The BRANDT Foundation donates $100,000 to create legacy of support for LLCC Agriculture

Evelyn Brandt Thomas signing checkMore students will prepare for in-demand careers in agronomy and plant nutrition thanks to a $100,000 gift from The BRANDT Foundation to the Lincoln Land Community College Foundation.

The gift will create a legacy of support for the LLCC agriculture program through an endowed scholarship fund. Initially, two new BRANDT Foundation Scholarships will be awarded to LLCC students pursuing an associate in applied science degree in precision agronomy/fertilizer or a certificate in fertilizer.

Precision agronomy students historically have at least three job offers before graduation. LLCC’s precision agronomy and fertilizer programs prepare students to use ever-evolving technology including GPS, robotics and drones to forecast, monitor, map and improve yields to help farmers maximize profits.

Dr. Charlotte Warren and Evelyn Brandt Thomas“BRANDT has been a longstanding and highly valued partner in the success of LLCC’s nationally award-winning agriculture program,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC, at yesterday’s check presentation ceremony held at BRANDT headquarters in Springfield. “This incredibly generous gift is the latest evidence of The BRANDT Foundation’s commitment to our ag students’ success. BRANDT continues to work hand-in-hand with us as we grow our agriculture program and prepare students for exciting careers in the high-tech future of agriculture.”

Yesterday, Evelyn Brandt Thomas symbolically presented a $100,000 check to Dr. Warren at BRANDT’s global headquarters in Springfield, Ill. The Foundation’s actual commitment will be paid to the LLCC Foundation over five years.

“LLCC is an incredible asset for our community,” said Mrs. Thomas. “We have long supported the college and have embraced their graduates for years. We know that when we hire someone from LLCC we are getting an immediate contributor to Team BRANDT … LLCC graduates hit the ground running, with the training and experience they need to make a difference.”

BRANDT’s support for LLCC agriculture students goes back for decades. For over 20 years, BRANDT has paid tuition and fees for students in the LLCC precision ag/fertilizer program who are then hired by the company. BRANDT also sponsors internships for LLCC ag students and opens its facilities to students studying fertilizer equipment and plant operations. BRANDT shares its precision map and soil test data sets with LLCC classes, and established research plots on the LLCC campus and at the LLCC research farm in Blue Mound, Ill.

Continuing this momentum, the college is developing an accelerated precision ag program that will run throughout the year, graduate students faster and improve the utilization of the LLCC land lab, giving students more hands-on training than ever before.

Agriculture is one of the original programs offered by LLCC and has continuously evolved to keep ahead of the latest technological trends in farming. The agriculture program offers students a hands-on education in the study of cutting-edge agriculture practices, with excellent facilities, dedicated full-time professors, career and internship opportunities, club activities and participation in national competitions. LLCC students can pursue a transfer degree in agriculture or degrees and certificates in agri-business management, precision agronomy/fertilizer and horticulture. More information is available at www.llcc.edu/agriculture.

The BRANDT Foundation is a private foundation designed to organize the giving of BRANDT, Inc., its employees and the family founders to provide meaningful assistance and support to the communities, farms and families where BRANDT has facilities.

In the news

Yesterday’s $100,000 check presentation outside the BRANDT, Inc. Springfield headquarters was covered by the State Journal-Register, WICS, WMAY, WFMB ag and Springfield Scene magazine. BRANDT, Inc. co-founder Evelyn Brandt Thomas presented the symbolic check to Dr. Charlotte Warren, LLCC president. Both were interviewed along with Bill Harmon, agronomy professor.

New LEAGUE video

Back to the 90s. LEAGUE. LLCC Foundation 2020Do you remember the 90s? Did you have a favorite TV show, band or movie? Watch the new LEAGUE video as LEAGUE committee members reminisce about their favorite memories of the 1990s.

LEAGUE, which is an acronym for Leaders Establishing Annual Gifts Underwriting Education, is the annual faculty and staff giving campaign. Donations benefit our students in the form of scholarships, various program funds, the Pay It Forward fund and LEAGUE grants which provide classroom materials, equipment and other enhancements. As a donor, you decide where you direct your contribution!

It’s not too late to make your contribution or pledge. Contact the LLCC Foundation at llccfoundation@llcc.edu or call 786-2797. Payroll deductions begin July 15. Anyone making a donation will be placed into a drawing for two $150 cash prizes donated by members of the LLCC Cabinet. Booyah!

LLCC Foundation announces 2020-2021 scholarship recipients

LLCC Foundation 2020-2021 Scholarship Winners CONGRATS! LLCC Lincoln Land Community College FoundationThe LLCC Foundation has announced the recipients of over 230 scholarships totaling more than $366,000 for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Foundation awards scholarships every year thanks to the support and generosity of individuals, community businesses and organizations.

For the 2021-2022 academic year, the application period for LLCC Foundation scholarships will be Dec. 1-March 1. For the online application, frequently asked questions, helpful scholarship resources and more, visit https://llccfoundation.org/scholarships.

View scholarship recipients, listed alphabetically in hometown order followed by the scholarship they received.

Do you know your 90s trivia?

Back to the 90s. LEAGUE. LLCC Foundation 2020Test your knowledge of LEAGUE 90s trivia. Everyone who guesses will be entered into a drawing for a prize. You don’t have to answer correctly to win! Watch for questions and submit your answer by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu.

The answer to the previous LEAGUE 90s trivia question hairstyles popular in the 1990s was a.) Curtained hair – which featured a center part.

Today’s LEAGUE 90s trivia question:

Which artist had the most number one hit songs during the 90s?
a. Madonna
b. Janet Jackson
c. Whitney Houston
d. Mariah Carey

Submit your answer by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win. Congratulations to the previous winner Bert Sneyd.

If you have not made your donation to LEAGUE, there is still time. Ask for a form when submitting your answer to the LLCC Foundation. Donations benefit our students and programs. If you make a donation to the LEAGUE campaign by June 30, your name will be entered into a drawing for two $150 cash prizes made available thanks to the LLCC Cabinet.

Do you know your 90s trivia?

Back to the 90s. LEAGUE. LLCC Foundation 2020Test your knowledge of LEAGUE 90s trivia and you will be entered into a drawing for a prize! Watch for questions, and submit your answer by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu to win.

The answer to the previous LEAGUE 90s Trivia Question about what game used milk cap discs made of cardboard and slammers was d.) Pogs.

Congratulations to previous winners: Melissa Franzen and Claire Gordon.

Today’s LEAGUE 90s trivia question:

Which of these hair styles was popular in the 1990s?
a. Curtained hair
b. Mop-top
c. Quiff
d. Mohawk

Submit your answer by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win.

If you have not made your donation to LEAGUE there is still time. Ask for a form when submitting your answer to the LLCC Foundation. Donations benefit our students and programs. If you make a donation to the LEAGUE campaign by June 30, your name will be entered into a drawing for two $150 cash prizes made available thanks to the LLCC Cabinet.

Do you know your 90s trivia?

Back to the 90s. LEAGUE. LLCC Foundation 2020The LEAGUE Committee had some fun in store for the kickoff of this year’s annual faculty and staff giving campaign. Test your knowledge of 90s trivia, and you will be entered into a drawing for a prize! Watch for questions, and submit your answer by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu to win.

Congratulations to the winner of the first LEAGUE 90s trivia question, Nichole Coffey!

The answer to the LEAGUE 90s Trivia Question from Thursday about which hockey icon announced his retirement in 1999 was Wayne Gretzky. Wayne was in Edmonton, Alberta for most of his career.

Today’s LEAGUE 90s trivia question:

Popularized during the early 1990s, what game used milk cap discs made of cardboard and slammers?
a. Push Pops
b. Clackers
c. Discman
d. Pogs

Submit your answer by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win.

If you have not made your donation to LEAGUE there is still time. Ask for a form when submitting your answer to the LLCC Foundation. Donations benefit our students and programs. If you make a donation to the LEAGUE campaign by June 30, your name will be entered into a drawing for two $150 cash prizes made available thanks to the LLCC Cabinet.

Do you know your 90s trivia?

Back to the 90s. LEAGUE. LLCC Foundation 2020The LEAGUE Committee had some fun in store for the kickoff of this year’s annual faculty and staff giving campaign with a 90s theme. Test your knowledge of 90s trivia, and you will be entered into a drawing for a prize! Watch for questions and submit your answer by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu to win.

Yesterday’s LEAGUE 90s Trivia Question:

Tonka, a toy company known for building trucks, created which doll during the nineties?
a. Polly Pocket
b. Care Bears
c. Cupcake Dolls
d. Cabbage Patch Dolls

The answer is (c.) Cupcake Dolls. The dolls were designed to resemble Southern Belles. Thanks to all those who submitted answers. A name will be drawn to win a LEAGUE prize.

Today’s LEAGUE 90s Trivia Question:

Which hockey icon announced his retirement in 1999?
a. Bobby Orr
b. Wayne Gretzky
c. Bobby Clark
d. Guy Lafleur

Submit your answer before Friday by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win.

If you have not made your donation to LEAGUE, there is still time. Ask for a form when submitting your answer to the LLCC Foundation. Donations benefit our students and programs. If you make a donation to the LEAGUE campaign by June 30, your name will be entered into a drawing for two $150 cash prizes made available thanks to the LLCC Cabinet.

Do you know your 90s trivia?

Back to the 90s. LEAGUE. LLCC Foundation 2020The LEAGUE Committee had some fun in store for the kickoff of this year’s annual faculty and staff giving campaign with a 90s theme. Test your knowledge of 90s trivia, and you will be entered into a drawing for a prize! Watch for questions, and submit your answer by email to llccfoundation@llcc.edu to win.

First LEAGUE 90s Trivia Question:

Tonka, a toy company known for building trucks, created which doll during the 90s?
a. Polly Pocket
b. Care Bears
c. Cupcake Dolls
d. Cabbage Patch Dolls

If you have not made your donation to LEAGUE, there is still time! Ask for a form when submitting your answer to the LLCC Foundation. Donations benefit our students and programs. If you make a donation to the LEAGUE campaign by June 30, your name will be entered into a drawing for two $150 cash prizes made available thanks to the LLCC Cabinet.