At Lake Land College, Lakers Celebrate Together! In that spirit, here are some of our current and past celebrations! Is something missing? Let us know at idec@lakelandcollege.edu!
We are excited to share that Dr. Temple Grandin, an American academic and animal behaviorist, consultant to the livestock industry, and an autism spokesperson, will be coming to Lake Land College on October 12 at 6 p.m.
She will be speaking at a ticketed event in the LSC Theater however the presentation will be livestreamed for FREE for current students in Webb 081 at 6 p.m. on Oct. 12 as well. Students will then be able to take part in a meet-and-greet after the presentation where Dr. Grandin will be signing autographs and such. Refreshments will also be available for students in Webb Hall, room 081.
Dr. Grandin was the subject of the 2010 film “Temple Grandin” wherein she was portrayed by actress Claire Danes. The award-winning film (including seven Primetime Emmy Awards) is now available to view free of charge to all Lake Land College students, faculty and staff through the Lake Land College Library. You can access the film through Swank on the Library Website.
“To my younger self and all the disabled kids today who can’t imagine their futures. The world is ours, and this is for all of us.” – Alice Wong
What is a disability? What does having a disability mean to the one in five people in the United States who have one or several?
The seventeen eye-opening essays in Disability Visibility, all written by disabled people, offer keen insight into the complex and rich disability experience, examining life’s ableism and inequality, its challenges and losses, its wisdom, passion, and joy.
The accounts in this collection ask readers to think about disabled people not as individuals who need to be “fixed,” but as members of a community with its own history, culture, and movements. They offer diverse perspectives that speak to past, present, and future generations. It is essential reading for all.
Alice Wong (she/her) is a disabled activist, writer, media maker, and consultant. She is the founder and director of the Disability Visibility Project, an online community dedicated to creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture. Alice is the editor of Disability Visibility: First-Person Stories from the Twenty-First Century, an anthology of essays by disabled people and Disability Visibility: 17 First-Person Stories for Today, an adapted version for young adults. Her debut memoir, Year of the Tiger: An Activist’s Life is available now from Vintage Books. Disability Intimacy, her next anthology, will be out in 2024. Find her on Twitter: @SFdirewolf.
Each year, we recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, “Día de la Raza”, which is October 9, falls within this 30 day period.
Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with a special presentation of the film Sorolla on OCTOBER 5 at 11 a.m. in the Luther Student Center Theater. Spanish Instructor Casey Reynolds will introduce the film and share firsthand knowledge and experience from time he spent in Spain!
Learn about more celebrations throughout the country at the National Hispanic Heritage Month website.
You may have noticed available copies of the book “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo at several recent events.
We as a College feel that the content of this book is important because we understand that many people have questions. Many of these questions feel difficult to ask, and it is very easy to feel that you are getting the conversation “wrong.” In this book, the author addresses many of these questions as well as many that she said she wishes more people would ask.
Issues such as intersectionality, micro-aggressions and many other situations people of color face on a regular basis are explored in this book, with the author sharing personal experiences about living life as a black woman.
We understand that some of the concepts and topics explored in these pages can be difficult to read or may make you uncomfortable. As Ijeoma says in the introduction to the book, “I hope that if parts of this book make you uncomfortable, you can sit with that discomfort for a while, to see if it has anything else to offer you.”
We hope you will take a book to read and we look forward to sharing discussions with you on this important topic.
Visit the Library Website to learn more!
Below are links to diversity related classroom activity directions that can be downloaded and used in a variety of classes. Click on a link below to access a PDF of instructions for each activity.
The Lake Land College Library has several resources on a variety of diversity related topics. Below are direct links to some of the topics we have available. For more information about these library resources, contact the Lake Land College Reference Librarian in the Library.
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, take a look at these resources or contact Tom Moll at tmoll@lakelandcollege.edu.
Celebrate National Recovery Month with this Laker’s incredible story of overcoming!
Explore more mental health resources.
Here at Lake Land College, we know that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging are important to our Laker community. You may often hear these terms or perhaps the acronym “DEIB,” but you’re not exactly sure what they mean. That’s okay!
Check out this blog post to learn more about what these terms mean and how you can recognize them in your day to day life!
Lake Land College is coming together with the community to celebrate Juneteenth and recognize the struggles and hardships enslaved peoples fought bravely to overcome as well as the challenges people of color still face today.
“We want to take this opportunity to express honor and appreciation for all of the members of our Lake Land College community who have been and continue to be impacted by the events of Juneteenth,” President Josh Bullock said. “It is our pleasure and privilege to be home to a diverse and inclusive community, and we strive to maintain a sense of belonging for everyone within that community.”
Also known as Freedom Day, Jubilee Day, Liberation Day and Emancipation Day, Juneteenth is celebrated each year as a day to honor the culture, lives and accomplishments of the Black community and celebrate this liberation from slavery.
With the original day arriving a full two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Juneteenth is a special way to honor the brave and inspiring individuals who fought for the rights and privileges they deserve.
Lake Land College is committed to developing and maintaining an environment that embraces and actively supports diversity. We aspire to be an institution where the quality of education is enhanced and enriched by an inclusive campus community. We strive to provide dynamic learning and working environments that encourage multiple perspectives and the free exchange of ideas.
Join us in recognizing the history and continued effort to raise awareness and inclusivity for the LGBTQIA+ community, including the students, staff, allies and other community members who make up our diverse and supportive Laker community!
This month we join The Autism Society to #CelebrateDifferences of the many individuals in our society living with Autism. To recognize and empower these people, take a look at these 20 Famous People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Also, since 2017, our very own Laker Darrius Frazier has been listed among the 100+ People with Autism to Know. Thank you to Darrius for contributing so much to our monthly celebrations! Be sure to take a look at this exclusive video with Darrius on his amazing story!
This month we celebrate the many women who have played pivotal roles throughout history and their contributions to our culture and society. Click the link below to check out a timeline about notable people and events put together by Darrius Frazier!
WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
This month we honor the rich history, culture and accomplishments of Black and African American people as well as celebrating the adversities they have overcome and recognizing the challenges they still face.
Join the Student Activity Board and the Inclusion and Diversity Education Committee for Black History Month Bingo on February 22 at 11 a.m. in Laker Point! Learn about contributions of African Americans to the United States and play bingo to earn prizes.Be sure to pick up your copy of our campus read book “So You Want to Talk About Race,” by Ijeoma Oluo while you’re there.
Also, take a moment to brush up on this information with the timeline below, researched and compiled by Lake Land student Darrius “Doc” Frazier!
Timeline of Events in Black History
Take a look at these links to learn more about many of the influential Native American and Indigenous people throughout history!
20 Famous Native and Indigenous Americans in Hollywood, Politics and More
20 Influential Indigenous Americans You Might Not Know About | Stacker
This month, we are celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Laker alumna and campus-wide friendly face Brandy Verdin! Here is something she had to share about the significance of this event.“Finding the beauty in our culture and values is very heartwarming. I appreciate and love when other people who are not of my culture learn and celebrate people like me and our traditions.”~ TRIO Student Support Services Enrollment Assistant Brandy Verdin
CLICK HERE to read more of Brandy’s story on our Laker Life Blog!
Read what Juneteenth means to a member of our Laker community!
Take a look at this video to learn more about the experiences of several LGBTQIA+ members of the Lake Land College community!
A Safe Zone is a safe place in which all individuals are encouraged and reassured they can be their authentic selves and feel safe, welcomed and included. These are areas on and around campus where supportive faculty and staff can provide information and work toward the elimination of myths, misconceptions, and stereotypes. Those who have participated in this training will receive a Safe Zone sticker or window cling to display in their area.
Those interested in the Lake Land College Student Pride Club can contact Marcy Satterwhite at msatterw@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5359.
This month we celebrate and support those living with mental or behavioral health issues in an effort to help reduce the stigma surrounding many people living with these challenges.
Lake Land College believes in supporting the success of our students on both a personal and academic level, and we know that this all starts with their mental health and wellness. We have established these mental health resources, including free online mental health counseling through BetterMynd, for our students.
We are also excited to introduce the Calm app as our newest resource available to students at Lake Land College! Whether you have 30 seconds or 30 minutes, Calm’s diverse content library offers resources to suit your schedule and needs. Explore guided meditations and specialized music playlists to help with studying, stress, and focus, mindful movement video and audio, relaxing Sleep Stories, tailored content for children, wisdom-filled masterclasses led by experts, and much more.
Simply follow the instructions below to gain full access to Calm—the #1 app for mental fitness.
To get started:
Once complete, you can download the Calm app and log into your new account. Your Calm subscription gives you unlimited access to the full library of content at calm.com and in the Calm app.
If you have questions about accessing the Calm app, contact Counselor for Accommodations and Mental Health Initiatives Amber Niebrugge at aniebrugge71503@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5259.
This month we honor the rich history, culture and accomplishments of Black and Brown people as well as celebrating the adversities they have overcome. Click the link below to learn more about influential people, events and movements in African American history put together by our very own Laker, Darrius Frazier!
BLACK HISTORY MONTH TIMELINE