Training for storm spotters, co-sponsored by the National Weather Service (NWS) and LLCC (coordinated by Dean Butzow, professor of geography) was again a large draw, with 180 attending in the Student Union on Feb. 29. Participants could become official NWS weather spotters, who advise emergency departments and the NWS as to weather conditions and are often called out when dangerous storms approach the area. If you missed it this year, mark your calendar for Feb. 27 next year for the next storm spotting class at LLCC!

You are invited to a ribbon cutting at the LLCC Bird Banding Station today at 10:30 a.m. A new building constructed by LLCC workforce construction trades students will allow biology students to conduct bird banding research and data collection inside, as well as provide storage space for the athletics department. The brief ceremony will include comments from Dr. Charlotte Warren, president; Tony Rothering, professor of biology; Vern Kleen of the Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders; and Lizzie Rhoers, a student involved in bird banding. We recommend you follow the sidewalk west of Cass Gym to the parking lot behind the gym, then walk between the softball and baseball fields to reach the bird banding station.

The new FORWARD magazine arrives on campus and in mailboxes starting this week! The new FORWARD contains information about LLCC programs and services, and engaging articles about what is happening at LLCC, including stories on Dr. Michael Ramm, Honors students, alumni Kynli Smith and Cody Pennell, and much more.

FORWARD will no longer include pages of class schedule information. This decision was made by cabinet because of new, user-friendly enhancements to WebAdvisor that allow prospective and new students to search for classes much more easily and by subject, section, delivery method and location. Also, WebAdvisor provides the most up-to-date list of classes whereas a printed schedule in FORWARD often contained outdated information. However, for students who prefer a printed list of classes, there is a list available for review which will be updated frequently in Registration and also at Outreach Centers, or can be printed from the class schedule and summer classes pages. A list of fall classes will be added soon to the class schedule page.

Tamie Penning, project and web services manager, recently graduated summa cum laude from Capella University with her bachelor of science degree in information technology. She has been accepted into a graduate program at Capella. Congratulations!

You are invited to a ribbon cutting at the LLCC Bird Banding Station Tuesday, March 22, at 10:30 a.m. (weather permitting). A new building constructed by LLCC workforce construction trades students will allow biology students to conduct bird banding research and data collection inside, as well as provide storage space for the athletics department. The brief ceremony will include comments from Dr. Charlotte Warren, president; Tony Rothering, professor of biology; Vern Kleen of the Lincoln Land Association of Bird Banders; and a student involved in bird banding. If you plan to attend, we suggest boots or old shoes, as the ground may be soft.

Our condolences to Linda Chriswell, Accessibility Services Professional, on the passing of her husband, Claude Oberheim, March 14. Claude was an adjunct Sociology and Math instructor at LLCC for many years. Cremation was accorded by the Lincoln Land Cremation Society. Memorials are suggested to the Claude Oberheim Memorial Fund: Illinois National Bank; Pleasant Plains, IL 62677.

Obituary can be found at:  http://www.lincolnlandcs.com/obituary/Claude-Phillip-Oberheim/Pleasant-Plains-IL/1599112

Please encourage students that are graduating to attend GradFest today from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.” Summer 2015 and fall 2015 graduates and potential spring and summer 2016 graduates are all eligible to participate in Commencement 2016 on May 13, 2016 and can purchase their caps, gown and tassel for only $20 at GradFest.  After GradFest, students can purchase cap, gown and tassel from the LLCC Bookstore – in-person or online.

Welcome Amy Flynn, new Public Relations and Marketing Assistant. Amy will be located at the Information Desk in A. Lincoln Commons.  She can be reached at 786-2422 or amy.flynn@llcc.edu.

Other changes in Public Relations and Marketing (PRM) to note: Colleen Pittman, marketing and communications coordinator, is located in PRM, room 1266. Rose Raikes, assistant director, Public Relations, is located in PRM, room 1270. Phone numbers remain the same.

I wanted to thank the College and everyone here for your support, cards and flowers after the passing of my mother, Frances Kallembach, on February 17. While Mom never taught at a community college, she was a teacher for 37 years at DeLand-Weldon Elementary School. She loved the teaching profession and thought the community college system was one of the best things, ever, for education. Thank you, again.