Light it up blue for Autism Awareness

The A-Team (LLCC’s Autism Awareness and Support Group) invites you to attend an autism informational fair on Friday, April 1 in A. Lincoln Commons, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.  The event 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 on Friday to help support autism awareness at LLCC.

Condolences to Don Loftis

Our sincere condolences to Don Loftis, general maintenance technician at CCTC, on the passing of his mother, Connie Stanton. A visitation will be held Monday, March 28 from 10 a.m.-noon at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home, with the funeral at noon.  View the obituary.

Nominations due today!

Nominations for Student Speaker and Outstanding Graduate for Commencement 2016 are to be submitted to Gailyn Draper in the office of the Vice President, Student Services (Menard Hall, room 1255) by noon today.  Nominees must have completed graduation requirements at the end of the summer term of 2015, fall semester 2015 or be candidates for graduation at the end of spring semester 2016 or summer term 2016.  Thank you!

LLCC Recital Series features Emerald Underground Sunday, April 3

emerald undergroundThe Emerald Underground will perform in the LLCC Recital Series on Sunday, April 3 at 4 p.m. in the Trutter Center on the Springfield campus. The recital is free and open to the public.

The Emerald Underground, consisting of Jack White, Chas Blythe, Megan Turner, Nat Radwine, Lori McKenzie and Bill McKenzie, brings Celtic music into the 21st century in a fusion of jigs, reels, ballads and rock-based tunes. What was originally the vision of former LLCC student Lanny Montgomery has evolved into the longest running Celtic band of its kind in central Illinois. In its 2001 origin as Stone Ring Circle, Montgomery brought together a band of musicians who had come from rock, blues, jazz and classical backgrounds to form a new and different sound for local audiences. More information on the evolution of the band is available at www.theemeraldunderground.net.

The final performance in the 2015-2016 LLCC Recital Series will be:
May 1 – Paul Van Heuklom – Native American Flutes

Best wishes to Shawn Floyd!

We extend our best wishes to Shawn (Masters) Floyd, general merchandise technician, LLCC Bookstore, who was married to Doug Floyd on March 4. Congratulations!

Condolences to Joe Roth and Ben Roth

Our sincere condolences to Joe Roth, programmer analyst, and Ben Roth, director, systems and IT infrastructure, on the passing of their sister/aunt, Lori Olendzki. The family will meet friends at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville from 5-7 p.m. Friday and from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Saturday.  For more information available at http://www.buchanancody.com

Congratulations Britta Lothary!

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Congratulations to Britta Lothary, nursing instructor, on the birth of her baby girl, Samantha Emerson Lothary. She was born on the morning of March 18 – 6lb 8.5 ounces and 20 inches long.

Ribbon cutting for new bird banding station

Biology students conduct research in new structure built by construction trades students

(Click HERE for a short video of the ribbon cuttig ceremony and demonstration.)

Ribbon cutting Rothering, Kleen, Roehrs, ShackelfordLincoln Land Community College cut the ribbon yesterday on a new structure that will house the college’s bird banding research program. In cooperation with the Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders, LLCC biology students participate in the capture, banding and release of birds, recording information which is added to a massive data pool on bird migration patterns.

The 36’ by 24’ building with a porch and overhang was built by LLCC construction trades students, a program funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Cutting the ribbon were LLCC Trustee and Board Secretary Dennis Shackelford, LLCC Biology Professor Tony Rothering, Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders (LLABB) President Vern Kleen, and LLCC bird banding student Lizzie Roehrs.

Bird banding Rothering, Roehrs

Professor Rothering and Mr. Kleen began the program in fall of 2012 on the northeast edge of the LLCC campus and to date, approximately 11,000 birds representing 113 species have been banded. LLABB members, school groups and organizations also participate in banding activities. Until the new structure was built, all bird banding took place outside and was cancelled during inclement weather. Banders can now do research inside when needed during the fall and spring banding seasons.

Speaking at the ribbon cutting, Rothering thanked the LLCC Board of Trustees, college administrators, LLABB and the construction trades program for support on the project. He noted the significance of the collected data on international weather and climate change research.

“The LLCC bird banding station provides students with a practical scientific experience outside of the classroom,” said Rothering. “Our hands-on approach allows students to appreciate the biological importance of studying bird population and migration patterns and how they relate to the greater ecological world.”

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In the News

Tony Rothering, professor of biology; Tom Spears, workforce development program coordinator; and Lizzie Roehrs, LLCC student, were interviewed by the State Journal-Register and WICS at the bird banding ribbon cutting ceremony March 22.