Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Career Training Showcase Event to Highlight February as CTE Month
February is celebrated as Career and Technical Education (CTE) month as a way to put the spotlight on the value that CTE programs offer to students, the workforce, and the overall economy. Community colleges and the programs they offer are key to preparing students for the expanding workforce.
On Thursday, February 26, from 9-11 a.m., Spoon River College will host a Career Training Showcase event offering simulations and hands-on activities. Faculty, current students, and employees from student services and financial aid will be available to answer questions about the programs, the admission process, and financial aid options. This event is for people of all ages.
“This is a great opportunity to learn more about career programs that get students job-ready and into the workforce in a short amount of time, whether it be with an associate degree or a short-term certificate,” said Todd Thompson, Diesel and Power Systems Technology instructor and Division Chair for CTE programs at SRC.
Programs being featured include Agriculture Business Management, Commercial Driver Training/Logistics, Computer Information Systems, Diesel and Power Systems Technology, Early Childhood Education, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Healthcare Careers (Medical Assisting, Medical Billing/Coding, Nursing Assistant, Phlebotomy), Medical Lab Technician (MLT), Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Small Business Management, and Welding.
In 2021, a $1.5M grant from the Economic Development Administration allowed for new training equipment and renovations of the college’s Vocational and Technical Education Center (VOTECH), which were completed in 2024. In addition, scholarship funding was provided by SRC alumnus and retired Caterpillar vice president and CEO Lynn McPheeters, with a $500,000 gift earmarked for students entering career and technical education programs, which are currently ineligible for federal aid.
According to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), there is a projected deficit of 6 million skilled workers through 2032. CTE programs can prepare individuals for these high-skill, in-demand jobs in fields which can pay up to $2.8 million in lifetime earnings, as well as pay more than bachelor’s degrees in other fields, while also limiting student debt.
RSVPs to the Career Training Showcase are encouraged, and can be made at the Visit A Campus page under the Admissions tab at www.src.edu or by calling 309-649-6400. The Canton Campus is located at 23235 N. County Hwy. 22.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Bowling Team Hosting Snakebite Doubles Tournament February 21 at Linn Lanes
The Spoon River College bowling team is hosting a Snakebite Doubles Tournament fundraiser on Saturday, February 21, at 5 p.m. at Linn Lanes in Canton. All splits and 9 counts of the first ball are strikes. Entry fee is $35 per bowler, and the top six qualifiers from three games will advance to a bracket format final.
There will also be bake sale, silent auction, 50/50 drawing, and a bowling ball raffle. Players my sign up at Linn Lanes, or through SRC bowling coach Ken Shockency at 309-635-6002 or by Facebook messenger. Those interested can also contact Shockency for more detailed information about the tournament.
The college added bowling to their athletic program in August of 2024, with Shockency as head coach. A Canton native, he has been coaching for the past 20 years.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Commercial Driver Training Program Relocated to SRC Canton Campus
Operations of the Spoon River College Driver Training (CDT) program are moving from its location on 4th Avenue in Canton to the campus of Spoon River College. New director of the program is Michele Johnson, who was hired in November following the retirement of Bob Walter. Joining Johnson are CDL driving instructors Greg Gibson Cary Dixon.
“We’re excited to have them on campus, where they will have more visibility,” said Melissa Miller, dean of career and workforce education. “Michelle, Greg and Cary are excellent additions to the program, and Michelle is both an experienced over-the-road driver and instructor.”
The 4-week CDT Basic Course will be conducted on the campus starting in the Spring semester. Classroom instruction will be held in the Vocational and Technical Education Center (VoTech) building, which also houses the Agriculture and the Diesel and Power Systems Technology programs. The remaining three weeks will be range and road training hands-on driving skills, and will also be done on campus.
The CDT certificate program is designed to offer individuals basic knowledge of the principles, techniques, and skills necessary for safe and efficient operation of tractor-trailer vehicles, and consists of 40 hours of classroom instruction, and 120 hours of range and road. Hours of instruction are 8-4. Prior to being enrolled, applicants must complete all items on the provided Commercial Driver Training Checklist.
Tuition assistance is available for eligible students. For information about Illinois Veteran and National Guard grants, contact SRC Veteran’s coordinator Charlie Cox at 309-649-6267 at the Canton Campus, or financial aid/veterans specialist Teagan Markham at 309-833-6065 at the Macomb Campus.
Additional funding grants are available through Career Link, Workforce Investment, Illinois Department of Human Service, Grant, National Farm Workers, and Community Action Partnership. Scholarships are available from the Farm Bureau IIA Scholarship and the McDonough County “Operation Generosity” scholarship.
More information about the CDT program, the application process, and funding can be viewed at www.src.edu or by calling Michele Johnson at 309-647-2794.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Announces Fall 2025 Degree and Certificate Completers
Spoon River College congratulates the following individuals who completed degrees and/or certificates during the Fall 2025 semester at Spoon River College.
Bath: Alexis Rutherford, Associate in Arts;
Cambridge: Arthur Smutzer, Basic Certificate; Waylon Tucker, Basic Certificate;
Canton: Amos Anderson, General Certificate; Jamerious Baker, General Certificate; T. Bennett, General Certificate; Austin Bickel, General Certificate; Emma Hardesty, Associate in General Studies; Makyla Marvel, Associate in Arts; Morgan Neptun, Associate in Science; Tori Sehr, Associate in Arts; Dane Watts, Basic Certificate;
Chicago: Kenneth Stemmons, Associate in Arts;
Cuba: Braden Sanderson, General Certificate; Samantha Woods, Associate in Applied Science;
Eau Claire, WI: Kolten Foulk, Basic Certificate;
Ellisville: Joel Featherlin, General Certificate;
Fairview: Tyler Lovitt, General Certificates;
Farmington: Kimberlee Harding, Basic Certificate;
Galesburg: Jalon Roberts: Basic Certificate;
Havana: Richard Baughman, General Certificate; Andrew Brault, General Certificates; Mia Specketer, General Certificates;
Kilbourne: Abigail Whitlow, Associate in Art;
Ladd: Riley Coble, Associate in Arts;
Lewistown: Bekjir Limani, General Certificate; Kaylynn Prater, Associate in Arts;
Macomb: Dallas Davis, General Certificate; Jacob Derry, General Certificate; Michael Ewen, Associate in Arts; Michael Lovell, Associate in Arts; Bryonna Oden, Associate in Applied Science; Rose Shelko, Associate in Arts; Lunden Skaggs, Associate in Science;
Pekin: Ashtin Ritchie, Associate in General Studies;
Prairie City: Elizabeth Gilfillan, Associate in Applied Science;
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on President’s List for Fall 2025 Full-Time Students
Spoon River College congratulates the following full-time students who were named to the President’s List in recognition of their academic achievement in completing 12 credit hours or more of college-level classes and earning a grade point average of 3.6–4.0 during the Fall 2025 semester. Please note that students who have designated a privacy hold will not be on the list.
Rushville: Emma Behrens; Darcie Govaert; Alexander Hunter; Macon Kessler; Natalie Perdew; Kaylee Shaw; Madeline Stoll; Audrey Sutor; Ainsley Trone;
Saskatoon, FO: Cameron Crerar; Courtney Frohaug;
Scoiot: Kendra Fowler; Madison Johnson;
Sherrard: Maddux Harksen;
Smithfield: Emma Barrick; Gracie Widger;
Springfield: Elijah Carlson;
St. David: Tandem Leezer;
Table Grove: Ethan Dennis;
West Point: Mitchell Wilcox;
Winchester: Brylee Lawson.
Spoon River College is a two-year, public community college in West Central Illinois with campuses and Community Outreach Offices in Canton and Macomb and Learning Centers in Havana and Rushville.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on President’s List for Fall 2025 Part-Time Students
Spoon River College congratulates the following part-time students who were named to the President’s List in recognition of their academic achievement in completing at least 12 credit hours of college level courses at SRC, and who were enrolled in six to eleven credit hours and earning a GPA of 3.6 or higher during the Fall 2025 semester. Please note that students who have designated a privacy hold will not be on the list.
Astoria; McKinley Kendrick;
Avon: Quinton Gates;
Banner: Kailey Link;
Bath: Olivia Kramer;
Bushnell: Kelli Abbot, Joy Hadley;
Canton: Amos Anderson, Graecee Breweur, Lucas Dearing, Yulia Denton, Tatum Farrow, Victoria Fluder, Kati Fox, Amelia Fuller, Joshua Liggin, Taunya Martin, Leah Scharping, Rachel Skinner, Emma Turner, Dane Watts, Carissa Yocum;
Colchester: Jordyn Shoopman;
Cuba: Sydney Bowcott, Genny Daum-Craig, Macy Eeten,
Farmington: Kimberlee Harding, Christopher Tucker;
Macomb: Jordan Ascone, Westen Behymer, Mariyah Bennett, Nina Cale, Gabrielle Daniels, Jacob Derry, Michael Ewen, Marcus Graham, Sydney Hamm, Wai Han, Mallory Hardy, Alicia Lasley, Addison Mason, Matthew McDonald, Macyn McMillan, Araya Perez, Samantha Sensor, Rose Shelko, Michael Skipworth, Anthonia Yeiyah;
Monmouth: Michelle Corsaro;
Rushville: Ryan Fredriksen, Jackson Spencer, Mallory Vining;
St. David: Stacey Ray;
Table Grove: Jackson Kessler.
Spoon River College is a two-year, public community college in West Central Illinois with campuses and Community Outreach Offices in Canton and Macomb and Learning Centers in Havana and Rushville.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Dean’s List for Fall 2025 Full-Time Students
Spoon River College congratulates the following full-time students who have been named to the Dean’s List by achieving a 3.0 – 3.5 grade point average for 12 credit hours or more of college-level classes during the Fall 2025 semester. Please note that students who have designated a privacy hold will not be on the list.
Abingdon: Kellen Hook, Patrick McKeown;
Braime-le-Comte, FO: Ethan Nsiona Di Vunda;
Brampton, ON: Adele Oliver;
Browning: Landon McCombs;
Bushnell: Karly Diaz, Bradleigh Walters;
Canton: Regan Averett, Emmalynne Barnes, Addyson Clark, Jasmine Clore, Christian Cremens, Addison Edwards, D’Aundre Evans, Emma Hardesty, Amelia Hardy, Eva Knollman, Madeline Mansfield, Julia Matusik, Kymber McGill, Sunshine Mooney, Bryer Nelson, Calee Parsons, Carly Raubun, Corey Richardson, Landyn Rumler, Meghan Swise, Nicholas Taylor, Chi Chi Wang, Korbin Woerly, Garrick Wright, Emma Wuebbling, Ryan Yerbic, Zackery Zimmerman;
Chicago: Jamari Cotton;
Chillicothe: Mason Marchand;
Colchester: Ana Stepanski;
Cuba: Courtney Behymer, David Roberts, Catherine Ruckle, Ethan Voss;
Spoon River College is a two-year, public community college in West Central Illinois with campuses and Community Outreach Offices in Canton and Macomb and Learning Centers in Havana and Rushville.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Dean’s List for Fall 2025 Part-Time Students
Spoon River College congratulates the following part-time students who were named to the Dean’s List in recognition of their academic achievement in completing at least 12 credit hours of college level courses at SRC, and who were enrolled in six to eleven credit hours and earned a GPA of 3.0 − 3.5 during the Fall 2025 semester. Please note that students who have designated a privacy hold will not be on the list.
Astoria: Mariah Allard;
Avon: Emma Bearce, Allyson Groutage;
Canton: Kyler Dilts, Matthew Dunlap, Kayla Ernenputsch, Alina Hess, Phoenix Peters, Avery Pigg, Sabrina Rawson, Andrew Stockham, Ryleigh Watson;
Rushville: James Anderson, Rondelle Brockley, Haley Emmett, Amivi Fayosseh, Kaitlin Fredriksen, Plamdei Izuba, Erin Miller, Carl Moreland.
Spoon River College is a two-year, public community college in West Central Illinois with campuses and Community Outreach Offices in Canton and Macomb and Learning Centers in Havana and Rushville.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Alumni Basketball Game Reunion at Spoon River Community College in Canton on February 7
The Spoon River College Foundation is teaming up with Spoon River College Athletics to host an Alumni Basketball Game reunion on Saturday, February 7, in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus. “We’re planning a fun afternoon of reconnecting and celebrating as we cheer on our current players during their games that day,” said Michelle Howe, Alumni and Foundation coordinator.
The event will start at 11:30 a.m. with light appetizers for the alumni before the women’s team takes the court at 1 p.m. The men’s team will follow with their game at 3 p.m. Both teams are taking on Parkland Community College. Alumni will receive free admission to the games, and a recognition ceremony will be held between them.
“Whether you suited up last year or decades ago, we’d love to see you, and we hope you’ll spread the word to fellow alumni,” said Howe.
Head coach for the men’s team is Kent Jones, assisted by Rodney Hunter. Coaching the women’s team is Julie Thompson-Vass and assistant coach Ronni Mayo-Gaston.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Save the Date for the 2nd Annual Mrs. Roper Romp in Havana on May 9
Channel the 70s, find a caftan, grab a curly red wig, and save the date for the 2nd Annual Mrs. Roper Romp in downtown Havana on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
This lively, costumed fundraising event will celebrate the iconic Mrs. Roper from Three’s Company while raising funds for Spoon River College (SRC) scholarships for Havana students. Festivities will kick off in the morning and continue throughout the day with shopping, dining, entertainment, and plenty of Mrs. Roper flair.
Participants can expect a full day of fun, including a boutique and bar crawl, themed activities, bingo, prizes, live entertainment, and a Mrs. Roper costume contest. Participating locations, online registration, and a complete schedule will be announced closer to the event.
Tickets will be $40 which includes coupons, live music, bingo, and breakfast. New this year is an option to purchase a Mrs. Roper Romp t-shirt and participate in a bags tournament, both at an additional charge. Proceeds will support local students through SRC Foundation scholarships. Gather your besties, dust off your caftans, and get ready for a groovy day downtown.
The SRC Foundation and Spoon River College offer a wide variety of scholarships each year, including awards for academic achievement, talent, and skill. The SRC Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, and gifts may be tax deductible.
Mrs. Roper Romps originated in New Orleans in 2013 and have since become a popular fundraising trend nationwide, bringing communities together through humor, nostalgia, and charitable giving.
