The Lincoln Land Community College Board of Trustees elected

Craig Findley of Jacksonville as its new chair, Jerry Wesley of Witt as vice chair and Dennis Shackelford of Rochester as board secretary, all for two year terms, at last night’s April meeting of the board.

Outgoing LLCC Board Chair Justin Reichert is honored for his service by new Chair Craig Findley

Findley, who also served as chair in 1997-1998 and 2003-2005, replaces retiring chair Justin Reichert of Springfield, who remains on the board as trustee. Findley thanked Reichert for his “exceptional leadership.”

LLCC Board Chair Justin Reichert congratulates new LLCC Student Trustee Madison Baker after administering the oath of office

The board also seated a new student trustee. Madison Baker of Hillsboro was elected by LLCC students to represent them on the board. She will serve a one-year term and replaces retiring student trustee Jefferson Gentry of Springfield, who was honored for his year of service and student leadership.

Trustees were introduced to newly-elected Student Government Association officers: President Nathan Bauser of New Berlin, Vice President Alyssa Boyd of Athens, Treasurer Robert Bentley of Jacksonville, Secretary Emily Tomlin of Cantrall, Business and Technologies Representative Katie Robinson of Jacksonville, Social Sciences Representative Carrie Darr of Springfield and Representative-at-Large Katarina Shelton of Pawnee.

The board also heard first reading of a policy change that would bring the college into compliance with the new Illinois Smoke Free Campus Act that takes effect July 1 of this year. Smoking and use of tobacco products will be prohibited on any college-owned or operated property, except when an individual is traveling through or parked on campus in a personal vehicle.

The LLCC Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, April 22 at 5:15 p.m. in the R.H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. The agenda can be found HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Feb. 25 at 5:15 p.m. in the R.H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. Click HERE for the agenda.

The LLCC Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 5:15 p.m. in the Robert H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. The agenda can be found HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees honored the college’s national championship livestock judging team at the December board meeting Wednesday evening.

Coach Craig Beckmier, professor of agriculture, told trustees, “We are proud to bring you this national championship trophy, earned by some of the finest young people in the U.S. who represented your college very well.” He said the team placed in the top five in several competitions prior to earning first place at the recent North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky. Professor Beckmier, who was honored at the competition as Fred Francis Coach of the High Team, introduced team members Rob Johnson of Niantic; Dalton Heavner of Pittsfield; Damon Stayton of Carlinville; Amy Loschen of Kempton; Adam Heffelfinger of Ashland, Ohio; Jackson Johnson of Poneto, Ind.; and Will Harsh of Radnor, Ohio.

LLCC Board Chair Justin Reichert said the board was very proud of the team and pleased to honor them, noting that all planned to continue their educations at four-year college or university agriculture-related programs.

Trustees also acknowledged, with thanks, recent major gifts to the LLCC Foundation to support student scholarships, including $1.5 million from the estate of Howard Million, $420,687 from the Russell L. and Thelma L. Kirchner Trust and $40,000 from Virginia Gies.

In routine December action, the Board approved the 2014 tax levy that is expected to result in an LLCC district tax rate at or near the current rate of approximately 46 cents per $100 of equalized assessed property value.

And, Bill Harmon, professor of agronomy and 2014 Pearson Master Teacher at the college, spoke to trustees on his teaching philosophy “Who Cares?” and how he uses it to increase student engagement and learning. His essay on the subject can be read HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees is meeting Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:15 p.m. in the R.H. Stephens Room, Menard Hall. Read the agenda HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees will meet Wednesday, Nov. 19 at LLCC-Litchfield. A reception begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Read the agenda HERE.

The LLCC Board of Trustees will hold its regular Nov. 19, 2014 board meeting at 6:15 p.m. at LLCC-Litchfield, 1 Lincoln Land Drive. A reception will precede the board meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the same location.