LLCC was mentioned in two articles about a new brewery opening soon in Springfield. Owner Ryan Kunken, in this State Journal-Register story, says he caught the beer making bug after taking a brewing class at LLCC (Culinary Institute). The Springfield Business Journal also ran this story where Kunken credited LLCC with starting his passion for beer making.
Dr. Deanna Blackwell speaks at MLK event at Kaskaskia College
Dr. Deanna Blackwell, director, TRIO Student Support Services, was the keynote speaker at the Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Celebration Jan. 21 at Kaskaskia College in Centralia, Ill. Her speech was entitled, “Why We Must Become Student-Ready.” She told the audience Dr. King’s legacy continues. “I think immediately to Dr. King’s vision of an inclusive social justice movement. Just as he believed that all persons had a right to decent work with a livable wage, I believe that education from K-12 to a bachelor’s degree should be accessible to all. It’s one reason why I am so proud to work at a community college. Because we strive to be inclusive and make higher education an attainable goal.” She also noted that it is time to debunk the commonly held view that college students are a privileged, pampered class. “In fact, they are among the hardest hit by real world problems such as unemployment/underemployment, securing basic needs such as health care, child care, housing, transportation and food. Increasingly, college students struggle with mental health conditions. Such issues can become obstacles for a student trying to start college, stay in college and complete her or his degree … When we make a way for students from all backgrounds, facing difficult circumstances to earn a college degree, we also make a way for the American Dream to persevere.”
LLCC hosting Transitional Math Summit on campus today
LLCC Math and Sciences is hosting a Transitional Math Summit today in the Trutter Center from 1-4 p.m. More than 50 teachers, principals and advisors from 16 high schools in the LLCC district will attend. Kathleen Almy, Illinois Director for Transitional Math, will be conducting the summit. According to Bill Bade, dean of math and sciences, a new state mandate requires high schools and community colleges to work together to create transitional math classes. High school seniors would complete the classes (if needed), and successful completion would ensure that for up to 18 months after completion, they could enroll in any state school college-level math class without having to take a placement exam or otherwise test into the transfer level class. These classes would be implemented in the next few years.
LEAGUE grant application deadline Jan. 31
The deadline to submit a LEAGUE grant application is approaching. Applications are due in the LLCC Foundation, located on the first floor in Menard Hall, on Thursday, Jan. 31 at 5 p.m. Approximately $10,000 from the faculty and staff giving campaign known is LEAGUE is available for projects and programs at LLCC.
Access grant guidelines and the application and budget worksheet. They may also be obtained on the Foundation website. LEAGUE grant applications are reviewed by a committee and the award recipients will be announced at the LEAGUE kickoff luncheon on March 26.
Thanks to generous faculty and staff who donated to the LEAGUE campaign. Projects that were awarded funding last year include:
- Adult airway trainer for the emergency medical services program.
- New easels for the art department to replace the 40-year-old ones.
- Child size simulation model for respiratory care.
In order to be considered, you must submit your funding request by Thursday at 5 p.m. For questions, call the LLCC Foundation at 786-2785.
Congratulations to LLCC’s Alpha Epsilon Kappa chapter of PTK!
Congratulations to LLCC’s Alpha Epsilon Kappa chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society! They recently submitted reports on two service projects conducted during November 2018 and are now qualified to receive the Five Star Chapter designation for the sixth year in a row. This is the highest level of achievement for Phi Theta Kappa chapters, and typically less than half of the 1,200 chapters achieve this goal. The projects included:
- Honors in Action Project – Phi Theta Kappa students hosted a “Diaper Drive” to collect much-needed items for the Mini O’Beirne Crisis Nursery
- College Project – Phi Theta Kappa students held a “Community College Completion Corps” or C4 event, encouraging students to sign a pledge to complete their degree or certificate
If you are interested in reading the detailed reports, you can find them on reserve in the LLCC Library. If you have any questions about Phi Theta Kappa, please contact Claire Gordon at 786-4944 or claire.gordon@llcc.edu.
Emergency preparedness workshop Jan. 28
LLCC will host “Personal Emergency Preparedness” on Monday, Jan. 28, 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the Trutter Center. This workshop is free and open to the public. It is being sponsored by LLCC Community Education, the National Weather Service-Lincoln, and Central Illinois SKYWARN.
In an effort to make individuals, families and communities more resilient, “Personal Emergency Preparedness” will cover several key topics in disaster preparedness including developing an individual and family emergency plan, assembling an emergency supply kit and creating an emergency communication plan. Information will also be provided on how to become involved in post-disaster recovery operations within your community.
The workshop will be led by Jess Hunter, coordinator for the Central Illinois SKYWARN Team and deputy emergency management coordinator for the Pleasant Plains Emergency Management Agency. Read more about the presenter.
There is no minimum age requirement to attend this workshop, but participants under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Please preregister for this event at www.llcc.edu/personal-emergency-preparedness.
“Tranquility of Nature” in Murray Gallery through Jan. 31
LLCC’s James S. Murray Gallery is featuring the Chinese brush painting exhibit “Tranquility of Nature” by Su Ge through Jan. 31. The public is invited to view the exhibit weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ge’s work reflects the union of inscription/poem, calligraphy, painting and seal. She practiced Chinese calligraphy from a young age and learned the art of carving stone seals from her father.
“Movement of the brush — quickly or slowly, lightly or heavily — along with the use of five colors of ink create the beauty and charm of Chinese brush paintings,” explains Ge. “Due to the nature of the absorbance of Xuan paper, mistakes cannot be corrected once the brush touches the paper.” Read more about the artist.
Notice from LLCC Payroll regarding W-2 forms
The 2018 W-2 forms are now available on Employee Self-Service (link also available under Faculty/Staff Resources on the My LLCC webpage). If you have elected to receive your W-2 online, log in to Employee Self-Service, select Tax Information and then select 2018 W-2 Statement. If you are not signed up for online access to your W-2, your printed form was mailed yesterday, Jan. 23, 2019. If you would like to receive your W-2 electronically in the future, you may go to Employee Self-Service > Tax Information and give electronic consent. Just a reminder, you will not be able to access your W-2 on WebAdvisor, you must use Employee Self-Service.
Please contact Viki Law at victoria.law@llcc.edu with any questions or concerns regarding your tax form.
Blood drive today
LLCC Student Life is hosting a blood drive today, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the student union, located in the lower level of Menard Hall. Due to the winter weather cancellations, blood types 0 and AB are in high demand! All donors are asked to please eat before donation and present a photo ID. Walk-ins are always welcome. To schedule an appointment, please call the Community Blood Center at 217-241-7550 or schedule online. All donors will receive a free T-shirt!
In the community
Michael Phelon, coordinator of the Open Door program, was a keynote speaker at Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard’s annual Unity Breakfast on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 21.