Laker Nation News

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees will consider two candidates to fill a vacancy on the board at the regular June 10, 2019 meeting.

Candidates who have submitted application materials by the May 28 deadline are: Mike Defend, Effingham, and Tom Wright, Dieterich.

Following the regular business items on the agenda, the board will go into closed session to discuss the selection of a person to fill the board seat vacancy. Following the discussion, the board will return to open session and approve a candidate to fill the board vacancy as discussed in closed session. The individual selected will take his or her seat at the July 15 board meeting.

The vacancy was created in May with the resignation of former trustee Ann Deters, Effingham.

Those interested in filling the vacancy were to submit materials explaining the reason for seeking the appointment, qualifications and experience in other areas which may enhance public policy or decision-making. Eligibility requirements for the trustee vacancy are: U.S. citizenship, 18 years of age or older, a resident of Illinois for one year immediately preceding election, and a resident of Community College District No. 517 for one year immediately preceding election.

The individual selected by the board to fill the vacancy will serve until the next consolidated election in April of 2021.

Lake Land College recently held its annual Foundation Scholarship Reception recognizing scholarship recipients as well as the donors who provide the scholarships. The reception allows students and donors to meet and get to know more about one another.

About 500 students received scholarships totaling $308,000 for the 2018-2019 academic school year.

The reception began with a short welcome from Debbie Benefiel, chair of the scholarship committee, and remarks from Josh Bullock, Lake Land College president and Jackie Joines, executive director for college advancement.

“For our student scholarship recipients here today, I am hopeful your education at Lake Land will enable you to achieve great success. As you achieve that success, remember those that follow you and consider paying it forward by investing in another student’s dreams,” Bullock said in his speech.

The Dettling family received special recognition for the development of a new scholarship in remembrance of their late daughter, Rachel Dettling, Laker Nation Class of 2017. The Dettlings established the Rachel Michelle Dettling Memorial Scholarship to honor Rachel’s passion for hair and makeup, and to inspire others to follow their dreams. The scholarship is awarded to one student studying cosmetology at Lake Land College with preference given to a current high school graduate of Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond High School. Megan Cornwell, Atwood, was the first recipient of the scholarship.

The Dettlings’ story and the scholarship’s impact on Megan is just one of many.

“Scholarships create a legacy and give the gift of education that changes the lives of others as well as our communities. It doesn’t matter how big or small the scholarship is. What matters is that our donors believe in our students and the importance of higher education,” Joines said.

Lake Land College Foundation Board members include: Benefiel, Paris; Bob Pancoast, Shelbyville; Michael Bohannon, president, Charleston; Tom Grunloh, vice president, Effingham; Lisa Kallis, secretary, Charleston; Josh Bullock, ex officio, Mattoon; Austin Frank, ex officio, Mattoon; Dave Frisse, ex officio, Paris; Doris Reynolds, board of trustees liaison, Mattoon; Michelle Blackwell, Pana; Steve Childers, Charleston; Micah Dickens, Sullivan; Alan Fedrigon, Shelbyville; Tom Fonner, Effingham; Tim Gover, Mattoon; Rich Hartke, Teutopolis; Brian Hutchins, Charleston; Jackie Joines, executive director for college advancement, Brocton; Deacon Patient, Sullivan; Chris Pilson, Mattoon; Paula Rosine, director of foundation operations, Mattoon; Madge Shoot, treasurer, Mattoon; Preston Smith, Mattoon; Chad Thompson, Effingham; Tom Wright, Dieterich.

The Lake Land College Foundation was established exclusively for educational and charitable purposes and continues to be a leading financial support organization for students pursuing higher education at Lake Land.

For more information about foundation scholarships, visit lakelandcollege.edu/scholarship-opportunities.

To view the Rachel Michelle Dettling Memorial Scholarship video, visit lakelandcollege.edu/foundation.

For more information about Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College Radio/TV Broadcasting student Matt Harvey, Uptown, recently earned an internship position with WGN Radio in Chicago through the Illinois Broadcasting Association’s (IBA) Multicultural Internship Program.

The Multicultural Internship Program is highly competitive with only six paid internships available in the entire state of Illinois this year. IBA describes students selected for the internship program as the cream of the crop, emerging from a rigorous application process.

“I’m excited to explore the opportunities that will be available to me at WGN” Harvey said. “I’ll be able to dip my hand into a variety of studios producing live radio broadcasts and hosting podcasts,” Harvey said.

Speech Communication/Broadcasting Instructor Greg Powers describes Harvey as a driven student with an immense ability to be successful in his career choice.

“Throughout my 15 years at Lake Land, there has only been one other student to earn a position through this internship program. This opportunity will be a great springboard for Matt,” Powers said.

Harvey is a sophomore at Lake Land College studying radio/TV and is the multimedia/website coordinator of the Lake Land College student-run newspaper, Navigator News. He plans to transfer to Columbia College in Chicago where he will study journalism.

At the 2019 Lake Land College Associate Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony, graduating nurses received their pins.

Riply Cavazos, Mattoon, received the Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Nursing Award, which is given each year to a graduating student who is considered to be the all-around best student in the class and is voted on by faculty.  The student must be professionally superior and morally responsible, be capable of making wise decisions, be compassionate and caring, be dedicated and possess common sense and a strong scientific knowledge base, demonstrate superior technical skills, possess superior communication skills and composure, often in crises situations. Cavazos’ name will be engraved on a plaque that is located in the nursing skills lab in Neal Hall.

Jamie Worker, Mattoon, and Danielle Vaughn, Altamont, received the Associate Degree Nursing Peer Award. These students are chosen because of their 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. The recipients of this award were chosen by fellow nursing students.

Macy Cornwell, Sullivan, received the award for Clinical Excellence.

For serving as a positive representative of the ADN program student liaisons, Faith Boerngen, Mason, Dakota Shadwell, Stewardson, and Jennifer Shull, Mattoon, received Certificates of Recognition.

The following students received their pins at the ceremony:

The Lake Land College Foundation recognized donors for lifetime giving at the annual Donor Reception on April 18.

“Our donors are the core of the Lake Land College Foundation,” Executive Director for College Advancement Jackie Joines said. “It is our donors’ investment that has provided scholarships to students who may not otherwise have had an opportunity to obtain a college education.”

The following people and organizations were recognized:

Farm Credit Illinois and Consolidated Communications were recognized in the President’s Silver Level for contributions of $100,000 and above.

Fuqua Foundation, Estate of Thomas H. Woodyard and Max Jaeger were recognized in the Leadership Guild for contributions of $50,000 to $99,999.

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees, Gerry and Cheryl Conlin, Keith and Linda Miller, John David Reed, Sam and Barb Scott, The Sparks Foundation and Bonita Woodyard were recognized in the Trustee’s Guild for contributions of $25,000 to $49,999.

Jon Henderson, Jaime and Lueann Sell, Neil and Carla Dettling, Johnstons Super Markets, Inc./Robert and Debra Johnston, Frank Brummer, Michael and Jacqueline Joines, North American Lighting, David and Carolyn Lorton, Dr. Mahyar Izadi, Jeff and Tina Stovall, Cromwell Radio Group and Libman were recognized in the Educator’s Guild for contributions of $10,000 to $24,999.

LPL Financial, Goat Alley, Inc., Howell Asphalt Co., Josh and Jen Bullock, Thomas Grunloh, Growmark, Inc., Steve and Thelma Childers, Kathy Black, Jerry and Karin Edwards, Evergreen Terrace Landowners Assn. and Sandra Harmison were recognized in the Scholar’s Club for contributions of $5,000 to $9,999.

Crites Title Co., Inc., Douglas & Amanda Paulson, Denny & Sue Throneburg, Air Management Products, Lake Land College Athletics, Gregory “Nic” Nelson, Jerry Turner, Countryside RV & Trailer Sales, Michael & Lisa Kallis, Richard Reid, Steamboat Biscuit & Brisket, Mike & Christine Strohl, Dan & Jeanie Cunningham, Jennifer Melton, Deacon & Vanessa Patient, Larry & Ardis Larvick, D.K. Bostick, Thomas & Nancy Caldwell, Eva Ritchey, Jennifer Billingsley, Jonathan McKenzie, Jerry & Carol Myerscough/Mattoon Burgers & Custard, Inc, Dieterich Bank, N.A., Martha Schumann, Lake Land College Student Activity Board, Janet Henry, Mike & Julie Cramer, Bruce Haas, Barb Hess, Gregory Izard, Mike Namoff, Michael Nohren, Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, John Stephens and Jane Storm were recognized in the Faculty Club for contributions of $1,000 and above.

Lake Land College will welcome a new livestock judging coach, Hayden Wilder of Macomb, this fall. After a successful year for the Lake Land College Livestock Judging Team, Wilder plans to take the team to even greater success in the coming years.

“I am looking forward to the challenge of fully preparing the sophomore team for success on the national level while simultaneously getting the freshman team acclimated to the culture of collegiate judging,” Wilder said.

Wilder’s first and foremost responsibilities include teaching several classes throughout the semester ranging from ag business to animal science, all of which support the Agriculture Division curriculum. Wilder will also play a vital role in team recruiting and coordinating Lake Land’s annual judging contest each March.

Wilder will begin his position at Lake Land with an array of experience under his belt. While earning a master of business administration from Western Illinois University (WIU), he served as the assistant coach of the WIU Livestock Judging Team alongside Mark Hoge. It is clear where his passions lie having grown up on a small grain farm in Remington, Indiana. He showed pigs throughout his youth and participated in 4-H, FFA and livestock judging teams throughout his high school and college years.

Wilder will be a valuable resource to the college, and he knew from the moment he stepped foot on campus that Lake Land would be the place he called home.

“After spending an afternoon on campus, it quickly became clear to me that the students, faculty and administration work collaboratively to make Lake Land College a top-notch place to call home,” said Wilder. “The support that the Livestock Judging program receives from all levels within the college is integral in allowing the team to find national success year in and year out. The attractive environment of the college makes my role as the Livestock Judging Team coach very exciting, as I think the opportunities for the program are endless.”

Wilder received an associate degree from Black Hawk East and a bachelor’s degree in ag business with a minor in animal science from Western Illinois University. He was a member of successful judging teams at both schools. For the last four years, Wilder has also been fortunate to work part time for Lake Land alumnus JR Armstrong of Armstrong Genetics, a 140-sow show pig operation south of Macomb.

Shelbyville High School placed first in the team event at the annual Business and Computer Contest sponsored by the Lake Land College Business Division and Club IT on April 26.

Other high schools participating in the event were Centralia High School, Champaign Centennial High School, Champaign Central High School, Charleston High School, Dieterich High School, Fairfield Community High School, Flora High School, Martinsville High School, Neoga High School, Newton Community High School, Okaw Valley High School, Pana High School, Paris High School, PBL High School, Shelbyville High School, Shiloh High School and St. Elmo High School.

“We look forward to this contest every year,” said Kathy Black, business division chair and coordinator of the contest. “We enjoy seeing and visiting with area business teachers and interacting with talented students.  It’s a great opportunity for students to showcase their business and computer skills.”

Students from area high schools competed in the following categories: accounting, general business and current events, MOS Word, MOS PowerPoint and MOS Excel. Depending on the category, students either completed a written test or a hands-on test on the computer.

First place winners of each contest received a 3-credit-hour tuition waiver from Lake Land College. The winners are as follows:

Accounting: Tristan Will, Newton Community High School

General Business and Current Events: Amber Clark, Fairfield Community High School

MOS Word: Camryn Burris, Pana High School

MOS PowerPoint: Ashton Fifield, Charleston High School

MOS Excel: Trenton King, Charleston High School

For more information, contact Black at 217-234-5348 or by email at kblack@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College will award the 2019 Distinguished Service Award to Kathleen Doehring, retired nursing program director, during Commencement on Friday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. The award acknowledges an individual who has rendered outstanding service to the college.

Doehring started her employment at Lake Land College in 1982 as an instructor for the practical nursing and associate degree nurse programs (ADN) before being promoted to the ADN/PN program director where she served until her retirement in 2009.

During her 28-year tenure, Doehring’s innovative contributions helped Lake Land College establish itself as a premier nursing education institution. Doehring was viewed as an expert in curriculum, program outcomes, and outcomes assessment and was instrumental in positioning the nursing program to be the first program on campus to offer classes in online and distance learning.

Along with Marilyn Fuqua Thompson, retired Allied Health Division Chair, and several other instructors, Doehring worked to create the ADN program at Lake Land College. She also developed a process to track applications and admissions to ensure nursing programs accepted the most qualified students.

Doehring believed in using her knowledge to help the community. She was a part of the Illinois Cancer Pain Initiative, which influenced later developments in pain control. She presented pain seminars in Mattoon and served on the editorial board of the Clinical Care Journal. She also served on the board of directors of Lincoln Land Visiting Nurses Association.

Doehring served in a multitude of professional organizations including the American Nurses Association, Illinois Nurses Association, National League of Nursing (NLN), National Organization for the Advancement of ADN, Illinois Council of ADN Directors, Illinois Council of PN Directors and Sigma Theta Tau nursing honorary society. She was a certified NLN Nurse Educator and program evaluator and visited nursing programs nationwide to ensure the programs met the accreditation standards of the NLN.

In 1990, Doehring received the Lake Land TOP Award (Top Overall Performance) and in 2000, she received the Lake Land College Faculty Association Outstanding Service Award.

Doehring currently lives in rural Strasburg with her family.

Lake Land College’s National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) inducted 45 members on April 29 in the Luther Student Center Theater. Since the establishment of the Lake Land College NSLS chapter, more than 489 students have been enrolled as paid members in the chapter and more than 120 students have been inducted.

Valerie Lynch, director of student life, opened the ceremony by sharing words of encouragement. “Today is the first step in a larger journey that you’ll share with other members for years to come.”

According to NSLS, students achieve their highest potential when like-minded, success-oriented individuals come together to learn from and support each other. Creating positive change in the learning environment and inspiring others to pursue their passions are two core values of NSLS.

To be nominated for the society, students need a GPA of at least 2.75, must be involved in at least one campus activity and have completed at least 15 credit hours. Upon accepting the nomination and paying one-time membership dues, students need to complete three requirements to qualify for induction. To be officially inducted, students complete an orientation day, attend leadership training day and three video presentations that consist of success networking team meetings and speaker broadcasts.

For more information about NSLS and Student Life contact Lynch at 217-234-5270 or vlynch@lakelandcollege.edu.

To learn more about NSLS, visit lakelandcollege.edu and select the “Student Life” drop down.

Lake Land College honored exceptional students at the annual Student Recognition Banquet hosted by the Student Government Association on Wednesday, April 24.

Students were recognized for their academic achievements, elected offices and organizational roles for the academic year.

The awards are given to a student from each academic division who has displayed excellence within his/her division as well as contributed to Lake Land College and the community.

The Outstanding Award Recipients are: Micah Smock, Botkins, Ohio, Agriculture Division; Olivia D. Telgmann, Strasburg, Allied Health Division; Logan D. Malcome, Neoga, Business Division; David R. Pruitt, Mattoon, Humanities & Communication Division; Tilda E. Carlelycke, Sweden, Math & Science Division; Christina S. Menna, Lovington, Social Science & Education Division and Justis M. Coventry, Teutopolis, Technology Division.

The Lake Land College Foundation surprised attendees by awarding the Student Life Scholarship of $500 to an exceptional student, Hannah Binnion, Sullivan, SAB co-marketing director.

The following students were also recognized for their participation in the organizations listed: