Laker Nation News

Lake Land College honored Kathy Black, division chair business/business instructor, as the 2020 recipient of the Faculty Association Outstanding Service Award. After 23 years of service to Lake Land College, Black will be retiring at the end of August.

Several members of the Lake Land College Faculty Association nominated Black for the award.

Black said her fondest memory was how much friendlier the students were than at other places she has taught. On her first day at Lake Land College, Black recalled a student holding a door open for her, something that had not happened previously in her teaching.

Twenty-three years later, Black has contributed a great deal to Lake Land College with her work as a member of many teams and committees including but not limited to the Academic Calendar Committee and Faculty Association Social Committee, both of which she served on for the entire 23 years she was at Lake Land College. Black also participated on the Curriculum Committee for 18 years and was actively involved in accreditation from 2001 to 2020 serving as co-chair since 2010.

“I believe strongly that interacting socially with colleagues outside the college is important in fostering positive working relationships,” Black said. “My service to the Faculty Association, as well as my division’s party planning has been never-ending.”

Under Black’s leadership as the division chair, business faculty developed several new innovative academic programs and initiated service learning projects such as the IT Garden on campus and Tech Assistance to Seniors.

Kathy Black co-led a team that twice successfully navigated the college’s accreditation process with the Higher Learning Commission.

Still more of Black’s accomplishments include coordinating and overseeing the Business & Computer Contest, beginning the first texting campaign to students, developing the peer-to-peer program on campus and serving as senior division chair.

Also active in her community, Black is a member of 100 women who care, a women’s philanthropic group along with professional organizations such as the Eastern Illinois Business Education Association, the Illinois Business Education Association and the National Business Education Association. She participates in many activities within the United Methodist church as well.

Black’s plans for her retirement include staying active, travelling, volunteering and growing in her faith.