Brent Todd, dean of natural and agricultural sciences, was interviewed on WTAX radio Feb. 20 regarding tomorrow evening’s part-time faculty fair.
In the news
Jay Kitterman, culinary and special events consultant, wrote today’s Epicuriosity 101 column, “Dining in restaurants is back!”
LLCC to hold part-time faculty information fair Feb. 22
LLCC will hold an information fair Wednesday, Feb. 22 for individuals interested in teaching part-time at the college. The event is from 6-8 p.m. in the Menard Hall atrium on the Springfield campus.
Part-time faculty are required to have a master’s degree with at least 18 hours in the subject being taught. Work experience can substitute for a degree in career and technical fields. These positions are ideal for retirees, those currently in the workforce and those who have just earned a graduate degree. Prior teaching experience is preferred but not required.
LLCC currently has the greatest need for part-time faculty in communication/public speaking, English composition and humanities, as well as in the career/technical fields of certified nursing assistant, welding, auto tech, electrical/industrial maintenance, aviation mechanics and hospitality/culinary arts.
LLCC to host Rube Goldberg Competition for fifth graders Feb. 25
“Outlandish machines” designed by area fifth graders will be on display as LLCC hosts the 16th annual Springfield Area Fifth Grade Rube Goldberg Competition on Saturday, Feb. 25. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to approximately 3 p.m. in the student union in the lower level of Menard Hall on the LLCC-Springfield campus, 5250 Shepherd Road. There is no admission fee, and the public is invited to attend.
This year’s competition involves building a Rube Goldberg that must “move a rocket to a launch pad” through at least 10 different steps.
A Rube Goldberg device, such as the board game “Mousetrap,” is an elaborate apparatus 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, coordinated by the area Engineer in the Classroom Board. The engineer volunteers visit classes and provide instruction on machines and engineering in general, along with suggestions for their Rube Goldberg device.
The purpose of this event is to introduce children to the idea of pursuing a career in engineering or 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, Graham Elementary, Our Savior Lutheran, Rochester Intermediate, Springfield Christian and Beckemeyer Elementary School in Hillsboro.
Last year’s task entailed building a Rube Goldberg that would “flip a pancake.” Kimberly Tribler’s fifth grade class from Dubois Elementary School, with engineer volunteer Terry Fountain from Cummins Engineering, took home the top prize and advanced to the Engineering Open House at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign where they earned first place.
In the news
Bob Bunn, LLCC’s Lincoln lecturer on Feb. 13 at 9 a.m. in the Trutter Center, gave a preview of his talk on the NPR Illinois Community Voices program Feb. 8.
In the news
Joshua Dineen, chef specialist, wrote today’s Epicuriosity 101 column in the State Journal-Register, “Our Valentine’s Day Tradition.”
In the news
Ken Elmore, chair, LLCC Board of Trustees, discussed LLCC progress over the years he has served on the board during an interview with WSMI radio that aired Feb. 5.
Tisha Miller, enrollment coordinator, LLCC-Taylorville and -Litchfield, was photographed giving a presentation to Nokomis High School juniors on opportunities in the College Now program. The photo and caption appeared in the Feb. 6 edition of the Journal News.
In the news
The 2023 Lincoln Lecture, scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, 9 a.m. in the Trutter Center, was the topic of an interview on NPR Illinois Feb. 3. “The Bunns and the Lincolns: A Family Friendship 1840-1882” will be presented by Bob Bunn, with the campus community and public invited to attend. The presentation will also be available via Zoom, meeting ID: 817 3502 5674.
In the news
Jeff Gardner, program director, diesel technologies, talked about the start of the program in the fall and career opportunities in the field during an interview Feb. 1 on Sports Radio 1450.
Mike Kienzler, member of the LLCC Academy of Lifelong Learning board of directors and of the ALL Science Committee, wrote the essay “ALL Science Series: Intimacy and Aging” for the latest edition of Senior News.
LLCC Foundation Board welcomes five new members; elects officers
The LLCC Foundation Board of Directors welcomed five new members, elected new officers and recognized outgoing board members at a recent meeting.
The following are new members of the board:
Jennifer Call, CIC, of Springfield is a risk consultant and partner at Troxell, a locally owned insurance agency with offices throughout Illinois. She works with individuals and businesses to customize insurance programs while also serving as a strategic leader within the organization. She is involved with numerous community organizations including Vision of Hope, Springfield Chamber and Westside Rotary.
Tom Fitch of Springfield is the vice president of facilities, real estate and construction at Springfield Clinic. He has a master’s degree in structural engineering, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and 15 years of executive leadership and 14 years of small business ownership experience. His previous board experience includes the Chamber of Commerce, Heartland Credit Union and the YMCA.
Lou Johnson of Taylorville in the general manager of McLane Foodservice, which has been in the trucking business for more than 130 years and is one of America’s biggest private fleets with 46 distribution centers throughout the country. Johnson is active on several boards including Loving Arms and the Taylorville Chamber of Commerce. He also coaches youth soccer for the YMCA.
Bobby Kulavic of Springfield has been a member of the Bi-Petro team for more than 10 years. He serves as director, finance and planning, and works with Bi-Petro’s crude oil inventory, movements and the operations in Utica. Kulavic is an LLCC alum and also earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration.
Adam Pallai of Springfield is an LLCC alum and also earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. As vice president of Martin Engineering, he serves as the project manager and engineer for numerous ongoing projects and as the state and federal grant administrator for various municipalities. He is an active member of local organizations including Springfield Lake Council of Clubs.
Brett Jackson, president and CEO, Systemax, of Springfield was installed as board chair for 2023. Margaret Teague, manager, education services, Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc., of Springfield was elected vice chair, and Dan Wilcoxen, president and CEO, United Community Bank, of Springfield was elected treasurer.
Outgoing board members Kathy Dierkes of Springfield, Mitch Rogers of Springfield and Jennifer Stice of Ashland were acknowledged for their dedicated service on behalf of LLCC students.
The LLCC Foundation’s mission is to cultivate and steward charitable gifts to support and enrich LLCC students, programs and services. For more information, visit llccfoundation.org.