Dr. Michael Ramm, professor of chemistry, was named the 2015 Drs. Raymond and Ann Pearson Master Teacher at yesterday’s Employee Recognition Ceremony. Congratulations Michael! Finalists for the prestigious honor included Dr. Anthony DiMaggio, Dr. Jason Dockter, Eve Fischberg and Rebecca Klatt.

Distinguished Service Award winners were administrator: Susan Simpson, director of institutional research; professional: Robin Ackman, student accounts manager; classified: Linda Cunningham, assistant to the vice president of student services; faculty: Leslie Rios, assistant professor, librarian. Congratulations!

Dr. John Roberts, professor of history, was honored for a new milestone at LLCC, 45 years of service. He received several well-deserved standing ovations.

Also, employees serving 25, 20, 15, 10 and five years were recognized, along with retirees Melinda Catteau, Jay Kitterman and Brenda Brown. (Several other retirees were recognized in absentia: Barb Charlton, Teresa Dickey-Rogers, Donald Jones, Russell Kuster, Charles Nichols, Beverly Provines and Jan Terry.)

The newest member of LLCC’s group of Faculty Emeriti, Mary Ellen Monroe-White, along with NISOD Excellence Award recipients Sharon Cheek, professor of radiography, and Paula Hermes, programmer analyst, were also recognized.

The Center for Academic Success invites faculty and staff to encourage summer students to use free CAS services this summer. Click for more information: Summer 2015 services & hours

Dr. Chris McDonald, political science professor, captured some beautiful shots of campus in bloom and also some wildlife last week. Thanks for sharing, Chris!

The World Affairs Council of Central Illinois, of which LLCC is an institutional member, is featuring a presentation May 11 titled, “Reconciliation in Politics? On the Meaning of Justice in the Wake of Massive Injustice.” LLCC faculty, staff and students are invited to the presentation by Dr. Daniel Philpott that beings at 7:30 p.m. in the UIS Brookens Auditorium. A reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:15 p.m. The program is free and open to the public; dinner cost is $30 for members/$35 for non-members. Dinner reservations are required by May 4. For more information, go to: www.wacci.us

Earth Week: Environmental Club Activities, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. Heirloom tomato plant sale • Earth Day T-shirt sale • Common Milkweed seed giveaway. Workforce Development Activities, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., outside A. Lincoln Commons. Solar trainer • Green giveaways • Student surveys

LLCC Board of Trustees meeting, 5:15 p.m., R.H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. The agenda can be found HERE.

Craig Norman of the LLCC Truck Driver Training program took the new LLCC trailer on a visit to Ball Chatham Pre-K class last week, to introduce children to this career field.

Last day to submit feedback regarding proposed changes to AA/AS degree requirements. See LincIn article dated April 8 for more information.

Last day of the LLCC Library’s celebration of National Library Week. To end the celebration, the library is hosting a Grand Prize Raffle drawing. The winner receives a $25 gift certificate to the bookstore. Other activities today include:
– Food for Fines – the first 100 people to bring in a non-perishable donation will win a free book light. You don’t have to have library fines to donate! All proceeds benefit the Central Illinois Food Bank.
– Free candy at the Reference and Access Services desks
– Add to the “What’s Your Favorite Book?” poster

This weekend:
LLCC Recital Series performance – Sunday, April 19, 4 p.m., Trutter Center. Jane Hartman, LLCC professor of music and well-known area musician, along with Gene Haas and Brian Justison, present “My Romance,” an afternoon of romantic jazz pieces along with 19th century piano pieces in the Romantic style.

Soup and Stories, noon-1 p.m., R.H. Stephens Room. Chris McDonald, political science professor, is the featured presenter. He will present “From Springfield to Schlestadt,” which is based on his newly published book “‘Three Lying or Four Sitting’–From the Front in a Ford.”

National Library Week activities, LLCC Libary. Free Donut Day to celebrate National Library Week! Donuts will arrive at 9 a.m.; be sure to get their early as they go quick! Other events for today include:
– Food for Fines – the first 100 people to bring in a non-perishable donation will win a free book light. You don’t have to have library fines to donate! All proceeds benefit the Central Illinois Food Bank.
– Free candy at the Reference and Access Services desks
– Add to the “What’s Your Favorite Book?” poster
– Daily raffle drawing! Winner will receive a $5 gift certificate to the bookstore.

The LLCC art department welcomes the LLCC community and the public to join them at a reception for the Annual Juried Student Art Show Thursday, April 16 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. outside the Murray Gallery. Award winners will be announced in several categories. A special invitation is extended to all students who put forth the effort to enter their artwork for jurying. The student show will be open for viewing until May 17.

Donate $5 for Jeans Day Thursday and support the Brian McMillen Veterans Scholarship. Donations are being accepted by the Student Life Office.

Dear LLCC Family,
Thank you so much for the cards, kind words, beautiful flowers, gifts and e-mail messages. All of the kindness and thoughtfulness during this time is truly appreciated and always will be appreciated. My son was a wonderful person and always had a smile on his face no matter how bad he felt. I will truly miss him.

Karen Riddell
program assistant, Adult Education and Literacy