If you visit Memorial’s Festival of Trees this year, be sure to look for the tree designed and decorated by LLCC! We’d appreciate your vote for the People’s Choice award!  Click HERE to find out when the Festival is going on.

A reception at Maldaner’s Restaurant in downtown Springfield Nov. 20 highlighted a partnership between Maldaner’s and LLCC. The LLCC Green Center’s Julie Rourke, director of workforce development, wrote for a grant from the Illinois Green Economy Network to provide solar panels on the rooftop of Maldaner’s. LLCC renewable energy students will use the panels for educational purposes, and Maldaner’s expects to reduce its carbon emissions by 20.1 tons per year.  Shown in the photo are Springfield Mayor Mike Houston, Julie Rourke, Mike Farmer of the City of Springfield, and Maldaner’s Chef/Owner Michael Higgins. 

Words cannot express how much my family and I appreciated the cards, flowers, memorial donation and words of comfort we received with the passing of my mom, Erma Elliott.  I want to express a special thank you to my co-workers in Human Resources for their understanding and compassion during this trying time.  I have worked here for such a short time, but the outpouring of support was overwhelming.  Thank you.

Mary Carry, HR administrative assistant

LLCC will be conducting controlled burns on the prairie areas of campus over the next few weeks, weather permitting. The burns will be conducted on the upper prairie on the north side of Menard Hall, on the south and west sides of the Workforce Careers Center and on both sides of the entrance to campus.

The controlled burns are a coordinated effort of LLCC’s Facilities Services department, biology classes and the LLCC Environmental Club. The burns have been approved by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

The 18th Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at LLCC featured Trustee and State Representative Wayne Rosenthal (2nd from left), Retired Brigadier General, as master of ceremonies.   Doris Williams, program specialist, presented a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem. The Madrigals sang “America the Beautiful” arranged by LLCC alum Damien Kaplan. LLCC Student Jeffrey Surbeck was the featured speaker. Participants are shown here with Trustees Jerry Wesley, Dr. Charlotte Warren, Kent Gray and Dennis Shackelford. Chatham American Legion Post 759 Family Color Guard presented the colors. Click HERE for a photo album. WICS covered the event.

“I had an amazing day on Saturday Nov. 9 and got to be united in a civil union ceremony with Jaime Estell. Want to thank some of my LLCC family for taking the time to celebrate with me: Claire Gordon, Beth Hoffmann, Tara Walk, Joe Hoff and Mark Hardiman.” – Brenda Protz, associate professor, speech

Tickets go on sale today for LLCC Theatre’s fresh take on Oscar Wilde’s comedy “The Importance of Being Earnest” Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 8 at 2 p.m. in the lower level of Sangamon Hall South.  The production, directed by Mark Hardiman, assistant professor of theatre, will explore the world of steampunk by drawing on fashion of the Victorian era. Tickets, at $12 for general admission and $10 for students and seniors, are available at the event ticket window in Menard Hall or by calling 6.2762.

We hope you were able to hear the inspirational words of LLCC student, Brandon Von Liski, at Professional Development Day.  Brandon is one of thousands who are served by United Way agencies. When being asked to make a charitable contribution, it is very beneficial to see how our contributions can make a difference.  And, clearly, SPARC has made a huge difference in Brandon’s life.  Please consider making a contribution this year to LLCC’s community giving campaign through United Way.  Last year, we collected $17,800.  That is a great number, but we know we can do better.  Whether it’s a one-time contribution made by check or credit card or an amount to be deducted from your paycheck, all contributions will make a difference.  We’ve completed our forms … will you? Forms were placed in your campus mailbox. If you need a form, please contact one of us or send your completed forms to us by Friday, Nov. 8.  Thank you! Tiffany Andrews, classified; Soodi Nassirpour, professional; Nicole Ralph, administrative; Tara Walk, faculty; Lynn Whalen, coordinator.

Remember, through the LLCC campaign, you may designate your gift to ANY 501(c)3 charitable organization inside or outside Sangamon County, not just United Way agencies. Simply write your preferred charity name on the form. If you are unsure if the charity is a 501c3 charity, a complete list of charities qualified by the Illinois State Comproller is available at www.secaillinois.org and a complete list of 501c3 organizations is available at www.irs.gov.

If you do not designate your gift, it will go to “programs that meet health and human service needs in our community.” (Sangamon County.) Click HERE for that list.

The Taylorville Student Union (TSU) had a bake sale on Oct. 15 to raise funds for the Taylorville Memorial Hospital Mammography Assistance Program.  TSU raised $80 and presented to the donation to Linda Sloan with the Taylorville Memorial Hospital Foundation.  Pictured are:  Linda Sloan, Nicole Brownfield, Loggers Activities Board student worker and Jordan Foor, TSU Treasurer.