In the news

Jay Kitterman, culinary and special events consultant, was interviewed by WICS on July 8 about “History Cooks: Food of Lincoln’s Springfield.” LLCC Community Education is partnering with the Lincoln Home National Historic Site this summer to present a series of cooking demonstrations of dishes from President Lincoln’s time. The public is invited to the Lincoln Home every Friday afternoon at 1 p.m., June 3-Aug. 5, to learn from LLCC culinary staff and local chefs.

Thank you from Paula Luebbert

To my LLCC family,

As I move on to a new chapter in my life, I wanted to say a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of you. LLCC is truly a great place to work, and I have made many lifelong friends. A special thank you to Lyndsey Craigmiles-Brooks, Whitney Brandenburg, Don Loftis, Laurel Bretz and Jamie McCoy for putting together a wonderful party. The past 32 years have been fabulous, and I will miss each and every one of you! Best wishes as you all continue your journey!

Paula Luebbert
Assistant Vice President, Corporate/Government Training & Economic Development

Juneteenth historical spotlight

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.Throughout June, the Juneteenth Committee has shared a series of historical spotlights to help increase knowledge about Juneteenth 1865. The last spotlight in this series discusses traditions.

“Juneteenth traditions vary across the U.S. As the tradition of Juneteenth spread across the U.S., different localities put different spins on celebrations. In southern states, the holiday is traditionally celebrated with oral histories and readings, ‘red soda water’ or strawberry soda, and barbecues. Some states serve up Marcus Garvey salad with red, green and black beans, in honor of the black nationalist. Rodeos have become part of the tradition in the southwest, while contests, concerts and parades are a common theme across the country.” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth).

Learn more by visiting the LLCC Juneteenth Guide at https://library.llcc.edu/juneteenth.

Juneteenth book read roundtable and historical spotlight

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.Roundtable discussions of “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed continue today, June 22, with a meeting at 1 p.m. in the Student Success Conference Room (can also attend via Zoom with meeting ID: 86326730510).

Historical spotlight

Chief Russell raising flag with NextLevel youth“The Juneteenth flag is full of symbolism. Juneteenth flag designer L.J. Graf packed lots of meaning into her design. The colors red, white and blue echo the American flag to symbolize that the enslaved people and their descendants were Americans. The star in the middle pays homage to Texas, while the bursting ‘new star’ on the ‘horizon’ of the red and blue fields represents a new freedom and a new people” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth).

LLCC’s Juneteenth flag was raised on Thursday, June 16, with the help of youth in the NextLevel program.
LLCC police officers with NextLevel youth

LLCC Alert test today, 11 a.m.

Each semester/term, LLCC tests its emergency alert system LLCC ALERT. LLCC ALERT allows the college to communicate with you by text, phone and email in an emergency, as well as for severe weather and other closures. Current employees and students are automatically enrolled in LLCC ALERT.

The next test will take place today, June 21, at approximately 11 a.m. You will receive a test message from LLCC ALERT.

We encourage you to visit www.llcc.edu/alert and log in with your LLCC username and password to check your current contact information and manage how you receive emergency notifications. LLCC ALERT uses the information about you currently stored in the college’s Colleague system, and this information may need updating. Please add your office phone number if it is not listed, and make any other revisions needed.

For assistance, please contact the IT Service Desk at 217-786-2555 or helpdesk@llcc.edu.

Note: Updating your contact information in LLCC ALERT will NOT update that information in Colleague. To update your information in Colleague, please contact LLCC Human Resources.

Juneteenth celebration photos and historical spotlight

A Juneteenth celebration was held yesterday in A. Lincoln Commons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event featured a welcome, reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, a Juneteenth display, trivia, music provided by D.J. Yinka and food from Gertrude’s Taste of Heaven by local caterer Lisa Johnson.

Roundtable discussions of “On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon-Reed continue tomorrow, June 22, with a meeting at 1 p.m. in the Student Success Conference Room (can also attend via Zoom with meeting ID: 86326730510).

Juneteenth display featuring prominent individuals in black historyCandace Silas welcoming attendees to LLCC's Juneteenth celebrationBrandon Lewis reading the Emancipation ProclamationMiss Z sharing her story, with Kim WilsonVolunteers serving foodAttendees in line for soul foodSamples of soul food being served upJuneteenth trivia table
Members of the Juneteenth Committee in front of the Juneteenth backdrop

Historical spotlight

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.

“Juneteenth is now a federal holiday. Thanks to the efforts of 94-year-old activist Opal Lee, who began walking state-to-state to draw attention to the cause in 2016, Congress passed legislation making Juneteenth a federal holiday in 2021.  President Biden signed the bill into law on June 17, 2021.” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth)

Learn more by visiting the LLCC Juneteenth Guide at https://library.llcc.edu/juneteenth.

Juneteenth observance today, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

LLCC celebrates Juneteenth 1865. Freedom Day.A Juneteenth celebration will be held today, June 20, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in A. Lincoln Commons. The event is open to the public and features a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, a Juneteenth display, free haircuts provided by the University of Spa and Cosmetology Arts, music provided by D.J. Yinka and food from Gertrude’s Taste of Heaven by local caterer Lisa Johnson.

Learn more about LLCC’s Juneteenth activities.

Historical spotlight

“Texas was the first state to declare Juneteenth a state holiday. Texas deemed the holiday worthy of statewide recognition in 1980, becoming the first state to do so.” (Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/501680/12-things-you-might-not-know-about-juneteenth)

Learn more by visiting the LLCC Juneteenth Guide at https://library.llcc.edu/juneteenth.