LLCC has been honored for exemplary efforts to promote sustainability education, practices, programs and training.

LLCC is one of nine community colleges across the nation to receive the 2016 Green Genome Award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and its Sustainability Education and Economic Development Center (SEED). The $10,000 prize, made possible through the Kresge Foundation, will be used to further support the college’s high tunnel local foods initiative, and to restore Lake Macoupin on the LLCC-Springfield campus with native plantings.

LLCC was one of two awardees in the Community Engagement category.

“We are very honored that AACC has recognized our ongoing sustainability efforts with this generous award,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., president of LLCC. “LLCC is a very green campus, with 15 acres of native prairie, a community garden, high tunnels for growing local food year round, and a long-standing commitment to sustainable practices.”

The college is in its 10^th year of being formally committed to sustainable operations and emerging as a leader to advance green economy industry job growth and healthy sustainable regions. LLCC organized a Sustainability Team in 2007 to create a culture of sustainability throughout the college. Recommendations from the Sustainability Team offer financial and resource conservation benefits to the campus and community.

LLCC established native prairie landscapes on campus that replaced high maintenance grass, creating habitats for native wildlife and saving the college money, time and an estimated 200 gallons of gas annually. Descriptive signage indicates the various blooming prairie flowers and grasses for those walking nearby. The different native plant species added to the grounds have provided additional teaching opportunities for biology and environmental students. In addition, the bird banding project at the college has documented an increase in the types of birds found on campus.

Energy efficient upgrades to campus facilities totaling $1.2 million have included replacing aged boilers and chillers with high efficiency units, replacing constant volume air handlers with variable air volume handlers, installing energy efficient T8 lighting, replacing windows with energy efficient models, and installing energy management systems.

The LLCC Sustainability Team further integrated sustainability into the fabric of the college by adopting the use of green cleaning products, switching all vending machines to energy star compliant models, and installing occupancy sensors in classrooms.

“Community colleges continue to take the lead on sustainability,” said Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC.  “Whether developing cutting-edge training for green collar jobs or implementing green practices, sustainability efforts at community colleges benefit students, local business and the community.  We are very proud to work with Kresge Foundation to provide leadership in green efforts on campuses across the nation.”

AACC’s SEED Center and the Green Genome Awards are supported by the Kresge Foundation. The Kresge Foundation works to expand opportunities for vulnerable people living in America’s cities and promotes post-secondary access and success for low-income, first-generation and underrepresented students.

WebAdvisor is now open for spring class viewing. Please encourage students to review the spring classes, speak to an advisor, and be ready to register! Open registration for spring classes begins Oct. 20.

Memorial Medical Center and LLCC representatives and students met last week in the Radiography lab to celebrate the $30,000 gift from the MMC Foundation which allowed for the “energizing” of the lab. The equipment used by students can now emit actual x-rays, making the LLCC radiography lab as technologically advanced as the x-ray departments in most hospitals, clinics or doctors’ offices. A new “phantom” model will arrive soon that students can use to practice positioning for x-rays.

Inky Johnson inspired students, faculty and staff Sept. 29 with his “never give up” message. Even faced with a life-threatening injury that ended his dreams of an NFL career, he kept going and continues to spread his story of hope and perseverance. His talk, sponsored by LLCC Athletics and Student Life, was well attended with numerous questions asked afterward. See a short video compilation of the event. 

Happy Birthday to all celebrating in October!

See which faculty and staff have birthdays this month.

We extend our condolences to Kenny Bridgeford, grounds maintenance worker, on the passing of his mother, Clara Bridgeford. Visitation will be held Monday, Oct. 3 at Emmanuel Temple Church of God in Christ in Springfield at 11 a.m., followed by funeral services at noon, then internment at Camp Butler Cemetery.  View the obituary.

To the Lincoln Land faculty, staff, and administration: Thank you so much for your expressions of condolence and for your prayers during the difficult time after the passing of my mother. I appreciated very much your words of comfort and caring, and I was humbled by your compassionate support for me in my grief for her loss.

Peter Embalabala

LLCC’s annual Recital Series kicks off this Sunday, Sept. 25, with a performance by the Jane Hartman Trio with Dewaine Ellis. The recital begins at 4 p.m. in the Trutter Center on the LLCC Springfield campus.

The Jane Hartman Trio consists of Jane Hartman, LLCC professor of music, on piano; Gene Haas on bass; and Brian Justison on drums. The Jane Hartman Trio is a multiple winner of Illinois Times’ “Best Jazz Combo” category, has performed tours in Japan and England, and regularly performs at Springfield’s Lime Street Café and other venues.

All LLCC Recital Series performances are free and open to the public.

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LLCC-Jacksonville is sponsoring a voting registration opportunity at LLCC-J until Sept. 23,  for all Morgan County residents 18 years of age or older interested in voting in the November 8 election.
Also, students and staff at LLCC-Beardstown created a memorial display to honor the victims of the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.

To follow our progress and learn more about service opportunities visit the  50 Acts of Service webpage.

If you have participated in an “act of service,” please complete this form in order for the committee to keep record and add it to the Wall of 50 Acts of Service.

TODAY is the deadline for signing up to participate in the 2016 On My Own Time art show. All entry forms and fees will need to be turned in to Misty Hagstrom, Judy Jozaitis or Janet Semanik. Each employee may enter up to three works for a fee of $5 per entry. This individual fee, payable to the Springfield Area Arts Council, assists with costs of the OMOT program. All employees who enter OMOT receive a ribbon for their participation. View the entry form and rules:

• OMOT 2016 Entry Form
• OMOT 2016 Rules and Regulations

LLCC’s in-house exhibit will be held Fri., Oct. 14-28 (with an opening reception to be held on Fri., Oct. 14).  See full details about the OMOT program in this previous article.