Laker Nation News

Members of the first graduating class of the Lake Land College licensed practical nurse to associate degree nursing cohort program received their pins during a ceremony on Dec. 11. The pinning ceremony was also a celebration of the first graduating class from this new program.

Andrea Davis, Strasburg, received the Marilyn Fuqua Thompson Nursing 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, possess superior communication skills and composure, often in crises situations. Davis’s name will be engraved on a plaque that is located in the nursing skills lab in Neal Hall.

Debi King, Charleston, received the Associate Degree Nursing Peer Award. King was chosen because of her 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 recipient of this award was selected by fellow nursing students.

During the ceremony, the following graduates were honored:

Paula Blaine,  Cowden

Brittany Cain, Charleston

Amy Cripe, Windsor

Andrea Davis, Strasburg

Kristina Davis, Sullivan

Lindsey Dionne, Pana

Gretchen Hille, Effingham

Nicole Houseman, Pana

Cayla-Ann Hurt, Casey

Debi King, Charleston

Brennyn Kirk, Mattoon

Courtney Kuhlman, Shelbyville

Nicole Pals, Teutopolis

Lindsey Rahn, Shelbyville

Rebecca Reinstorf, Pana

Maria Strohl, Neoga

Rebecca Switzer, Brocton

Kelly Wheeler, Windsor

Taylor Wilcox, Shelbyville

Molly Williams, Shelbyville

The licensed practical nursing to associate degree nursing major cohort is a one calendar-year program offering career advancement training to nursing professionals. Offered exclusively at the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology in Effingham, it is a special admission program requiring applicants to meet specific criteria.

The next group of students will begin in the spring 2018 semester.

For more information on this program contact Cheryl Beam, director of nursing programs, at 217-234-5452 or cbeam@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College student Dorothy Stuttle, who recently celebrated her 90^th birthday on Nov. 30, doesn’t need a New Year’s resolution to exercise more—she’s been living out that goal at the Lake Land Fitness Center for the past eight years and she plans to keep going.

To celebrate her dedication to physical wellness, Lake Land recently honored Stuttle with a lifetime membership to the Fitness Center. Lake Land staff presented Stuttle with the membership along with wishing her a happy birthday.

Over the years, Stuttle took advantage of the senior citizens tuition wavier to enroll in fitness courses every semester. Now, she can visit the Fitness Center freely.

“It just means so much to me that they would do something like that,” she said. “I’m a strong believer in exercise and doing the right thing. I always try to do the best I can.”

Stuttle began working out at the Fitness Center after she decided that she needed to look into different options for her exercise routine.

“I used to walk around Lake Paradise every morning, but the ground proved too hard on my knees. I looked in to the fitness center and it seemed like a good idea,” she said. “So many people retire and all they want to do is sit. I never wanted to do that. I want to stay active.”

Stuttle goes to the Fitness Center every day at 7 a.m. and peddles on one of the many recumbent exercise bikes. Through the years, Stuttle has become a familiar face to all the staff and students and serves as an inspiration to all who come into contact with her.

“Dorothy is an inspiration to us all,” said Lisa Leisch, administrative assistant to counseling services. “Her story should be an encouragement to everyone in the community to get out there and take care of their physical wellbeing.”

Stuttle enjoys watching the wildlife around her house, especially all the birds and deer that come up to her backyard. She also enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “I try to be a great mom, grandma, and great-grandma. I love the little ones,” she said.

When asked about tips on diet, Stuttle stressed moderation. “I eat anything I want, I just try to watch the quantity. I still enjoy a bowl of ice cream before bed every now and then, though.”

The general public can sign up for a one credit hour aerobics class (PED 143) at the college and utilize the center. The center is open Monday—Thursday from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and on Friday from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The Lake Land College Foundation is accepting year-end gifts that support students and college programs.

“With the holiday season around the corner, it’s important to remember that the gift of education is one that keeps on giving,” said Lake Land College Executive Director for College Advancement Jackie Joines. “The Lake Land College Foundation is a great organization to give to and we want to make that process as easy as possible.”

Since the college is open through Dec. 21 in observance of the holidays, the foundation is ready to help donors make their gifts.

Options for giving include:

• Make a secure gift online. Go to lakelandcollege.edu and look for the “Give” button at the top of the page. Gifts can be made online until midnight on Dec. 31 to receive a 2017 charitable gift credit.
• Make a gift by check dated prior to Dec. 31, 2017. Checks dated prior to Dec. 31, 2017 and received by Jan. 3, 2018 will be receipted as a 2017 charitable gift.
• Make a gift through the IRA Rollover method for those 70 ½ required to take the mandatory minimum distribution.  Rollover gifts must be dated prior to Dec. 31, 2017 and received by Jan. 3, 2018 to be receipted as a 2017 charitable gift.
• Gifts of appreciated stock can be the ideal choice for donors to make a year-end gift with a big impact at a reduced cost, Joines said. Transfers must be received by the foundation before the end of business on Dec. 30 to be receipted as a 2017 charitable gift.
• Contact Joines at 217-234-5354 by Dec. 21, for more information on making a year-end gift to be credited to the 2017 tax year.

“All methods of giving are appreciated and make a huge difference in the lives of Lake Land College students,” Joines said. “No matter the method, you have the opportunity to benefit students and programs any way you would like and be recognized for your generosity.”

“The IRA Rollover method is a great option for those 70½ who have to take the mandatory minimum withdrawal from their IRA, but don’t need the additional income and would like to make a charitable gift,” Joines said.  “Likewise, gifts of appreciated stock allow the donor to make a larger impact and enjoy the reduced cost basis.”

As with any gift, Joines encourages donors to check with their professional advisor to know what method of giving is best.

To learn more about year-end giving, contact Joines at jjoines@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5354. Email and voicemail messages for this phone number will be checked on a regular basis throughout the holiday break between Dec. 22 and Jan. 1. The college will be open on Jan. 2. To learn more about the foundation, visit lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/.

The Lake Land College Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to securing private support that enhances the learning experience of Lake Land College students.

With the fall semester coming to a close and spring semester right around the corner, Lake Land College will have varied office hours for the upcoming winter holiday season.

The following are important upcoming dates and hours of operation:

• Dec. 8 – Last day of classes.
• Dec. 11-14 – Final exams.
• Dec. 22 – Jan. 1 – College closed.
• Jan. 3 – Textbook pick-up begins.
• Jan. 5 – 10 a.m.-7 p.m. extended registration. Offices closed from 8-10 a.m.
• Jan. 8 – First day of classes for spring semester.
• Feb. 1 – Foundation scholarship application due.

For more information or to get started visit lakelandcollege.edu.

Ambassadors this year are: Autumn Bradenburg, Casey, pre-med; Maddie Caldwell, Elmwood, ag transfer; Maddie Fugate, Mahomet, ag transfer; Carson Goff, Hopedale, ag transfer; Danelle Helton, Shelbyville, business administration; Sterling Howard, Windsor, conservation/pre-wildlife; Josiah Kinert, Lovington, ag transfer; Lily Laatsch, Altamont, pre-engineering; Karla Madden, Shiloh, business administration; Charles Meaker, Mattoon, pre-engineering; Ashley Miller, Armington, ag transfer; Tessa Philpot, St. Elmo, pre-pharmacy; Sidney Smith, Louisville, social work/sociology; Olivia Telgmann, Strasburg, associate degree nursing; Eric Wolff, Effingham, ag transfer.

Student ambassadors are a select group of students chosen to serve as official representatives of Lake Land College. The ambassadors assist the college by informing prospective students of the opportunities available to them at Lake Land. In addition, they assist with several campus organizations and personnel with special functions. The ambassadors receive a $500 yearly scholarship.

To become an ambassador, students must meet the following criteria:

• be at least a half-time student for both fall and spring semesters
• maintain a 2.5 GPA
• complete an application
• complete an interview

Once students are selected, they attend training sessions and weekly meetings to learn more about the college. During the school year, the ambassadors give tours of the campus, attend college/career fairs, visit high schools and assist with special school functions.

For more information, visit lakelandcollege.edu/ss/sl/studentambassador.cfm.

It’s that time of the year for students to be thinking ahead for the spring 2018 semester at Lake Land College.

Registration for spring courses is in progress. The semester begins Jan. 8 and the preferred last day to register is Jan. 5.

Before students can register for spring classes, all students must meet with an advisor in order to be cleared for registration. This process differs depending on a student’s status and is required so that students can ensure they are taking the appropriate classes for their major or program of study.

Current Lake Land students must log in to the Laker Hub and select the “Registration” link, then click on “Advisement Information” on the left-hand side. This page will give current students the information they need for spring advisement.

Re-admit students must complete the Intent to Enroll form found by clicking on the “Enroll Now” button and then set up a meeting with a counselor in Counseling Services for spring advisement and clearance to register.

New students must also complete the Intent to Enroll form. Once that is processed, new students will be mailed a letter inviting them to schedule New Student Orientation, where they will meet with a counselor for spring advisement and registration.

Lake Land College assigns an academic advisor to each student based on his/her major or program of study. To ensure students get the best advisor for them, students must declare their academic program accurately. Students can check their major on the “Advisement Information” page in the Laker Hub. Students are encouraged to change their major if it is incorrect and they will be assigned a new advisor within three business days.

To view the courses offered during the spring semester, visit: lakelandcollege.edu/schedules/ and select the “Spring 2018 Schedule” link.

For more information about the advisement and registration process, call Counseling Services at 217-234-5232 or visit www.lakelandcollege.edu/counseling/.

The Lake Land College Nursing Department will celebrate two milestones this December with a presentation and lunch by retired faculty member and author Linda Ruholl.

On Dec. 4, Ruholl will share excerpts from her book as well as kick off a celebratory lunch honoring the first graduating class of the LPN to ADN program at the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology. In addition, the event begins a year-long celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the college’s nursing program. Ruholl’s book, “Nursing at Lake Land College: A Faculty Reflection on Teaching and Learning 1987-2008” is a comprehensive history of Lake Land’s nursing program.

The licensed practical nursing to associate degree nursing major cohort is a 25 credit-hour program offering career advancement training to nursing professionals. The program is offered exclusively at the Kluthe Center in Effingham. It is a special admission program requiring applicants to meet specific criteria. A checklist for criteria can be found by going to the “Admissions” menu on lakelandcollege.edu, click on “Special Admissions” and then “Associate Degree Nurse” and “Download the LPN-RN checklist if you are currently an LPN.”

Lake Land College’s LPN to ADN cohort program is approved by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Higher Learning Commission.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 15 percent through 2026, much faster than average for all occupations.

For more information on this program contact Cheryl Beam, director of nursing programs, at 217-234-5452 or cbeam@lakelandcollege.edu.

The Lake Land College Library will host the National Library of Medicine’s most recent traveling exhibit, Pictures of Nursing: The Zwerdling Postcard Collection, throughout the month of January.

The exhibit will be housed on the main level of the Judge Learning Resource Center on the Lake Land College campus, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. The public is welcome to view the exhibit.

This exhibition explores a “unique archive of 2,588 postcards and more than 100 years of images of nurses and the nursing profession from around the world, investigating the hold these images exert on the public imagination, then and now.”

According to the National Library of Medicine, the postcard is a fleeting and widespread art form influenced by popular ideas about social and cultural life in addition to fashions in visual style. Nurses and nursing have been the frequent subjects of postcards for more than 100 years. No other art form has illustrated the nursing profession so profusely using such a variety of artistic styles and images. By documenting the relationship of nursing to significant forces in 20^th-century life, such as war and disease, these postcards reveal how nursing was seen during those times.

This exhibition was developed and produced by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.

Library hours are posted on the Lake Land College website: www.lakelandcollege.edu/library.

For more information, contact Sarah Hill, information services librarian, at 217-234-5440 or shill@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College students from varying nations enjoyed learning about other cultures during the International Student Club’s annual Show ‘N Tell event celebrating International Education Week. Students from Taiwan, Turkey, Colombia, China and Democratic Republic of Congo all came out to display cultural mementos.

Attendees of the event delighted in having their names spelled out in Chinese calligraphy by a student from Hong Kong. Several students brought in examples of currency from their countries, so others were able to see and feel pieces from all over the world.

The International Student Club organizes and supports activities that represents members who are from diverse countries. The International Student Club focuses on helping international and exchange student integrate into their new school, student body and community by providing endless opportunities to enrich their living and learning experience while studying at Lake Land. There are about 50 international students at Lake Land College this year.

To learn more about the International Studies Program, call 217-234-5382 or visit lakelandcollege.edu/international/.