LLCC won “Best College/University” in the recent Reader’s Choice Awards sponsored by the State Journal Register! Get your photo taken with the plaque this week and we’ll post it on the LLCC Facebook page. The photo with the most likes by April 15 wins a swag bag of LLCC items including a gift certificate to the LLCC Bookstore! Everyone (students, faculty, staff) is eligible. Here’s the schedule for traveling plaque photo opportunities:

TODAY: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons
Tuesday: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Workforce Careers Center, outside Bistro Verde
Wednesday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons
Thursday: 2 p.m.-4 p.m., Cass Gym
Friday: 10 a.m.-1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons

As part of the WWI Centenary project, Chris McDonald, professor of political science, is seeking to document (and photograph) all WWI related memorials, monuments, sites, headstones, etc. in the LLCC district.

Hoping to photograph as many as possible this spring and summer, I am asking for help from the LLCC community in this effort. Please contact me if you know of ANY World War One (1914-1919) related memorials, plaques, headstones, statues, etc. anywhere in the LLCC district. Please submit information to chris.mcdonald@llcc.edu and put WWI Memorial in the subject and be sure to include the location and general directions with your information. Also, if any LLCC employees have relatives who served in WWI and would be interested in seeing if I can uncover more about their service or if you have stories to share, I would very much like to hear them!

 Thank you,
Chris McDonald

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, the A-Team at LLCC will share some facts, myths, and faq’s about autism spectrum disorder each day in April.

What is autism?

Autism is a neurological variation that occurs in about one percent of the population and is classified as a developmental disability. Although it may be more common than previously thought, it is not a new condition and exists in all parts of the world, in both children and adults of all ages. The terms “Autistic” and “autism spectrum” often are used to refer inclusively to people who have an official diagnosis on the autism spectrum or who self-identify with the Autistic community. While all Autistics are as unique as any other human beings, they share some characteristics typical of autism in common.

Source: http://autisticadvocacy.org/home/about-asan/about-autism/

Throughout the month of April, the Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign aims to inform people about ways that individuals and communities can take steps toward preventing sexual assault by promoting safety, respect, and equality (National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 2016). Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to heighten awareness of this issue and show their solidarity and support by wearing a teal ribbon, available for free in Advising, Counseling & Career Services and Student Life. Faculty and staff are encouraged to review the NSVRC’s Action Steps for Faculty and Staff handout to learn more about what they can do to help prevent sexual assault.

The Sexual Assault and Violence Education (SAVE) Task Force is holding a kick-off event on SAAM Day of Action, April 5, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. The event will consist of:
• SAAM Educational Area showcasing TED Talks and Public Service Announcements about preventing sexual assault
• Informational handouts,
• High Heel cupcake fundraiser to support Prairie Center Against Sexual Assault
• Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Runway Show, where male participants are challenged to walk down the runway in heels.
Participants are encouraged to use one of the #SAAM or #WalkAMileInHerShoes hashtags in order to get a discount on cupcakes, and the winner of the runway walk will win dinner for two at Bistro Verde. We encourage faculty and staff to stop by the event and encourage students to attend.

Anyone experiencing sexual assault or gender-based violence should reach out to the LLCC Police Department (217.786.2278) or their local police department. Additionally, the LLCC Advising, Counseling, and Career Services office (217.786.2224) provides free counseling to students. If you would like to help promote SAAM or have questions, please contact Shelby Bedford at Shelby.bedford@llcc.edu.

Names of employees celebrating a April birthday have been posted. Click HERE or on the birthday tab at the top.

Don’t forget to stop by the autism informational fair tomorrow, April 1, in A. Lincoln Commons, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  The event, hosted by A-Team, will coincide with World Autism Awareness Day (April 2) and Autism Awareness Month (April), as well as the international Light It Up Blue campaign, which encourages participates to wear blue and use blue light bulbs to help raise awareness of autism.  Representatives from LLCC and the Springfield area will be available to raise awareness, answer questions, and offer support.

We also encourage all staff to wear blue to help support autism awareness at LLCC!

We would like to sincerely thank everyone that offered condolences, kind words, flowers, emails, and any other contact regarding the loss of our sister/aunt, Lori Olendzki. It was greatly appreciated.

The Sexual Assault & Violence Education (SAVE) Taskforce will be having a runway Show on Tuesday, April 5 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Day of Action. Male faculty, staff, and students are invited to put on some high heels and walk the runway. The winner of the runway show will receive dinner for two at Bistro Verde!

Also, the SAVE Task Force will be participating in the annual Springfield’s Walk A Mile In Her Shoes on Saturday, April 16. Please join us!  More info…

Lincoln Land Community College was names Best College/University in the 2016 SJ-R Reader’s Choice Awards! Congratulations to everyone and thank you voters!