Laker Nation News

Lake Land College Nursing Instructor Tisha Goad, Arcola, recently received a Nurse Educator Fellowship award from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. The Nurse Educator Fellowship program is designed to ensure the retention of highly qualified nursing faculty at institutions of higher learning.

Cheryl Beam, nursing instructor/director of nursing programs, nominated Goad, stating, “Tisha Goad demonstrates ongoing initiative, leadership, and dedication to her students, the college, and the nursing profession.  As an instructor, she identified gaps in lesson plans and has developed innovative ways to fill those gaps.  By developing collaborative learning activities she promotes deep learning and the ability of her students to apply nursing concepts in making sound clinical judgments.”

Beam goes on to say that Goad “is highly praised by students, fellow instructors, supervisors and by staff from the clinical sites in which she provides instruction.  She has over 20 years’ experience as a nurse, focusing the last ten years on teaching.”

This program also promotes professional development through a supplement grant to the nursing faculty selected. Goad, who teaches associate degree nursing courses at Lake Land, plans on using the award funds for furthering awareness for higher education and nursing issues. She also plans to attend conferences, purchase instructional materials specific to her teaching content and to acquire professional association memberships and journals.

“She is one of the most passionate instructors I have ever met,” Beam said. “She truly focuses on inspiring students and colleagues to grow and learn which makes her an excellent candidate for this fellowship.”

Visit Lake Land College and find out all the college offers at Laker Visit Day. The event will be held Friday, Feb. 9 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. Parents/guardians and spouses are welcome to come along and attend the Parent and Spouse Session.

Representatives from Admissions & Records, Financial Aid & Veteran Services, Counseling Services, Career Services and Student Life will provide information and answer questions. The event includes campus tours and informational sessions by Lake Land College Student Ambassadors. Participants will also meet with faculty members in their academic area of interest to learn more about program offerings at Lake Land.

“Laker Visit Day is a great way for prospective students and parents to talk to faculty and staff about academic options and programs of study, to talk to current students about student life and to learn about financial aid options and opportunities,” said Lisa Shumard-Shelton, director of new student admissions.

Additional Laker Visit Days are scheduled for March 23 and June 21.

Register online at lakelandcollege.edu/visit or call 217-234-5254.

Certified Fund Raising Executive International has named Lake Land College’s Jacqueline Joines, Brocton, as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). Joines, executive director of college advancement for Lake Land College, joins more than 5,500 professionals from around the world who hold the CFRE designation. She is currently the only active CFRE in Coles County.

Individuals granted the CFRE credential have met a series of standards set by CFRE International which include tenure in the profession, education, demonstrated fundraising achievement and a commitment to service to not-for-profit organizations. They pass a rigorous written examination testing the knowledge, skills and abilities required of a fundraising executive. They also agree to uphold accountability standards and the Donor Bill of Rights.

“The CFRE credential was created to identify for the public and employers those individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and commitment to perform fundraising duties in an effective and ethical manner,” states Jim Caldarola, CFRE, past chair of CFRE International. “As the certification is a voluntary achievement, the CFRE credential demonstrates a high level of commitment on the part of Jacqueline Joines to herself, the fundraising profession and the donors who are served.”

CFRE recipients are awarded certification for a three-year period. In order to maintain certification status recipients must demonstrate on-going fundraising employment and fundraising results and continue with their professional education. Employers and donors who work with CFREs know they are getting a professional who is committed to the best outcomes for their organization and has the requisite knowledge and skills. In the fiscal year 2017, Joines and the Lake Land College Foundation Board of Directors celebrated a record-breaking year of $1.1 million in gifts. CFRE International is an independent organization dedicated to the certification of fundraising executives by setting standards in philanthropic practice.

The Lake Land College Foundation is a nonprofit corporation organized and operated exclusively for educational, scientific, and cultural purposes to assist in developing and fostering scholarships and charitable activities. The foundation administers general and academic scholarships, which have been made available by contributions, gifts, grants, and bequests.

Lake Land College’s Adult Education will be offering free computer classes in various locations.

Classes begin Monday, Feb. 5 for the Effingham location. Tuesday, Feb. 6 for the Mattoon location and Friday, Feb. 9 for the Pana location.

The four-week classes will include topics of Windows 7 and Word.

The schedule is as follows:

• Mattoon – Lake Land College Workforce Development Center, 305 Richmond Ave. East. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-7 p.m.
• Effingham – Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology, 1204 Network Centre Blvd. Mondays and Tuesdays, 2-4 p.m.
• Pana – Lake Land College Western Region Center, 600 East 1^st. Fridays 4-8 p.m.

Registration is limited to the first 12 applicants. Enroll today!

For more information, contact Adult Education at 217-238-8292 or adulteducation@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College is offering a Grant Writing 101 course that will cover all aspects of the grant writing process. The course will be a practical and humor-filled approach to grant writing and will explain how to begin composing grants of all sizes. Participants can expect to learn proposal design, the funder search and more. The class will work through various grant documents and will have time to ask as many questions as needed. By the end of the course, participants will have a much better idea of whether grants are a good fit for their school, nonprofit or agency.

The class will be taught by Fielding Jezreel who has worked in the grants field since 2013 and has raised more than $10 million for nonprofits.

The Grant Writing 101 course will meet on Thursday, Feb. 1 from 9 a.m.—12 p.m.

Class will be held at the Workforce Development Center located at 305 Richmond Ave. East, Mattoon, Ill., 61938. The cost is $60.

Register at lakelandcollege.edu/learn.

For more information, contact Sandy Spaulding, professional development support, at 217-234-5087 or email sspaulding@lakelandcollege.edu

Members of the first graduating class of the Lake Land College licensed practical nurse to associate degree nursing cohort program received their pins during a ceremony on Dec. 11. The pinning ceremony was also a celebration of the first graduating class from this new program.

Andrea Davis, Strasburg, 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. Davis’s name will be engraved on a plaque that is located in the nursing skills lab in Neal Hall.

Debi King, Charleston, received the Associate Degree Nursing Peer Award. King 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. The recipient of this award was selected by fellow nursing students.

During the ceremony, the following graduates were honored:

Paula Blaine,  Cowden

Brittany Cain, Charleston

Amy Cripe, Windsor

Andrea Davis, Strasburg

Kristina Davis, Sullivan

Lindsey Dionne, Pana

Gretchen Hille, Effingham

Nicole Houseman, Pana

Cayla-Ann Hurt, Casey

Debi King, Charleston

Brennyn Kirk, Mattoon

Courtney Kuhlman, Shelbyville

Nicole Pals, Teutopolis

Lindsey Rahn, Shelbyville

Rebecca Reinstorf, Pana

Maria Strohl, Neoga

Rebecca Switzer, Brocton

Kelly Wheeler, Windsor

Taylor Wilcox, Shelbyville

Molly Williams, Shelbyville

The licensed practical nursing to associate degree nursing major cohort is a one calendar-year program offering career advancement training to nursing professionals. Offered exclusively at the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology in Effingham, it is a special admission program requiring applicants to meet specific criteria.

The next group of students will begin in the spring 2018 semester.

For more information on this program contact Cheryl Beam, director of nursing programs, at 217-234-5452 or cbeam@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College student Dorothy Stuttle, who recently celebrated her 90^th birthday on Nov. 30, doesn’t need a New Year’s resolution to exercise more—she’s been living out that goal at the Lake Land Fitness Center for the past eight years and she plans to keep going.

To celebrate her dedication to physical wellness, Lake Land recently honored Stuttle with a lifetime membership to the Fitness Center. Lake Land staff presented Stuttle with the membership along with wishing her a happy birthday.

Over the years, Stuttle took advantage of the senior citizens tuition wavier to enroll in fitness courses every semester. Now, she can visit the Fitness Center freely.

“It just means so much to me that they would do something like that,” she said. “I’m a strong believer in exercise and doing the right thing. I always try to do the best I can.”

Stuttle began working out at the Fitness Center after she decided that she needed to look into different options for her exercise routine.

“I used to walk around Lake Paradise every morning, but the ground proved too hard on my knees. I looked in to the fitness center and it seemed like a good idea,” she said. “So many people retire and all they want to do is sit. I never wanted to do that. I want to stay active.”

Stuttle goes to the Fitness Center every day at 7 a.m. and peddles on one of the many recumbent exercise bikes. Through the years, Stuttle has become a familiar face to all the staff and students and serves as an inspiration to all who come into contact with her.

“Dorothy is an inspiration to us all,” said Lisa Leisch, administrative assistant to counseling services. “Her story should be an encouragement to everyone in the community to get out there and take care of their physical wellbeing.”

Stuttle enjoys watching the wildlife around her house, especially all the birds and deer that come up to her backyard. She also enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “I try to be a great mom, grandma, and great-grandma. I love the little ones,” she said.

When asked about tips on diet, Stuttle stressed moderation. “I eat anything I want, I just try to watch the quantity. I still enjoy a bowl of ice cream before bed every now and then, though.”

The general public can sign up for a one credit hour aerobics class (PED 143) at the college and utilize the center. The center is open Monday—Thursday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Friday from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The Lake Land College Foundation is accepting year-end gifts that support students and college programs.

“With the holiday season around the corner, it’s important to remember that the gift of education is one that keeps on giving,” said Lake Land College Executive Director for College Advancement Jackie Joines. “The Lake Land College Foundation is a great organization to give to and we want to make that process as easy as possible.”

Since the college is open through Dec. 21 in observance of the holidays, the foundation is ready to help donors make their gifts.

Options for giving include:

• Make a secure gift online. Go to lakelandcollege.edu and look for the “Give” button at the top of the page. Gifts can be made online until midnight on Dec. 31 to receive a 2017 charitable gift credit.
• Make a gift by check dated prior to Dec. 31, 2017. Checks dated prior to Dec. 31, 2017 and received by Jan. 3, 2018 will be receipted as a 2017 charitable gift.
• Make a gift through the IRA Rollover method for those 70 ½ required to take the mandatory minimum distribution.  Rollover gifts must be dated prior to Dec. 31, 2017 and received by Jan. 3, 2018 to be receipted as a 2017 charitable gift.
• Gifts of appreciated stock can be the ideal choice for donors to make a year-end gift with a big impact at a reduced cost, Joines said. Transfers must be received by the foundation before the end of business on Dec. 30 to be receipted as a 2017 charitable gift.
• Contact Joines at 217-234-5354 by Dec. 21, for more information on making a year-end gift to be credited to the 2017 tax year.

“All methods of giving are appreciated and make a huge difference in the lives of Lake Land College students,” Joines said. “No matter the method, you have the opportunity to benefit students and programs any way you would like and be recognized for your generosity.”

“The IRA Rollover method is a great option for those 70½ who have to take the mandatory minimum withdrawal from their IRA, but don’t need the additional income and would like to make a charitable gift,” Joines said.  “Likewise, gifts of appreciated stock allow the donor to make a larger impact and enjoy the reduced cost basis.”

As with any gift, Joines encourages donors to check with their professional advisor to know what method of giving is best.

To learn more about year-end giving, contact Joines at jjoines@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5354. Email and voicemail messages for this phone number will be checked on a regular basis throughout the holiday break between Dec. 22 and Jan. 1. The college will be open on Jan. 2. To learn more about the foundation, visit lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/.

The Lake Land College Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to securing private support that enhances the learning experience of Lake Land College students.

With the fall semester coming to a close and spring semester right around the corner, Lake Land College will have varied office hours for the upcoming winter holiday season.

The following are important upcoming dates and hours of operation:

• Dec. 8 – Last day of classes.
• Dec. 11-14 – Final exams.
• Dec. 22 – Jan. 1 – College closed.
• Jan. 3 – Textbook pick-up begins.
• Jan. 5 – 10 a.m.-7 p.m. extended registration. Offices closed from 8-10 a.m.
• Jan. 8 – First day of classes for spring semester.
• Feb. 1 – Foundation scholarship application due.

For more information or to get started visit lakelandcollege.edu.