The LLCC Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 5:15 p.m. in the Robert H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. The agenda can be found HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees honored the college’s national championship livestock judging team at the December board meeting Wednesday evening.

Coach Craig Beckmier, professor of agriculture, told trustees, “We are proud to bring you this national championship trophy, earned by some of the finest young people in the U.S. who represented your college very well.” He said the team placed in the top five in several competitions prior to earning first place at the recent North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. Professor Beckmier, who was honored at the competition as Fred Francis Coach of the High Team, introduced team members Rob Johnson of Niantic; Dalton Heavner of Pittsfield; Damon Stayton of Carlinville; Amy Loschen of Kempton; Adam Heffelfinger of Ashland, Ohio; Jackson Johnson of Poneto, Ind.; and Will Harsh of Radnor, Ohio.

LLCC Board Chair Justin Reichert said the board was very proud of the team and pleased to honor them, noting that all planned to continue their educations at four-year college or university agriculture-related programs.

Trustees also acknowledged, with thanks, recent major gifts to the LLCC Foundation to support student scholarships, including $1.5 million from the estate of Howard Million, $420,687 from the Russell L. and Thelma L. Kirchner Trust and $40,000 from Virginia Gies.

In routine December action, the Board approved the 2014 tax levy that is expected to result in an LLCC district tax rate at or near the current rate of approximately 46 cents per $100 of equalized assessed property value.

And, Bill Harmon, professor of agronomy and 2014 Pearson Master Teacher at the college, spoke to trustees on his teaching philosophy “Who Cares?” and how he uses it to increase student engagement and learning. His essay on the subject can be read HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees is meeting Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:15 p.m. in the R.H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. Read the agenda HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Nov. 19 at LLCC-Litchfield. A reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Read the agenda HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees will hold its regular Nov. 19, 2014 board meeting at 6:15 p.m. at LLCC-Litchfield, 1 Lincoln Land Drive. A reception will precede the board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the same location.

LLCC is offering additional assistance to Benedictine University Springfield students affected by the recent decision to discontinue educational programs for traditional-aged students there. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously in special session Thursday to allow all current Benedictine students, regardless of home addresses, to attend LLCC at the in-district tuition rate.

“The Lincoln Land Community College Board of Trustees supports the ongoing efforts of our administration to assist Benedictine students who are looking for a new educational home,” said Trustee Jeff Fulgenzi. “Today, the Board voted to allow current Benedictine students to pay in-district tuition rates at LLCC. We hope this will ease their transition and help them take advantage of the high quality, affordable education offered at LLCC.

“We appreciate that these students have made a commitment to our community by choosing to attend college in Springfield. We wish to honor their commitment through our resolution to provide them with in-district tuition rates, and, more importantly, to ease the fears they face in the wake of this unexpected transition.”

For the full story, click HERE.

The Board of Trustees will have a special meeting at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30 in the R.H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall to discuss ways the college can support Benedictine students in this time of transition.

The LLCC Board of Trustees will meet TODAY, Oct. 21 at 5:15 p.m.* in the R.H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. A copy of the agenda can be found HERE.

*Please note: Beginning in October, all meetings held on the main campus will begin at 5:15 p.m.

The LLCC Board of Trustees  approved a balanced fiscal year 2015 operating budget for the college at its September meeting. Revenues match expenditures of $43,388,533.

The tentative budget was put on file for public review in late July. The Board held a public hearing on the budget at the beginning of last night’s meeting, at which there were no public comments.

The Board also heard a report on the renovation project ongoing at the LLCC-Taylorville original building. Renovation of the 40-year-old administrative and classroom building will include new energy efficient windows and doors, roofing and exterior walls. Inside, the classrooms, offices, student space and restrooms will be updated with improved accessibility. The finished project will complement the classroom building constructed next door in 2011. The renovation is expected to be completed in August 2015. In the meantime, student services and testing centers have moved to the newer building to maintain the same high levels of service to students.