Laker Nation News

Several Lake Land College broadcast sales students recently earned certification as broadcast sales professionals from the broadcast training company, P1 Learning, in partnership with the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s Sales Training Program.

These students include Greyson Baumann, Mattoon; James Robinson, Robinson; Jason Trigg, Charleston; Erin Kistner, Witt; Lauryn Samuelson, Mattoon; Olivia Carroll, Mattoon; Patricia Ann Kelley, Mattoon; Emma Theriault, Charleston; Madison Hunter, Assumption and Tolin Irby, Charleston.

Students earned their certifications by completing a four-week course, complete with video classes, tests and assignments as part of the broadcast sales class in the Broadcast Communication program at Lake Land College.

P1 Learning is a nationally recognized training company that administers training for hundreds of broadcast stations, corporations and state broadcaster associations to provide content in the topics of sales, leadership, management, on-air, compliance and more.

Broadcast Communication Instructor and Station Manager of WLKL 89.9 FM Greg Powers assisted students in preparing for the certification and explained the benefits of receiving the broadcast sales certification.

“Broadcast employers are always searching for employees who are experienced and qualified in a variety of areas,” Powers said. “This training makes our students very marketable and gives them even brighter career outlooks.”

Each of the professionals will be honored on a plaque displayed alongside those of previous year’s students.

The Illinois Broadcasters Association (IBA) funded the initiative.

“I am extremely grateful to Dennis Lyle, president and CEO of the Illinois Broadcasters Association, and the IBA board for their financial support,” Powers said.

To learn more about Lake Land College’s Broadcast Communication program, contact Powers at 217-234-5335. More information is also available online by visiting the Lake Land College broadcast program page at LakeLandCollege.edu/High-Demand-Programs/Radio-TV-Broadcasting or the WLKL page at 899TheMax.com.

The Broadcast Communication department will also be hosting an open house on Friday, March 22 from noon to 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided at noon. Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the college’s student-run FM radio station, WLKL 89.9 The Max Alternative, explore the TV studio and production control room, and experiment with state-of-the-art camera and video equipment.

For more information about the Broadcast Communication open house, visit the Lake Land College visit page at LakeLandCollege.edu/Visit.

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Lake Land College will celebrate with graduates during a Commencement ceremony on Friday, May 10, 2024 at 6 p.m. in the Field House.

“All of our graduates have accomplished so much, and we are excited to celebrate this milestone with them at this year’s Commencement Ceremony,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said.

The ceremony will be livestreamed via the Internet from the college’s homepage at LakeLandCollege.edu. In addition to seating in the Field House, overflow seating showing the livestream on a large screen will be available throughout campus. A recording will also air on local cable channels in the days following.

College photographers will capture moments throughout the evening and make the photos available for download at no cost.

The process to sign up for Commencement is simple and can be completed online. There is no cost to order a cap and gown or to participate in the ceremony. The first step is to file an Intent to Graduate in the student portal, the Laker Hub. After allowing two days for the Intent to process, graduates can measure for a cap and gown online in the Laker Hub. Admissions & Records will also send all graduates a letter with complete instructions for cap and gown measurement.

The deadline to file an Intent to Graduate is Friday, March 15, 2024. The deadline to measure for a cap and gown is Friday, March 29, 2024.

For more information about Commencement contact Admissions and Records at 217-234-5434.

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Lake Land College will host Laker Visit Day on Friday, March 22 from 9 a.m. to noon in the Luther Student Center. The event gives prospective students the opportunity to learn about Lake Land College and how the Laker Advantage can guide them on the path to success.

Attendees can check in from 8:15 – 9 a.m. at the main entrance of the Luther Student Center. Parking will be available in lot E for easy access to the event. Full campus maps are available on the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu/Campus-Maps/.

During the event, attendees will tour campus with a student ambassador, who will share information from a student perspective. Participants will also meet with faculty to learn more about specific programs.

Representatives from many services, including Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Accommodations, Student Wellness, TRIO Student Support Services and more will be available to provide information and answer attendees’ questions.

Attendees are also welcome to bring their parents or guardians to the event. A parent/guardian session will be offered to provide information relevant to parents or guardians of future Lakers.

“This event is perfect for anyone interested in attending Lake Land College, even if you only plan to take a few classes,” Pam Hartke, associate dean of enrollment, said. “Potential students can really get a great feel for the college as a whole and learn about the excellent resources we have available.”

Immediately following the Laker Visit Day event, students interested in a career in broadcasting are encouraged to attend the Broadcast Communication Open House from noon to 2 p.m. The open house will be held in the Lake Land broadcast studio and will include a light lunch, a tour of the WLKL facilities and a chance to view state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment.

Additional upcoming opportunities to visit Lake Land and learn about available programs include the Social Science and Education Open House and the Math & Science STEM Exploration Day events on Friday, April 12. Both will begin at 9 a.m. and give attendees the chance to meet with program-specific Lake Land faculty and learn about career opportunities in a selected field.

To learn more about Laker Visit Day or to register for any of the listed events, visit the Lake Land College visit page at LakeLandCollege.edu/Visit.

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More than 150 high school students from 11 area high schools recently attended the annual High School Leadership Conference at Lake Land College. This event was hosted by the Student Government Association (SGA) with the help of the Student Activity Board.

The schools in attendance included Beecher City High School, Cowden-Herrick High School, Dieterich High School, Effingham High School, Leaders Innovating for Tomorrow (LIFT), Mattoon High School, Neoga High School, Pana High School, Ramsey High School, Stewardson-Strasburg High School and Windsor High School.

The day began with a brief message from Vice President of Student Services Valerie Lynch welcoming the high school students to campus. Attendees were then led into leadership sessions that included information on resume building, dressing to succeed, communication, careers and more.

Motivational speaker Larry Long Jr. provided a keynote address and presented valuable insights on communication. He challenged the audience to use rapport-building strategies to improve relationships and highlighted the importance of true connections.

Following the speaker, the students were treated to lunch and a Q & A session with current Lake Land student leaders. After lunch, they participated in a campus-wide scavenger hunt before winding down with a closing ceremony and giveaways, which was led by SGA President Madilyn Bummer of Dieterich.

The grand prizes were tuition waivers, worth 3 credit hours each, which can be put toward classes at Lake Land College. The winners were chosen through a random drawing and the waivers were awarded to five high school seniors that attended the conference.

The winners of the tuition waivers were Kelsey Moore, Arcola; Lillian Simpson, Pana; Alexziah Hagler, Shumway; Dylan Kenworthy, Neoga and Payton Laramore, Ramsey.

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Lake Land College’s Math and Science Division will host STEM Exploration Day (formerly known as the open house) from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, April 12.  The event allows high school juniors and seniors to learn more about Lake Land’s math and science academic programs as well as career opportunities in STEM fields.

The STEM Exploration Day will begin in Lake Land’s Foundation & Alumni Center, where attendees will be separated into five groups. Current Lake Land students will serve as group leaders to guide the groups through campus and provide a student perspective. Each group will attend five informational sessions to tour Lake Land’s labs, learn from faculty and participate in hands-on demonstrations related to physics, chemistry, biology, math and geographic information systems (GIS).

Attendees will also experience real-world and work-place applications associated with fast-growing occupations in STEM fields.

“We encourage anyone who is interested in a career in math or science to attend this open house,” Division Chair of Math & Science/Geography/Earth Science Instructor Mike Rudibaugh said. “This event is a perfect way for prospective students to get familiar with the faculty, labs and equipment that will prepare them for success in their chosen career.”

The event will conclude with a faculty Q/A panel and small group discussion for students to ask questions. Lunch will also be provided during this segment.

Parents or guardians of high school students, as well as anyone interested in pursuing a math or science degree, are welcome to attend.

Registration is open now on the Lake Land College visit page at lakelandcollege.edu/visit. To learn more about the STEM Exploration Day, contact Laurie Rincker, event coordinator, at lrincker@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5237.

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The Spring 2024 10^th-day enrollment report for Lake Land College reveals an upswing in enrollment for the new semester. Highlights of the report include a near 4% increase in total headcount in addition to the highest full-time equivalency (FTE) enrollment since 2021.

The total headcount for the Spring 2024 semester is 3,817, an increase of more than 130 students compared to Spring 2023. Meanwhile, a 0.13% increase in FTE resulted in a 3-year high at 2,455.1.

The college also welcomed 252 new students for the Spring 2024 semester, an increase of more than 100 students compared to Spring 2023. The number of international students also increased by more than 50%, and dual-credit enrollment grew by nearly 5%.

“It’s incredible to see so many students continue to choose Lake Land College as the starting point for their future,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “We’re proud to be a place where students can feel at home while receiving high-quality instruction that will prepare them for success moving forward.”

As reflected in the 10^th-day enrollment numbers, prospective students recognize the economic advantage of choosing their local community college as the starting point to their college journey. With one of the lowest tuition rates among all higher education institutions in the state, Lake Land College is committed to making education affordable and offering students accessible pathways to rewarding futures.

Students enroll at Lake Land College with confidence that they will receive the support to succeed beyond graduation. With a constant emphasis on innovative programs and reimagined instruction, Lake Land ensures students develop the high-demand skills to excel in a 21^st century workforce. In addition, the college’s collaboration with community, workforce and educational partners provides students an advantage for rapid career placement and seamless transfer opportunities.

In demonstration of these principles, Lake Land College is proud to offer new and ongoing programs that reduce barriers to education and promote high-demand career fields. For example, the Pipeline for the Advancement of Healthcare Workforce Program (PATH) Grant combats the shortage of healthcare workers by supporting students in nursing and other healthcare programs. Eligible Lake Land students can receive PATH assistance in the form of tuition reimbursement, cost assistance and tutoring services, which helps them succeed in challenging healthcare programs.

A similar program to support low-income, rural high school and alternative education engineering students is also in development to launch in Fall 2024. Named the Recruitment and Advancement of the Next Generation of Engineers (RANGE), this program seeks to establish a pipeline for high-demand local engineering positions. Students in the program will enjoy a cohort class structure, complete with wrap around services such as tutoring, mentorship and transfer guidance.

Also in development for the fall 2024 semester is Lake Land’s new Surgical Technology program, made possible through a partnership with Sarah Bush Lincoln. In addition to traditional classroom instruction, students in this program gain immersive, hands-on experience through Sarah Bush Lincoln’s clinics. With a local need for qualified surgical technologists, this partnership with Sarah Bush Lincoln creates a brand-new pathway for Lake Land students to access a stable, growing career.

These innovative programs, partnerships and resources equip students with an advantage for success and reinforce Lake Land’s status as a top college destination in the area.

Class schedules for the Summer and Fall 2024 semesters will be available March 1. Enroll at Lake Land College today by visiting the Lake Land College website at lakelandcollege.edu/enroll/.

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The Lake Land College Board of Trustees is accepting letters of interest to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Mike Sullivan, Mattoon, at the regular February 12 meeting.

Sullivan was initially elected to the board in 1987. He has served numerous consecutive terms since that time, serving longer than any other trustee in the college’s history. Most recently, he was re-elected to the board in April 2023 for another six-year term.

Those interested in filling Sullivan’s seat may submit written materials to Lake Land College Office of the President, Attn: Jean Anne Highland, Chief of Staff, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, IL 61938, or via email to jhighland@lakelandcollege.edu, by March 1, 2024.  The following materials should be submitted: reason for seeking the appointment, qualifications and experience in other areas which may enhance public policy or decision-making. Eligibility requirements are: U.S. citizenship, 18 years of age or older, a resident of Illinois for one year immediately preceding election, and a resident of Community College District No. 517 for one year immediately preceding the election.

The board will vote on the replacement at the March 11, 2024 regular meeting that will be held in Mattoon. The individual selected will be seated at the April 8, 2024 board meeting.

The individual selected by the board to fill the vacancy will serve until the next consolidated election in April of 2025.

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At the regular February 12, 2024 board meeting, Lake Land College Trustee Mike Sullivan, Mattoon, announced that he is resigning from his trustee position.

“I have always been a person that when I get involved in something, I give it my all. Over the last several months personal reasons have not allowed me to be as active as a trustee as I would like and that is why I am stepping down. It has been my privilege and honor to serve as a College Trustee for over 37 years, and I will deeply miss being an active Board member,” Sullivan said.

Board Chair Gary Cadwell said, “We thank Mike for his numerous years of service to the board, the staff and the generations of Lake Land College students who have benefited from his generous service and vision as a trustee.”

Sullivan was first elected to the Lake Land College Board of Trustees in 1987 and was reelected numerous consecutive times, serving longer than any other trustee in the college’s history. Most recently, Sullivan was re-elected to the board in April 2023 for another six-year term. In addition to his years of service as a trustee, Sullivan is a proud alumnus and advocate for community colleges throughout the state and nation.

Sullivan said he is proud of the opportunity to influence the lives of the many successful students who attended Lake Land College and went on to accomplish their goals.

“I’m immensely proud of Lake Land College and all that we have accomplished during my tenure. I have no doubt the College will continue to flourish and provide our district residents with the highest quality education for years to come,” Sullivan said.

Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said, “We are extremely grateful for the many years of dedicated service Trustee Sullivan has given to Lake Land College. We thank him for his visionary leadership and guidance. His exemplary service and his passion for helping students is immeasurable. We wish him the very best as he begins this new chapter in his life.”

Sullivan’s service to Lake Land started when he was a student in the 1960s and continued as a trustee. During his tenure, Sullivan worked with the administration and staff to bring several projects to Lake Land including the Veterans Memorial and Flag, Alumni Park, the John Deere program, the Kluthe Center and Effingham Technology Center, and energy conservation projects. Sullivan also represented the college at the state level for many years. He chaired or served as a member of every Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) Committee, including 25 years as a member of the ICCTA Government Relations Committee.

The Lake Land Board will honor Sullivan at the March 11 board meeting.

The college is accepting letters of interest to fill the vacancy. Those interested in filling Sullivan’s seat may submit written materials to Lake Land College Office of the President, Attn: Jean Anne Highland, Chief of Staff, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, IL 61938, or via email to jhighland@lakelandcollege.edu, by March 1, 2024.

The following materials should be submitted: reason for seeking the appointment, qualifications and experience in other areas which may enhance public policy or decision-making. Eligibility requirements are: U.S. citizenship, 18 years of age or older, a resident of Illinois for one year immediately preceding election, and a resident of Community College District No. 517 for one year immediately preceding the election.

The board will vote on the replacement at the March 11, 2024 regular meeting that will be held in Mattoon. The individual selected will be seated at the April 8, 2024 board meeting.

The individual selected by the board to fill the vacancy will serve until the next consolidated election in April of 2025.

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Lake Land College is proud to announce the new Recruitment and Advancement of the Next Generation of Engineers (RANGE) program that is set to kick off in Summer 2024.

Made possible through an Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Innovative Bridge and Transition grant, the RANGE program will provide wrap around support services to 15 select freshmen STEM students to ensure their success both during their time at Lake Land College and when they transfer.

Lake Land is currently recruiting high school seniors who plan to major in engineering or related STEM fields to fill these 15 positions.

Students, as well as their parents or guardians, are invited to an informational Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 7-8 p.m. The meeting can be accessed by visiting https://lakelandcollege.zoom.us/j/91467651086 and entering 914 6765 1086 as the meeting I.D.

During the summer, the 15 students will attend a RANGE orientation at Lake Land College. There, they will receive personalized guidance and set goals for future transfer. RANGE students can also enroll in a free summer bridge course to assess and enhance their skills prior to the start of the Fall 2024 semester.

When classes begin this fall, RANGE students will be in a cohort and share the same class schedules. The cohort will also attend weekly RANGE meetings to learn from alumni and professional engineering speakers, discuss transfer information, discover local internship opportunities and benefit from regular well-being check-ins. Each RANGE student will also be awarded a $2,100 scholarship.

Students interested in applying for the RANGE program can do so until April 1 by visiting the RANGE webpage at lakelandcollege.edu/range/.

The following factors will be considered for acceptance: high school math and science grades, GPA, SAT/ACT scores, school and extra-curricular activities, awards and honors, personal statement and a letter of recommendation.

For more information about the RANGE program, contact the RANGE program at range@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College recently held the regional Academic Challenge, where several local schools came together to compete in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering graphics, English, mathematics and physics.

The St. Anthony, Paris and Mattoon high schools were victorious in the 300, 700 and 1500 divisions respectively and took home the regional championship titles. Pana High School was named the top junior varsity team.

Lake Land College also awarded several participants across various categories tuition waivers for outstanding performances.

The tuition waiver recipients are Natalie Burger, Seaver Kessler, Ryan Rich, Devin Milner, Connor Yates, Pierce Verdeyen, Joanna Mitchell, Nichola Blickem, Kenly Carr, Landyn Buening, Noah Dundas, Grace Niebrugge, Maggie Pritts and Aly Douglass.

The following students earned individual awards in the respective categories.

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