Foundation Annual Awards

Crystal Swan

The Crystal Swan Award honors a Lake Land College Foundation Board Member who demonstrates exceptional dedication. This year, Linda VonBehren has been chosen for her outstanding service to the Foundation. VonBehren previously served as the Lake Land College Vice President for Workforce, has been an active member of the Lake Land College Foundation Board and was recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential People in Lake Land history. With remarkable generosity and unwavering commitment, Vonbehren embodies the spirit of Lake Land College and the mission of the Foundation.

Outstanding Volunteer

Renee Huckstead is this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser for her extraordinary dedication and impact on Lake Land College and the surrounding community. A Lake Land College alumna, Huckstead has served the community as a financial advisor for more than 21 years, dedicating her life to helping families achieve their retirement dreams, send children to college, protect their life savings and passing their estate on in the most beneficial ways. She is also dedicated to helping the next generation of students through the Lake Land College Foundation and has served on the Foundation Board.

Outstanding Philanthropist

This year’s Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award went to Robert D. Harris. From Beecher City and a graduate of Cowden High School, Harris left home in 1953 to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. He earned his Pilot Wings and Commission in 1957 and left the Air Force in December 1966 with the rank of Captain. He then worked in Bakersfield, California as a financial advisor until his retirement. In 1975, he earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from California State University Bakersfield and spent many years as a Certified Flight Instructor, helping the next generation of pilots learn to fly and upgrade their skills. Today, Harris continues to support students in the form of the the Robert D. Harris Scholarship, which provides financial support to Lake Land College students who graduated from Cowden-Herrick High School.

The Outstanding Philanthropist Award also went to Don and Jane Perry, who were both lifelong educators. Don spent the last several years of his career teaching electronics at Lake Land College. Jane taught English after she graduated from college. She then became a National Library of Congress certified braillist and spent many years doing braille work for school districts in central Illinois. They both were proud of their Lake Land endowment.

Outstanding Philanthropic Organization

Grunloh Construction is known not only for its building projects across the Midwest, but also for its generosity and service to the community. The company has been a steadfast supporter of Lake Land College, contributing to Foundation initiatives, student opportunities and campus improvements that benefit Lakers for generations to come. Grunloh Construction has also been a strong supporter of the Foundation Golf Outing and the College’s new Community Partner Program, further demonstrating its commitment to student success.