Laker Nation News

The Lake Land College Foundation recognized the 2024 Foundation and Alumni Award recipients at a reception on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Individuals and organizations alike were recognized during the reception for going above and beyond in their support of the Lake Land College Foundation. The following 2024 Foundation Awards were presented during the event: the Outstanding Volunteer Organization Award, the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award and the Crystal Swan Award.

The Outstanding Volunteer Organization Award was presented to First Mid Bank & Trust in recognition of sustained financial support and dedication to the Lake Land College student experience.

Mike Sullivan, Mattoon, received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award for the generous sharing of time and talent to secure private funding on behalf of Lake Land College students.

Madge Shoot, Mattoon, received the Crystal Swan Award. The Crystal Swan Award is presented annually to a Lake Land College Foundation Board Member who has gone above and beyond in service to the College.

“We extend our congratulations to the 2024 Foundation Award recipients,” said Christina Donsbach, Executive Director for College Advancement. “It is an honor to recognize their generosity and commitment to impacting the future of the College and the lives of our students.”

During the reception, several additional awards were presented to Lake Land College Alumni and community members in recognition of their service and personal achievement. Justin Pals, Effingham, received The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumnus Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding professional accomplishments as a Lake Land College alumnus.

The Pacesetter Award was presented to Kiersten Edgar, Athens, for her accomplishments as a recent Illinois community college graduate.

Three Lake Land alumni were inducted into the Lake Land College Distinguished Alumni Society: Kristen Dolan, Mattoon; Valerie Lynch, Pana and Abigail Donaldson, Statesboro, Georgia. The Distinguished Alumni Society recognizes alumni who have utilized the Lake Land experience to make an imprint on their professions and communities.

Three former Lake Land employees were also inducted into the Lake Land College Retiree Wall of Fame for their outstanding achievements in service of the College. Randy Ervin and Lana Fuller of Mattoon were both honored during the ceremony as 2024 inductees, and Barbara Arthur was inducted posthumously.

Three board members, Denise Bence, Renee Huckstead and Blake Pierce, were also recognized during the reception, as their terms concluded in 2024.

“I would like to thank our outgoing board members for generously sharing their time and talents throughout their service,” Donsbach said. “The recent growth and success we’ve seen from the Foundation is due in no small part to their efforts and devotion to our mission.”

The 2025 Foundation Board slate of officers is comprised of President Larry Blackerby, Vice President Tom White and Secretary Amanda Martin.

For information on the Lake Land College Foundation, visit the Lake Land College Foundation website at LakeLandCollege.edu/foundation/.

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Lake Land College will be visiting local coffee shops throughout November for “Coffee and College Chat” to help community members through the admission and registration process.

The events will be hosted at three alumni-owned coffee shops: Casey Coffee Company of Casey, Coffee and Creams of Toledo and Joe Sippers of Effingham.

During each event, Lake Land College Enrollment Specialists will be available to answer questions regarding college admission, scholarships and class registration for the Spring and Fall 2025 semesters. Those who attend and ask questions will also receive a voucher for a free coffee from the host location.

“We’re excited to connect with the community in a way that is both fun and informative,” said Pam Hartke, Associate Dean of Recruitment & Enrollment Management. “It’s even more special when you consider that the three participating coffee shops are all alumni-owned, which makes for an awesome connection between past and future Lakers.”

The Lake Land College “Coffee and College Chat” schedule is as follows:

To learn more, contact Enrollment Specialists Holly Ferren at 217-238-2719 or holson@lakelandcollege.edu or Rachel Ervin at 217-238-2704 or rervin2401@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College welcomed local TRIO Destination College students to campus on October 19 for college tours and presentations.

In attendance were 52 junior high and high school students from nine local communities: Altamont, Brownstown, Casey, Cowden, Mattoon, Pana, Paris, Ramsey and St. Elmo.

During the event, students toured Lake Land College and explored degree and certificate possibilities. The students also visited Eastern Illinois University for a campus tour and admissions presentation.

“We were thrilled to see so many students come to campus and explore what Lake Land has to offer,” said Lori Ohnesorge, Director of TRIO Programs. “Our goal is to prepare these students with everything they need to succeed and promote the merits of a college education, no matter where it is they choose to attend.”

TRIO Destination College is a grant-funded, college readiness program that supports junior high and high school students, helping them graduate high school and enroll in the colleges of their choice.

To learn more about TRIO Destination College at Lake Land, contact Ohnesorge at 217-234-5007 or lohnesor@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College broadcast students earned awards at the annual Illinois Broadcasters Association Student Silver Dome Awards.

Lauryn Samuelson, Mattoon, earned First Place Best Sales Presentation for “Shear Bliss.” Samuelson also earned First Place Best Radio Recorded Promotion for “Bedtime Story Promo.”

Olivia Carroll, Mattoon, earned Second Place Best Longform Radio Entertainment Programming for “Roadside Bomb Interview.”

The Silver Dome Awards recognize the highest achievements in both commercial and student broadcasting throughout Illinois. Lake Land College was among 12 Illinois colleges and universities to be recognized during the ceremony.

“Our Broadcast Communication students produce outstanding work every year, and it’s so rewarding to see their efforts recognized among the top broadcasters in Illinois,” Communication Instructor Greg Powers said. “We are so proud of their accomplishments and can’t wait to see how their careers will blossom from here.”

For more information about Lake Land College’s Broadcast Communication program, contact Powers at 217-234-5335 or gpowers@lakelandcollege.edu.

More information is also available on the College’s Broadcast Communication webpage at LakeLandCollege.edu/guided-pathways/broadcast-communication or on the 89.9 The Max Alternative webpage at LakeLandCollege.edu/student-life/themax.

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Lake Land College will be offering Men and Women’s Cross Country and Half Marathon teams for the first time in 20 years, as approved by the board of trustees during the regular October meeting.

Also approved by the board was scholarship funding to support Lake Land College Cross Country athletes. Up to 20 students per academic year, 10 on both the men and women’s teams, will receive tuition and fees scholarships for their participation in Cross Country.

Both the Men and Women’s teams will begin competition in fall 2025, 20 years since the College last offered the sport in 2005.

“Cross Country was among the first sports we offered as a College, and it’s exciting to see it make its return now,” Director of Athletics Bill Jackson said. “Providing our students with a wide range of competitive, high-quality athletics is a key aspect of our mission to attract and retain students and elevate the Laker pride throughout our campus.”

To learn more about the Lake Land College Cross Country and Half Marathon teams, contact Jackson at 217-234-5296 or wjackson60312@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College has replaced all developmental math courses with a ground-breaking math sequence design using co-requisite courses, becoming the first community college in Illinois to accomplish this innovative goal.

Developed by Mathematics Instructors Sarah Harley and Bambi Jones, the new math sequence design ensures Lake Land College students will no longer spend time and money on non-credit-bearing developmental math courses.

“We are thrilled by the innovation of our faculty to position Lake Land College as a state and nationwide leader in math education,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “We believe the promise of a better future through the power of education should be available to all, and this approach helps ensure equitable outcomes for the most at-risk student populations.”

Developmental math courses are standard throughout higher education and serve the purpose of developing the math skills of students with low test scores to prepare them to take higher-level classes. These developmental courses do not award college credit toward degree or certificate completion, meaning students with low test scores often must take additional classes and incur more expenses than their peers.

To combat these challenges, Lake Land College replaced all developmental math courses with new math sequences that includes co-requisite courses. In co-requisite courses, students with low test scores enroll directly into credit-bearing college math courses and receive supplemental support from faculty. Lake Land introduced the co-requisite format in 2016 in statistics and general education math courses, and in 2022 expanded to include college algebra. In Fall 2023, new math sequences were introduced and all developmental math courses were eliminated.

Since implementing the new math sequences, Lake Land College has seen a substantial increase in general education math completion rates. Students are also now completing their math requirements in fewer semesters, ensuring they avoid delays on their path to graduation.

Those interested in learning more about the new Lake Land College math sequence design are invited to attend a virtual information session on Nov. 18 from 1-2 p.m. To join, go to LakeLandCollege.zoom.us/j/95267979157 and use 952-6797-9157 as the meeting ID.

For more information, contact Sarah Harley at sharley@lakelandcollege.edu or Bambi Jones at bjones@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College will host Laker Visit Day on Monday, Oct. 14 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Luther Student Center. The event is designed for prospective students to learn about Lake Land College and the resources available to guide students to success.

Attendees will tour campus with a student ambassador, who will share information from a student perspective. Participants will also meet with faculty to learn more about specific programs.

Representatives from many services, including Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Accommodations, Student Wellness, TRIO Student Support Services and more will be available to provide information and answer attendees’ questions.

Attendees are also welcome to bring their parents or guardians to the event. A session will be offered to provide information relevant to parents or guardians of future Lakers.

“There’s no better way for a prospective student to learn what it’s like to attend Lake Land College,” Pam Hartke, Associate Dean of Recruitment & Enrollment Management, said. “If you’re interested in studying at Lake Land, even if it’s only for a few classes, this event is perfect for you.”

For more information or to register, visit the Lake Land College visit page at LakeLandCollege.edu/visit.

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Lake Land College will be offering a brand-new flexible format in its Emergency Services (EMS) program beginning January 2025.

The new format will follow a hybrid structure to maximize schedule flexibility. All courses will be available virtually, and students will be required to attend in-person class labs just one day per week. The new format will also include a 12-month continuous program timeline, allowing students to complete national certifications just one year after enrolling.

“We’re excited to implement this new program format that will allow our students to seamlessly balance work, life and education,” said Jasmine Ballard, Emergency Services Program Director & Clinical Coordinator. “We’re always striving to find ways to better serve the needs of our students and equip our communities with qualified workers in crucial fields.”

The Lake Land College EMS program is a special admission program. Applicants are required to possess an EMT basic license as well as a letter of employment. Interested students should apply by Nov. 1, 2024 at the Lake Land College Emergency Medical Services website at LakeLandCollege.edu/Emergency-Medical-Services/.

To learn more about the Lake Land College EMS program, contact Emergency Services Program Director & Clinical Coordinator Jasmine Ballard at 217-234-5362 or jballard9365@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Fall enrollment at Lake Land College has risen to its highest level since 2019, according to the College’s official 10^th-day Enrollment Report as presented to the Lake Land College Board of Trustees at the regular September meeting.

The total number of students attending Lake Land College for Fall 2024 is up 7% over last year’s count, with 3,960 students enrolled. Additional highlights of the report include a nearly 20% increase in New Students and growth in both Dual Credit and Certificate program enrollment, which increased by 7.97% and 8.30% respectively.

Full-time equivalency, or FTE, was also up by half a percent. FTE is the total number of credit hours divided by 15.

“We’re excited to celebrate this significant enrollment increase,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “Even with the challenges of the delayed FAFSA and a declining high school population, the College community came together to exceed our shared enrollment goal.”

Individuals across the nation are increasingly recognizing the value of community colleges, where students can prepare for rapid employment with short-term career programs or save money on the path toward a bachelor’s degree with long-term transfer options.

The results of the report show that students continue to view Lake Land College as a smart investment in their futures and a pathway to increased earning potential. Students enjoy the advantage of an education that is accessible to all, with a campus environment that feels like home and the opportunity to jumpstart a career without the weight of student loan debt. Students also enjoy innovative programs, where cutting-edge technology and hands-on learning opportunities equip them with high-demand skills for a modern workforce.

Lake Land College continues to serve students of all ages, skill levels and experience. Students can begin at Lake Land as early as the junior year of high school, with dual credit courses designed to offer a head start on college and career trajectory. Meanwhile, GED programs and English Language Acquisition courses provide opportunities for essential skill development among adult populations, serving the needs of individuals in the area and strengthening the local workforce.

In addition to an increase in new students, Lake Land College enrollment numbers reflect strong retention throughout the student body. A devotion to student support services, including Welcome Week activities, free tutoring at the Student Success Center, helpful alternatives to remedial math and English courses, mental wellness and health services, the Laker Food Pantry and DEIB initiatives empower students to excel throughout their time at Lake Land College.

“We’re pleased to see so many students continue to choose Lake Land College as the starting point of their dream career,” Bullock said. “Our goal is to create accessible opportunities for students to change their lives through the power of education.”

The 10^th-day enrollment report is a standard report among the higher education community that captures opening enrollment data each semester.

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Lake Land College is pleased to announce the students who have graduated following completion of the Summer 2024 term. The 2024 Summer graduates are:

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