Published on October 28, 2025

The Lake Land College Foundation recognized the 2025 Foundation Award recipients during a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 23.

The Foundation presented awards to individuals and organizations alike during the reception, recognizing them for their outstanding contributions to the College and for going above and beyond to support students. The following 2025 Foundation Awards were presented during the event: the Outstanding Philanthropic Organization Award, the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award, the Outstanding Philanthropist Award and the Crystal Swan Award.

The Outstanding Philanthropic Organization Award was presented to Grunloh Construction in recognition of its ongoing financial support and generosity to support Lake Land College students.

Renee Huckstead, Mattoon, received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award for abundantly sharing her time and talent to secure private funding on behalf of the College.

The Outstanding Philanthropist Award was presented posthumously to three longtime supporters of the College: Donald and Jane Perry, and Robert D. Harris.

Linda Von Behren, Martinsville, received the Crystal Swan Award, which is presented annually to a Lake Land College Foundation Board Member who has gone above and beyond in service to the College.

“On behalf of the Lake Land College Foundation, it is my honor to congratulate the 2025 Foundation Award recipients,” said Christi Donsbach, Executive Director for College Advancement. “With their generosity, unwavering commitment and dedicated support, they are helping to change lives and secure brighter futures every day for our students.”

The Foundation and Alumni Awards reception serves as an annual opportunity to reflect and celebrate recent successes from the Lake Land College Foundation and to honor the individuals and organizations who helped make it possible. During the 2025 Fiscal Year, the Foundation launched a brand-new Community Partnership program, which raised $92,000 in its first year for student scholarships and other financial support. In total, the Foundation raised more than $1.4 million in donations from 2,346 individual gifts, with 268 first-time donors. The Foundation also presented scholarships to 660 students, an increase of 21% over the previous year, to help them pursue their academic goals without facing financial hurdles.

The Lake Land College Foundation is overseen by a board of directors that provides strategic oversight and direction. This year, the terms concluded for four board members, Linda Von Behren of Martinsville, Rich Hartke of Teutopolis, Deb Sandercock of Knoxville, TN and Meg Steward of Marshall, who were recognized during the reception for their outstanding service to the Foundation.

The incoming board members for 2026 are Mike Bohannon of Paris, Dr. Nash Naam of Effingham, Salisa Olmstead of Gays and Cassie Yoder of Decatur.

“I would like to thank our outgoing board members for their remarkable devotion to our mission and for generously sharing their time and talents in support of the Foundation. Their leadership has been instrumental to our recent growth,” Donsbach said. “As we look ahead to 2026 and beyond, we are excited to welcome our newest board members as they join our mission of serving our students and communities.”

The 2026 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/.