Kyla Kruse has joined the Public Relations and Marketing office as assistant director of public relations. She was previously communications director for the Energy Education Council, University of Illinois Extension. She holds a master’s degree in communication from UIS and a bachelor’s in communication from Millikin University. She can be reached at 786.4918 or kyla.kruse@llcc.edu. Welcome!

Congratulations to Marie Watson, student engagement coordinator, and her husband, Dominic, on welcoming their son, Ezekiel Pierre Watson, into the world. Ezekiel was born at 2:34 p.m. on Monday, May 30, weighing 7 lbs. and 1.5 oz., and is reportedly very excited to start classes at LLCC in the future.

Congratulations to LLCC Police Officer Lucas Ostendorf on receiving his Master of Public Administration degree from SIUE on May 6!

Yesterday at 6:02 a.m., LLCC Police Officer Chelsea Peddycoart and her husband, Phil, welcomed Bryson Charles into the world. He weighed 7.76 pounds and measured 20.5″ long.

Our condolences to Mary Goldstein, professor of nursing, on the passing of her sister, Barbara Pipkin, on Monday. The family will receive friends from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Friday, May 26  at Blessed Sacrament Church, 1725 S. Walnut, Springfield. A funeral Mass will follow at noon with burial in Calvary Cemetery. Read the full obituary.

Teens from the local Boys and Girls Clubs will be on campus Monday afternoons June 19-July 24 learning about sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship, helping with the college farm stand, working in the high tunnels, and meeting with campus administrators to learn more about LLCC.

The “Sustainable Agriculture Youth Workforce Development Program” is made possible through a  $2,000 grant from the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) Program.

Project coordinator Marnie Record, workforce specialist, says the grant will be used for a hands-on sustainable agriculture training program for low-income, disadvantaged community youth in partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of Central Illinois. Participants will be introduced to all aspects of gardening from soil to harvest. The students will be given entrepreneurial experience through the management of a farm stand. In addition, in order to develop leaders and future employees, the students will learn life skills such as problem solving, working in a team, communication and time management.

The farm stand will be open on Monday afternoons in A. Lincoln Commons.

Since 1988, the SARE program has helped advance farming systems that are profitable, environmentally sound and good for communities through a nationwide research and education grants program. The program, part of USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, funds projects and conducts outreach designed to improve agricultural systems.

 Ever wonder what students experience on a Belize study abroad trip?

Dave Cox, professor of biology, provided a link to this blog with information and photos about the recent LLCC Marine Biology – BIO 208 experience in Belize.

Farm Credit Illinois recently presented a $5,000 check to the LLCC Foundation for use by the college’s agriculture program. The funds will be used to support student scholarships and several events hosted by the LLCC Ag Club including the fall Ag Career Expo and spring Farmers’ Share Luncheon.

Ryan Buckles, Farm Credit Illinois vice president of lending, and Shari Edwards, senior sales and service specialist, presented the check during the LLCC Ag Club’s end-of-semester cookout and awards event. Accepting the donation were Bill Harmon, professor of agronomy and Ag Club advisor, and April Leinburger, Ag Club president.

“Farm Credit Illinois is proud to support outstanding collegiate agriculture programs such as the one at LLCC,” said Buckles. “This program is preparing the next generation of leaders in the agriculture industry. As alumni, Shari and I hold a special place in our hearts for the LLCC ag program and know first-hand the excellent education students receive here.”

John Jamison, adjunct instructor in Adult Education and Literacy, has published his first novel called “Disruption.” The story is a suspense-thriller, based on a terrorist attack on the Mississippi River. John is originally from Beardstown, where he grew up in a family of riverboat captains, giving him a unique perspective to create the story. More information can be found at: http://jbjamison.com