Posted by Vickie Parry on | Comments Off on Mrs. Roper’s Romp Raises $3,000 for Havana High School Students attending SRC
The 2nd Annual Mrs. Roper Romp fundraiser was held in downtown Havana on May 9, with dozens of Mrs. Ropers and a few Stanleys (characters from the 70s sitcom Three’s Company) taking to the streets to raise scholarship funds for Havana students attending Spoon River College.
“We raised more than $3,000 this year, double what we raised our first year,” said Michelle Howe, Alumni/SRC Foundation coordinator. “We had over 75 people attend, the weather was perfect, and we all had a good time as we raised funds for our students.”
Brian Lutz was the winner of the costume contest dressed as Mrs. Roper, Coral Kimble was the winner of the farthest drive coming from Edwardsville, IL, Sarah Gray was the winner of the door prize from Barner’s Butcher Block, and there were more than 120 winners during Bingo with Chris Boggs and DJ Vern Smith. A 50/50 raffle was also held.
Participating businesses—who offered coupons and food/drink specials throughout the day—were the Stag Tap, Babes on Plum, Vic’s Place, Riverside Restaurant, Nightcap Tap, JC’s River Run, Heaven Scent Florist, The Blue Butterfly, Gisela’s House, Market Street Boutique, and Manhattan Fields.
Bingo prizes were donated by Spoon River College Community Outreach, Black Maple Coffee, Manhattan Fields, Market Street Boutique, The Blue Butterfly, Heaven Scent Florist, Studio 300, Mason City Limits Comedy Club, Opera House Suites, Barner’s Butcher Block, Ace Hardware, and employees of Spoon River College.
Event Sponsors included Havana National Bank, Fornoff Fertilizer, Mason District Hospital, Atwater Garage, and Wolter’s Drug Store.
The event was hosted by the Spoon River College Foundation, Spoon River College Community Outreach, and Andrea Thomson/Mason District Hospital.
For more information about the SRC Foundation, visit www.src.edu or call (309) 833-6083.
Posted by Vickie Parry on | Comments Off on Ronald Gunther’s Legacy Lives On Through Transformational Gift to Spoon River College
Spoon River College is honored to announce a generous estate gift of $141,817 from the late Ronald G. Gunther, whose lifelong dedication to education and the sciences will continue to impact students for generations to come.
A 1962 graduate of Canton Community College, now Spoon River College, Gunther went on to earn his Master of Science degree from Bradley University in 1971.
From 1966 until his retirement in 1989, Gunther taught Biology and Advanced Biology at Mid-County School District, where he became widely respected for his passion for science education and commitment to student success. During his teaching career, he was honored with the Teacher of the Year award three times. Known for his innovative and engaging approach to Biology instruction, Gunther also authored several published papers in the field.
Through this generous estate gift, Spoon River College will establish the Ronald Gunther Biology Scholarship, which will provide financial assistance to students majoring in biology. The scholarship reflects Gunther’s enduring belief in the power of education and his desire to support future generations of students.
“We are deeply grateful for Ronald Gunther’s extraordinary generosity and lifelong commitment to education,” said Dusty Berg, Foundation Director. “His legacy will continue through the students who benefit from this scholarship and pursue careers in science.”
Planned gifts such as Gunther’s create lasting opportunities for students and strengthen the future of higher education. Individuals interested in including Spoon River College in their estate plans are encouraged to speak with their financial advisor, attorney, or estate planner. Spoon River College also welcomes conversations with donors who wish to explore planned giving opportunities and create a meaningful legacy through scholarships, programs, and student support.
For more information about planned giving opportunities at Spoon River College, please contact the Spoon River College Foundation at 309-649-6395.
Posted by Vickie Parry on | Comments Off on President’s Receptions Honors Donors
Spoon River College hosted the annual President’s Reception to honor those donors who have reached specific levels of cumulative giving to the SRC Foundation, and also those who established new named endowed scholarships in 2025. This year’s event was held April 30 at the Spoon River College Canton Campus.
New scholarships established were the Susie McMillen Memorial Scholarship and the L&C Scholarship.
Friend ($1,000-$4,999): Canton Gear Jammers, Joby Crum, Charles Cox, Shawnie Evans, Michael Gibbs, Tara Gross, Dan Helms, Victor Johnson, Deena Kohlmeyer, John Kurtz, Bill and Judy Leitze, Julie Morrisette, Suzan Nash, Kevin Ruzas, Harold Sargent, Donna Stuckey, Local Union No. 7110, Maximillion Wilson, and Mary Young.
Ambassador ($5,000-$9,9999): Fairview State Banking Company, The Curtis Gorsuch Family, John and Kathy Marshall, Marsha McCormick, Kevin and Debbie Stephenson, and Unland Insurance and Benefits.
Benefactor ($10,000-$24,999): Randy McMillen, and Alison and Warren Wolf.
President’s Council ($50,000-$99,999): Edward Juraco, Marianne and Robert Reading, and West Central FS.
Founder ($100,000 and up): Kenneth and Nina Long, and Spoon River College Community Chorus
“We at the Spoon River College Foundation strive to be able to give a scholarship to every eligible student who applies. The President’s Reception is just one way for us to say ‘thank you’ to the wonderful donors who make that possible,” states Dusty Berg, SRC Foundation Director.
“In addition to scholarships, the donors and their generous gifts are responsible for many of the facilities and programs that enhance SRC students’ lives as they fulfill their educational goals. We are beyond grateful to our donors for caring about our community and students!”
In addition to honoring donors, outgoing Foundation board member Debbie Collins was recognized for her time of service.
The SRC Foundation supports scholarships and college programs through hardship grants, innovation grants, faculty research, facility and technology upgrades, and community projects. For more information about the SRC Foundation visit www.src.edu.
Posted by Vickie Parry on | Comments Off on Fall 2026 Dual Credit Scholarship Applications Deadline Extended to July 1
The application for SRC Foundation Fall 2026 dual credit scholarships for eligible high school students who want to begin earning college credit at Spoon River College is available, and the deadline has been extended to July 1.
The dual credit/dual enrollment program helps high school students get an early start on their college education. By enrolling in specific programs and courses, eligible students can take Spoon River College classes for high school and/or college credit or gain job training to begin a career after graduation.
“The application is now due by 3:30 p.m. on July 1, 2026,” said Dusty Berg, director of the SRC Foundation. “After that, recipients will be selected based on the number of applicants and availability of funds. Students will be notified by email as soon as possible once selections are made.”
Participating high schools include Astoria, Bushnell, Canton, Cuba, Farmington, Havana, Lewistown, Macomb, Rushville, Spoon River Valley, V.I.T., and West Prairie. Homeschooled students who reside within these districts are also eligible to apply.
For more information about dual credit scholarships, visit https://www.src.edu/foundation or call Beth Wilson at (309) 649-6221 or Connor Hughes at (309) 833-6022. For more information about summer scholarships, visit https://www.src.edu/foundation or call Dusty Berg at (309) 649-6395.
Posted by Vickie Parry on | Comments Off on Spoon River College to Host Employability Skills Academy on May 1 in Macomb
Spoon River College will hold an Employability Skills Academy Friday, May 1, 2026, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Outreach Center on the Macomb Campus. The free event is open to the public, including high school students who are interested in receiving tips and information on conducting a successful job search.
A morning and an afternoon session will be offered, and attendees can register for one or both. Check-in and morning refreshments are from 8:30-9 a.m., with check-in for the afternoon session at 12:15-12:30. For those attending both sessions, lunch will be on their own.
Morning presentations are Job Search Strategies (9-9:45) with presenter Mandi McRaven; Employer Expectations in Today’s Workplace (9:50-10:30) with presenter Hannah Neuendorf; and Customer Service and Business Etiquette (10:45-11:30) with presenter Shay Holland. Afternoon sessions are Interviewing (12:30-1:10) with presenter Melissa Worley, and Resume and Cover Letter (1:15-2:30) with Hannah Neuendorf presenting.
This event is being held in advance of the job fair the college will also host on Friday, May 8, from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus, located at 23235 N County 22.
Posted by Vickie Parry on | Comments Off on Sustainability Spotlight: Robotic Mower
It’s not every day that grounds equipment turns heads—but our robotic mower is doing just that. Students regularly stop to watch, ask questions, and learn how this quiet, electric machine is changing the way we maintain campus.
Funded through an Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) grant, the mower is already delivering results: reduced emissions, lower noise, and more efficient turf maintenance. By replacing gas-powered equipment, the college is cutting fuel use and advancing sustainability goals in a visible, everyday way.
What started as an operational upgrade has become a hands-on sustainability conversation starter—bringing innovation out of the background and into the student experience.
“Named Jay2D2, this mower represents the kind of forward-thinking approach we’re committed to at Spoon River College. It helps us maintain our campus more efficiently while reducing our environmental impact, and it’s been exciting to see how it’s sparked curiosity and conversations with students along the way,” says Mike Strauman, Chief Operations and Safety Officer at Spoon River College.
About IGEN
The Illinois Green Economy Network (IGEN) is a statewide collaboration of Illinois community colleges, formed in 2008 as a community college presidents’ initiative, with the goal of driving growth in the state’s green economy. It now includes all 39 Illinois community college districts and works to position the Illinois Community College System as a global leader in transforming education and the economy for a sustainable future.
Posted by Vickie Parry on | Comments Off on Women in STEM
The upcoming issue of The Bridge features our five full-time science professors. All are smart, capable women who teach classes ranging from anatomy/physiology to zoology and everything in between, preparing students for success as they begin their educational journeys.
Here’s more about these dynamic women:
Biology professor Kristy Boggs has a passion for nature and was working in a river research lab in 1999 when she got the opportunity to teach part-time at the SRC Havana Center. She discovered a new love for SRC and for teaching, and became full-time at the Macomb Campus in 2005.
Kristy wants her students to learn and understand the material while developing critical thinking and coping skills, and she enjoys watching them grow and achieve their goals. She credits the freedom to teach creatively and to adjust and use a variety of methods to meet the needs of each student to make that happen. “I design my classes to empower students with control of their circumstances, getting out of class what they put into it. Standards are set forth at the start of each semester, and my role is to guide, mentor, and cheer them on while they work to be successful in meeting or exceeding those standards.” Kristy, who earned her B.S. and M.S. at WIU, was the recipient of the 2017 ICCTA Outstanding Full Faculty Award Nominee.
Biology professor Amy Rutledge dreamed of being a doctor, but said, “What I am now has come from an evolution of experiences and opportunities, not what I was planning for.” A marine biology class in high school introduced her to the world of aquatic biology and she continued that path while at SIU where she earned a B.S. in Zoology with a minor in Environmental Science, followed by a M.S. in Zoology Science. After graduate school, she had the opportunity to work as an aquatic biologist for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. While she loved the field work, she didn’t love the extensive time away from home. She began teaching part-time at Spoon River College in 2012, and became full-time two years later. Looking back, she wouldn’t change anything about her career path, and would like to pursue a doctorate in the future. A committed environmentalist, Amy said, “I love opening students’ eyes to the natural world around us. If people don’t see how amazing it is, they are not likely to try and protect it.”
Chemistry professor Bridget Loftus was sure about her career choice as a forensic scientist until her senior year of undergraduate school when she realized how much she had enjoyed being a tutor in high school and during her time at Carroll University, where she earned a B.S. before attending the University of Oregon to complete her M.S.
A fan of small schools, Bridget said, “They have always been a part of me,” and it’s one the things she likes most about Spoon River College. “I started teaching at Spoon in 2014 and I’ve never looked back.” She advises students to trust their instructors even when they
don’t immediately see the reason for a specific task, and “to follow directions. It seems simple but is really important in school and in life.” In 2022, Bridget was honored as the 2022 ICCTA Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award Nominee.
Biology professor Kim Gillespie’s love of learning began at her local community college in northern Illinois, where as a first-generation college student she was highly motivated to keep going for the next degree. After completing her associate degree, she transferred to WIU and earned a B.S. and M.S. in biology.
She realized her love for biology—specifically in parasites in fish—in grad school. “I dissected more than 200 bluegill and counted each of their parasites. I’m big on dissections, so A&P is perfect for me.” Grad school is also where decided on a teaching career. When she was hired as an adjunct instructor by Spoon River College and experienced being able to create her own lessons and lead her own class for the first time, she was certain of her path, and in 2023 was hired full-time.
“The students here are the best. I love watching them experience ‘aha’ moments, and learning about their college and career plans.”
Physics professor Alison Roxburgh was born in Florida, grew up in the UK, and moved back to Florida where she earned a B.S in Physics with a concentration Astrophysics at the UNF before earning her M.S. in Physics and her Ph.D in Applied Physics from the UCCS. Her graduate research was in the field of theoretical magnonics, the manipulation of spin wave properties in magnetic materials. Her decision to study physics was made after reading the history of physics to pass the time on a train ride in London.
“Physics and astronomy have always been fascinating to me, and one of the most wonderful feelings is watching others begin to understand it and fall in love with it too. Witnessing the moment where someone finally grasps a difficult concept, or seeing their face light up at an astronomy viewing, is a gift that I’m grateful to experience in teaching.”
A teaching assistant while in grad school, Alison knew she wanted to continue to teach college level courses, and she joined SRC in 2025. She looks forward to hosting public astronomy pop-up events in SRC communities.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on GED to College Degrees
Destiny and D’Aundre Evans remember “starting over a lot with a new house, new school, and new friends.” Raised by a single mother with a father who was in and out, they moved approximately 17 times, at one point spending a month in a Missouri homeless shelter.
D’Aundre declared himself done with the school system after 8th grade. Labeled as the bad kid and often bullied, he developed severe anxiety that eventually manifested in physical symptoms. “I remember being called racist epitaphs, and wondering why white people hated me so much.”
Younger sister Destiny was also the victim of bullying and had trouble fitting in and making friends. Her goal at each new school was to find a teacher she felt comfortable with and who would offer some stability. When she landed in a school where no such teacher existed, she dropped out.
With their mother’s encouragement, both found their way to the GED program at Spoon River College. At 19, Destiny competed the program and continued with college classes. She earned her associate degree in 2023, transferred to Eureka College for a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and is now working towards a master’s degree at Chicago’s Adler University. Her area of interest is behavioral disorders, and her goal is a career in art therapy, a passion that was first sparked by SRC Art professor Jamie Kotewa.
“Destiny started as an insightful and considerate student in a painting class, and then went on to take numerous other art classes,” said Kotewa. “She absolutely blossomed in her confidence, and her willingness to leap into the unknown with art was a delight to help foster. She valued the community built in the art classes as well, so her presence was really felt in the department. It’s been a joy to keep in touch post-graduation, as she has continued to pursue new paths, perhaps some that were imaginable to her years ago.”
At 18, D’Aundre sailed through his GED classes and passed all the tests on the first try. “GED teacher Melissa Koke and the small classroom made it easier for me to open up and be more social.” Koke shared that after he competed the program, he wrote her a letter thanking her for her kindness and encouragement. “A couple of years later when I was having a bad day and questioning whether what I did truly made a difference to anyone, I re-read that letter. It was exactly what I needed at that moment,” said Koke. “He is a kind and smart young man. Students like Destiny and D’Aundre make my job enjoyable and I’m glad I was part of their journeys.”
While D’Aundre’s first attempt at college classes was hindered by his anxiety and transportation issues, he returned five years later and is now excelling, despite underlying issues with BPD and PTSD. “I work hard at being the best person I can be. It’s less stressful when there are instructors I know I can trust with my school and personal life.”
Math professor Sarah Dalpiaz said that following an exam that D’Aundre had scored highest in his class on, he told her his mom had hung it on their refrigerator. “I loved that for him. He came prepared to every class ready to learn, worked diligently, and showed a strong determination to succeed.”
On track to graduate next spring, he will transfer to WIU with an eye towards majoring in psychology. Like his sister, he’s passionate about social justice issues and will follow that path in his career. “I wish him all the best and look forward to hearing about his future accomplishments,” Dalpiaz said.
Both Desitny and D’Aundre were Phi Theta Kappa inductees, and on the Honors lists each semester.
When asked who at SRC had the biggest impact on them, Destiny immediately said it was Art professor Jamie Kotewa, while D’Aundre said it was GED teacher Melissa Koke. And then they continued naming professors. Turns out that all SRC faculty and GED employees they had contact with supported their journeys in some way. Each and every one of them.
It takes a village, and Destiny and D’Aundre found theirs at Spoon River College.
While at Eureka College, Destiny was honored with a Student Spotlight. Read more about her accomplishments Here.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on 2025-2026 Kaleidoscope Distributed at Annual Coffee Spoon
The 2025-2026 edition of Kaleidoscope Journal of Art and Literature, a Spoon River College student publication, was distributed at the annual Coffee Spoon held at Spoon River College in Canton on April 21.
The Kaleidoscope began in 1983 under the direction of communication professor Bob Gorg and was originally called the Collegiate. At that time it was filled with stories, poetry, essays and public commentary. It soon began including pen and ink sketches and eventually became a yearly publication instead of a semester project as originally planned.
The name was changed to the Kaleidoscope in 1996 and now features short stories, poems, essays, song lyrics, photography, and fine art, but it remains a student-run publication.
The Coffee Spoon was created in 1999 by then SRC employee Paige Edwards who, inspired by Jack Kerouac and the 1960s’ beat generation, envisioned a coffee house/open mic event featuring flavored coffees where students and staff could share a reading or a song. Over the years attendees have performed musical numbers, stand-up comedy routines, monologues, skits, dramatic readings, and more. Both the Kaleidoscope and the Coffee Spoon have stood the test of time.
This year’s winning Kaleidoscope cover was designed by student Carl Moreland. Student editors were Addi Howell, Samantha Sensor, and Calvin Hormann. Faculty advisors are English professors Laura Bandy and Barbara Ashwood.
Visit Kaleidoscope to view both the present and past issues of the Kaleidoscope.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on 33rd Annual SRC Foundation Golf Outing Set for August 7
The Spoon River College Foundation is gearing up for one of its most anticipated events of the year—the 33rd Annual SRC Foundation Golf Outing—set for Friday, August 7 at Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills Country Club in rural Cuba. The day will begin with lunch at 11 a.m., followed by a noon shotgun start.
The Foundation is currently inviting teams and sponsors to be part of this long-standing tradition. Sponsorship opportunities range from $100 to $1,200 and offer valuable visibility for businesses and organizations through event materials, on-site promotion, and local media recognition. The highest sponsorship level also includes team entry.
Golfers will enjoy a full day on the course in a best-ball scramble format, with registration set at $400 per team of four. The fee includes lunch, green fees, cart, snacks, an SRC-themed gift, and plenty of opportunities for friendly competition. Prizes will be awarded to top teams, along with skill prizes featured throughout the course.
In addition to great golf, participants can look forward to crowd-favorite activities like the Golf Ball Cannon and Wheel of Fortune, along with a 50/50 raffle, grand prize raffle, and hole-in-one contests.
Proceeds from the outing directly support Spoon River College students through scholarships, emergency hardship assistance, facility improvements, and extracurricular programs—helping remove barriers and open doors to opportunity.
“When students choose to invest in their future, we want to do everything we can to support their success,” said Dusty Berg, Director of the SRC Foundation. “This event is a fun way for the community to come together and make a real difference for our students.”
As one of the Foundation’s largest annual fundraisers, the event continues to bring together community members, alumni, and supporters for a meaningful day on the course.
The registration deadline is July 24. Team and sponsorship forms are available at Golf Outing Sign-up, or by calling (309) 649-6348 or Email Michelle Howe.
