Professional Development Day is this Friday, Oct. 10 from 8:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m. With a theme of “Envisioning, Adapting and Preparing: You Are the Future of LLCC,” the event includes a variety of sessions, lunch and keynote speaker Jon Vroman. Vroman is an award-winning speaker, author and charitable entrepreneur. His trademark keynote message, “Living Life in the Front Row,” helps students, faculty, staff, entrepreneurs, leaders and managers step away from what’s comfortable and ordinary, and start pursuing what’s challenging, important and meaningful.

In addition, the Employee Campaign through United Way will have gift baskets on display during the luncheon. For more information and a  schedule of the day’s events, click HERE.

Whether your contribution is large or small, your investment in our community is changing lives and giving hope to thousands of our neighbors. We encourage you to Focus on Five. For some it might mean an increased investment of $5 per pay or $5 per month. For others it might be a $500 gift. Others may make a commitment to encourage five friends to contribute. Imagine the difference we could make if each of us made the commitment to Focus on Five.

Only at LLCC, we’re “Focusing on Five” by giving you a ticket for every $5 you donate. These tickets can be dropped in a container to win the gift basket or baskets on display at Professional Development Day Oct. 10 and the Benefits Fair Oct. 16. Be sure to check them out!

Nicole Ralph, Tara Walk, Greg Walbert, Tiffany Andrews, Lynn Whalen

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Bake Sale for a Cure, Monday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. Join SGA and LAB in the fight against breast cancer!

Soup & Stories: Paranormal Activity is being held Wednesday, Oct. 8 from noon-1 p.m. in the R.H. Stephens Room.  This is a basic introduction to ghosts and hauntings from experienced paranormal investigator Carl Jones. Bring along your stories, experiences and photos to share. This event is guaranteed to be a hauntingly good time! Lunch is free to students with ID & $3 for staff, faculty and community.

The 11th annual Multicultural Fest was once again a resounding success with all who attended. It was a beautiful day and the Student Life Office really appreciates all those who helped in any way. You helped create a broad picture of the many facets of culture and diversity on our campus and in our community. We truly appreciate your time and willingness to help us. Thank you for your continued support of the Multicultural Fest and lending your skills and expertise to this large-scale event. We certainly couldn’t do it without you!

The Human Resources office is currently advertising for a site coordinator at LLCC-Beardstown. Complete information on this position can be found on the HR Portal.

Last Wednesday (9/24), Biology Professor Tony Rothering and Vern Kleen, licensed bird bander, were walking back to the banding station after checking the nets when they noticed a couple of Cooper’s Hawks trapped in one of the batting cages! They were able to capture, band and release them. Math Professor Peter Embalabala captured this photo when he went to investigate after seeing the commotion from the parking lot.

On Monday (9/29), an Ash-throated Flycatcher was captured. This bird is a western species that typically is not found east of Kansas and Oklahoma. Historically, there have only been a handful of documented sightings of this species in Illinois! Read more info on this particular species HERE.

On Monday (10/1), the 6,000th bird was banded since the banding station opened in the fall of 2012! It was a Red-eyed Vireo (no photo).

LLCC biology students have the unique opportunity to hold and band birds while studying migration patterns at the campus bird banding station. Research data collected is shared in a national scientific database.

LLCC-Jacksonville celebrated Multicultural Fest Oct 1 with a variety of activities. Terry Ransom spoke about the Illinois Underground Railroad to a packed house of LLCC students, faculty, staff, Lafayette Academy students and members of the community. In addition, there was a performance by blues/jazz musician Robert Sampson, ethnic food from local restaurants, origami and Spanish flower demonstrations and crafts.
Click HERE for a photo album.

Watch your mailbox for a chance to win a gift basket while helping those in need in our community. The employee campaign through United Way runs today through Oct. 16. You may designate your gift to any 501(c)3 organization. Undesignated gifts will go to the United Way Community Fund to assist multiple programs in central Illinois addressing the greatest needs.

Gift baskets donated by committee members will be on display at the Professional Development Day luncheon Oct. 10 and the Benefits Fair Oct. 16. For every $5 you donate, you’ll receive a ticket to drop in the container in front of the basket or baskets you’d like to win. Winning tickets will be drawn on Oct. 16. There’s also a chance to win a $500 Schnuck’s gift card.

Please fill out your pledge form and return it to your representative on the United Way committee by Oct. 16. Members are: Tiffany Andrews, human resources assistant (classified staff), Nicole Ralph, director, employment and benefits, (administrative staff), Greg Walbert, graphic design manager, public relations and marketing (professional staff), Tara Walk, associate professor, criminal justice, (faculty). Lynn Whalen serves as campaign coordinator.

Faculty, staff and students enjoyed food, entertainment and exhibits celebrating cultures from around the world at the 11th annual Multicultural Fest held Oct. 1. Thanks to all who volunteered to make this event a success! For a photo album of the event, click HERE.

LLCC has been awarded an $882,863 grant to develop workforce training programs in agricultural watershed and landscape lake management. Click HERE for more information.