Laker Nation News

Lake Land College is offering a new plastics manufacturing program this spring to meet a high demand for employees in this region.

The evening courses will be held exclusively in Paris at the VoTech Center, the old high school. Students will be able to work with injection and extrusion molding processes and equipment coupled with basic maintenance and automation skills used for several positions in plastics manufacturing.

Six North American Lighting employees completed the pilot class in the spring and have since received upgrades in their employment. The program is intended to promote current employees in the plastics field and provide new students with a job soon after completing the program.

Area companies such as North American Lighting and Libman Co. have already dedicated resources and funds to get the program started.

“NAL was actually the first business we were working with that gave us the idea. They donated two 90-ton injection molded presses, and a dye, that allowed us to get started,” Vice President for Workforce Solutions/Community Education Jim Hull said. “Libman has been very supportive, providing both a monetary gift and dyes.”

National and worldwide corporations NAL, Libman, Flex-N-Gate in Danville, and Plastipak in Champaign, all require plastic manufacturing technicians. Each business has expressed interest in the program and has offered to provide employees for an advisory committee to help the program grow, Hull added.

“You don’t think of everything that is involved in making those bristles. That plastic was once about 90 feet long and then it is stretched down to the size of a toothbrush bristle. They’re making bristles to clean the airport runway or even the brushes on the Mars rover,” Hull said.

“Flex-N-Gate in Danville is going to be doubling the square footage of its facility within the coming year, Libman is adding a new corporate office. Plastics is huge and it’s not going away anytime soon.”

To learn more about the new plastics program contact Michael Beavers, division chair of technology, at 217-234-5341 or mbeavers@lakelandcollege.edu. To enroll in the courses, visit lakelandcollege.edu and select the “Enroll Now” button.

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Lake Land College is accepting nominations for the Distinguished Service Award to be announced in spring 2019.

The Distinguished Service Award and the Alumnus Achievement Award will be presented at the college’s 2019 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. 14, and are available on the college’s website at lakelandcollege.edu/alumni or by contacting Seirra Laughhunn, administrative assistant to the president’s office, at 217-234-5222 or slaughhunn42647@lakelandcollege.edu. Submissions can be submitted to Laughhunn over email or in person.

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 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 Podesta (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 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), and Ben Ragle (2018).

The Retire 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.

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Help your high school student get a jump start on earning college credits with Lake Land College’s Dual Credit Program.

This fall, the Lake Land College Dual Credit program will host various parent and student information nights throughout the college district. The information nights are open to parents and students who are high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.

“Sometimes college can be intimidating, costly or overwhelming, but for high school students throughout the Lake Land College district, they can get a taste of college without ever leaving their high school classrooms,” said Lisa Shumard-Shelton, director of dual credit and honors experience.

The Lake Land College Dual Credit program offers eligible high school juniors and seniors the chance to enroll in college-level courses while earning both high school and college credit, tuition free. Courses are taught by a high school teacher who is qualified to instruct college-level classes during the regular high school day at the high school’s facilities.

During the information nights, parents and students will learn about opportunities at district high schools, types of courses offered, transfer information and costs associated with dual credit classes.

The information nights will be held during the following times:

• Monday, Oct. 29 at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Webb Hall, room 081 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 8 at the Kluthe Center, room 120, 1204 Network Centre Blvd., Effingham, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 15 at the Eastern Region Center, room 102, 224 S. Sixth Street, Marshall from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

To enroll in dual credit courses, students must be juniors or seniors and initially have a high school grade point average equivalent of a C to enroll.  Once a student has taken at least one dual credit course, he/she must maintain a Lake Land College grade point average of 2.0 to continue enrollment. Students must meet all prerequisites and requirements as any other student taking classes on the Lake Land College campus would.

High schools participating in the Dual Credit program through Lake Land College include Altamont High School, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School, Beecher City Jr-Sr High School, Brownstown High School, Casey-Westfield High School, Charleston High School, Cowden-Herrick High School, Cumberland High School, Dieterich Jr/Sr High School, Effingham High School, Kansas High School, Marshall High School, Martinsville High School, Mattoon High School, Neoga Sr High School, Oakland High School, Okaw Valley High School, Pana Sr High School, Paris Cooperative High School, Ramsey High School, St. Elmo Sr. High School, Shelbyville High School, Shiloh High School, St. Anthony High School, Stewardson-Strasburg High School, Sullivan High School, Teutopolis High School and Windsor Jr & Sr High School.

To learn more about dual credit opportunities through Lake Land College contact Shumard-Shelton at 217-234-5044 or lshumard-shelton@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

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.

Call 217-234-5249 to schedule an appointment.

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Lake Land College Alumni will induct five new members into the Distinguished Alumni Society and Laker Athletics will honor one new member to the Athletics Hall of Fame during the Laker Homecoming weekend Sept. 28-29.

The Distinguished Alumni Society (DAS) Class of 2018 inductees are Paul Crutcher, Greenwood, South Carolina, formerly of Mattoon; JC (James) Fultz, Decatur, formerly of Bethany; Donna Homann, Mattoon; Dave Pruemer, Teutopolis; and Gary Sullivan, Fairview, Pennsylvania, formerly of Effingham.

The Distinguished Alumni Society recognizes alumni who have utilized the Lake Land experience to make an imprint on their profession or community.

“We’re extremely proud of the newest members of the Distinguished Alumni Society. They exemplify the values we all share at Lake Land College. Not only are they accomplished in their careers, they are very dedicated to giving back to their communities and improving the world around them,” said Dave Cox, director of alumni relations and annual giving.

The newest member of the Lake Land College Athletics Hall of Fame is Tina Stovall, Charleston, formerly of Lovington. The Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, coaches and friends who have excelled in their careers or brought recognition and support to the program.

The honors will take place during the Alumni Recognition Brunch on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club. Mitchell Shaw, Lake Land College student athletic council chair, will give the welcome at the brunch. The banquet is just one of the many events scheduled during the college’s Laker Homecoming.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Tina Stovall, One Laker Nation Class of 1984

Stovall leads a comprehensive student services program that includes Athletics and 12 other departments. She is a devoted Laker, cheering for athletes both in competition and in the classroom. She champions the Laker spirit and is well known for joining in the Laker Loyalty fight song at the end of each game.

Stovall served as an academic counselor and director of counseling at Lake Land College from 1987 to 2000 and returned in 2006 as the vice president for student services. She has an associate degree from Lake Land, a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Eastern Illinois University and a doctorate in community college leadership from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.

Stovall was recently recognized as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Lake Land College’s history, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of Education and Professional Studies at Eastern Illinois University and was honored as a Hall of Fame alum of Lovington High School.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI SOCIETY CLASS OF 2018

Paul Crutcher, One Laker Nation Class of 2016

Crutcher is the general manager/instructor for XLR Radio at Lander University. He has an associate degree in radio and television broadcasting from Lake Land College, a bachelor’s degree in mass communication/media studies and a master’s of education, teaching and learning in instructional technology from Lander University.

Paul attended Lake Land in the 1980s and reconnected with Lake Land in 2016 to complete his degree by requesting an audit. It was very important to him to graduate from Lake Land College.

Crutcher founded Lander University’s radio station in 2009 and now oversees 100 plus students who work at the radio station, some of whom have gone on to work at big-name radio stations such as “Radio Disney” and “iHeartCountry.” Crutcher also started a yearly film festival that has gained local prominence.

Brooke Taylor, a former student of Crutcher’s who now works at “Big 95.5” in Chicago, said, “If it weren’t for Paul, I’d have never even started radio. … I’m so thankful for someone who is so passionate about radio, to have been able to learn from him at such an impressionable time in my life.”

Crutcher said that two faculty members who made a difference in his educational career and got him excited to learn were Lake Land College’s Ken Beno and Mike Bradd. “Ken set up the partnership with Mattoon High School allowing us the initial opportunity to experience a live air shift (when I was still a sophomore in high school).  Mike Bradd became the general manager the year I enrolled and he is a consummate professional and one of the best news writers/broadcasters and play-by-play announcers that I have ever been able to be around,” Crutcher said.

“I cannot overstate the importance of having hands on experience like running air shifts, writing and recording news, and broadcasting Laker basketball and baseball games,” Crutcher said. “I believe the broadcasting program at Lake Land is tried and tested, is unique for a school of that size, and is a model that can be followed for others who want to be successful in setting up a college media program.”

JC (James) Fultz, One Laker Nation Class of 2002

Fultz is chief meteorologist at WAND-TV. He has completed coursework at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, has an associate degree in earth science from Lake Land College, a bachelor’s in communication studies and minor in broadcast meteorology from Eastern Illinois University, and has earned a Seal of Approval from the National Weather Association.

The past several years Fultz has been named the number one TV personality by the Herald & Review, and has earned numerous state and local broadcast awards during his 16 years on air.

At all of his colleges, J.C. took part in radio and television “on air” activities. At EIU, he was the chief forecaster for Newswatch. At SIU he was chief forecaster for the River Region Evening Edition newscasts. Fultz attributes Lake Land College with allowing him to start working with broadcasts right away. “I was able to jump right in and was active at WLKL doing the AM Smash morning show,” Fultz said.

While Fultz attended Lake Land College several years ago, he returned in 2002 to take online classes and complete an associate degree. JC started out part-time and worked his way up to Chief Meteorologist.

“You really got to know your instructors on a personal level. I had friends who went on to major universities and they never saw their instructors in their general education classes.”

Mike Rudibaugh was one Lake Land College faculty member who got Fultz interested in meteorology and passionate about teaching it to others. “We would meet in his office and talk weather. In the classroom he brought his passion for science and I really enjoyed,” Fultz said. “He made things interesting and science fun and that is something I still like to do today when I go visit classrooms and talk to kids about weather and science. When I see the light go off inside their head before I leave I know I have done my job.”

With the nearly unpredictable weather patterns of the Midwest, Fultz still enjoys forecasting and takes pride in providing as accurate reports as possible. “I will spend several hours looking through the models and trying to figure out what the next several days has in store,” Fultz said. “I am a local central Illinois kid and being able to broadcast and forecast in my home is something that I enjoy!”

Donna Homann, One Laker Nation Class of 1984

Homann is the business owner of multiple establishments including Side Door Beauty Salon, Wig & Gift Boutique and Evergreen Home Rentals. She has a cosmetology certificate and associate of science from Lake Land College and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, management and operations from Eastern Illinois University.

Homann began her career as a Charleston police officer before she was diagnosed with systemic lupus. As a single mom suddenly on disability, Homann rose above her circumstances to provide first-hand care and advocacy for others’ quality of life. Homann’s full-service salon, The Side Door, specializes in working with area cancer patients and providing wigs and breast prosthetics.

“Lake Land College afforded me the opportunity to attend college and graduate debt free,” Homann said. “I was so impressed with the classroom size and the ease at which they prepared me to go on to graduate from Eastern Illinois University Lumpkin School of Business.”

Homann said that two faculty members who made the most positive impact on her while at Lake Land College were Roberta Williams and Mr. Browning. “Williams was my hero in cosmetology. I watched how she handled people and her ability to deal with the public,” said Homann “Mr. Browning asked me to be a tutor because of my math skills and gave me the confidence to go on to EIU.”

Dave Pruemer, One Laker Nation Class of 1992

Pruemer is a retired head trainer of the Minnesota Twins. He received an associate degree in physical education from Lake Land College and a bachelor’s degree in education with specialization in athletic training from Southern Illinois University- Carbondale.

Beginning his career in baseball, Pruemer started as an intern for the Pittsburgh Pirates Gulf Coast League Team in 1993. He then became an Athletic Trainer for the Minnesota Twins Appalachian League team in 1994 and over the next 10 years progressed through the Twins Farm System. In 2004 he was named the International League Trainer of the Year. Pruemer became an assistant trainer in the majors in 2005 and was named Head Athletic Trainer for the Twins in 2013.

Most recently Pruemer and the Twins organization hosted a national PLAY campaign to promote the importance of children living a healthy and active lifestyle.

“I’ve think I’ve known Dave my entire career,” said Joe Mauer, drafted by the Twins in 2001. “We shared a lot of laughs, and a lot of not-so-good times, too. But he’s been consistent the whole way through, every day, and you really appreciate that, especially in this sport.”

Through the years, Pruemer had become good friends with several Twins players – Jim Thome, Torii Hunter, Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer, to name just a few. “If I needed something, I could contact them and they would be there for me,” Pruemer said.

“Lake Land gave me the confidence and foundation that I needed to be successful in my career path of being an athletic trainer,” Pruemer said.

Gary Sullivan, One Laker Nation Class of 1988

Sullivan is an assistant professor of the F.W. Hirt Erie Insurance Risk Management Program at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. He has an associate degree from Lake Land College, a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Illinois and a master’s of business administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Prior to joining Mercyhurst University, Sullivan enjoyed a 23-year career with Auto-Owners Mutual Insurance, an Erie Insurance. In his most recent position as vice-president, property & subrogation claims for Erie Insurance, he ran several successful technology innovations and projects that improve customer service and operations, as well as reduce expenses.

Sullivan is an innovation leader in the insurance industry. He was recently named “One of Fifteen People to Watch in Insurance Technology” by Insurance Networking News. He was also featured on the December 2015/January 2016 issue from the same publication. Gary has been recognized as a pioneer in exploring new technologies, processes, and systems to enhance customer experiences and is regularly requested to speak at industry events sharing his message of service and innovation.

“While attending Lake Land, I made many friends who were just as eager to learn and grow as I was,” Sullivan said. “The foundations established at Lake Land gave me the confidence and ability to succeed at the next levels academically and professionally.”

“All the faculty in the business discipline were knowledgeable and helpful. I am now in the classroom teaching the fundamentals of my profession to the next generation and I hope I exude the same enthusiasm that my instructors did at Lake Land College,” Sullivan said.