Lake Land College to offer free GED classes Posted on July 10, 2017 Lake Land College will be offering free GED classes in several locations, with orientation beginning in August. Classes will be available in Arthur, Effingham, Marshall, Mattoon, Pana, Paris and Shelbyville and will continue all semester. The schedule for orientation is as follows: Arthur- Arthur Public Library, 225 S. Walnut – Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 4:30 p.m. Effingham – Lake Land College Kluthe Center, 1204 Network Centre Blvd. – Aug. 15, Tuesday, at 4 p.m. Marshall – Eastern Region Center, 224 S. 6 St. – Monday, Aug. 14, at 4 p.m. Mattoon – Workforce Development Center, 305 Richmond Ave. E. – Wednesday, August 16, at 8 a.m. or 4 p.m. Pana – Western Region Center, 600 E. First St. – Thursday, Aug. 17, at 5 p.m. Paris – First United Methodist Church, 324 W Court St. –Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 4 p.m. Shelbyville – Shelby Christian Church, 200 N. Hickory St. – Monday, Aug. 14, at 5:30 p.m. For more information contact Adult Education at 217-238-8292 or email adulteducation@lakelandcollege.edu. -30-
Lake Land College Board of Trustee Mike Sullivan receives awards Posted on July 6, 2017 Three is proving to be a lucky number for Lake Land College trustee Mike Sullivan of Mattoon, who was honored with three leadership awards during the Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s June 2-3 convention in Normal. Sullivan received ICCTA’s Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award, which recognizes exemplary service by a currently serving community college board member. He is only the second Lake Land trustee to receive this honor, following Leland Glazebrook in 1999. He also received ICCTA’s 30-Year Trustee Award for his three decades of service Mike Sullivan, Mattoon, Lake Land College Trustee, left, pictured with Kathy Spears, ICCTA secretary, was honored with ICCTA’s 2017 Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award. Sullivan also received two other honors: the 30-Year Trustee Award for longtime service on the Lake Land College Board of Trustees and the Linden A. Warfel Trustee Education Award for completion of 100 ICCTA professional development seminars. to Lake Land College, and the Linden A. Warfel Trustee Education Award for his participation in 100 or more professional development seminars during his tenure as a community college trustee. “Mike Sullivan has a tireless passion for the work of community colleges,” said ICCTA President Jim Endress. “We appreciate all the good work that Mike has done to help Lake Land, ICCTA, and our statewide system of higher education.” Sullivan began his journey of service as a student leader during the early years of Lake Land College. In 1968, he was elected Student Government president and served on the very first Illinois Community College Board Student Advisory Committee. In 1987, he was elected to the Lake Land board, where his 30 years of visionary leadership and can-do spirit have led the college to become a nationally-recognized leader in education and service. “A big congratulations to trustee Sullivan. Lake Land College is fortunate to have a trustee who has devoted so many years to consistently leading the college to grow beyond expectations, while keeping students at the heart of all decisions,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. Sullivan and his wife have endowed a scholarship for Lake Land students through the Lake Land College Foundation. A charter member of Lake Land’s alumni association board, he has been honored with the college’s Distinguished Alumni and Golden Apple awards. At the state level, Sullivan has chaired or served as a member of every ICCTA committee, including 25 years as a member of the ICCTA Government Relations Committee. He was one of three trustees who designed the framework of the College Insurance Program for community college retirees. He also served as ICCTA president during the historic transfer of adult education governance from the Illinois State Board of Education to ICCB in 2000. “Education has helped me help others,” says Sullivan.” “Lake Land is the community’s college, and I devote my time and efforts to let others know this.” -30- 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
Lake Land College Offers Free Dental Cleanings Posted on June 29, 2017 In honor of patient appreciation, the Lake Land College Dental Hygiene Program is offering free dental cleanings July 5-July 12. Clinic hours are Monday and Tuesday noon to 4 p.m., Wednesday from noon to 4 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. and Thursday 8 a.m. to noon and noon to 4 p.m. The clinic is located in the Northwest Building, room 116 on the Lake Land College campus, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. Please call 217-234-5249 to schedule an appointment. -30- 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.
New dental hygienists recognized at pinning ceremony Posted on June 6, 2017 Lake Land College associate degree dental hygiene graduates received their pins at the annual pinning ceremony. Several students received scholarships or awards during the ceremony. Kara Springman and Andrea Speece were recognized for receiving the Linda Lee Fletcher Scholarship earlier this year. Layne Curley received the Colgate Student Total Achievement Recognition (STAR), Award, which if offered to a graduating student who shows excellence and commitment to the hygiene profession by demonstrating true dedication to the profession, exhibiting extraordinary compassion in patient care, displaying enthusiasm and follow-through for community service, and demonstrating outstanding patient education and motivation skills. Lacy Maulding received the Golden Scaler Award for demonstrating advanced skills in instrumentation. Jezmyn Thorpe and Rachel Dilts received the Proctor and Gamble Preventive Dentistry Award for demonstrating the best patient education. Springman received the Best Dental Hygienist Award, which was voted on by students in the program. Speece and Springman, were also inducted into Sigma Phi Alpha Dental Hygiene Society. During the ceremony the following students were honored: Brittani Augenstein, Tara Cummings, Layne Curley, Jennifer Delaney, Christina Deleonardis, Rachel Dilts, Raegan Earles, Anna Hage, Laura Koester, Valerie Lau, Lacy Maulding, Morgan McDowell, Maryam Naseri, Beth Niemerg, Megan Reiher, Kailee Sabin, Heather Sotomayor, Andrea Speece, Kara Springman, Fallon Sullivan, Jezmyn Thorpe, Courtney Wallace, Katie Wendler and Haley Wilson. Dental Hygiene is a special admission program at Lake Land College. The program prepares students with specialized skills necessary for employment as a dental hygienist. Emphasis is on dental hygiene treatment and on the hygienist’s abilities as a dental health educator. The hygienist’s services are sought by dentists, schools, prisons, hospitals, departments of health and industry. The dental hygiene program is fully accredited by the American Dental Association Commission on Dental Accreditation. -30- 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.
Laker Visit Day set for June 22 Posted on Visit Lake Land College and find out all the college offers at Laker Visit Day. The event will be held Thursday, June 22 in the Luther Student Center. 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. For more information, or to reserve a space for Laker Visit Day, register online at lakelandcollege.edu/visit or call 217-234-5254. -30- 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.
Lake Land College honors athletes’ academic achievements Posted on June 5, 2017 Lake Land College honored Tyler Schuring of Arthur and Kassidy Bonebrake of Crawfordsville, Ind., with the 2017 Male and Female Athlete of the Year awards on May 7 at the Laker Academics Awards Gala. In addition, more than 25 athletes were honored for their hard work and academic success during their time as Lake Land athletes. In order to be considered for the Athlete of the Year award, nominees must have at least a 3.65 GPA. All Laker coaches nominated athletes based on academic, athletic and off-the-field performance, as well as leadership skills. Out of that pool, a voting committee of Lake Land College administration and the academic counselor, Bryan Burrell, who advises athletes, voted on a female and male athlete. Schuring said in his acceptance speech that he was very humbled to receive the award, but said it wouldn’t have been possible without so many of his supporters along the way, thanking his coaches, teammates and family. Schuring plans to enter the Lake Land College Physical Therapy Assistant program and help out with the Laker Men’s Basketball team next year. Bonebrake said without the guidance of her family, her coach Dave Johnson, and high school coaches, she wouldn’t have been as successful as able to go onto her next step in her education and basketball career. Bonebrake is continuing her education at University of Montevallo in Alabama, where she will double major in biology and exercise science During the ceremony, the following 28 athletes were honored Abby Bush* – Women’s Basketball Addison Baele* – Softball Audrey Casey – Dean’s List – Softball Britt Remmers* – Softball Callie Williams* – Women’s Basketball Courtney Flach –President’s List – Women’s Basketball Dakota Crowder* – Women’s Basketball Dallas Wilson – President’s List – Baseball Danielle Benninghoff* – Women’s Basketball Dori Gowin* – Volleyball Emily Neuhauser –Honor’s List – Women’s Basketball Emily Watson* – Volleyball Hope Collier* – Softball Jeffrey Martin –Honor’s List – Men’s Basketball Jordan Katz *– Cheer Jordan Thoele –President’s List – Baseball Kassidy Bonebrake –Dean’s List – Women’s Basketball Kelcie Darnell* – Volleyball Kelly Sager* – Softball Kendall Hastings* – Softball Kendra Gengenbacher* – Softball Madison Boone – Honor’s List – Softball Peyton Hagerman* – Baseball Rachel Schultz – Honor’s List – Volleyball Randall Winger – Honor’s List – Baseball Sheldon Meyer* – Baseball Tristan Warner – Men’s Basketball Tyler Schuring –President’s List – Men’s Basketball Students on the sophomore honor’s list earned a 3.50-3.64 cumulative GPA, students on the sophomore dean’s list earned a 3.65-3.79 cumulative GPA and students on the sophomore president’s list earned a 3.80-4.0 cumulative GPA. An asterisk by an athlete’s name indicates he or she is a freshman or transfer student who earned a 3.5-4.0 GPA during fall 2016. -30- 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.
Lake Land College bond rating is stable Posted on June 1, 2017 S&P Global Ratings recently issued an A+ rating for Lake Land College’s outstanding general obligation bonds with an outlook of stable. Although the overall rating was a slight decline from AA-, the move in the college’s outlook from negative to stable is a positive one, particularly with the funding challenges in the state of Illinois for the past two years, Vice President for Business Services Bryan Gleckler said. According to a summary report S&P explained the reason for the downgrade and stated the college’s efforts to control expenditures prevented any further decline in ratings. “The downgrade reflects the district’s decrease in reserves stemming from budgetary pressures exerted by a weak state revenue environment for CCDs in Illinois. Further rating deterioration was prevented by management’s efforts to manage its expenditures and enhance aspects of its revenue stream,” as stated in the RatingsDirect® Summary Document for Lake Land College. “Lake Land College’s good fiscal management has ensured the solvency and fiscal soundness of the college. We operated this year with a balanced budget by reducing operational expenses across the college by 25 percent, eliminating non-essential travel and supply purchases, reducing our workforce, reorganizing departments and keeping vacant positions unfilled. In total, the college balanced a $5.7 million budget gap in fiscal year 17,” Gleckler added. The Lake Land College Board of Trustees did not raise tuition for the upcoming 2017-2018 year. Increases in fees will take place for the upcoming year, although overall tuition and fees, including textbook rental, remain less than $4,000 per year. Throughout the budget crisis Lake Land College has continued to move forward, introducing new programs such as the Certified Medical Assistant, Public Safety Telecommunicator and Basic Welding. “Lake Land College is one of the greatest values in higher education in the state of Illinois. Our tuition and fees are among the lowest in the state and our students excel when they graduate. Annual studies show our transfer students earn grades that are better than their peers who start at the universities and our Workforce Ready graduates readily find jobs in our region,” Gleckler said. “We are able to achieve such success and achieve financial stability due to the commitment of our board of trustees, administration, faculty and staff, who all work together to ensure our students continue to experience outstanding academic rigor and excellent service.” – 30 –
Lake Land College honors nurses at annual pinning ceremony Posted on May 24, 2017 At the 2017 Lake Land College Associate Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony graduating nurses received their pins. Three students received awards during the ceremony. Pictured left to right are: Christine Martin, Toledo, recipient of the Associate Degree Nursing Peer Award; Brennan Debenham, Effingham, recipient of the Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Nursing Award and Jeremiah Roberts, Effingham, recipient of the Associate Degree Nursing Peer Award. At the 2017 Lake Land College Associate Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony, graduating nurses received their pins. Brennan Debenham, Effingham, 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. Debenham’s name will be engraved on a plaque that is located in the nursing skills lab in Neal Hall. Christine Martin, Toledo and Jeremiah Roberts, Effingham, 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. During the ceremony, the following were honored: Idalia Barquin-Mattoon Kassidi Burton-Casey Reneà Caskey-Charleston Kelli Christensen-Findley Sydni Elder-Arthur Rachael Elsberry-Paris Kasey Fitzgerald-Tower Hill Anita Hines-Gays Amanda Jernigan-Paris Zhongxiang Kenworthy-Neoga Kate Miller-Arthur Danielle Morr-Charleston Amanda Overbeck-Shelbyville Lisa Price-Shelbyville Tammy Rhoades-Herrick Kelly Sidwell-Gays Jessi Sinclair-Paris Riki Staples-Martinsville Alexa Stephens-Mattoon Megan Temples-Paris Sydney Turner-Oakland Chelsie Whitesell-Paris Anne Woods-Paris Jamie Banning-Shelbyville Kim Carmack-Charleston Mara Dearnbarger-Mattoon Hannah Foltz-Westfield Amber Handley-Ashmore Tricia Harkins-Assumption Amber Hood-Shelbyville Miranda Jones-Mattoon Maryam Khastkhoda-Mattoon Kristen Perry Lebube-Charleston Christine Martin-Toledo Jennifer Mason-Edgewood Jamie Miller-Sullivan Matthew Phillips-Mattoon Kerra Presnell-Pana Kelsey Randolph-Shelbyville Ayla Sherman-Charleston Lucille Smallhorn-Charleston Jeremy Szabo-Sullivan Melissa Walker-Charleston Dinah Wolfe-Martinsville Cathy Yeakel-Sullivan Sara Althoff-Effingham Tiffany Beccue-Mason Kelsey Beckman-Effingham Joanna Brown-Effingham Gabrielle Collier-Lakewood Brennan Debenham-Effingham Latisha Devall-Effingham Shelby Eastin-Charleston Lakin Evans-Brownstown Haley Fasnacht-St. Elmo Brianne Franciscovich-Effingham Jennifer Gomez-Mattoon Heidi Gould-Pana Tylar Hill-Altamont Mary Lou Markwell-Jewett Morgan McWhorter-Effingham Naomi Mostelller-Marshall Josie Phillips-Altamont Alyssa Pickowitz-Effingham Chelsie Pontious-Effingham Jeremiah Roberts-Effingham Mackenzie Wermert-Teutopolis -30- 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.
Posted on May 18, 2017 Cutline: Lake Land College’s Navigator staff and contributors won several awards at this year’s ICCJA contest held recently at Lewis and Clark Community College. Pictured left to right, back row, are Derby Roan, Mattoon; Allison Wheeler, Bethany; Sara McRoberts, Mattoon; Darrius Frazier, Charleston; and front row: Steven Oliver, Charleston. May 1, 2017 For Immediate Release Lake Land College’s Navigator wins big in this year’s ICCJA contest The staff of Lake Land College’s Navigator News recently won nine awards at the spring 2017 Illinois Community College Journalism Association ICCJA conference held at Lewis and Clark Community College. The Navigator News is Lake Land College’s student newspaper and is produced by the students for the students every month during the fall and spring semesters. The eight to 12 page tabloid consists of news, features, sports, entertainment and upcoming events. Listed below are the awards obtained by the Navigator News: 2nd Place Front Page Design, Derby Roan, Mattoon 2nd Place Front Page Design, Allison Wheeler, Bethany 2nd Place Front Page Design, Tamesha Moss, Mattoon 3rd Place Headline, Tamesha Moss, Mattoon 3rd Place Website, Staff of the Navigator News 3rd Place Sports Column, Dalton Kemper, Teutopolis 3rd Place Advertising, Staff of the Navigator News 3rd Place Sports Photo, Bailey Zacha, Beecher City Honorable Mention News Story, Bailey Rueff, Cowden The staff also had the opportunity to attend education sessions taught by distinguished journalism faculty, current journalists and graphic designers. For more information on the Navigator or any other student life activity, visit lakelandcollege.edu/student-life. The Navigator News is hiring staff this summer for the 2017-2018 year. There are several paid positions in the area of editing, writing, photography, advertising, graphic design and business management. Call 217-234-5277 to learn more about how to join the staff. -30-
A World of Opportunity at Lake Land College Posted on Cutline: Along with the help of Laker Louie, Lake Land College international students showcase the International Culture Show-and-Tell as a part of International Education Week last fall. Students set up displays and activities that represent their homes. Some past favorites have been folding origami and taste testing food from around the world. We live in a global community. International interaction has become an integral part of virtually all industries and students are now needing to understand globalization along with everything they learn from their textbooks. While studying abroad is a valuable resource for learning this lesson, Lake Land College offers the opportunity to learn about the world right here in Mattoon. Lake Land is home to about 50 international students. People from all around the world come to Mattoon seeking the opportunity to learn with the advantage of attentive teachers and a small classroom environment. “The best part of being a student here is that the teachers at Lake Land College are good, friendly and enthusiastic. They helped me a lot with their whole heart. I love them and I feel grateful to them,” said Le Phunong Vy Tran, or as her American friends call her – Vy. She is an international student from Vietnam. Since moving to Central Illinois can be quite a culture shock, Ted O, director of international studies, encourages international and traditional students to participate in campus and community opportunities to share cultures and help in the transitionary period. One such opportunity for Lake Land students to get to know each other is the International Buddy Program. This is a pairing between a domestic and an international student to promote sharing cultures and community. They meet about once a week. Another weekly occurrence is the English Café where international students get together with domestic students to learn American slang and practice their English speaking skills. Chances to share cultures are also spread out throughout the year with the Global Family Program where an international student is matched with a community family to meet a couple of times a semester and, perhaps, to spend the holidays with. Field trips are also organized to take international students and interested traditional students to do fun and interactive activities. Previous trips have included site-seeing in cities like Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis as well as ice skating in Champaign. Local trips are also planned for activities such as going to the movie theater to watch the newest blockbuster hit. Every November, International Studies hosts the International Culture Show and Tell as a part of International Education Week. Students set up displays and activities that represent their homes. Some past favorites have been folding origami and taste testing food from around the world. To learn more about International Studies or how to get involved, contact the International Studies office at international@lakelandcollege.edu or call 217-234-5382.