Posted by ONEFIRE on | Comments Off on Biology Students Get Up Close and Inside View of Wind Energy at Cardinal Point Wind
Spoon River College students in the BIO 140 class taught by Tom Vogel recently traveled to Cardinal Point Wind in Sciota to investigate the truth about wind energy. Joe Glaze of Capital Power answered students’ questions and gave then an inside view of the innerworkings of the generator. Students who wanted to climb to the top of the windmills were disappointed to learn that one must have weeks of rescue training before going up the ladder to the top.
One of the questions asked was whether any eagles had been killed by the windmills. Glaze answered no, not to their knowledge, but said bats can be a problem. “We shut down an hour before dusk and don’t turn back on until an hour after dawn so as not to interfere with bat migration.” It is estimated that these windmills will last 25 years.
Pictured l-r is Briley Roper, Tom Vogel, Bria Mitchell, Joe Glaze, Trustin Kimbrough, Teagen Perry, James Doyle, and Lily Powell. Present but pictured was Cassandra Whitford.
Posted by ONEFIRE on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Literacy Program and District Libraries Celebrating Family Reading Night November 17
The The Spoon River College Literacy Program is pleased to announce that the 31st Annual Family Reading Night will be celebrated on Thursday, November 17. is pleased to announce that the 31st Annual Family Reading Night will be celebrated on Thursday, November 17. Held in partnership with libraries and schools throughout the SRC district, the goal is to encourage families to take time to read together as a family. With help from a grant from Dollar General, Spoon River College will provide 25 free books to each library to hand out to attendees.
“Family reading promotes healthy brain development in children, and can improve their language and listening skills. It can also help create a strong parent-child bond and instill a lifelong love of reading,” said Cyndi Johnston, adult education coordinator at Spoon River College.
“Our libraries do a wonderful job of finding fun and supportive ways to support Family Reading Night, and we hope families will take advantage of these free events. Taking time to read together is a great habit to cultivate.”
The activities, locations and times of each library’s event are listed below.
Astoria: The Astoria Public Library will celebrate throughout the day on November 17. Families can stop in and pick up a Family Reading Kit filled with snacks, a book and bookmarks, family activities, and other surprises.
Canton: Parlin-Ingersoll Library will host Family Reading Night November 17 from 6-7 p.m. They will be reading the story “Lentil” and making DIY instruments.
Cuba: The Spoon River Library will offer games, prizes, treats, and story time on November 17 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. All ages are welcome.
Farmington: The Farmington Area Public Library is offering a week of family reading fun. From Monday, November 14 until Saturday, November 19, each child that participates will receive a packet with a bookmark to log reading progress, a small bag of “bookworms” (gummy worms), and a free book. Participants will then get their name entered into a drawing for a prize at the end of the week.
Havana: The Havana Public Library District will hold a Family Reading Night event on November 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Spoon River College Havana Center located at 324 E. Randolph Street. The theme is The Letter ‘P’ – Pajamas and Pancakes, and each child will receive a free book. There will also be guest readers, information booths, snacks, door prizes, and entertainment by the Mason Dixies.
Lewistown: The Lewistown Carnegie Library will hand out free books and craft kits on November 19 while supplies last.
Macomb: The Macomb Public Library will celebrate Family Reading Day on November 17 with free books and cookies.
Rushville: The Rushville Public Library will celebrate Family Read Night on Wednesday, November 16 from 3:00 to 6:00 pm. with a fun craft, snacks, and a free book for each child.
For more information about the Literacy Project at Spoon River College, visit www.src.edu or call Cyndi Johnston at (309) 833-6038.
Posted by ONEFIRE on | Comments Off on Iyanuoluwa “Abigail” Olalere Receives the September Student Shout-Out Award
Spoon River College student Iyanuoluwa “Abigail” Olalere was the recipient of the Student Shout-Out for September at Spoon River College and will receive a $100 Visa gift card. She was nominated by Laura Bandy (English faculty).
“Iyanuoluwa is a student in my ENG150/Intro to Poetry course and she is bright, engaged, ever curious and a talented writer—a dream student. She embodies all five of the core values of SRC in how she interacts with her fellow students and the world, and in the area of caring, she really shines. Iyanuoluwa is deeply kind, wise, and empathetic, and makes the world a brighter place just by being in it. I shout her out with admiration and gratitude—she is a wonderful human,” said Bandy.
Olalere, who is from Springfield, is a member of the Spoon River College women’s basketball team. She is passionate about sports, helping people, and is considering a healthcare career.
The Student Shout-Out is an initiative that encourages any faculty or employee to nominate a student who deserves a special shout-out, “The reason can be big or small, but the important thing is that we hear about the positive and helpful things our students are doing,” said Brandy Chasteen, TRIO advisor on the Canton Campus of Spoon River College.
Posted by ONEFIRE on | Comments Off on One-Time Federal Student Loan Debt Relief Application Now Available
The application for the one-time federal student loan debt relief program being rolled out by President Biden is now available at www.studentaid.gov, along with more information about the program. It takes approximately five minutes to complete and does not require a login.
“I encourage students who think they may be eligible to apply,” said Jo Branson, director of financial aid at Spoon River College. “The application is simple and quick to complete.”
Under the plan, eligible borrowers can receive $10,000 or $20,000 in debt relief depending on their income and whether they received a Pell Grant in college. According to the Education Department, borrowers who apply in October could see a portion of their debt forgiven as soon as November. Borrowers are being encouraged to file their forms by November 15 in order to see their balances reduced before the end of a freeze on payments that began during the pandemic and ends in January. The deadline to apply is December 31, 2023. For more information about the program, visit www.studentaid.gov.
Posted by ONEFIRE on | Comments Off on College and Transfer Fair Held during National Transfer Student Week
Spoon River College hosted a College and Transfer Fair on October 19 in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus. It coincided with National Transfer Student Week, which is recognized every third week of October as a way to highlight the success of transfer students and to continue to improve the transfer process for students who begin at one institution before transferring to another.
For bachelor degree seeking students, the required curriculum for the first two years is the same—whether it’s taken at a community college or a four-year university—and students often complete those first two years at a community college before transferring.
“Starting at a community college is a smart move financially for students; tuition is less and the need for student loans is reduced. It can also be less overwhelming than starting at a bigger institution,” said Holly Norton, vice president of educational and student services at Spoon River College.
“Typically, once a student completes the required general education courses at a community college, they will be accepted by the university they are transferring to, but occasionally, an institution may want a student to re-take a class of theirs,” said Norton.
Spoon River College participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative, a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed Illinois General Education Core Curriculum (IGECC) between participating institutions. Completion of that curriculum at any participating college or university in Illinois assures transferring students that lower-division general education requirements for an associate or bachelor’s degree have been satisfied.
Norton said the best options for transfer students are to either earn an associate degree or complete the general education core curriculum. “We also always encourage students to work closely with their SRC advisor to make sure they are selecting those IAI courses. Students who have made the decision about where they are transferring to can also reach out to an advisor at the transfer institution.”
According to the Illinois Board of Education, Illinois not only leads the nation in bachelor degree completion rates (53.8%) among community college students who transfer to four-year colleges, it has also exceeded the national average of 42.2%
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on SRC Community Outreach Hosts 27th Lifelong Learning Conference
10/13/2022
After a pandemic induced hiatus, the Spoon River College Office of Community Outreach hosted the 27th Lifelong Learning Conference on October 7 on the Canton Campus, welcoming back attendees, guest speakers, and resource fair vendors.
“It was wonderful to get everyone gathered on the campus again!” said Andrea Barbknecht, director of the Canton Outreach Center. “It was like a reunion – seeing old and new friends!”
Rick Klinedinst started off the day with “Civil War Spies: Women Who Made History During Lincoln’s Presidency.” Additional sessions offered attendees the chance to learn about a variety of subjects that ranged from the Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network to a who’s who of outstanding Canton athletes. A soup and sandwich buffet was catered by the SRC Sandbar Café
“This event is a collaboration between our Community Leadership Academy graduates and many local experts and enthusiasts. We have a lot of talent right in our back yard!” Barbknecht said.
The event was co-sponsored by MidAmerica National Bank. Besides the keynote session presented by Klinedinst, the following sessions were also offered: “State of the City,” Mayor Kent McDowell; “Fresh and Preserved Flowers,” Christine Wright; “A Family’s Journey of the Heart,” Larry and Vivian Lefferts; “New York’s Broadway: Back from the Pandemic,” Stan Ransom; “Fulton County Sheriff’s Update,” Jeff Standard; “Five Outstanding Canton Athletes,” Kevin Stephenson; “Daughters of the Steppes,” Brooks Carver; “One Woman’s Journey to Find Her Way,” Lorie Link; and “Exercise = Fun,” Tina Holley and the Happy Feet Dancers.
Resource Fair sponsors who staffed booths and provided door prizes were , Advanced Rehab and Sports Medicine, Beacon of Hope Hospice, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Clayberg Fulton County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Courtyard Estates of Canton, Fulton County Housing Authority, The Loft Rehabilitation and Nursing, MidAmerica National Bank, Mosaic, The Salvation Army Canton & Fulton County 360 Life Center, SRC Theater and Community Chorus, Western Illinois Home Health Care, and the YMCA of Canton.
The next Lifelong Learning Conference is scheduled for Friday, April 21, 2023, and a Community Leadership Academy is scheduled for the summer of 2023.
Photos of the event can be viewed on the Spoon River College Community Outreach Facebook page. More information about the classes and events offered through the Community Outreach Office can be viewed at www.src.edu, on their Facebook page, or by calling (309)649-6260.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Theatre announces company for Much Ado About Nothing
10/7/2022
The theatre at Spoon River College has announced the cast and crew for its Nov. 4-6 production of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing.
This fall’s play continues the “Hour Classics” series: abridged versions of classic plays produced and staged without intermission. Like other Shakespeare comedies, Much Ado features love in peril, comic deceptions, mistaken identities, and overheard conversations—and in this case, one of the most iconic and unlikely pairs of lovers, Beatrice and Benedick.
Theatre Program Director Douglas Okey predicts that audiences will respond to Shakespeare’s story. “Most people who think they don’t like Shakespeare have probably never seen it performed well,” Okey says. “We’re here to set that right! Theatre-goers are in for plenty of laughs with our production.”
The SRC Theatre Program operates primarily with student talent in both cast and crew, but recently the participation model for productions has been opened up both to alumni and to non-students who are residents of the SRC District.
The student company for Much Ado About Nothing includes: Ella Alexander, Lauren Avery, Melody Barnes, Tiffany Carlin, Elliot Dalpiaz, Rachel Hickle, Alanah Howarter, Celia Hale, Zoey Lane, Haiden Lee, Sydney Matthews, Lily Rogers, Kaitlynn Tutt, Madelynn Wilcox, and Hannah Zimmerman. Non-student community members include Katy Auxier, Larry Eskridge, Aaron Haacke, Jenna Haile, Aja Lawson, Trygve Meade, Cecily Pearson, Kirsten Seeley, Stacy Smith, and Rachel Walljasper.
SRC Theatre presents its plays in the Taylor Hall Theatre on the college’s Canton Campus. Tickets may be reserved by calling the SRC Theatre box office at 309-649-6257 or visiting the Theatre page on the SRC website, src.edu.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on Section 12 FFA Forestry Competition Held in Spoon River College Arboretum
9/30/2022 The Agriculture department at Spoon River College hosted the Section 12 FFA Forestry Competition September 20 in the Arboretum on the Canton Campus. Teams taking part were Canton, Cuba, Farmington, Illini Central, and Lewistown.
The Canton Team took first place, and top-placing individuals were Nelson Cooper, Gavin Corsaw, Trace McCombs, Ayden Mench, Paige Johnson, Hunter Williams, Nick Bordwine, Garrett Brooks, Mylie Strode, and Lexi Mance, all from Canton and Cuba.
The competition includes written tests, tool and tree identification, map reading, and timber measurement. It also provides participants with hand-on experience in learning best management practices such as pruning, reforestation, disease control, and planting and harvesting methods that can increase or conserve the economic value of a forest and its production.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on Application for SRC Foundation Scholarships Now Available
9/29/2022
The general application for Spoon River College Foundation scholarships for the 2023-2024 academic year is now available, and the deadline to apply is March 15, 2023. All potential students are encouraged to apply, even if they aren’t sure they’ll be attending in the next academic year or have already received financial aid.
There are two scholarships with immediate application deadlines of October 21, 2022; the West Central FS Scholarship and the Fellheimer Scholarship.
The West Central FS Scholarship is for agriculture students and those in ag-related fields. Students currently taking agriculture classes and any who are considering an ag-related career are encouraged to apply. Eligibility requirements include a short interview.
The Fellheimer Scholarship is for students who are McDonough County residents and who meet eligibility requirements.
Students seeking to apply for the Graham Health System Scholarship for the Advancement of Rural Healthcare should visit www.src.edu/grahamscholarship.
For more information about SRC Foundation scholarships, visit www.src.edu, contact Colin Davis at colin.davis@src.edu, or contact any Spoon River College advisor at (309) 647-4645.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on College Fair 2022 is Tuesday, October 18
9/27/2022
Spoon River College will host College Fair 2022 on Tuesday, October 18, from 9:3011 a.m. at the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus. Representatives from multiple colleges, universities, and trade schools will be in attendance. This event is free, open to the public, and RSVPs are not required. Attendees may come and go at any time during the event.
“This is an excellent opportunity for parents, students, and adult learners to explore a variety of colleges and trade schools in one convenient location at one time,” said Janet Munson, director of enrollment services at Spoon River College. “Representatives will be able to answer questions regarding admission requirements, the registration process, tuition and board, athletics, student activities, and more.”
This event is also for current college students who are interested in learning more about the transfer process.
This year the college will be utilizing StriveScan, which allows attendees to sign up for a bar code in advance of the event. As they visit the various tables, the representatives who are also using StriveScan will be able to scan the barcode, making it possible for them to send additional information based on the specific information attendees are interested in receiving.
As of press time, the following colleges were scheduled to participate: Carl Sandburg College, Coe College, Eastern Illinois University, Elmhurst College, Eureka College, Graham Hospital School of Nursing, Grand Canyon University, Hannibal-LaGrange University, Illinois College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Innovations Design Academy, Iowa Wesleyan University, Knox College, McKendree University, Methodist College, Millikin University, Monmouth College, Paul Mitchell The School Normal, Quincy University, SIU-Edwardsville, St. Ambrose University, Truman State University, University of Illinois-Springfield, US Air Force, US Army, USNA, Western Illinois University, and Western Illinois University-Military Service.
Spoon River College offices and programs that will be in attendance include Admissions/Advising, Financial Adi, Transfer Programs, Career and Technical Education programs: Ag Business Management, Commercial Driver Training, Diesel and Power Systems Technology, Early Childhood Development, Emergency Medical Technician, Health Information Management, Medical Laboratory Technician, Manufacturing, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, and Small Business Management, and Welding. Spoon River College Life-Student Life organizations and clubs that will be in attendance are HEAL Student Association ((Healthcare Enthusiasts And Leaders), STAGE (SRC Theatre Artists Group for Education), and Student Government Association.
Spoon River College is located at 23235 N County 22 in Canton, IL. For more information about Spoon River College or the College Fair, visit www.src.edu or the Spoon River College Facebook page.
