Laker Nation News

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees invites all Laker alumni and community members to attend the Grand Reopening of the Luther Student Center on Thursday, Dec. 5. The open house will run from 3-6:30 p.m. with the Rededication Ceremony held at 5:30 p.m.

The Luther Student Center will be rededicated to Lake Land’s fourth and longest serving president, Dr. Robert K. Luther.

“Serving from 1988-2006, Dr. Luther fostered a culture of innovation and student-centeredness, strengthened the college’s financial foundation, greatly enhanced the beautiful campus we have today and brought national acclaim to our academic excellence. It is with great pleasure that we rededicate the Luther Student Center in honor of Dr. Luther and his vision of Lake Land College with a strong focus on student success,” Dr. Josh Bullock, Lake Land College president, said.

The Luther Student Center is located on the west side of Lake Land’s main campus in Mattoon. Bullock said it has been more than 20 years since Lake Land first identified the need to renovate and add space to the facility and there is great pride in seeing this project come to fruition. The newly constructed addition to the Luther Student Center adds 18,000 square feet to the existing renovated space of 28,000 square feet.

The state-of-the-art facility provides current and prospective students easier access to many college services under one roof. The Luther Student Center now houses the following departments: Admissions & Records, Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Life, TRiO Student Support Services, TRiO Destination College, Financial Aid, Accounting, Laker Nest Bookstore, Lake Land College Theater, Laker Point and the Lake Land College Police Department.

Guests of the open house and ceremony will tour the breathtaking Luther Student Center and campus, enjoy refreshments and visit with the Lake Land College community.

For more information about the grand reopening contact Jean Anne Grunloh, senior executive to the president, at 217-234-5222 or jgrunloh@lakelandcollege.edu.

The Lake Land College Community Choir will present a holiday concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24 in the Lake Land College Theater.

Musical selections from the Broadway musical The Pajama Game will open the concert with a blast of “Steam Heat!” The choir will sing an updated arrangement of the “Ukrainian Bell Carol” and a setting of “Patapan” with piano four-hands accompaniment, as well as a breathtaking piece combining “O Holy Night” and “Silent Night.” Traditional carols such as “Good King Wenceslas” and “Bring a Torch, Jeannette Isabella” will round out the program. A trumpet and drum combo with Amanda Moloney, Vandalia, and Alek Mann, Mattoon, will join the choir for jazzy settings of “We Three Kings” and “Ding Dong Merrily on High.” The concert will close with “Glow,” written and made famous by Paris, Illinois native Brett Eldredge.

A reception will follow in the dining area at the College.

Under the direction of Nancy Caldwell, music instructor, the Community Choir is a choir of mixed voices including students from the college as well as members of surrounding communities such as Mattoon, Charleston, Effingham, Neoga, Arthur, Sigel and Lovington. Randy Imig of St. Elmo accompanies the choir. The Community Choir was formed in January of 1998 and performs two concerts annually.

The concert is free and open to the public.

For more information about the holiday concert and the Lake Land College Community Choir, contact Caldwell at 217-234-5464 or ncaldwel@lakelandcollege.edu.

World-renowned human genetics educator Sam Rhine will host a Genetic Update Conference at Lake Land College, Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Luther Student Center Theater.

The conference will focus on genomic medicine including growing organs in a lab and gene editing to cure disease. The conference, sponsored by the Lake Land College Math and Science Division, will be open to students, teachers, parents and the community. Many schools bring their AP and honors biology students to the conference. The cost is free to Lake Land College students, faculty and staff and $20 for other attendees.

Described by experts in the human genetics field as the most effective human genetics educator in America today, Rhine is the director of the Genetics Education Center near Indianapolis. He received the “Honorary Membership Award” by the National Association of Biology Teachers. The award is recognized as the highest honor bestowed on members of the profession and is awarded annually.

Rhine has made more than 8,500 presentations to more than 3.75 million teenagers in the United States, Canada and Europe.

Rhine is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Indiana in Bloomington in the Department of Applied Health Science where he teaches a summer class on “Causes and Prevention of Birth Defects.” He also teaches summer classes at the University of St. Thomas in Houston and the University of Texas Pan AM campus in Edinburg, Texas. He has lectured in Toronto, Montreal, London, Prague, Vienna, Tokyo, Nairobi, Kenya and St. Petersburg, Russia.

Registration will be accepted through the morning of the conference. Attendees are not required to stay for the entire presentation and can enter the theater at any time. For more information or to register call 800-727-2315 or visit samrhine.com.

Contact Lake Land College Biology Instructor Brenda Hunzinger with any additional questions at 217-234-5365 or bhunzing@lakelandcollege.edu.

The Lake Land College Future Educators of America (FEA) club will host a Grinch themed Kids’ Night Out event on Friday, Nov. 22 from 5-8 p.m. in the Field House.

The event welcomes children ages 5-12 with Grinch-inspired activities including pin-the-heart-on-the-Grinch, face painting and crafts. The Grinch himself will even be present for a meet and greet and photos. Parents are encouraged to attend the event and join in on the fun-filled night.

A showing of the 2018 animated film “The Grinch” will play on a large screen at 6 p.m. Children and parents are welcome to wear comfortable pajamas or Christmas attire and bring pillows and blankets to lie on. Light snacks including popcorn, hot chocolate and fruit snacks will be provided.

The cost will be $5 per child and $15 for families with three or more children. Maximum capacity is 60 children. Pre-register by Nov. 15 by contacting Holly Koester, education specialist, at 217-234-5426 or hkoester34776@lakelandcollege.edu.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program named Lake Land College as one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation. This is the fourth time Lake Land College has received this recognition. Selection in the top 15% of community colleges in the nation is based on strong and improving student outcomes—in learning, completion rates, employment rates and earnings and equity.

“This is quite a remarkable achievement for Lake Land College. Assisting students in reaching their goals is the anchor to all that we do at Lake Land College. We continuously evaluate programs and services and develop enhancements to create an excellent learning environment for our students. Receiving this honor from the Aspen Institute for the fourth time in less than a decade spotlights the outstanding collaboration and commitment our faculty, staff and trustees demonstrate on a daily basis,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said.

“The 150 community colleges named today were selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 public two-year colleges nationwide using publicly available data on student outcomes. Located in 39 states in urban, rural and suburban areas, serving as few as 500 students to as many as 75,000 students, these colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community college sector,” the institute stated in a news release.    

Data show that over the last two years, student retention, graduation rates and degree completion have improved at the top tier of 150 Aspen Prize-eligible colleges.

“Community colleges play a vital role in developing talent and enabling social mobility across the country, and it’s critical for them to get better at what they do,” Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute college excellence program, said. “We’re pleased to see evidence that these institutions are improving, that more are delivering on their promise. We’re also pleased to play a role in honoring outstanding community colleges and sharing what works to ensure great outcomes for students—through graduation and beyond.”

For more information, visit aspeninstitute.org.

To learn more about Lake Land College visit lakelandcollege.edu.

The Lake Land College Foundation will have a new home next year. The announcement was made at the foundation annual meeting held Oct. 22 at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club. Beginning in spring 2020, the college will begin construction on a new college advancement center to house foundation and alumni offices.

The new center will sit where the Laker Nest Bookstore currently sits on the west side of campus.

With the completion of the Luther Student Center and the Laker Nest Bookstore comfortably taking shape in the student center, the old bookstore will be demolished, leaving ample space on campus near Alumni Park to construct a new college advancement center.

“After months of planning and discussion, the foundation has finalized the plan, design, and financing arrangement, and is pleased to announce that in spring 2020 we will break ground on the Lake Land College Foundation and Alumni Center. The total cost of the project is $1.7 million with the college providing zero percent financing to the foundation for $1.5 million of the project, and the college providing the remaining $200,000 of the project. The foundation is grateful to the late Burnham Neal, who included the foundation as one of the beneficiaries of his charitable lead trust, the foundation’s source of revenue for the project,” President of the Lake Land College Foundation Board of Directors Mike Bohannon said.

The Lake Land College Foundation & Alumni Center will welcome alumni and guests of the foundation with the housing of the alumni relations and foundation offices, as well as a large event room that will open onto Alumni Park.

The building is one of three main components of the foundation’s recently approved strategic plan. The foundation also developed a new brand identity to enhance stewardship and communication efforts with a clear message. The board adopted the tagline of “The Foundation Effect. Connect. Inspire. Give.” With enhanced donor stewardship efforts and the implementation of new outreach efforts at the forefront of the foundation, the new brand identity provides clear messaging for current board members as they engage with the community and prospective donors.

“The next step will be to actively involve the Foundation Board at a deeper level in these efforts,” Rich Hartke, donor relations committee chair, said.

In addition to a new advancement center and stewardship and outreach activities, the Foundation Board of Directors worked with consultants from eAdvancement to conduct an extensive program review of the foundation operations and scholarship administration.

To increase efficiency within the department and grow the donor-focused major gift program, the operation analysis recommended a new organizational structure. With a new structure, the foundation will be able to meet the emerging needs of the college, increasing alumni engagement, growing the foundation and improve scholarship administration.

The foundation welcomed the new Executive Director for College Advancement Christi Donsbach, Teutopolis. She replaces Jackie Joines who will retire from the position at the end of the calendar year.

“I am honored to join the Lake Land College community and connect with faculty and staff. I look forward to partnering with the Foundation and Alumni board members who have experienced so much success. I am excited to build upon their accomplishments and positively impact our students, college and the entire Lake Land College region well into the future,” Donsbach said.

The board celebrated the creation of five new endowed scholarships within the past year. Fiscal year 2019 saw $629,650 in scholarship awards going to more than 800 students bringing the total amount of scholarships awarded during the past 31 years to more than $8.6 million and to approximately 11,000 students. Additionally, the fundraising report showed 500 first time gifts totaling $92,688. Members of the Lake Land College Board of Trustees, Lake Land College Foundation Board and Lake Land College Alumni Association were recognized for reaching 100% participation for the second year in a row.

In the past year, the Lake Land College Foundation experienced significant growth as a result of generous gifts. The most significant gift came in the form of a life interest gift to an existing life estate of a 355 acre farm from Wayne and the late Clara Borgic. The farm near Pana will be used for educational purposes with the income benefitting two endowed scholarships in memory of the Borgic’s parents as well as other needs of the college.

A new campus park created by Willie Podestá Young in memory of her parents, Dr. William L. and Margaret Podestá, was highlighted. The park, featuring a bronze sculpture by artist Stefan Savides, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, is a significant addition to campus beautification.

The foundation additionally created a veterans memorial on campus honoring all past, present and future veterans of Lake Land College from unrestricted gifts given to the foundation. The foundation was also able to increase student support by changing the foundation endowment spending policy that provided for more scholarships to be awarded.

The foundation shared a video of Steve and Debbie Benefiel of Paris, one of the donors highlighted in the foundation annual report during the evening. The Benefiels have been involved with the Lake Land College Foundation since 1994 when Debbie joined the foundation board. Last year, the Benefiels were honored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals East Central Illinois Chapter for their volunteer efforts in the region. The Benefiels recently created an endowed scholarship with the foundation for Edgar County students attending Lake Land College.

Board members and officers were elected for the upcoming year. Officers elected for a one year term are Foundation Board President Tom Grunloh, Effingham; Foundation Board Vice President Deacon Patient, Sullivan; and Secretary Lisa Kallis, Charleston.

The board welcomed Larry Blackerby, La Quinta, California, as a new member to fill a vacancy for the remaining year of a three-year term; Renee Huckstead, Mattoon; Linda VonBehren, Martinsville; Meg Steward, Marshall; and Debra Sandercock, Charleston, as new members for three-year terms.

The board gave out four philanthropy awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the foundation during the year.

Rich Hartke, Teutopolis, received the Crystal Swan Award which is awarded annually to an outstanding board member. The Crystal Swan Award was created in 1993 as a way to recognize foundation board members who have gone above and beyond in their leadership and service to the Lake Land College Foundation during their tenure.

Willie Podestá Young, received recognition as the Outstanding Philanthropist for the year. Young’s connection to Lake Land dates back to the beginning of the college with a portion of the college sitting on land obtained from the Podestá family. Her parents, the late Dr. William and Margaret Podestá, were recently honored with a park on campus in their name: The Dr. William L. and Margaret Podestá Park.

“The park on Lake Land’s main campus, was the vision of Mrs. Young. She approached the College with an idea that would enhance the campus while creating a lasting legacy that memorialized her parents,” Hartke said. “The Dr. William L. and Margaret Podestá Park is the main focal point as guests exit the new addition and main entrance to the Luther Student Center.”

This award is bestowed upon individuals who have demonstrated significant dedication and commitment to the overall educational experience of Lake Land College students. Past recipients include Gerald Forsythe, Wayne and the late Clara Borgic and Tom Grunloh.

Debbie Kirts Thomason, Lake Land College director of dental hygiene/dental hygiene instructor, received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award. The award is presented annually to an individual who has given gifts of time and talent in securing private funding on behalf of Lake Land College students.

“Debbie worked tirelessly to facilitate the Heartland Dental Dental Hygiene Lab renovation,” Hartke said. “She is a great volunteer fundraiser as she continues to regularly network with Heartland staff to help build the relationship and the program. Personally, Debbie is a Power Laker with over 10 years of continued giving to the foundation and a member of the Faculty Club giving society for her lifetime giving.”

Past recipients include John Livesay and Dr. Roger Dettro.

The Leona Stanford Vollintine Trust, represented by Roger Hickman, trustee, received the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization Award. This award is bestowed upon corporations, small businesses, industry, community organizations and private foundations that have demonstrated dedication and commitment to the overall educational experience of Lake Land College students.

The Leona Stanford Vollintine Trust, established in 2000, is a charitable trust established by Mrs. Leona Stanford Vollintine. Mrs. Vollintine was an avid traveler, philanthropist and supporter of education.

“To date, the Leona Stanford Vollintine Trust has awarded over 100 scholarships to Lake Land students totaling $193,000. That is the Foundation Effect in motion!” Hartke said. “Lake Land College is just one of several educational institutions benefitting from Mrs. Vollintine’s generosity that includes public and private colleges and universities in Illinois and Colorado. The trust gives approximately $20,000 annually for scholarships in Mrs. Vollintine’s name at Lake Land College, making the trust a member of the President’s Silver Council Society for lifetime giving.”

Past recipients include Heartland Dental, Farm Credit Illinois, Agri-Fab and Hydro-Gear.

For more information on the foundation including how to make a gift, call 217-234-5363 or go to lakelandcollege/foundation/.

Visit Lake Land College and find out all the college offers at Laker Visit Day. The event will be held Friday, Nov. 22 in the Luther Student Center starting at 9 a.m. and will run until noon.

The event is for potential students who are interested in learning more about Lake Land College. Prospective students are provided with the opportunity to tour campus, visit a class, meet current students and talk with faculty. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend and learn more about the college during a parent session.

The event will feature informational sessions by current Lake Land College Student Ambassadors and college staff. Representatives from Admissions & Records, Financial Aid, Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Life and other departments will provide information and be available to answer questions. Students will also meet with faculty members in their academic area of interest.

“Laker Visit Day is a great way for prospective students and parents to talk to faculty and staff about academic options and majors, to talk to current students about their experiences at the college and to learn about various services and opportunities we offer,” Michelle Zumbahlen, coordinator for strategic student communication and initiatives, said.

On Laker Visit Day, attendees will tour campus with Student Ambassadors; comfortable shoes are recommended. To get to the Luther Student Center, take Entrance 1 from Route 45, make a right turn after the curve onto Podestá Drive, continue around campus and park in Lot E. Enter the lobby through the main entrance at the front of the building.

Student Ambassadors will greet guests and help with directions. In case of inclement weather on the day of the event, please check the college’s homepage at lakelandcollege.edu for closures.

For more information, or to register for Laker Visit Day, go to lakelandcollege.edu/visit or call 217-234-5377.

Lake Land College is accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award, Alumnus Achievement Award and Retiree Wall of Fame Award to be announced in spring 2020.

The Distinguished Service Award and the Alumnus Achievement Award will be presented at the college’s 2020 Commencement ceremony and the Retiree Wall of Fame recipients will be announced during a ceremony on campus in the spring.

All nomination forms must be received by Dec. 13, and are available on the college’s website at lakelandcollege.edu/alumni/award-nominations/ or by contacting Seirra Laughhunn, administrative assistant to the president’s office, at 217-234-5222 or slaughhunn42647@lakelandcollege.edu.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual whose exemplary service and contributions have benefited Lake Land College or its affiliated organizations. Current paid members of the faculty and staff and current members of the board of trustees are not eligible for this award.

Past Distinguished Service Award winners are Kathleen Doehring (2019), Robert Luther (2018), Scott Lensink (2017), James Shaffer (2016), Robert Pancoast (2015), Max Jaeger (2014), Annette Lynch (2013), Gerald Forsythe (2012), John Livesay (2011), Rick Manuell (2010), Preston Smith (2009), Bob Willenborg (2008), Don Portugal (2007), Dwight Schilling (2006), Anne Bacon, (2005), Susan Leach (2004), Anne Kabbes (2003), James Allee (2002), Roger Dettro (2001), Peter M. Bonutti (2000), Charles Adams (1999), Michael Yager (1998), James Bennett (1997), Tom Reedy (1996), R. Dale Adams (1995), Jack Schultz (1994), Consuello Luttrell (1993), George Mitchell (1992), Melvin Lockard (1991), Lowell Samuel (1990), Eugene Bauer (1989), William Podestá (1988), Jack Oberhill (1987), Floyd Curl (1985), Robert Johnson (1984), Virgil and Charlene Roberts (1983), Eddie Collings (1982) and William B. Hills (1981).

The Alumnus Achievement Award is presented to a Lake Land College graduate who has attained outstanding success and distinction in his or her field of endeavor. The nominee must hold a degree or certificate from Lake Land and be active in the endeavor for which the degree or certificate is intended.

Past Alumnus Achievement Award recipients are Greg Sapp (2019), Cari Rincker (2018), Diane Sterchi (2017), Kenin Smith (2016), Chad Moutray (2015), Greg Conrad (2014), Rex Morgan (2013), Larry Blackerby (2011), Monte Reel (2010), Tom Wright (2009), David Storm (2008), Scott Frailey (2007), Zack Taylor (2006), Larry Lilly (2005), Greg Grunloh (2004), Michael Searles (2003), Harry Carter (2002), James Zimmer (2001), Carolyn Kolling (2000), Dianne Harless Schultz (1999), Richard Smith (1998), James Winfield (1997), Randall Miller (1996), Gina Spinner (1995), Patricia McNutt (1994), Lt. Daniel Wise (1993), Tom Cox (1992), Larry Wilson (1991), Edward Ward (1990), Kris Koontz (1989), Gail Darling (1988), John Livesay (1987), Dennis Charney (1986), Michael V. Neal (1985), Carol Spannagel (1984), Thomas Stoutenborough (1983), Eric Randal Heiple (1982) and Richard West (1981).

The Retiree Wall of Fame Awards are presented to retired faculty or staff who made significant contributions to the college and/or who have made contributions through their profession or community at the local, state, regional or national level that reflect positively on Lake Land College. The nominee must have been employed at Lake Land College for a minimum of 15 years and must have been separated from his or her SURS-eligible position for a minimum of five years. Present paid members of the faculty and staff and current members of the board of trustees are not eligible for these awards.

Past Wall of Fame Award recipients are Dennis Gathmann (2008), Max Jaeger (2008), Joe Albin (2008), Marilyn Gover (2008), Charles Womack (2008), Gerald Parker (2008), Thomas Reedy (2008), Bill Rich (2008), Helen Smith (2009), David Greeson (2009), Larry Gutzler (2009), Hal Kottwitz (2009), Joyce Shull (2009), Marianne Morgan (2010), Robert Orr (2010), Richard Heller (2010), Carol Sanders (2010), Jack Browning (2010), Joe Hanley (2011), William Little (2011), Mildred Flottmann (2011), Roberta Hollada (2011), Roberta Williams (2011), Charles Wieck (2012), Jalee Cox (2012), Wayne Weaver (2012), Robert Luther (2013), Marion Rohlinger (2013), James Luedke (2014), Robert Jurgens (2014), Carroll Gibbons (2014), Roy Culp (2015), Marilyn Fuqua Thompson (2015), David Stapleton (2016), Cletus Underwood (2016), Ron Sanderson (2016), Jim Dudley (2017), Curt Rincker (2017), Bill Hollada (2017), Kathleen Doehring (2018), Tom Kerkhoff (2018), Ben Ragle (2018), Rick Gresens (2019) and Larry Larvick (2019).

The Retiree Wall of Fame Award recipients will receive their awards at the Employee Appreciation and Wall of Fame Ceremony.

For any questions regarding the awards, contact Laughhunn.

The Lake Land College Dental Hygiene program is offering free dental cleanings and x-rays to veterans through the month of November for Veterans Appreciation Month.

Clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1-5 p.m., and Wednesday from 12-4 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. The clinic is located in the Northwest Building, room 116 on the Lake Land College campus, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. Appointments for free cleanings and x-rays for veterans will be scheduled from Nov. 1-30.

To schedule an appointment, call 217-234-5249.

Lake Land College welcomed the new Executive Director for College Advancement Christi Donsbach, in early October. She replaces Jackie Joines who will retire from the position this fall.

Donsbach has more than 14 years of experience in fostering a culture of philanthropy in a college setting. In her most recent position, as the director of development for Eastern Illinois University (EIU), she was responsible for the leadership and management of alumni and friends to an assigned fundraising portfolio, as well as planned giving. During her time at EIU, she presided over four boards of directors, each totaling 25 members, as well as taught a university foundation introductory course and presented at several regional educational seminars.

Prior to joining EIU, Donsbach served as the director of donor & alumni relations at Midland Institute for Entrepreneurship in Effingham, director of development & alumni relations at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and director of development at Pony Bird Inc. in Mapaville, Missouri.

Donsbach recently served on the membership committee for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and served as co-chair for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District V conference. She is a member of the Effingham Chamber of Commerce, a past member of the Effingham PEO, a member of the St. Aloysius Church and an investor/mentor in Effingham County CEO. She was also recognized as one of Effingham Illinois’ Top Community Leaders Under 40 in 2015.

In her new role, Donsbach will lead the Foundation and alumni areas of the college and serve as the chief executive officer of the Lake Land College Foundation. With a primary focus on philanthropy, alumni engagement and building of community partnerships, Donsbach will work closely with several key stakeholders both within the college and throughout the college district, and serve as a catalyst for donor and volunteer involvement for the Foundation through a variety of operational activities.

Lake Land College President Dr. Josh Bullock said Donsbach’s vast experience in higher education development is closely aligned with the mission of the college and Foundation.

“We are pleased to welcome Ms. Donsbach to One Laker Nation. We know her past experiences building relationships to advance the college, students and the community will serve the Lake Land College Foundation well,” Bullock said. “She brings with her a plethora of ambitious strategic initiatives that will build upon the strong framework of the Foundation and will benefit the future of the college, Foundation and alumni. We are fortunate to find in Ms. Donsbach a candidate who has a wide range of development experience in a college setting as well as business and industry.

“We look forward to the potential of her leadership in the college advancement office within the college, in the community and as well as the Foundation and Alumni board members,” Bullock added.

Donsbach said she looks forward to her new role at Lake Land College.

“I am honored to join the Lake Land College community and connect with faculty and staff. I look forward to partnering with the Foundation and Alumni board members who have experienced so much success. I am excited to build upon their accomplishments and positively impact our students, college and the entire Lake Land College region well into the future,” Donsbach said.

Donsbach has a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a master’s degree in business administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She lives in Teutopolis with her husband, Jake, and their four children.

To learn more about the Lake Land College Foundation visit lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/ or contact Donsbach at 217-234-5354 or cdonsbach@lakelandcollege.edu.