Laker Nation News

One hundred eighty-seven candidates received their degrees and certificates after the completion of the summer 2016 term at Lake Land College. The graduates are:

The Lake Land College Honors Program is accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year.

“This is an excellent opportunity for students to challenge themselves academically while earning an honors designation on their transcripts by completing a minimum of four honors-level courses,” Garren explained. “Most courses can be made into an honors course, depending on the student and faculty member’s interest and ability to create an honors project given the course topic.”

Applications and student/faculty contracts for fall honors courses are due to Steve Garren, director of dual credit and honors program advisor, by Friday, Sept 23. Students can find the application here lakelandcollege.edu/as/hnr/apply.cfm or they can contact Garren at 217-234-5044 or sgarren@lakelandcollege.edu.

The purpose of the Honors Program is to provide enriched learning opportunities for outstanding students through honors courses and the opportunity to participate in independent study for honors credit in specialized areas of study.

Requirements for the Honors Program focus on academic talents and career goals.

“Participating in the Honors Program is a wonderful opportunity for any two-year degree-seeking student who is highly motivated, enjoys a challenge, and would like to take his or her education to a higher level,” Garren said.

To be accepted in the program, students must meet the following criteria.

Entering as a freshman, students must:

• Pursue an associate degree at Lake Land College; and
• Meet one of the following:
  • Graduate in the top 10 percent of his or her high school class;
  • Have a composite ACT score of 26 or higher; or
  • Have a composite 3.5 GPA on a 4-point scale or equivalent.

Current Lake Land students must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher after the completion of at least 12 semester hours of Lake Land coursework numbered 040 or higher, and be enrolled in an associate degree program.

Garren also encourages honors students, especially Presidential Scholars, to consider joining the national honors society Phi Theta Kappa.

For more information about the Honors Program, contact Garren at 217-234-5044 or sgarren@lakelandcollege.edu.

The Lake Land College Community Choir will begin its fall rehearsals Tuesday, Sept. 27. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday nights in the Lake Land College Theater from 7-9:30 p.m.

The choir is a group of approximately 50 mixed voices including students, college employees and members of the community.  All singers age 18 and older are welcome to participate.  No audition is required.

Choir members may earn one hour of college credit for singing in the choir. Interested singers can complete a registration form at the first rehearsal, or register online.  Registration for college credit is not required, however, and participation in the choir is free for those who do not register.

Nancy Caldwell, music instructor at Lake Land College and director of the choir, said, “Singing is actually a mild form of aerobic exercise. Even while seated, singers use muscle groups in the upper part of the body.  And then there’s the emotional benefit; a choir is a wonderful community, and the shared endeavor of performing in a concert creates a sense of accomplishment. I invite everyone to join us and enjoy this musical form of heart-healthy living.”

Caldwell continued, “Choir members tell me they enjoy the opportunity to sing a variety of music with a large group of singers of all ages.  I choose several challenging numbers each semester and the choir has really grown musically in the years we’ve been together.  Singing arrangements of favorite Christmas songs, as we do each fall, is always a treat.”

The fall season will culminate in a concert on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m. in the Theater.  The program will open with old-time gospel favorites including “Down by the Riverside,” “Amazing Grace,” and “I’ll Fly Away.” The choir will also sing a medley titled Americana, which includes “Skip to My Lou” and “Shenandoah,” along with other folksongs.

After noting that “We Need a Little Christmas,” the choir will perform “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting),” and “The Christmas Waltz,” made famous by Frank Sinatra in 1954.  The traditional Christmas carols “Love Came Down at Christmas,” “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” and “The Little Drummer Boy” will round out the concert.

Contact Caldwell at 217- 234-5464 with any questions.

Break out the red and black, Laker alumni! Lake Land College is gearing up for its first annual Laker Homecoming Sept. 30 – Oct. 2.

The Lake Land College Alumni Association and Athletics are partnering to create a weekend of events to welcome all alumni and their families back to campus. Athletic events, Laker Louie mascot appearances, campus tours, a golf outing and banquet round up the schedule.

“Laker Homecoming is a great opportunity for you to reconnect with your Laker classmates, faculty and staff members. We encourage you to share your Laker experience with your family and see how much campus has grown and developed,” Dave Cox, director of alumni relations and annual giving, said.

The Alumni Association Board of Directors and Heartland Dental is hosting a free professional development seminar followed by a social for Dental Hygiene alumni. The event will kick off the weekend’s activities the afternoon of Friday, Sept. 30 in Effingham at Heartland Dental.

Student Ambassadors will be available for campus tours at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 30 starting from the Field House. The Laker volleyball match will open at 6 p.m.  Be sure to catch Laker Louie in the crowd!

Following the volleyball game, the men’s and women’s basketball teams will take the floor for the first time this season.

Saturday’s events kick off with a Laker alumni softball scrimmage and a Lake Land College softball red and black scrimmage.

The Laker Golf Outing will be held the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 1 at Meadowview Golf Course. Registration opens at 11 a.m. followed by lunch and a shot-gun start at noon. Hole sponsorships are available for this event. Golfers can register at lakelandcollege.edu/athletics.

The Distinguished Alumni Society inductees and Laker Hall of Fame candidates will be introduced during an Alumni Recognition Banquet Saturday evening at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club.

Laker Homecoming weekend will conclude Sunday with a baseball game.

Homecoming T-shirts can be ordered in advance. Information is available online at lakelandcollege.edu/alumni or lakelandcollege.edu/athletics.

For more information about any of the Alumni events, contact Dave Cox at 217-234-5376 or dcox5612@lakelandcollege.edu. For Athletic events and Athletic Golf Outing information, contact the Lake Land College Athletic Office at 217- 234-5333  or breed43185@lakelandcollege.edu

Lake Land College will soon hold Financial Aid Nights throughout the various communities in the Lake Land College district.

At the events, Lake Land’s Financial Aid staff will present information on important changes to the 2017-2018 application process, including information on state, federal, institutional and local financial aid programs. Important changes to the FAFSA process include both the date and the tax information that is used. This year, the FAFSA will be available Oct. 1.

Parents, high school seniors or anyone planning to attend Lake Land or any two- or four-year college during the 2017-2018 school year are encouraged to attend.

“It is essential that students complete the FAFSA as soon as possible. Many states and schools award financial aid on a first-come, first-served basis. Completing the FAFSA early will ensure you are in the applicant pool for any awards for which you qualify,” Paula Carpenter, director of financial aid and veteran services said.

Completing the FAFSA will also be easier this year as parents and students can use tax information they already have handy. This change means they will not have to use estimates anymore, or log in later to update the FAFSA after taxes are filed.

“We will provide information about scholarships and grants that are available,” said Danielle Downs, advisor for Lake Land College financial aid and veteran services.  “We will also walk them through the steps of filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.”

The list of Financial Aid Nights is as follows and all events will take place at the high school, unless otherwise noted:

For more information, contact the Lake Land College Financial Aid office at 217-234-5231. To see a complete list of the regional Financial Aid Nights visit lakelandcollege.edu/financialaid.

At the 2016 Lake Land College annual pinning ceremony, 36 graduating practical nurses received their pins.

Jessica Rothrock, Effingham, 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, possess superior communication skills and composure, often in crises situations.

Evalena Pullen, Mattoon, from the Lake Land College class and Lauran Huntington, Mason, from the Kluthe Center for Higher Technology 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.

During the ceremony, the following were honored:

This winter, Lake Land College is hosting its eighth annual study abroad Belize Adventure. An informational meeting for the trip will be held Thursday, Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the West Building, room 119 on campus in Mattoon.

Trip coordinator and horticulture instructor Dyke Barley will be available to answer questions about the trip at that time.

“Participants on the trip will experience firsthand one of the most unique areas on the planet during this short-term study abroad opportunity,” said Barkley.

During the trip, scheduled for January 2 – 7, 2017 participants will experience a variety of activities including: visiting a citrus farm, botanical garden and green iguana sanctuary; hiking in the jungle in the daytime and nighttime; exploring a Mayan ceremonial cave and archeological sites; and traveling to cities to visit markets and experience local culture.

The cost of the trip includes lodging and meals at the Sibun Education/Sleeping Giant Rainforest Lodge, located south of Belmopan, the capital city, airfare and ground transportation, and all entrance fees and guide services for expeditions led by local guides.

This trip is open to students and the public alike and participants will earn two hours of college credit through the short-term study abroad program at Lake Land.

The complete cost for the trip is $2,075. Payment in the amount of $1,100 is due on Sept. 19 to secure airfare. Participants will need a valid U.S. passport to gain entry to Belize.

Space is limited so reserve your spot today by contacting Barkley at 217-234-5569 or at dbarkley@lakelandcollege.edu.

Lake Land College’s Adult Education is offering free food sanitation classes at various locations for the first 12 applicants who register.

Those who complete the course will receive a Food Protection Manager certification, which is valid for five years. The test costs $36.

The class locations and dates are as follows:

• Western Region Center, Pana – Sept. 16 and 23, 5-9 p.m.
• Eastern Region Center, Marshall – Oct. 15 and 22, 8.am.-noon.
• Lake Land College, Workforce Development Center, Mattoon – Nov. 5 and 12, 8 a.m.-noon.
• Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology, Effingham – Dec. 3 and 10, 8 a.m.-noon.

For more information, contact Adult Education at 217-238-8292 or adulteducation@lakelandcollege.edu.