LLCC hosting concert by Culver-Stockton College wind and jazz ensembles today

LLCC is hosting a free concert by the Culver-Stockton College Wind and Jazz Ensembles today, March 2, 6 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. The wind ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Trent Hollinger, associate professor of music, will be performing band standards and innovative new works. The jazz ensemble will be featuring songs following in the footsteps of well-known jazz pianists Dave Brubeck and Stan Kenton.

LLCC hosting Illinois Community College Assessment Fair today

Illinois Community College Assessment Fair 2020: Assessment with VisionLLCC is hosting the 24th Annual Illinois Community College Assessment Fair today, Feb. 28, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Trutter Center and Workforce Careers Center. Canvas and AEFIS will have sponsor tables set up outside of the Bistro. The conference will share information on assessment efforts at community colleges across the state. View the full schedule (must be logged into Office 365 to view).

African-American History Month finale and food and vendor day

Celebrate African-American History Month. Vistion 2020: Elevate, Accentuate, Illuminate Your Future. Click for information about events through the month of February.
African-American Food and Vendor Day takes place today, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. The event features free samples of African-American food, displays exhibiting the wares of African-American entrepreneurs and “Saxophone and African-American Poetry Improvisations” performed by LLCC retired business law professor and jazz musician Virgil Rhodes, J.D. The African-American History Month finale, “Illuminate Your Destiny,” featuring LCC alum Kenneth Humble with the Kenny Humble Group, also takes place today from noon to 1:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons.

LLCC has been celebrating African-American History Month during February with various events. The theme for this year’s observance is “Vision 2020: Elevate, Accentuate, Illuminate Your Future.” The LLCC African-American History Month Committee and LLCC Student Life are event co-sponsors.

LLCC to host concert by Culver-Stockton College Wind and Jazz Ensembles March 2

LLCC will host a free concert by the Culver-Stockton College Wind and Jazz Ensembles on Monday, March 2, 6 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. The wind ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Trent Hollinger, associate professor of music, will perform band standards and innovative new works. The jazz ensemble will feature songs following in the footsteps of well-known jazz pianists Dave Brubeck and Stan Kenton.

African-American Food and Vendor Day postponed until Feb. 28

Celebrate African-American History Month. Vistion 2020: Elevate, Accentuate, Illuminate Your Future. Click for information about events through the month of February.
African-American Food and Vendor Day was originally scheduled to be held today, Feb. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons. However, due to inclement weather, it is postponed until Friday, Feb. 28 and will be held in conjunction with the African-American History Month finale. African-American Food and Vendor Day will feature free samples of African-American food, displays exhibiting the wares of African-American entrepreneurs and “Saxophone and African-American Poetry Improvisations” performed by LLCC retired business law professor and jazz musician Virgil Rhodes, J.D. The African-American History Month finale, “Illuminate Your Destiny,” featuring LCC alum Kenneth Humble with the Kenny Humble Group, will take place Friday, Feb. 28 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in A. Lincoln Commons.

LLCC is celebrating African-American History Month during February with various events. The theme for this year’s observance is “Vision 2020: Elevate, Accentuate, Illuminate Your Future.” The LLCC African-American History Month Committee and LLCC Student Life are event co-sponsors unless otherwise noted.

African-American History Month

Celebrate African-American History Month. Vistion 2020: Elevate, Accentuate, Illuminate Your Future. Click for information about events through the month of February.
LLCC is celebrating African-American History Month during February with various events. The theme for this year’s observance is “Vision 2020: Elevate, Accentuate, Illuminate Your Future.” The LLCC African-American History Month Committee and LLCC Student Life are event co-sponsors unless otherwise noted.

This week’s events include:

  • Monday, Feb. 24 – Voter Registration Day, sponsored by the LLCC Black Student Union, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons.
  • Wednesday, Feb. 26 – African-American Food and Vendor Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons. The event features free samples of African-American food, displays exhibiting the wares of African-American entrepreneurs and “Saxophone and African-American Poetry Improvisations” performed by LLCC retired business law professor and jazz musician Virgil Rhodes, J.D.
  • Friday, Feb. 28 – “Illuminate Your Destiny,” the African-American History Month finale, featuring LLCC alum Kenneth Humble with the Kenny Humble Group, noon to 1:30 p.m., A. Lincoln Commons.

Congratulations to Michael Phelon

Michael Phelon, (shown here with his family), director, Open Door and Open Door Workforce Equity Initiative programs, was honored Feb. 20 at the Illinois State Capitol by Illinois State Comptroller Susana Mendoza (left) for his efforts to improve the lives of youth. Mendoza recognized Phelon and two others in honor of Black History Month.

 

LLCC to host 14th annual Rube Goldberg Competition for 5th graders Feb. 29  

“Outlandish machines” designed by area fifth graders will be on display as Lincoln Land Community College hosts the 14th annual Springfield Area Fifth Grade Rube Goldberg Competition on Saturday, Feb. 29. The event will take place from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 2 p.m. in LLCC’s Student Union on the lower level of Menard Hall. There is no admission fee and the public is invited to attend the competition.

A Rube Goldberg device, such as the board game “Mousetrap,” is an “outlandish machine” designed to complete a certain task through a number of complex steps. Area fifth graders are currently developing their own unique Rube Goldberg devices for this year’s competition.They receive assistance from engineer volunteers who visit classrooms and provide instruction on machines and engineering in general, along with suggestions for their “secret” Rube Goldberg.

The purpose of this event is to introduce children to the idea of pursuing a career in engineering or closely related field.  It is the only Rube Goldberg program in the nation specifically aimed at elementary age school children. This year, 11 teams are participating from Dubois Elementary, Fairview Elementary, Graham Elementary, Our Savior Lutheran, Rochester Intermediate, Springfield Christian, and Trinity Lutheran – Springfield. This year’s competition involves building a Rube Goldberg that through at least 10 different steps, must stack a minimum of three items representing the components of a possible hamburger sandwich.

 

LLCC and Memorial Health System partner to address nursing shortage

Officials of Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) and Memorial Health System (MHS) yesterday announced a nursing education partnership to address the regional nursing shortage. With support from MHS, LLCC will admit 90 additional students per year to the college’s associate degree nursing program, for a total of 215 new nursing students annually.

MHS will provide approximately $6.1 million in funding to allow LLCC to renovate the west wing of Montgomery Hall on the LLCC campus for a new nursing center, purchase state-of-the-art equipment and hire additional faculty and staff to recruit, advise and teach nursing students.

“This partnership between Lincoln Land Community College and Memorial Health System aligns with both of our missions: to improve the lives and health of the people in the communities we serve, and to be responsive to community needs,” said Charlotte Warren, Ph.D., president of LLCC.

“This region, along with all of Illinois, faces a severe shortage of nurses,” she continued. “With this support, LLCC will increase the number of new students accepted into our nursing program and produce more registered nurses to serve the health care facilities of our communities.”

“LLCC has been supplying quality nurses to Memorial Health System since the early 1970s,” said Ed Curtis, MHS president and CEO. “MHS has provided these nurses with fulfilling careers in an excellent work environment, with numerous opportunities for professional advancement. Multiple Magnet and Pathway designations at MHS hospitals provide local nurse graduates a practice environment that has committed to raising the bar of nursing excellence, again and again. We are excited to now expand our partnership with LLCC to address the regional nursing shortage and meet the needs of the patients and communities we serve.”

Dr. Warren noted that the quality of the LLCC Nursing program is outstanding, with completion and national certification pass rates far above national averages. “The demand from students wishing to enter our excellent, affordable nursing program has grown steadily since its inception.”

The renovation of approximately 12,000 square feet of Montgomery Hall will provide the physical space needed to enhance LLCC’s nursing skills and simulation labs, expand classrooms and accommodate increased incoming class sizes. Initial phases of design and planning are underway with construction to follow and anticipated occupancy in May 2021.

Dr. Warren and Mr. Curtis, who both started their careers as nurses, encouraged all students to consider a career in health care and to continue to make central Illinois their home. A vast majority of LLCC nursing graduates remain in the district to work and live,” said Mr. Curtis. “We want to continue to keep these nursing graduates in the area by providing the tools, support and opportunities to learn and grow, and enjoy long, rewarding professions.”

He also noted the timeliness of the announcement, in that 2020 has been designated as the Year of the Nurse by the World Health Organization.

LLCC Nursing student Haley Caise commented, “I am so excited about this announcement. This is an amazing collaboration of two organizations that are near to my heart. Lincoln Land Community College offers an incredible education and value. Now, thanks to Memorial Health System’s support, more aspiring LLCC nursing students will have additional resources available to them to help them reach their dreams.”

Members of the LLCC Board of Trustees, MHS Board of Directors, LLCC Foundation Board of Directors, LLCC nursing students, faculty and staff were among those attending today’s press conference.

LLCC’s associate degree nursing (ADN) program provides training and clinical experience for a career as a registered professional nurse (RN). Students interested in enrolling in the LLCC ADN program can learn more at www.llcc.edu/associate-degree-nursing or by calling 217-786-2445.

LLCC also offers programs in practical nursing (LPN), LPN to RN transition, and nurse assistant (CNA). Other LLCC health professions programs include occupational therapy assistant, radiography, medical coding, surgical technology, respiratory care, neurodiagnostic technology, emergency services, fire science and exercise/sports science. More information is available at www.llcc.edu/health-professions.