On Thursday, April 6, Carmen Allen, computer programming professor, successfully defended her doctoral dissertation at Ferris State University.  The title of Carmen’s dissertation is “Retaining Students in Community College Classrooms: A Student Success Model.”  Her dissertation provides solutions for retention and success activities in three major categories including enhanced student data, heightened student engagement and classroom performance monitoring.

Professor Allen plans to participate in the graduation ceremonies for the Doctorate in Community College Leadership at Ferris State University on May 5. Congratulations to Dr. Allen!

Jamie Stout, director of Community Education, has been nominated for the ATHENA Leadership Award.  ​The award is presented to an individual who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills. She and nine other women will be honored at the July 27 awards presentation at Erin’s Pavilion.

Dr. Chris McDonald, political science professor, captured this photo Sunday on the field opposite the zoo–a snow goose (Chen caerulenscens) in with the Canada geese, a different white goose! You can see the black primaries in the wing and the pink bill/feet and different proportions compared to the picture Judy Nichols took. Also, note the absence of staining on the neck although there is faint staining around the bill.

The National Science Foundation has awarded an Advanced Technical Education grant of $199,999 to Lincoln Land Community College.  The grant will support the development of a competency-based certificate program in cybersecurity. The grant funding is for three years and will begin in June. Congratulations to Wendy Howerter, Ed.D., associate vice president of academic innovation and effectiveness, and Frank Marsaglia and Jeff Mehan, professors of computer networking, who submitted the proposal.

Carl O. Bridges, 93, of Carlinville, stepfather of Laurie Myers, writing center specialist, died Saturday, April 1 at St. John’s Hospital. We extend our sympathy to Laurie and her family.

Read the obituary.

Several LLCC faculty and staff were on hand as Regina Suszko and Catherine Wittler were honored as LLCC’s members of the Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team at a banquet sponsored April 4 by the Illinois Community College Board.

L-R: Vice President, Academic Services Eileen Tepatti, Ed.D.; Assistant Vice President, Student Success Leslie Johnson; Regina Suszko; Catherine Wittler, Professor of Communication Claire Gordon, Ph.D.; Dean of Arts and Humanities Tim Humphrey; Student Engagement Coordinator Marie Watson

We asked for help identifying this white goose photographed among the Canada geese by Psychology Professor Judy Nichols, Ph.D.

Biology Professor Tony Rothering replied: “The Canada Goose that Judy took a picture of appears to be leucistic. Leucism can be expressed in different ways: almost entirely white or with varying amounts of white patches. In my opinion, this goose is not a true albino. More than likely, it is not an escapee from the zoo. A few years ago, I saw a similar goose on LLCC’s lake.”

Political Science Professor Chris McDonald, Ph.D. noted, “The ‘white goose’ has been resident in the area around the zoo for a couple of years. It is a ‘mutt,’ some sort of escaped domesticated goose that has escaped and now lives free! I first took pictures of it nearly three years ago. The brown color around its neck is staining of the feathers from the water/mud. There are sometimes single snow geese (or sometimes the less common Ross’s Geese) around with the resident Canada geese, but this is not one.”

Now we’ll know if we spot this interesting creature. Thank you Judy, Tony and Chris!

This year’s Edible Book Festival in the LLCC Library is tomorrow, April 11. Remember to bring your entries by 11 a.m. Voting will take place from 11-noon then everyone is invited to consume the “books.”

The library would LOVE it if you would consider taking part in this truly fun, creative event. Please consider making a book—whether it is from scratch or store-bought materials. Your imagination is your only limiter!

If you are interested and have any questions, email leslie.rios@llcc.edu.

Asia Jackson has joined the TRIO Student Support Services office as the new program assistant. She will be graduating from UIS this spring with a degree in criminal justice. Welcome!

Please be advised that from April 11-14, West Lake Shore Drive will be shut down just south of the Long Bay Bridge for the maintenance of a CWLP water line.

Please join us in congratulating the 2017 winners of the LLCC Paul Simon Essay Contest.

1st: Claire Krugler

2nd: Catherine Wittler

3rd: Aditi Shah

Claire’s essay has been forwarded on to the state-wide competition for a chance to win a $500 scholarship.