Unlike Marvel Super Heroes, we cannot stop a runaway locomotive or climb the outskirts of a skyscraper, but we can all join the LEAGUE to offer additional support to improve the lives of our LLCC students. LEAGUE (Leaders Establishing Annual Gifts Underwriting Education) is the annual faculty and staff giving campaign. It’s been a challenging year, but our students have persevered thanks to you — our superheroes!

With this BOOM! POW! WOW! year, students simply need more support. Our students desire a higher education to better not only themselves, but our community. Although our students lean into and tackle challenges daily, sometimes it is more than they can overcome.

Supporting the LEAGUE campaign is a way to help students who need help when a set-back occurs, to stay on course and complete their educational goals — students like Ivan, a first-generation college student studying liberal arts with dreams of being a teacher one day. “One thing I have learned about myself is that in order to truly be successful, you must endure some challenges in life. Success does not come to those who don’t work hard for themselves. My motivation to be successful in my career enhances me to always be as good as I can be,” says Ivan.

Please consider making a donation today 2021 LEAGUE Form. If you have already made a gift, THANK YOU! Thank you for your consideration to assist our students in breaking-thru barriers to assist them in continuing and completing their education. Your care and support defines a real superhero.

Gifts and pledges to the LEAGUE Campaign do not automatically renew unless you choose to do so this year going forward.  Make your donation and you will have a chance to win a $150 cash prize! The cash prize was made possible by members of the LLCC Cabinet. All faculty and staff who make a donation will be eligible for other great prizes as well such as a Fitbit fitness tracker, Amazon gift card and more!

For more information, contact the Foundation at 217-786-2785 or  LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

Congratulations to Janelle Murphy who was the first $150 cash prize winner of the LEAGUE campaign. Janelle wanted to pay it forward so she donated the money back to the Foundation for the benefit of our students and programs. Money for the drawing was donated by members of LLCC’s Cabinet.

Be sure to get entered into the second and final drawing to win $150 cash. All you have to do is make a donation to the annual faculty and staff campaign known as LEAGUE by April 30. You can make your contribution by completing the 2021 LEAGUE Form.

For more information, contact the LLCC Foundation at 217-786-2785 or by email LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

The LEAGUE Grant awards were announced during the Zoom event on Professional Development Day. Awards were given to the following areas and programs:

• Diagnostic Medical Sonography for a DMS neonatal head phantom
• Radiology for two portable IV/venipuncture training arms
• Respiratory Care program for a preemie neonatal simulator
• Radiography for CD series on Patient Centered Care for Diverse Populations
• Accessibility Services for an exam reader pen
• Culinary Arts & Hospitality for updated technology for Bistro Verde

Watch assistant professor Ada Range explain how LEAGUE grants have benefited students in math and science department at LLCC.

Make your donation to the LEAGUE Campaign by submitting the 2021 LEAGUE Form. With your donation you will also have a chance to win one of the two $150 cash prizes available!

For more information, contact the Foundation at 217-786-2785 or  LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

Can You Guess the LEAGUE Superfriend?

Did you guess that Artsy1 was LEAGUE Committee superfriend Laura Anderson? Laura is an assistant professor of art and has been with LLCC since 2018.

Thank you to everyone who participated in yesterday’s LEAGUE Zoom event. The winners of the superhero costume contest were Ada Range and Diane Wilson.

Make your donation to the LEAGUE Campaign by submitting the 2021 LEAGUE Form  and have a chance to win one of the two $150 cash prizes available.

For more information, contact the LLCC Foundation at 217-786-2785 or by email LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

Can You Guess the LEAGUE Superfriend?

Did you guess yesterday’s Justice LEAGUE superfriend was Patrick Moore? Patrick serves at LLCC as the director of the concurrent enrollment department. He began his journey with the college as a student in 2003. As a proud alum, he returned in 2015, to teach as an adjunct instructor for the social sciences department. Since his return, he has had opportunities to build partnerships with a number of high schools in LLCC’s district.

Can you guess this final superfriend serving on the Justice LEAGUE?

Name: Artsy1
Superpower: Turning blank canvases into amazing pieces of art

Submit your answer by email to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win a prize!

Please join the Justice LEAGUE today at noon on Zoom. The link can be found in the PDD schedule. There will be fun trivia, more prizes and the announcement of the LEAGUE grant recipients. Watch Batman and Robin on the LEAGUE video for details.

Sport your best superhero costume and use the fun Zoom backgrounds below for a chance to win a day pass to Knight’s Action Park’s Splash Kingdom. 

If you would like to make your donation now to the LEAGUE Campaign, please complete the 2021 LEAGUE Form or contact the Foundation at 217-786-2785 or LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

LEAGUE Zoom backgrounds

Download one of the following backgrounds for today’s LEAGUE Zoom event!

Can You Guess the LEAGUE Superfriend?

Did you guess that SuperGirl a master of human rights and guardian against harassment and discrimination was Shelby Bedford, compliance and prevention coordinator at LLCC? Her position involves coordinating equity compliance; conducting harassment, discrimination and identity-based violence investigations; helping students understand and exercise their rights; and supporting students experiencing gender-based violence. Shelby has worked at LLCC for more than five years and is enjoying her third year on the LEAGUE committee. Outside of work, Shelby is finishing up her M.A. in human rights with a certificate in gender-based violence from the University of Arizona.

Congratulations to Karla Wilham for answering correctly and winning a prize!

Can you guess this Justice LEAGUE superfriend?

Name:  Lieutenant Kit-Kat
Super Power: A Fierce Positive Mental Attitude
Encouraging student success by day, taming the world with obscure sitcom quotes by night.

Submit your answer by email to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win a prize!

Did you guess Plastic Man was Adam Watkins, dean, of arts and communication?  Dean Watkins is from St. Louis and began his role at LLCC July 1. He comes to us from East Central College in Union, Missouri, where he served as chair of the fine and performing arts department. He was honored as the Missouri Community College Teacher of Excellence Award Winner in 2017. In addition, he is a mixed media artist, curator and musician. His work deals with the notions of the post-pop culture that we live in and the constant re-contextualization of it alongside his own personal translations of Derrida’s theories on ontology regarding the future, the past, “ghosts,” being and machines. Adam earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from Kent Institute of Art and Design in Canterbury, England, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Webster University in St. Louis.

Can you guess this LEAGUE Committee superfriend?

Name:  Supergirl
Superpower:  A master of human rights. Guardian against harassment and discrimination

Submit your answer by email to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win a prize! Congratulations to Amy Williams and Michelle Pulce-Flynn for answering correctly and winning a prize!

LEAGUE Kickoff Tomorrow!

Please join the Justice LEAGUE tomorrow at noon on Professional Development Day. The link can be found in the PDD schedule that was emailed to you by Human Resources. There will be fun trivia, more prizes and the announcement of the LEAGUE grant recipients. 

If you would like to make your donation now to the LEAGUE Campaign, please complete the 2021 LEAGUE Form or contact the Foundation at 217-786-2785 or LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

Did you guess the real identity of LEAGUE superfriend Mighty Gem was Vanessa Avery? Vanessa is an administrative assistant for our LLCC-Beardstown Outreach Center and has been with LLCC for 20 years. Before that, she was a student, a student worker and a part-time employee.   

Can you guess this LEAGUE Committee superfriend?

Can you guess this Justice LEAGUE superfriend?
Name:  Plastic Man
Job: Agent of Positive Change
Super power: A flexible, malleable, student centered creative thinker.

Hint – He is one of our newest deans and is a mixed media artist, curator and musician.

Submit your answer by email to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win a prize!

Congratulations to Christie Hovey for her correct guess.

$150 Cash Prize Drawing

If you like winning things especially cash, then make your contribution to LEAGUE for a chance to win one of two $150 cash prizes donated by members of the LLCC Cabinet. The first drawing will be Monday, April 5. The second drawing will be in a month.

If you would like to make your donation now to the LEAGUE Campaign, please complete the 2021 LEAGUE Form or contact the Foundation at 217-786-2785 or LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

Sworn to protect our campus from lawlessness meet one of the newest members of the Justice LEAGUE, Chris Russell. Retiring from the Springfield Police Department after 25 years of service, Chief Russell began as chief of police at LLCC in June 2020.

Born and raised in Springfield, Chris is an LLCC alum and a graduate of Illinois State University and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.

Can you guess this LEAGUE Committee superfriend?

Can you guess this Justice LEAGUE superfriend?
Superfriend name: Mighty Gem
Superpower: A real jewel when it comes to assisting students in Cass County

Submit your answer by email to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win a prize!

Congratulations to Laurie Lewis-Fritz for her correct guess.

LEAGUE Zoom Event

Remember to join the Justice LEAGUE superfriends at noon on Zoom on Professional Development Day for trivia, a superhero costume contest and the announcement of the LEAGUE Grant awards. The link can be found on the schedule of activities for PDD provided in an email by human resources.

The LEAGUE grant awards will be announced during the Zoom event. View this video of a former LEAGUE grant recipient to see how your donations benefit our students.

If you would like to make your donation now to the LEAGUE Campaign, please complete the 2021 LEAGUE Form or contact the Foundation at 217-786-2785 or LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu.

Did you guess correctly the LEAGUE superfriend who moves at superhuman speeds to get the required merchandise to students before the first day of class was none other than Kim Lesko?  If so, we have entered you into a drawing to receive a prize.

Kim graduated from LLCC in 1984 and worked in the Child Development Center from 1985-1992 back when it was in Montgomery House. She worked the night shift, eventually moving to days before becoming a stay-at-home mom. In 2015, Kim started working at the bookstore as the specialty merchandise technician where she is responsible for ordering merchandise that is required for classes including nursing scrubs, tools, chef coats, polos, chemistry goggles and lab coats.

Kim says that LLCC has been a big part of her life and an amazing place to be. From being a part of young children’s first experiences in an accredited child development center to promoting students to participate in the LLCC graduation ceremony. Kim has been moved to tears with the stories of how the student has made it to walk across that stage and graduate.

Can you guess this LEAGUE Committee superfriend?

Superfriend name:  Biology Lover
Superpower:  Can teach kindergarteners their ABCs while teaching college students cellular and molecular biology
Hint – you can see this person in the LEAGUE video!

Submit your answer by email to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win a prize!

Congratulations to Jeff Eason for his correct guess.

New LEAGUE video

Years ago at a local community college, faculty and staff gathered on Professional Development Day for the kickoff of the annual faculty and staff giving campaign known as LEAGUE. What are the plans for this year? Watch Batman, Robin and LEAGUE Committee members to find out.

Did you guess that Gailyn Draper is our Songstress of Songs superfirend who uses her power of love and music to make the world a better place? For nearly six years, Gailyn has served as assistant to the vice president of student services.

She attended Ohio Northern University and Bowling Green State University where she received her degree in vocal performance and conducting. Gailyn taught voice privately for 20 years and has performed as a guest soloist with the Phoenix Symphony Chorale, Toledo Symphony, Butler Philharmonic the Naperville Community Chorus and the DePaul Community Chorus as well as with our own Springfield Community Chorus. It may seem like an odd marriage, music and administrative work; however, Gailyn will tell you many of the same qualities one needs to be a professional musician are needed as an administrative professional: discipline, attention to detail, the ability to think strategically, real-time problem solving, multitasking, being a team player, perseverance and stamina.

Can you guess this LEAGUE Committee superfriend?

Superfriend name: Flash
Superpower: The power to move at superhuman speeds to get required merchandise to the students before the first day of class.

Submit your answer by email to LLCCFoundation@llcc.edu for a chance to win a prize!

Congratulations to Brenda Elliott and Amy Flynn for winning prizes.

Why Give to LEAGUE?

The annual faculty and staff giving campaign known as LEAGUE will kickoff with a zoom event at noon on Professional Development Day. The LEAGUE Grant awards will be announced during the event. These grants are made possible thanks to your donations to LEAGUE. Check out his video from a previous LEAGUE Grant recipient, Janelle Murphy.