Lake Land College hosts Athletic Alumni Reunion for Homecoming Posted on August 29, 2019 Lake Land College is inviting all former athletes to a Laker Athletic Alumni Reunion during Laker Homecoming on Friday, Sept. 27 at 5 p.m. The reunion will be held in the Field House’s Walden Room. Attendees can visit with former teammates, coaches and fellow athletes and enjoy refreshments before cheering on the Laker Volleyball team at 6 p.m. against Vincennes. Attendees are also encouraged to go to Grimes Field at Peterson Park in Mattoon to watch the Laker Baseball program take on Eastern Illinois University at 6:30 p.m. “We are excited to welcome back our alumni. The Laker athletic programs have a long-standing tradition of success both on the field and in the classroom,” Bill Jackson, director of athletics, said. “Our alumni are the ones who have paved the way for our current Laker student athletes and have set the standards high. We truly enjoy the opportunity to welcome our former student athletes back to campus.” Throughout the college’s history, there have been many athletic programs. Looking back through The Anchor yearbooks from 1968-1972, Lake Land College had the following programs: golf, cross country, baseball, women’s recreation association, pom-pom girls, cheerleading, basketball and wrestling. Today, Laker athletics consists of volleyball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, softball, baseball and cheerleading. To RSVP to the reunion contact Ashli Wicker, TRiO SSS learning skills specialist/head volleyball coach, at awicker1@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5260.
Lake Land College offers cupping class for licensed massage therapists Posted on August 28, 2019 Lake Land College will offer a six-hour cupping class for licensed massage therapists on Monday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in room 104 at the Kluthe Center in Effingham. Six continuing education units will be offered to licensed massage therapists. The class will be taught by licensed massage therapist, Anitta Nuzum. An Ayurveda graduate of the Chopra University in California, Anitta is a Reiki Master and owner of the Nuzum Education Center for Well-Being. Licensed massage therapists provide cupping to help release toxins and congestion in the muscle tissue, increase blood flow to relieve muscle tension, improve circulation and to reduce inflammation. Incorporating the cupping technique increases options to clients and decreases the use of the therapist’s hands. Cupping is great for MFR, sports injuries, detox tight muscles, relaxation techniques and perfect for clients who cannot receive deep tissue massage. This substantial hands-on course will offer licensed massage therapists the techniques and benefits of cupping with the use of bio-magnetic and silicone cups. To register, go to www.lakelandcollege.edu/learn and click on the course. The cost is $175. Drop date for a refund is five business days prior to the class. For more information, contact Jackie Wake, professional development support, at 217-234-5087 or email jwake@lakelandcollege.edu.
Lake Land College nursing programs ranked 3rd in state Posted on August 27, 2019 Nursing Explorer, an online nursing school search site, named Lake Land College the third best nursing school in the state of Illinois. The site ranked Lake Land’s premier Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) programs against the 63 other programs in Illinois. Lake Land’s ADN program prepares students to become registered nurses and the PN program prepares students to become licensed practical nurses. Nursing Explorer compares NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) board exam passage rates and the cost of tuition and fees to calculate ratings. Lake Land’s passage rates are 88.1% for ADN and 92.8% for LPN. The college’s success rate compared with the great value of tuition and fees led to the college’s ranking at the top tier. Land College averages at a net price of approximately $4,913. Several nursing scholarships are available through the Lake Land College Foundation and financial aid is available to those who qualify. Lake Land’s nursing programs are Special Admission and acceptance is competitive. Students complete a rigorous program of study that provides hands-on learning in nursing labs on campus. Once students have progressed through a series of skills, they complete clinicals at area medical facilities. Lake Land College’s nursing faculty are truly dedicated to the academic success of their students. These individuals are devoted to educating future allied health professionals and equipping them with knowledge and skillsets so they are prepared upon entering the workforce. Students who choose Lake Land College do so because they understand how great the programs are. Not only is the staff eager to help students learn, but the college is full of opportunities for a fresh start, a new career, and to build meaningful relationships along the way. “Lake Land’s Nursing Program isn’t just the beginning of another school program, it’s the beginning of a new life, friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. The friends you meet will stay by your side throughout life. They’re the ones that really understand how challenging school and your new career are. The instructors will treat you like their own kids and help you through every obstacles you face. Lake Land College is truly one of a kind,” said Cassi Killam, Laker Nation Class of 2019. For more information about Nursing Explorer, visit www.nursingexplorer.com/schools/llc. For more information about Lake Land College’s nursing programs, visit www.lakelandcollege.edu and look for the Academics menu.
New business development certificate available at Lake Land College Posted on August 23, 2019 Lake Land College is now offering a new business development certificate program focused on entrepreneurial skills. Lake Land College has partnered with Mattoon in Motion to bring this concept to life. Mattoon in Motion’s business committee, chaired by Rex Barnes, received two state-wide grant competition awards by the Google Impact Challenge program totaling $325,000. The award came after the committee developed the idea of creating an Innovation Center that acts as a “business incubator” for eager entrepreneurs in the Mattoon community and surrounding areas. The Innovation Center will be located in the Cross County Mall in Mattoon and is set to open in mid-October. This will allow prospective business owners to have better access to resources and a solid foundation to develop their business ideas. Lake Land College is committed to supporting participants of the Innovation Center and encourages members to complete Lake Land’s business development certificate program tuition free. This program will appeal to many people who have various levels of experience dealing with small business endeavors. “The program will allow those with prior business knowledge to fill in the gaps of knowledge they might be missing,” Scott Rhine, IT instructor/program coordinator, IT-network administrator, said. “It’s a low-threshold introduction to business curriculum that students can complete at their own pace.” All courses throughout the first semester are entirely online and interested students can begin the first semester of class on any day of their choice. However, students of the program must finish all courses by the end of semester finals. “Students set their own pace through the semester. If a student has years of experience in accounting and no experience in marketing, that student can accelerate through the accounting courses quickly and take time through the marketing courses,” Rhine explained. “Eventually all classes will be online. As of now, the only course that is on campus is the second semester management elective, Small Business Management.” “The collaboration that led to this certificate opportunity has allowed Lake Land College to interact more comprehensively with Mattoon in Motion and the community,” Jim Hull, vice president for workforce solutions/community education, said. “The certificate collaboration will help quality business ideas receive the foundation and support they need to get started.” For more information about the business development certificate, contact John Carpenter, business instructor and program coordinator, at 217-234-5347 or jcarpent@lakelandcollege.edu. For more information about the Lake Land College Business Division, go to lakelandcollege.edu/academic-divisions/business-division/.
Lake Land College honors nurses in pinning ceremony Posted on August 22, 2019 At the 2019 Lake Land College annual pinning ceremony, 45 graduating practical nurses received their pins. Lana Keigley, Charleston, received the Marilyn Fuqua Thompson award, which is given each year to a graduating student who is considered to be the all-around best student in the class and is voted on by faculty. The student must be professionally superior and morally responsible, be capable of making wise decisions, be compassionate and caring, be dedicated and possess common sense and a strong scientific knowledge base, demonstrate superior technical skills, and possess superior communication skills and composure, often in crisis situations. Keigley from the campus class and Spencer Tinder, Sullivan, from the Kluthe Center class were awarded the Peer Nursing Awards. These students are chosen because of their clinical and scholastic performance, willingness to help other students, professionalism, maturity and spirit. The award is characterized by a true team player, who also is considered a leader. The recipients of this award were chosen by fellow nursing students. Jessica Fisher, Mattoon, received the Clinical Excellence Award, which is given to the graduate who demonstrates excellence in skills while exhibiting compassion, respect, integrity and professionalism. This year’s recipient consistently achieved the highest level of quality patient care and promoted teamwork and collegial working relationship with peers and clinical staff. For serving as a positive representative for the PN program student liaisons, Brett Wilhelm, Lovington, from the campus class and Kayla Jones, Charleston, from the Kluthe Center class, received Certificates of Recognition. During the ceremony, the following were honored: Christopher Sharp Altamont Carli Bridgeforth Ashmore Angelica Thompson Beecher City Kayla Jones Charleston Lana Keigley Charleston Shelby Keller Charleston Sherena Shepherd Charleston Tabitha McCoy Charleston Terrence Harper Charleston Ashley Sills Effingham Jennifer Root Effingham Klarissa Vogt Effingham Mackenzie Waymoth Effingham Rachel Brown-Kincaid Louisville Brett Wilhelm Lovington Morgan Maxey Martinsville Destiny Knox Mattoon Emily Bryant Mattoon James Conroy Mattoon Jessica Fisher Mattoon Kayce Schilling Mattoon Kristin Pearcy Mattoon Rachel Reed Mattoon Shelby Rich Mattoon Whitney Shafer Mattoon Marci Overstreet Oakland Bailey Boswell Pana Gretchen Gordon Pana Kayla Coleman Pana Brooke Crunk Paris Kyler Roan Paris Emily Smith Shelbyville Jayme Ballinger Shelbyville Logan Manship Shelbyville Sandra Williams Shelbyville Taylor Rhodes Shelbyville Tiffany Moeller Shelbyville Wyatt Steffen Sigel Daniele Daily Sullivan Spencer Tinder Sullivan Olivia Telgmann Strasburg Rachel Weber Teutopolis Allyson French Toledo Mindi Lane Tower Hill Kacy Ross Windsor
Lake Land College approved as an entitled institution for Gateways to Opportunity Credentials Posted on August 19, 2019 Lake Land College has been approved as an entitled institution for the Gateways to Opportunity ECE Credential – Levels two, three and four. As an entitled institution, students at Lake Land College have the opportunity to qualify for state recognized credentials as they take courses or complete a degree through the Social Science and Education Division. Lake Land College is among a select group of institutions in Illinois to be entitled for the Gateways to Opportunity Credentials. All Gateways to Opportunity Credentials have competencies that reflect multiple professional standards, including National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. Lake Land faculty have worked diligently to align their courses with the Gateways to Opportunity competencies. In a time when Early Childhood Education is defining itself as a field that promotes professional development, Lake Land College has become entitled to help further this goal by preparing graduates who are ready to provide quality care and education to young children in Illinois. Gateways to Opportunity, Illinois Professional Development System, is designed to provide guidance, support and the recognition to practitioners who serve children and families in Illinois. Gateways to Opportunity is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA) on behalf of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHA). Visit the Gateways to Opportunity website at ilgateways.com to learn more. To learn more about education programs at Lake Land College, go to www.lakelandcollege.edu/high-demand-programs/teacher-education/ or contact Division Chair Social Science/Education/Psychology Instructor Charles Jarrell at 217-234-5331 or cjarrell@lakelandcollege.edu.
Lake Land College Athletes Achieve Academic Honors Posted on August 8, 2019 Lake Land College student athletes excelled in the classroom and in competition during the 2018-2019 academic year. Four teams achieved NJCAA Academic Team status by having a team GPA of 3.00 or higher. Volleyball’s GPA was as high as 3.44. Volleyball player Maria Gentry, Stewardson, baseball player Mitchell Shaw, Colorado Springs, CO, and women’s basketball player, Liberty Jamison, Paxton, each received the 2018 NJCAA All-Academic First Team status for a GPA of 4.0. Baseball players Sam Gubbins, Charleston, and Wes Harrell, Charleston, and softball players Natalie Gordon, Charleston; Frankie Izard, St. Joseph; Sophie Cooper, Lenzburg; and Delaine Johnson, Streator, received the 2018 NJCAA All-Academic Second Team status for a GPA of 3.80-3.99. Of the Athletic Honors, softball player Frankie Izard achieved NJCAA Division One Region 24 Player of the Year, NJCAA Division One All-Region 24, Great Rivers Athletic Conference All-Conference, NFCA All-Region 24 Teams 1st Team, and NFCA All-American 1st Team status. Women’s basketball players Avery Jackson, Mattoon, and Jamie Sandschafer, Teutopolis, both received NJCAA Division Two All-Region 24 and Great Rivers Athletic Conference All-Conferences. The NJCAA is the National Junior College Athletic Association dedicated to promoting and fostering two-year college athletics and ensuring equality among sports practices. The Great Rivers Athletic Conference is the section of the NJCAA that primarily encompasses Southern Illinois and contains nine colleges. Learn more about the association at ncjaa.org and the conference at gracsports.com. This year the following Laker student athletes and teams were honored: Lake Land College ATHELETIC DEPARTMENT HONORS 2018-2019 Academic Report 2018 NJCAA Academic Team (must have a team GPA of 3.00 or higher): Softball, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Baseball 2018 NJCAA All-Academic First Team (athlete with 24 credit hours with 4.00 GPA): Maria Gentry, Stewardson, Volleyball Mitchell Shaw, Colorado Springs, CO, Baseball Liberty Jamison, Paxton, Women’s Basketball 2018 NJCAA All-Academic Second Team (athletes with 24 credit hours with 3.80-3.99 GPA): Sam Gubbins, Charleston, Baseball Wes Harrell, Charleston, Baseball Natalie Gordon, Charleston, Softball Frankie Izard, St. Joseph, Softball Sophie Cooper, Lenzburg, Softball Delaine Johnson, Streator, Softball 2018 NJCAA All-Academic Third Team (athletes with 24 credit hours with 3.60-3.79 GPA): Ashlyn Clem, Danville, Volleyball Mikayla Fultz, Mattoon, Volleyball Ashlyn MacDonald, Mattoon, Volleyball Katie Tarkington, Vandalia, Volleyball Bryce Lohman, Effingham, Baseball Quinton Helmuth, Arthur, Baseball Jamie Young, Point Cook, Victoria, Australia, Baseball Drew Yazzie, Farmington, NM, Baseball Sophie Cooper, Lenzburg, Softball Delaine Johnson, Streator, Softball Avery Jackson, Mattoon, Women’s Basketball Aislinn Parish, Charleston, Women’s Basketball Jamie Sandschafer, Teutopolis, Women’s Basketball Darrell Phillips, Charleston, Basketball Accumulative GPA of all of our athletes (102) for the 2018-2019 academic year: 3.12 By Sport: Volleyball – 3.44 Softball – 3.28 Women’s Basketball – 3.25 Baseball – 3.02 Men’s Basketball – 2.7 Cheer – 3.04 Total number of athletes achieving a 3.0 or higher GPA for the 2018-2019 academic year: 60 of 102 By Sport: Softball (11 of 17) Baseball (17 of 30) Women’s Basketball (9 of 11) Volleyball (14 of 15) Men’s Basketball (3 of 14) Cheer (9 of 15) Athletic Sports Honors Season Records By Sport: Softball – 52/19 Women’s Basketball – 24/8 Men’s Basketball – 11/20 Volleyball – 27/14 Baseball – 11/34 Volleyball Team Honors NJCAA Academic Team Individual Honors and Awards NJCAA Division One All-Region 24: Alexandra Beckers, Mount Pulaski; Jannah Mullen, St. Joseph; and Ashlyn Macdonald, Mattoon Great Rivers Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year: Ashlyn Macdonald, Mattoon Great Rivers Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Award: Kristy Burford, Bethany Women’s Basketball Team Honors NJCAA Academic Team Finished 2nd in the GRAC Region 24 Runner Up Individual Honors and Awards NJCAA 2nd Team All American: Avery Jackson, Mattoon NJCAA Division Two All-Region 24: Avery Jackson, Mattoon; Jamie Sandschafer, Teutopolis Great Rivers Athletic Conference All-Conference: Avery Jackson, Mattoon, Jamie Sandschafer, Teutopolis Softball Team Honors NJCAA Academic Team Region 24 Champion 2nd place in the GRAC Individual Honors and Awards NJCAA Division One Region 24 Player of the Year: Frankie Izard, St. Joseph NJCAA Division One All-Region 24: Delaine Johnson, Streator; Frankie Izard, St. Joseph; Abe Lee, Mattoon NJCAA Division One All-Region 24 Tournament: Delaine Johnson, Streator, Allison Helton, Colorado Springs, CO; Amaya Eubanks, Gardena, CA; Abe Lee, Mattoon Great Rivers Athletic Conference All-Conference: Delanie Johnson, Streator; Frankie Izard, St. Joseph; Abe Lee, Mattoon NFCA All-Region 24 Teams 1st Team: Frankie Izard, St. Joseph NFCA All-Region 24 Teams 2nd Team: Abe Lee, Mattoon; Delanie Johnson, Streator; Amaya Eubanks, Gardena, CA NFCA All-American 1st Team: Frankie Izard, St. Joseph Baseball Team Honors NJCAA Academic All American Team
Lake Land College offers a Painting with Oils or Acrylics Class Posted on August 6, 2019 Lake Land College is offering a Painting with Oils or Acrylics class at the Kluthe Center in Effingham. The eight-session class is available to register and will be on Wednesdays beginning Sept. 18 through Nov. 6 and will meet from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The class will be taught by Vera Keplar, who has a master’s degree in art from Eastern Illinois University and has taught art at K-12 and adult level for many years. In addition, Vera has been a judge for several art competitions. Beginner and experienced artists are all welcome to attend. Students will paint on canvas using oil or acrylic paints and will be able to choose their own subject matter. Students will need to bring their own paint supplies. The supply list includes: basic colors of oil or acrylic tubes of paint, variety of sizes of oil or acrylic paint brushes and 16” x 20” minimum size canvas panels or stretch panels. The cost is $52 for the class. To register, go to lakelandcollege.edu/learn. Drop date for a refund is five business days prior to the class. For more information, contact Jackie Wake at 217-234-5087 or email jwake@lakelandcollege.edu.
Get ready for fall semester at Lake Land College Posted on August 5, 2019 Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 19, but there is still time to register at Lake Land College! Lake Land College courses are offered throughout east central Illinois at convenient times and locations. Take a class online, in your community or on campus in Mattoon. For a list of fall classes throughout the Lake Land College district, visit lakelandcollege.edu and click on the Schedules link under the Academics tab. Students can contact Counseling Services at 217-234-5232 or counsel@lakelandcollege.edu for additional information regarding the enrollment process or to schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor. Counselors are available to meet 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday during summer hours. Lake Land will be holding extended registration hours on Friday, Aug. 16 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Luther Student Center on campus in Mattoon. This is the last day to register for fall semester before classes begin; late registration will continue through Tuesday, Aug. 20. Please note that on Friday, Aug. 16, all college offices will be closed from 8 – 10 a.m. Services will resume at 10 a.m. All students are invited to attend Welcome Day on Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Field House to learn more about clubs, opportunities and college services. To stay up-to-date with activities, deadlines and information, be sure to follow the Lake Land College Facebook page.
Godinez returns to Lake Land College as new head baseball coach Posted on After two successful years at Eastern Illinois University as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, Julio Godinez will return to the Lake Land College baseball diamond as the new head coach beginning in the fall semester 2019. After two successful years at Eastern Illinois University as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator, Julio Godinez will return to the Lake Land College baseball diamond as the new head coach beginning in the fall semester 2019. “I’m ready to get to know the players and build a trusting relationship between the team and myself,” Godinez said. “Having coached for Lake Land before, I know the potential is there to build the program back into a national championship level program.” Godinez attended St. Rita of Cascia High School in South Chicago where he grew up cheering on the Cubs, playing catch with his parents and watching his father coach local baseball teams. He followed his passion for the sport through school and went on to attend Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois and later transferred to Graceland University in Iowa. Godinez returns to Lake Land with several coaching experiences. After college, he coached at Murray Community Schools for two years. Following his time in Murray, Godinez coached at Lake Land College under Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Bill Jackson. From fall of 2012 through spring of 2013, Godinez worked as the pitching coach and recruiting coordinator. After the 2013 season at Lake Land College, Godinez made his way to Eastern Illinois University to take a job as a volunteer assistant coach where he gained experience working with all positions. For the past two years, Godinez has been Eastern’s pitching coach, and more recently, for the 2018-2019 season, he worked as the recruiting coordinator for the team. Godinez is very excited to return to Lake Land College; the family atmosphere and small campus environment had always appealed to him. “When a full time head coaching opportunity opened up at Lake Land College, I was very excited to finally have a chance to run my own show!” Godinez said. Godinez plans to focus on the fine details and fundamentals of baseball with his team in order to be successful. He intends to build the Lakers into a national contender and win several championships along the way. Godinez said he feels fortunate for the support he has received from the community and his family, as well as grateful for the opportunities that have allowed him to grow in his career and take Lake Land College baseball to the next level.