LLCC invites public to annual Lincoln Lecture Feb. 12

Abraham Lincoln and the Making of the American West. Lincoln Lecture. Monday, Feb. 12, a.m. at the Trutter Center. Presented by Jacob K. Friefeld, director of the Center for Lincoln Studies at UIS. Free event, refreshments will be served.Lincoln Land Community College invites the public to its annual Lincoln Lecture Monday, Feb. 12.

“Abraham Lincoln and the Making of the American West” will be presented by Jacob K. Friefeld at 9 a.m. in the Trutter Center on the LLCC campus. The presentation will also be available via Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89790657720).

Friefeld will discuss Lincoln’s legacy in the West and the Homestead Act of 1862, enriching the conventional story of who settled the West. He will explore how the Homestead Act can be seen as one of the most important social policies ever enacted in the United States and that it worked in combination with the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th and 14th Amendments to give Black Americans an opportunity to own land after the Civil War.

There is no charge to attend, and refreshments will be served.

Friefeld is the director of the Center for Lincoln Studies at University of Illinois Springfield. His new book, “The First Migrants,” tells the story of Black Americans who left the South between 1877 and the Great Migration and went west seeking land and freedom. His first book, “Homesteading the Plains: Toward a New History,” examines the Homestead Act of 1862.

LLCC Outreach Centers in Jacksonville, Beardstown, Taylorville and Litchfield also plan various Lincoln-themed activities to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday.

In the News

Alison Mills, assistant vice president of financial aid was interviewed on WTIM Jan. 25. Alison provided important information on paying for college, financial aid and the FAFSA process.

Sheridan Lane, director of culinary  programs and operations and hospitality management and Joshua Dineen, chef specialist were interviewed by WAND on Jan. 25. The station is doing a story featuring Bistro Verde, its instruction, students and upcoming opening day. Watch the story on WAND.

LLCC Open House to be held Feb. 19

The words Open House and smiling student.Prospective students interested in starting or restarting college or training for a new career are invited to visit LLCC for a campus open house on Monday, Feb. 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event will be held at LLCC’s Springfield campus, and at Outreach Centers in Jacksonville, Litchfield and Taylorville.

“Start here at LLCC, whether you are looking to earn a degree or train for a hands-on career,” says LLCC President Charlotte Warren, Ph.D. “I invite you to join us at this event to explore majors, our low cost and personalized services that help students reach their goals.”

Visitors can speak with faculty and staff, view exhibits, tour select areas of campus, learn about the basics of college and choosing a major, and apply for admission.

Registration for the event is encouraged and available at www.llcc.edu/open-house or by calling 217-786-2292.

In the news

Dr. Natasha Casey, assistant professor of communication, recently guest co-edited a special issue of the Journal of Media Literacy.  The article, “Media and Information Literacy: Enriching the Teacher/Librarian Dialogue” is available online.

Still searching for a new year’s resolution? Sheridan Lane, director, culinary program and operations, offers some inspiration in this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register, “Hello, 2024: Eat your veggies.”

In the news: LLCC Receives U.S. Department of Energy grant

LLCC was one of only four Illinois community colleges in the state chosen to share in a $3 million Department of Energy grant to develop more green energy jobs. Dr. Nancy Sweet, dean of LLCC Workforce Institute, spoke to WICS Newschannel 20 on Jan. 5, 2024. Dr. Sweet explained LLCC will be using their portion of the grant to meet the needs of local manufacturers by providing mobile training equipment to expand the availability of LLCC’s industrial maintenance certificate in the communities we serve. The effort is a collaboration of the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) and the four community colleges.

In the news

Jolene Lamb, director, LLCC Community Education, wrote the Dec. 26 essay in the Illinois Times, “New year, new opportunities, new you.”

Chad Jones, professor of exercise and sports science and head women’s basketball coach, authored the Dec. 24 essay in the State Journal-Register, “The importance of sport and fitness.”

Ty Bergman, adjunct instructor culinary and special events consultant, wrote this week’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register, “A coffee tradition.” Over winter recess, Jay Kitterman, culinary and special events consultant, turned his Dec. 27 Epicuriosity 101 column over to Charlyn Fargo Ware, who wrote “Favorite cookbooks.” Joshua Dineen, chef specialist, wrote the Dec. 20 Epicuriosity 101 column, “Favorite French side dishes for the holidays.”