Published on May 4, 2026
As we proudly commemorate the 60th anniversary of Lake Land College this year, we celebrate an enduring legacy of academic excellence and unwavering service. From its earliest days, our college has been shaped by dedicated faculty, staff and administrators who believed in a simple yet powerful truth: that lives can be transformed through the power of education. This commitment to students and communities has defined the last six decades at Lake Land College and has laid a foundation that will continue to guide us for years to come.
This milestone year presents a unique opportunity to reflect on the remarkable history of our college and on the individuals whose impact can still be felt today. One such individual is Marianne Morgan, who joined Lake Land as a science instructor in 1968 – just two years after the College was formed – and would help build the legacy of Lake Land over the next 40 years.
Growing up near Mattoon, Marianne always knew teaching was her life’s calling. She practiced her skills from an early age on her three younger brothers, and by 1965 she earned her master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University. After spending the first three years of her teaching career in Indiana at Vincennes University, Marianne jumped at the chance to move back home and teach at the brand-new local community college.
“I didn’t think too much about Lake Land’s age when I started, but I do remember teaching across the street from KC Summers before we had a campus,” Marianne recalled. “That was exciting though, it was fun to get to see the College grow so much.”
Marianne would spend the next 33 years as an instructor at Lake Land, teaching classes in general biology, botany, genetics and natural science as she helped the College grow into the academic exemplar it is today. Her influence would expand far beyond the classroom, however. Shortly after retiring from teaching, she continued to help guide the growth of Lake Land College as a member of the Board of Trustees, a position she held until 2009. But whether she was teaching or providing strategic direction for the College, her greatest joy was connecting with students and helping them build their confidence for the future.
“I remember one student came up to me on the first day and said, ‘just to let you know, I’ve never been good at science, so don’t feel bad if you can’t teach me anything’ – and that young man ended up being one of my best students,” Marianne said with a laugh. “My biggest hope was always that students would leave realizing they knew more than they thought they did.”
But beyond the need for caring instruction, Marianne also witnessed firsthand just how many students rely on financial support. As Marianne describes it, many students may possess the intelligence, diligence and aspiration to thrive in college, yet find themselves held back by a lack of funds. That’s why Marianne chose to yet again expand her impact on the College by donating to the Lake Land Foundation, which provides scholarships and other crucial funding to students every year.
“I remember in my early years at Lake Land, I had a student who lived in her truck,” Marianne said. “I just think about her and how these scholarships help students like her fund their education.”
Marianne’s story not only spotlights the life-changing impact of great educators, it also reminds us that many of our students are given the chance to succeed thanks to generous donations from people like you. Every year, the Lake Land College Foundation provides students with vital scholarships and funding, and our mission relies on donor support to ensure everyone has the chance to access the life-changing possibilities of education. For many of our students and alumni today, their lives and careers are a testament to the generosity of donors who believed in their futures.
For 60 years, Lake Land College has helped countless students transform their careers, communities and lives through the power of education, and we invite you to help continue this legacy for generations to come. Please consider giving this immeasurable gift today at LakeLandCollege.edu/Foundation/Giving/.
