Hugh McNiece, professor of mathematics, will be retiring at the end of the summer term. His colleagues in LLCC Mathematics and Sciences are hosting a potluck today, July 11, from noon to 1 p.m. in Sangamon 2306, and everyone is welcome to participate. Also, feel free to simply stop by and offer him congratulations and well wishes.

The teens in the Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois’ Career Launch spent yesterday afternoon on campus learning about a variety of careers in health professions! They were welcomed in the opening session by Dr. Charlotte Warren, LLCC president, and Dr. Cynthia Maskey, dean of health professions. The teens then had the opportunity to follow a patient’s lifesaving story from a mock accident and trauma bay to surgery and then inpatient hospital care. All the while, they were learning more about how health professionals care for the patient along the way.

Those assisting with the afternoon program included: Lori Badgley, Gaye Catlin, Sharon Cheek, Sandra Chvala, Cassandra Clifton, Nick Ferreira, Dr. Lesley Frederick, Dr. Sonja Harvey, Don Kallembach, Diane Liesen, Janelle Murphy, Cindy Smock, Jan Szoke, Chris Tople and two LLCC paramedic students, John Barber and Chadd Butz. Career Launch will continue on Monday afternoons at LLCC through July 30.

I wish to express my appreciation to all who have offered condolences in regards to my mom’s passing. She was a proud graduate of LLCC (2003), and she always spoke highly of her experiences here. My mom instilled in me a love of birds that has truly shaped my life. As a memorial to her (and her love for bluebirds), we will be establishing a bluebird trail (20-25 nest boxes) at LLCC. They will be placed around the edges of the various on-campus, restored prairies. I appreciate the LLCC Foundation working with us on this project as all memorial donations will be directed toward the construction and placement of the nest boxes. We hope to have the boxes up by next year’s bluebird breeding season. I really couldn’t ask for a better tribute to my mom.

Tony Rothering, professor of biology

For all non-union staff – At the June 27 LLCC Board of Trustees meeting, the trustees approved a 2 percent salary increase for all non-union staff hired prior to Jan. 1, 2018. All staff hired on or after Jan. 1, 2018, will be eligible for a 1 percent increase. For individuals in grant-funded positions, the salary increase will be dependent upon availability of funds. Increases will be effective July 1, 2018. Further adjustments may occur when the FY ’19 budget is finalized and collective bargaining concludes. Please watch for communication of your 2019 Salary Notification Memo to come from LLCC Human Resources before the July 15 payroll.

For facilities services union staff – Per the terms of the current contract, all unit members who were employed during FY 2018 will receive a 2 percent increase effective July 1, 2018. Further adjustments may occur when the FY ’19 budget is finalized and collective bargaining concludes. Please watch for communication of your 2019 Salary Notification Memo to come from LLCC Human Resources before the July 15 payroll.

Hugh McNiece, professor of mathematics, will be retiring at the end of the summer term. His colleagues in LLCC Mathematics and Sciences are hosting a potluck on Wednesday, July 11, from noon to 1 p.m. in Sangamon 2306, and everyone is welcome to participate. Also, feel free to simply stop by and offer him congratulations and well wishes.

As a reminder, LLCC will be closed for Independence Day on Wednesday, July 4.

The teens in the Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois’ Career Launch spent yesterday afternoon on campus learning about careers in criminal justice and agriculture. Tara Walk, associate professor of criminal justice discussed the criminal justice process, law enforcement and related careers; Sergeant Mike Hanson, LLCCPD and Sergeant Craig Meador, LLCCPD provided information on practical response to an active shooter; and three members of the Springfield Police Department talked about their experience, equipment used on the job and provided the teens an opportunity to see their squad car. The teens learned about agriculture careers and sales with Holly Bauman, agriculture program specialist, and worked with Bill Harmon, ag program coordinator, in using power tools in the ag mechanics lab to build their own wood peg games! The program will continue on Monday afternoons at LLCC through July 30.

We extend our sympathy to Tony Rothering, professor of biology, on the passing of his mother, Kay Rothering, on June 24. A small private service was held on June 28.

Tony says his mother, who was a 2003 graduate of LLCC, loved bluebirds and was a huge influence on him and his love of birds. Memorials may be directed to the LLCC Foundation Bird Banding Fund. Read the obituary.

See which faculty and staff have birthdays in July.

Please join us in welcoming Jacob Deters who has joined LLCC as student engagement coordinator. He joins us full time after serving as interim student engagement coordinator during the spring. Previously, he served as resident director and area director in the residence life department at Illinois Wesleyan University and was hall director at Eastern Illinois University. Jacob is an LLCC alum, and he earned is bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University.

Jacob can be reached at 786-2307 or jacob.deters@llcc.edu.