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.