We’re blown away by the students and their participation,” Landrus said. “After seeing how much the students raised, we definitely have a goal for next year. This is something I see us continuing year after year.”

However, charity initiatives did not stop there. The Lake Land College Broadcasting Club recently organized a campus-wide food drive to contribute to the Laker Food Pantry. The food drive collected non-perishable canned and dry goods to the pantry which is available to all students. This is the twelfth annual occurrence of the food drive hosted by the club.

“Our hope is that students receive the benefit of knowing they’re helping others in need,” Greg Powers, speech communication/broadcasting instructor, said. “What’s interesting is I know some of our students have needs from time to time, so I think they enjoy being on the other side of the giving.”

For more information about the Laker Food Pantry and to complete a Shopping List, visit lakelandcollege.edu/laker-food-pantry or contact Sharon Uphoff, college nurse, at 217-234-5276 or suphoff@lakelandcollege.edu.

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved funding and construction bids for the new Foundation and Alumni Center during the regular December 9, 2020 meeting.

“The Foundation and Alumni do so much for our students, our college and our community. We are very pleased to partner with the Foundation to create a new center that not only recognizes their contributions but welcomes alumni home to their alma mater,” Lake Land College Board Chair Doris Reynolds said.

Trustees approved several bids and committed $725,000 toward the $2.2 million project. The Foundation will contribute $1.5 million from the Neal Charitable Lead Trust, a discretionary fund created for operational needs, separate from scholarship funds.

“We are very excited to have a generous donation from the Neal Charitable Lead Trust to invest in the new center,” Executive Director for College Advancement Christina Donsbach said.

The facility will serve as a welcoming center to alumni and guests of the Foundation and facilitate a connection between current students and the Alumni office as the Center will host various student events throughout the year. The new center will also provide a central location for the College Advancement staff that includes foundation and alumni.

The renderings call for a large event room that will have glass doors that open onto Alumni Park. Events can be planned for guests to fluidly move between the beautiful park grounds and indoor space.

Construction is expected to begin in early spring with a completion date of August 2020.

Dylan Smith, Charleston, and Logan Hardesty, Neoga, received first place in Best Hard News Audio Reporting, becoming the first Lake Land College students to place in the College Broadcasters Inc. annual conference held in St. Louis in early November.

Not only were both Hardesty and Smith the first Lake Land College students to receive awards from the College Broadcaster Inc. national annual conference, both students were the only community college students to place at the conference this year.

Divided into 30 categories and more than 1,100 entries from across the country, it is difficult to place in the College Broadcasters Inc. awards.

“Our students were mainly competing against four year institutions,” Greg Powers, speech communication/broadcasting instructor, said.

The two students spent five weeks bringing the project from conception to the final product, including a six hour long editing period.

“I still can’t grasp being #1 in the whole United States. There were four nominations and a lot of entries, so it’s kind of unbelievable and shocking to win,” Smith said.

“I wasn’t expecting it, it’s surreal to think that we could have won,” Hardesty said. “But it also adds more pressure because I know I can’t put out mediocre work after winning a national award.”

To learn more about the Radio-TV Broadcasting program at Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu/high-demand-programs/radio-tv-broadcasting/ or contact Powers at 217-234-5335 or gpowers@lakelandcollege.edu.

Six in-district high school students were selected for a Lake Land College tuition waiver at the recently held Manufacturing Day in Effingham County. Waiver recipients were selected following the Manufacturing Day event which is one of several events held across the nation to inspire students to consider careers in modern manufacturing.

Recipients of the tuition waiver are Josh Bowlin, Effingham High School; Gabriel Schuette, Effingham High School; Lane Mietzner, Effingham High School; Mackenzie Boles, Altamont High School; Kelli Stuemke, Altamont High School; and Xaden Childress, Beecher City High School.

The new waiver, designed to reach students interested in the high demand manufacturing industry, will help students achieve the goal of accessing a fulfilling career in the local area.

“Providing students with this tuition waiver is an incredible way for Lake Land to help encourage students interested in a manufacturing career to attend college and explore the opportunities available to them,” Lisa Shumard-Shelton, director of dual credit and honors experience, said.

The waiver is for the amount of tuition up to three credit hours. The waiver can be used for any Lake Land College credit based course and must be used for the summer 2020, fall 2020 and/or spring 2021 semesters. Students are responsible for all related fees.

For more information about Lake Land College and the dual credit opportunities available, visit lakelandcollege.edu/dual-credit or contact Shelton at 217-234-5044 or lshumard-shelton@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College’s Adult Education is offering GED classes throughout the Lake Land College district beginning the second week of January. Classes are 100 percent federally funded thanks to the U.S. Department of Education.

The class orientation locations and dates are as follows:

• Arthur – Arthur Public Library, 225 S. Walnut St. – Tuesday, Jan. 7, 4 p.m.
• Charleston – Coles County Health Dept., 825 18^th St., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 4 p.m.
• Effingham – Lake Land College Kluthe Center, 1204 Network Centre Blvd., Tuesday, Jan. 7, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Marshall – Lake Land College Eastern Region Center, 224 S. 6^th St., Monday, Jan. 6, 4 p.m.
• Mattoon – Lake Land College Workforce Development Center, 305 Richmond Ave. E., Wednesday, Jan. 8, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Pana – Lake Land College Western Region Center, 600 E. 1^st St., Thursday, Jan. 9, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Paris – First United Methodist Church, 324 W. Court St., Thursday, Jan. 9, 4 p.m.
• Shelbyville – Shelbyville High School, Pathways Classroom, 1001 W. North 6^th St., Monday, Jan. 6, 4 p.m.

For these GED classes, students’ tuition will be waived and all class materials will be provided. To find a GED class near you, to find more information or to register call 217-238-8292 or email adulteducation@lakelandcollege.edu.

Like and follow the Lake Land College Adult Education Facebook page for an up to date look at what classes are available.

Laker shortstop and second baseman Oliver Dunn, Melbourne, Australia, will travel to the Philippines in early December to play for the Thailand national baseball team at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

The SEA Games is a biennial multi-sport event involving more than 10,000 athletes from 11 countries that make up Southeast Asia. The games, under supervision by the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia, first began in 1959 to promote cooperation and understanding of the Southeast Asian region through regional sports. Throughout the more than 50 year history of the games, Thailand sits at the top of the medal ranking with more than 5,800 gold, silver and bronze medals.

“The SEA Games is a tournament in its own for smaller countries that may not be able to play in the Olympics,” Dunn said. “It’s a good chance for athletes from smaller countries to play internationally.

“I’m expecting this to be a pretty fun experience. Apart from watching athletes from across the world play professional level sports like basketball, I’m most excited to be able to play in front of my parents. They’ve not been able to watch me play for two years now.”

Dunn, a sophomore at Lake Land College, revealed that his passion for baseball began at the age of eight through his dad.

“My dad played state baseball as well in Australia and basically taught me everything I know from when I was a young age,” Dunn said. “He coached baseball from his twenties to his thirties so I learned a lot from him.”

During his early academic years, Dunn played for the state baseball league of Victoria before moving to the United States to play college baseball at Bay de Noc Community College in Michigan. Between transferring from Bay de Noc to Lake Land College in summer 2019, he traveled throughout Thailand and China playing baseball.

“At the end of last spring, I was contacted by an MLB scout in Australia that has connections in the Southeast Asia community. The Thailand national baseball team was looking for more half Thai players. From there I went to Thailand for two months and China for a month as a try-out for the team,” Dunn said.

Dunn’s father is from Australia and his mother was born in Thailand making him eligible to play for the Thailand national baseball team through his mother’s lineage.

Not only does a passion for baseball run through the family, the talent to play almost anywhere on the field keeps Dunn perfecting the sport and improving upon his skills.

“I’ve pitched a little bit and played every in-field position as well,” Dunn said. “I prefer to play shortstop a lot more because I’m able to read the ball better than any other position in the field, but I’m also pretty confident at second base as well because the positions are pretty similar.”

Dunn plans to harness his talent at Lake Land College with a high chance to play more games than on previous teams.

“My experience at Lake Land has been positive so far. Up in Michigan, the snow stopped us from playing a lot, so down here I’ll be able to play more than 50 games in the spring.” Dunn said. “Putting in practice at 6 a.m. every day and late practices is a grind, but it’s something that I find fun sharing with the guys. A lot of good friendships are coming out of this.”

“I’m very excited for Oliver to have the opportunity to play for the Thailand national baseball team. This opportunity is a badge of honor for Oliver as well as the Lake Land College sports community to see one of their own play at this level,” Mike Rudibaugh, geography/earth science instructor, said. “Oliver is a very hardworking student in the classroom and I would assume this is matched by his hard work on the field to play the game he loves.

“The cultural growth Oliver will experience to learn about another country, cultural traditions and style of play will only help the Lake Land College community as Oliver can bring these experiences back to Illinois in the spring.”