Laker Nation News

At the 2017 Lake Land College Associate Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony, graduating nurses received their pins.

Brennan Debenham, Effingham, 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. Debenham’s name will be engraved on a plaque that is located in the nursing skills lab in Neal Hall.

Christine Martin, Toledo and Jeremiah Roberts, Effingham, received the Associate Degree Nursing Peer Award. 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.

During the ceremony, the following were honored:

Idalia Barquin-Mattoon

Kassidi Burton-Casey

Reneà Caskey-Charleston

Kelli Christensen-Findley

Sydni Elder-Arthur

Rachael Elsberry-Paris

Kasey Fitzgerald-Tower Hill

Anita Hines-Gays

Amanda Jernigan-Paris

Zhongxiang Kenworthy-Neoga

Kate Miller-Arthur

Danielle Morr-Charleston

Amanda Overbeck-Shelbyville

Lisa Price-Shelbyville

Tammy Rhoades-Herrick

Kelly Sidwell-Gays

Jessi Sinclair-Paris

Riki Staples-Martinsville

Alexa Stephens-Mattoon

Megan Temples-Paris

Sydney Turner-Oakland

Chelsie Whitesell-Paris

Anne Woods-Paris

Jamie Banning-Shelbyville

Kim Carmack-Charleston

Mara Dearnbarger-Mattoon

Hannah Foltz-Westfield

Amber Handley-Ashmore

Tricia Harkins-Assumption

Amber Hood-Shelbyville

Miranda Jones-Mattoon

Maryam Khastkhoda-Mattoon

Kristen Perry Lebube-Charleston

Christine Martin-Toledo

Jennifer Mason-Edgewood

Jamie Miller-Sullivan

Matthew Phillips-Mattoon

Kerra Presnell-Pana

Kelsey Randolph-Shelbyville

Ayla Sherman-Charleston

Lucille Smallhorn-Charleston

Jeremy Szabo-Sullivan

Melissa Walker-Charleston

Dinah Wolfe-Martinsville

Cathy Yeakel-Sullivan

Sara Althoff-Effingham

Tiffany Beccue-Mason

Kelsey Beckman-Effingham

Joanna Brown-Effingham

Gabrielle Collier-Lakewood

Brennan Debenham-Effingham

Latisha Devall-Effingham

Shelby Eastin-Charleston

Lakin Evans-Brownstown

Haley Fasnacht-St. Elmo

Brianne Franciscovich-Effingham

Jennifer Gomez-Mattoon

Heidi Gould-Pana

Tylar Hill-Altamont

Mary Lou Markwell-Jewett

Morgan McWhorter-Effingham

Naomi Mostelller-Marshall

Josie Phillips-Altamont

Alyssa Pickowitz-Effingham

Chelsie Pontious-Effingham

Jeremiah Roberts-Effingham

Mackenzie Wermert-Teutopolis

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

May 1, 2017

For Immediate Release

Lake Land College’s Navigator wins big in this year’s ICCJA contest

The staff of Lake Land College’s Navigator News recently won nine awards at the spring 2017 Illinois Community College Journalism Association ICCJA conference held at Lewis and Clark Community College.

The Navigator News is Lake Land College’s student newspaper and is produced by the students for the students every month during the fall and spring semesters.  The eight to 12 page tabloid consists of news, features, sports, entertainment and upcoming events.

Listed below are the awards obtained by the Navigator News:

• 2^nd Place Front Page Design, Derby Roan, Mattoon
• 2^nd Place Front Page Design, Allison Wheeler, Bethany
• 2^nd Place Front Page Design, Tamesha Moss, Mattoon
• 3^rd Place Headline, Tamesha Moss, Mattoon
• 3^rd Place Website, Staff of the Navigator News
• 3^rd Place Sports Column, Dalton Kemper, Teutopolis
• 3^rd Place Advertising, Staff of the Navigator News
• 3^rd Place Sports Photo, Bailey Zacha, Beecher City
• Honorable Mention News Story, Bailey Rueff, Cowden

The staff also had the opportunity to attend education sessions taught by distinguished journalism faculty, current journalists and graphic designers.  For more information on the Navigator or any other student life activity, visit lakelandcollege.edu/student-life.

The Navigator News is hiring staff this summer for the 2017-2018 year. There are several paid positions in the area of editing, writing, photography, advertising, graphic design and business management. Call 217-234-5277 to learn more about how to join the staff.

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We live in a global community. International interaction has become an integral part of virtually all industries and students are now needing to understand globalization along with everything they learn from their textbooks. While studying abroad is a valuable resource for learning this lesson, Lake Land College offers the opportunity to learn about the world right here in Mattoon.

Lake Land is home to about 50 international students. People from all around the world come to Mattoon seeking the opportunity to learn with the advantage of attentive teachers and a small classroom environment.

“The best part of being a student here is that the teachers at Lake Land College are good, friendly and enthusiastic. They helped me a lot with their whole heart. I love them and I feel grateful to them,” said Le Phunong Vy Tran, or as her American friends call her – Vy.  She is an international student from Vietnam.

Since moving to Central Illinois can be quite a culture shock, Ted O, director of international studies, encourages international and traditional students to participate in campus and community opportunities to share cultures and help in the transitionary period.

One such opportunity for Lake Land students to get to know each other is the International Buddy Program. This is a pairing between a domestic and an international student to promote sharing cultures and community. They meet about once a week. Another weekly occurrence is the English Café where international students get together with domestic students to learn American slang and practice their English speaking skills.

Chances to share cultures are also spread out throughout the year with the Global Family Program where an international student is matched with a community family to meet a couple of times a semester and, perhaps, to spend the holidays with. Field trips are also organized to take international students and interested traditional students to do fun and interactive activities. Previous trips have included site-seeing in cities like Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis as well as ice skating in Champaign. Local trips are also planned for activities such as going to the movie theater to watch the newest blockbuster hit.

Every November, International Studies hosts the International Culture Show and Tell as a part of International Education Week. Students set up displays and activities that represent their homes. Some past favorites have been folding origami and taste testing food from around the world.

To learn more about International Studies or how to get involved, contact the International Studies office at international@lakelandcollege.edu or call 217-234-5382.

Lake Land College recently honored more than 130 students at the annual Student Recognition Banquet hosted by the Student Government Association.

Students were recognized for their academic achievements, elected offices and organizational roles for the academic year.

Seven students received the Outstanding Student Award for their academic division. The awards are given to a student from each academic division who has displayed excellence within his/her division as well as contributed to Lake Land College and the community.

The Outstanding Award Recipients include: Ashlee Burton, Charleston, Humanities and Communications Division; Cassandra Eilers, Pana, Social Sciences and Education Division; Michelle Janes, Mattoon, Technology Division; Carley Travis, Oblong, Agriculture Division; Jessie Macklin, Effingham, Math and Science Division; Kaitlin Slifer, Stewardson, Business Division and Andrea Speece, Paris, Allied Health Division.

The criteria of the award include: graduation from a program with 30 or more hours during the 2016-2017 academic year, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, outstanding contributions to the division and outstanding contributions to Lake Land College and the community.

The following students were also recognized for their participation in the organizations listed:

Student Representatives to the Board of Trustees

Jensyn Morrison, Cowden, 2016-2017 representative

Who’s Who Among American Junior College Students

Melanie Adams, Windsor

Maria Amill, Lakewood

Kaylee Beals, Neoga

Jessica Blazich, Neoga

Alex Bohnhoff, Dieterich

Kassidy Bonebrake, Charleston

Madison Boone, Shelbyville

Dustin Borries, Effingham

Autumn Brandenburg, Casey

Michelle Burrus, Mattoon

Ashlee Burton, Charleston

Audrey Casey, Toledo

Hope Collier, Effingham

Morgan Damery, Mattoon

Kelcie Darnell, Shelbyville

Robert Devries, Mattoon

Blake Dunham, Charleston

Madison Easton, Neoga

Brianna Eller, Mattoon

Katelyn Fisher, Mattoon

Courtney Flach, Montrose

Ian Goatley, Charleston

Bailey Gowin, Mattoon

Tyler Haak, Mattoon

Abby Hagen, Watson

Peyton Hagerman, Sullivan

Cassandra Hall, Neoga

Melvin Hawkins, Mattoon

Myah Herbord, Pana

Taylor Higgins, Windsor

Kaylie Huizenga, Morrison

Morgan Hunter, Mattoon

Michelle Janes, Mattoon

Kelly Keitel, Effingham

Lily Laatsch, Altamont

Danielle Lash, Pana

Jessie Macklin, Effingham

Jeffery Martin, Paris

Lacy Maulding, Casey

Sara McRoberts, Mattoon

Charles Meaker, Mattoon

Sheldon Meyer, Shelbyville

Mary Moenning, Hayfield MN

Jensyn Morrison, Cowden

Tegan Murphy, Mattoon

Vincent Myers, Altamont

Emily Neuhauser, Mattoon

Lina Ngoopos, Mattoon

Beth Niemerg, Edgewood

Dylan Ohnesorge, Strasburg

Lakaylee Ordner, Sigel

Charles Osley, Mattoon

Dymond Randle, Mattoon

Megan Reiher, Belleville

Julia Roberts, Farina

Rachel Schultz, Stewardson

Tyler Schuring, Mattoon

Mark Shirley, Mattoon

Kaitlin Slifer, Stewardson

Clayton Slifer, Mattoon

Marissa Sliger, Pana

Caitlin Sloan, Beecher City

Andrea Speece, Paris

Kara Springman, Sullivan

Devon Still, Bethany

Jordan Thoele, Teutopolis

Carley Travis, Oblong

Samantha Valentine, Mattoon

Daria Voronia, Mattoon

Tristen Warner, Gays

Emily Watson, Mattoon

Allison Wheeler, Bethany

Mikayla Willoughby, Mattoon

Dallas Wilson, Charleston

Madison Yoder, Mattoon

4.0 GPA

Zachary J. Armstrong, Mattoon

Christopher J. Arnold, Effingham

Dylan W. Bailey, Louisville

Kaylee M. Beals, Neoga

Nathan A. Bonifer, Mattoon

Sarah A. Brown, Toledo

Steven M. Bryant, Effingham

Rebekah L. Buescher, Charleston

Ashlee M. Burton, Charleston

Elizabeth M. Colbert, Mattoon

Rachel M. Deters, Sigel

Constance Durflinger, Marshall

Brianna N. Eller, Mattoon

Courtney M. Flach, Montrose

Beth-Anne Graham, Farina

Abby P. Hagen, Watson

Cassandra J. Hall, Neoga

Sara Heumann, Mansfield Center, CT

Shane D. Hout, Arcola

Kaylie A. Huizenga, Mattoon

Trevor M. Justice, Ashmore

Kelly S. Keitel, Effingham

Zachary P. Lensink, Mattoon

Cheryl J. Macklin, Effingham

Christine B. Martin, Toledo

Zachary S. Mayberry, Sullivan

Jana M. Messer, Charleston

Teresa M. Meyer, Effingham

Scott N. Mighell, Mattoon

Blair K. Monroe, Bethany

Danny R. Nelson, Sullivan

Alyssa N. Nichols, Mattoon

Jarred M. O’Leary, Mason

Shirley R. Osborne, Effingham

Christina E. Panici, Mattoon

Kelly R. Prescott, Mattoon

Konnor P. Pruemer, Effingham

Justin E. Reinneck, Belleville

Hannah M. Richardson, Assumption

Kelly A. Sager, Mattoon

Zachary R. Schneider, Lerna

Steven D. Schrock, Toledo

Cathy M. Sowa, Charleston

Jeffrey K. Stevenson, Effingham

Kaden A. Sweeney, Charleston

Katherine S. Tipsword, Shelbyville

Jessica L. Watson, Neoga

Ryan C. Wells, West Union

Kayana L. Wenglarz, Mattoon

Julie M. Wente, Sigel

Aaron M. Wesch, Hindsboro

Mikayla L. Willoughby, Mattoon

Ronald C. Winkler, Kansas

Coral J. Woods, Tower Hill

Student Ambassadors

Autumn Brandenburg, Casey

Maddison Taylor Caldwell, Mattoon

Carson Leigh Goff, Mattoon

Josiah Kinert, Lovington

Lily Laatsch, Altamont

Karla Madden, Mattoon

Charles J. Meaker, Mattoon

Mary Moenning, Mattoon

Jensyn Morrison, Cowden

Dylan Ohnesorge, Strasburg

Charles Osley, Mattoon

Sidney Smith, Mattoon

Carley Travis, Mattoon

Navigator

Editor-in-Chief: Allison Wheeler, Bethany

Managing Editor: Derby Roan, Mattoon

Business Manager: Steven Oliver, Charleston

Photographer:  Mackenzie Crable, Mattoon

Staff Reporter: Sara McRoberts, Mattoon

Distribution/Archives:  Darrius Frazier, Charleston

Student Activity Board

Jessie Macklin, Effingham, Chairperson

Chayli Blackwell, Mattoon, Vice Chairperson

Caitlin Sloan, Beecher City, Secretary

Kelly Keitel, Effingham, Treasurer

Bailey Boswell, Pana

Kaitlyn Denton, Pana

Carrie Ann Dilley, Cowden

Nick Esslinger, Strasburg

Erin Friese, Stewardson

Lucas Hill, St. Elmo

Ross Lynch, Pana

Riley Pruemer, Dieterich

Aubrey Puckett, Pana

Lebo Sango, Mattoon

Gael Tshilombo, Mattoon

Miranda Myers, Paris

Student Government Association

Melanie Adams, Windsor, President

Cassandra Hall, Neoga, Vice President

Taylor Higgins, Windsor, Secretary

Kristen Morlen, Windsor, Treasurer

Madison Easton, Neoga, Public Info Officer

Kaitlin Slifer, Stewardson, Parliamentarian

Chandler Ballinger, Stewardson

Jessica Blazich, Neoga

Lacie Butler, Mattoon

Orlando Waltero Campuzano, Mattoon

Blake Dunham, Charleston

Brock Hammond, Shelbyville

Cole Keller, Charleston

Jensyn Morrison, Cowden

Lina Ngoopos, Mattoon

Emily Stutzman, Arthur

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby

Flora High School placed first in the team event at the annual Business and Computer Contest sponsored by the Lake Land College Business Division and Club IT.

Other high schools participating in the event were Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School, Centralia High School, Champaign Centennial High School, Champaign Central High School, Charleston High School, Flora High School, Kansas High School, Martinsville Jr./Sr. High School, Neoga High School, Newton Community High School, Paris High School, PBL High School, Shelbyville High School, St. Elmo High School, and Windsor Jr./Sr. High School.

“We look forward to this contest every year,” said Kathy Black, division chair business/business instructor and coordinator of the contest. “We enjoy seeing and visiting with area business teachers and interacting with talented students.  It’s a great opportunity for students to showcase their business and computer skills.”

Students from area high schools competed in the following categories: accounting, general business and current events, MOS Word, MOS PowerPoint, and MOS Excel.  Depending on the category, students either completed a written test or a hands-on test on the computer.  First place winners of each contest received a 3-credit-hour tuition waiver from Lake Land College.

The winners are as follows:

Accounting: Devon Warren, Flora High School

General Business and Current Events: Lane Stanford, Flora High School

MOS Word: Cameron Noel, Kansas High School

MOS PowerPoint: Kimberly Davis, Arthur Lovington Atwood Hammond High School

MOS Excel: Grant Sims, Shelbyville High School

For more information, contact Black at 217-234-5348 or by email at kblack@lakelandcollege.edu.

There is still time to register for the Lake Land College Foundation Golf Outing on Friday, May 26 at Meadowview Golf Course.

New to this year’s prize offerings are the guarantee that a golfer will win a trip for two (not including airfare) to one of more than 3,000 resort locations in the U.S. and Caribbean sponsored by Pilson’s Auto Center. The award will go to the person with the closest to the pin shot on Hole #13.

Registration and lunch for the participants will be at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon, followed by dinner at the end of the day. The entry fee is $125 per golfer or $500 per team of four and includes lunch, 18-holes, cart, refreshments and dinner. All proceeds benefit the Lake Land College Foundation.

The golf outing will follow a scramble format with teams of four. Teams or individuals can sign up through the Lake Land College Foundation at lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/golf or by calling 217- 234-5363. Individuals will be placed on a team.

Organizations or individuals can support the foundation with a $100 donation to the golf classic as a tee sponsor. While golfing, participants will have the chance to win a car sponsored by KC Summers for a hole-in-one on a par three; and other major prizes such as $5,000 cash at the putting contest and a skins game.

Prizes will be awarded for low-net and low-gross scores for all male teams, all female teams and mixed (two male, two female) teams. The winners and raffle prizes will be announced at the dinner following the tournament.

All proceeds assist the Lake Land College Foundation in the mission to help students as they pursue a better life through the power of a Lake Land College education.

To register for the golf outing, visit lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/golf or contact Jackie Joines at 217-234-5354 or jjoines@lakelandcollege.edu. All mail entries should be sent to the following address: Lake Land College Foundation Golf Classic, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, IL 61938

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Melanie Adams, Sullivan, and Jensyn Morrison, Cowden, were nominated by Lake Land College for the All-Illinois Community College Academic Team. The nominations, submitted by the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society advisor, are based on academic achievement, leadership skills and participation in various campus and community activities.

In early April, Morrison and Adams were honored at a statewide Phi Theta Kappa banquet in Springfield for their outstanding achievements and inclusion on the All­ Illinois Community College Academic Team.

Adams was the valedictorian at Windsor

High School where she was also named an Illinois State Scholar. She received the Presidential Scholarship from Lake Land College and has been active in Phi Theta Kappa, honors courses and the Student Government Association (SGA). She currently serves as president of SGA. She graduated from Lake Land College with an associate degree in psychology in May and will transfer to Eastern Illinois University to continue her study of psychology/criminology.

Morrison, a graduate of Cowden-Herrick High School, is also among Lake Land College’s first class of Presidential Scholars. She has been active in Phi Theta Kappa, as a Student Ambassador, a member of the Student Government Association, and was elected student trustee.  As the student trustee to the Lake Land College Board of Trustees, she has been active in the Illinois Community College Board-Student Advisory Committee including serving  as legislative chair. Morrison presented the student address at commencement and graduated with an associate degree in psychology. She will transfer to Eastern Illinois University in the fall to continue her study of psychology and neuroscience.

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More than 34 donors were recently recognized for lifetime giving during the Lake Land College Foundation’s annual Donor Reception.

“We are so fortunate to have committed donors who continue to give and invest in Lake Land College and our students,” said Jackie Joines, executive director for college advancement. “We see the legacy of their gifts in the hundreds of students who are able to accomplish their educational goals through the generous support of the donors we recognize this evening.”

The following people were recognized:

Gerald Forsythe and Neal Tire were recognized in the President’s Gold Council for reaching a lifetime giving level of $500,000 to $999,999.

Grunloh Construction Inc. and Heartland Dental, LLC were recognized in the President’s Silver Council for reaching a lifetime giving level of $100,000 to $499,999.

Agri-fab, Inc., First National Bank of Pana, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and Leslie Hill were recognized in the Leadership Guild for reaching a lifetime giving level of $50,000 to $99,999.

CTS Control Technology & Solutions, Karen Fuqua Foundation, Roger & Janet Mead, Jennifer Nay and S & K Air Power Tool & Supply were recognized in the Trustee’s Guild for reaching a lifetime giving level of $25,000 to $49,999.

Sheila Harshman, Lisa Hickman, Hydro-Gear, Jack & Jennifer Jansen, John Kelley, Robert & Lana Pancoast, Richard Green Company Inc, Shelby Memorial Hospital, Dave & Debra Storm, Jeff & Tina Stovall and were recognized in the Educator’s Guild for reaching a lifetime giving level of $10,000 to $24,999.

Bryan & Krista Burrell, City of Marshall, Karin Edwards, Mike & Jackie Joines, Lakeland Apartments, Susan Leach, David & Dawn Ligon, David & Carolyn Lorton, Paul & Christine McKillip and Monahan Partners were recognized in the Scholar’s Club for reaching a lifetime giving level of $5,000 to $9,999.

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Lake Land College celebrates agriculture students at annual awards banquet

Lake Land College recently honored students in its agricultural majors at the 46^th Annual Agriculture Banquet.

More than 600 people filled the Lake Land College Field House for the banquet, which honored outstanding agriculture students and alumni.

Ryan Orrick, division chair agriculture/agriculture instructor, said everyone in the room has had a part in the division’s success. “Each year in the Ag division we are fortunate to work with some of the best and brightest talent. We get to see this every day in the classroom.”

Throughout the evening, various groups were recognized for their outstanding efforts including: the Agriculture Transfer Club, the Agriculture Business Club, the Horticulture Club, student leaders in the agriculture division, the Livestock Judging Team and members of the Post-Secondary Agriculture Students group.

In addition, 59 students who achieved the state FFA degree were recognized and 12 students who have held or are currently holding a FFA section office.

Twenty students were recognized as state or national proficiency winners and two students, Travis Winans, Mattoon and Maddison Caldwell, Elmwood, were recognized as National FFA winners. Within that group, 16 received the American FFA degree which is “one of the highest honors a student can achieve in their FFA career,” Orrick said.

Orrick also recognized Laker agriculture legacy families. More than 34 families at the banquet had at least one parent and child attend Lake Land.

Curt Rincker, retired Lake Land College agriculture division chair, received the 2017 Honored Alumnus Award. Rincker was an agriculture instructor from 1981 to 2011. During that time, he spent 10 years coaching Lake Land’s nationally recognized Livestock Judging team. As the judging coach, he recruited students from throughout the United States and expanded Lake Land’s name and reputation beyond our district borders.

“Curt spent 30 years developing and enhancing Lake Land’s Agriculture division into one most respected programs in the nation,” Orrick said.

Rincker was named division chair for agriculture in 1991 and saw the enrollment in the agriculture division jump from 130 in 1991 to a record 300 in 2011. He worked with industry to bring the John Deere Ag Tech program to Lake Land, as well as the professional training.

Since retiring, he has “transitioned” to full time employment in production agriculture in Shelbyville and has developed one of the most successful Simmental operations in the Midwest. He continues to host the livestock judging team and animal science classes on his farm. He sponsors a scholarship that goes to the ag division’s outstanding student. He serves in leadership roles in many state agriculture organizations and also serves as the president of the Illinois Association of Community College Agriculture Instructors. He was a recipient of the Lake Land College Faculty Association Outstanding Service Award and the University of Illinois College of ACES Alumnus Award.

Orrick also recognized John Althaus, former agriculture division chair, who is now the vice president for academic services, thanking him for his service and contribution to the Lake Land College Foundation in honor of his parents – the George and Lilly Bell Althaus Memorial Fund scholarship. This will be awarded to the students receiving the highest GPA and outstanding student for each division.

Later that evening, Carley Travis, Oblong, received the Outstanding Agriculture Division Student Award for 2016-2017 and received a $500 scholarship on behalf of Rincker and his family. Travis is an agriculture transfer student.

Mary Moenning of Hayfield, Minn. received the Phil Rincker Scholarship. This scholarship was named after Phil Rincker, Strasburg resident and 2006 graduate, who died in a farming accident in 2009. Rincker was an active member of the Livestock Judging Team. The $500 scholarship was contributed by his teammates, Sara Beckman, Schuyler Boyden, Blane Olson and Tucker Wood, and his family –Otis, Donna, Will and Cody. It is an annual scholarship given to a livestock judging team member who scores the highest in the beef category to honor Rincker’s memory and his love of beef cattle.

Other students recognized at the banquet were as follows:

Recognized for Agriculture Business and Supply/ Professional Custom Application were:

Rachel Deters, Sigel, High GPA and Outstanding Student

Recognized for Agriculture Production were:

Julie Wente, Sigel, and Aaron Wesch, Arcola, High GPA

Julie Wente, Outstanding Student

Recognized for Agriculture Power Technology were:

Joel Schultz, Stewardson, High GPA

George Rever, Taylorville, Outstanding Student

Recognized for the John Deere Ag Tech program was:

Nathan Bonifer, Velpen, Ind., and Justin Reinneck, Belleville, High GPA

Alex Rodhouse, Pleasant Hill, Outstanding Student

Recognized for the Horticulture program were:

Tim Kerans, Oakland, High GPA

Libby Vandelist, Effingham, Outstanding Student

Recognized in the Agriculture Transfer program were:

Blair Monroe, Bethany; Kaylie Huizenga, Morrison; Kaden Sweeney, Charleston; Zoe Ray, Greenup, High GPA

Kaylie Huizenga, Outstanding Student

Recognized for receiving the American FFA degree were:

Colin Cole, Toledo

Adam Casey, Bingham

Jordan Schutte, Mexico, Mo.

Justin Reinneck, Belleville

Matthew Stock, Hoopeston

Grant Powell, Palmyra, Mo.

Mary Moenning, Hayfield, Minn.

Catherine Largent, Slanesville, W.V.

Anna Landstrom, Odell

Carley Travis, Oblong

Karley Barrington, Mayo, Fla.

Austin Terrell, Mexico, Mo.

Joel Schultz, Stewardson

Lacey Knodle, Fillmore

Alec Meyers, Edinburg

Recognized as Illinois FFA Star winners were:

Maddison Caldwell, Elmwood

Cole Fredrickson, Maroa

Travis Winans, Taylorville

Austin Walter, Grand Ridge

Recognized as holding a leadership role with various state and national junior livestock associations were:

Carson Goff, Hopedale, national board member for American Junior Chianina Association

Kaylie Huizenga, Morrison, president of the American Junior Simental Association

Megan Myerscough, Champaign, president Illinois Junior Simmental Association

Mary Moening, Hayfield, Minn., president of the Minnesota Junior Simmental Association

Kade Patton, Frankfort, Ind., past vice president of the Indiana Junior Angus Association

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Diane Sterchi will receive the Lake Land College 2017 Alumnus Achievement Award during the annual Commencement Ceremony, Friday, May 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Lake Land College Field House.

The Alumnus Achievement Award is awarded annually to an individual who has attained outstanding success and distinction in his or her field of endeavor; has gained favorable statewide or national recognition; or has performed service which has proven beneficial to society.

Sterchi is currently an independent histotechnology consultant, the president of the National Society for Histotechnology and a member of the American Society for Clinical Pathology. She is a leading researcher in the field of histotechnology, the study of tissue abnormalities and treatment for the diseases which cause these abnormalities. Though she still acts as a consultant, she considers herself to be retired most of the time.

“Histotechnology is a highly specialized profession and one in which Diane has been a clear leader and advocate resulting in distinctions and invitations from all over the world,” nominator Jacqueline Joines, executive director for college advancement, said.

After serving in the U.S. Navy as a medic, Sterchi and her husband settled in his hometown of Olney. She enrolled in a local community college in nursing. However, when she transferred to Lake Land College, she had to change majors. At that time, Lake Land did not offer nursing.

She went on to earn an associate degree from Lake Land College in 1975 and then transferred to Eastern Illinois University. There she received bachelor’s degrees in both zoology and chemistry. She has a master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University and has taken graduate courses from the University of Illinois.

“My life would not have been this great without going to a community college.  I would have not had the experience of all the possibilities a community college can direct you to.  I struggled in high school even with an 85% average, I felt I was not smart enough to go through or even get into a four-year college. So, I joined the Navy. The Navy put me through training in the medical field which I did well in and they felt that was what I was best suited for.  After serving in the service I still didn’t have confidence in pursuing college except for nursing.  I had the GI Bill and I knew that I needed to use it to get at least technical certification or an associate’s degree.  That is where a community college came in,” Sterchi said.

She said she struggled at Lake Land because she was taking classes in subjects she never had before, but her “stubbornness and determination to learn more and do better” motivated her to complete her degree at Lake Land and go on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a specialized medical field. “All from starting in a community college,” she added.

Sterchi first discovered the world of histotechnology through her mentor Dr. Ruskin, who she first met while acquiring laboratory supplies to collect samples from her home care patients. Ruskin, then the head pathologist at Sarah Bush Lincoln, offered her a part-time job mixing reagents, allowing her to utilize her chemistry degree. Seeing Sterchi’s dedication and love for tissues motivated him to send her to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology to be trained in histotechnology. From there, both Sterchi and Ruskin went to work for the University of Illinois Veterinary School. Sterchi moved on to more exclusive jobs at top-end bio-medical companies, such as Eli Lilly & Co., crediting her success to having Ruskin as her mentor throughout her journey until his passing.

Along with receiving numerous employment opportunities, Sterchi has gone on to share her expertise through countless presentations, paper and even training other histotechnologists around the world. She has also served on numerous boards and committees as an executive officer, competitive judge and curriculum consultant.

“Diane has presented as an expert in the field of histotechnology all over the world including China. She is often called upon to help others in the profession with difficult cases and in training and grading others. Her current passion in developing curriculum ensures that she will leave a legacy in her profession. With each honor, position and opportunity, Diane promotes her Lake Land College education,” Joines said.

Originally from Reading, Pa., Sterchi and her husband now live in New Palestine, Ind. They have been married for 46 years and have a daughter.

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