Category Archive: Uncategorized

Wellness Events Held for Spoon River College Students

9/27/2022

​Spoon River College hosted a Wellness Fair for students at the Macomb Campus on Tuesday, September 20, and at the Canton Campus on Wednesday, September 21, with representatives from a number of local agencies on hand to provide health information and free items to students.

Students had the opportunity to sign up for a wellness basket, and Katie Langeland was the winner in Macomb, while Lacee Atterberry took home the prize on the Canton Campus, with some of the items included being donated by Canton Park District and Health and Wellness Connection of Fulton County. The YMCA donated a free membership, which was won by Iyanuoluwa Olalere of Springfield, and free refreshments were provided by the Spoon River College HEAL Student Association (Healthcare Enthusiasts and Leaders).

Community agencies attending in Canton were Canton Park District, Fulton County Health Department – Carolyn Adams Ticket for the Cure and Women’s Health, Fulton-Mason Crisis Service, Graham Health Systems Convenient Care, Health and Wellness Connection of Fulton County, OUT (LGBTQ+ support group), WIRC Victim Services, and the YMCA. Spoon River College clubs represented were HEAL Student Association, SRC Athletics, SRC Student Needs Committee, and SRC Veterans’ Services.

The event was sponsored by HEAL Student Association, LRC Food pantry, and SRC Student Retention.

 

 

Katie Langeland: Macomb                                                     Lacee Atterberry: Canton

Summer 2022 Graduates Announced

9/26/2022
​Spoon River College congratulates the following individuals who have completed graduation requirements and received degrees and/or certificates during the 2022 summer semester.

Baytown, TX: Jazmine Love Morris, Associate in Arts degree;

Bryant: Kennedy Dove Mayberry, Associate in Science degree;

Bushnell: John W. McCleery, Basic Commercial Driver Training certificate; Lillian K. Powell, Associate in Arts degree;

Canton: Levi Allen, Computer and Network Technician certificate; Kendyll R. Brewer, Associate in Arts degree; Brooke Ellen Brown, Medical Coding certificate; Trista Buskirk, Associate in Arts degree; Sam M. Cullen, Associate in Arts degree; April Davidson, Associate in General Studies degree; Abbigale DeRenzy, Associate in Arts degree; Delores Marie Gilliam, Associate in Arts degree; Jacob Henderson, Basic Commercial Driver Training certificate; Joseph Hogon, Commercial Driver Training certificate; Jason Michael Licklider, Associate in Science degree; Michael P. Moffitt, Basic Commercial Driver Training certificate; Tarah A. Murphy, Associate Degree in Nursing; Grace Carolyn Owens, Associate in Arts degree; Alexander Dean Ruck, Business Plan Entrepreneurship certificate; Nicole A. Scheerer, Associate in General Studies degree; Adrionna C. Schmidt, Associate in Science degree; Heather Elizabeth Weaver, Associate in Arts degree;

Chicago: Demetria Monique Pope, Phlebotomy Technician certificate;

Cuba: Kaleb M. Bailey, Associate in Arts degree;

Dunfermline: Rebecca Brown, Associate in Arts degree;

Easton: Alexander M. Roat, Basic Commercial Driver Training certificate;

Fiatt: Alonza W.R. Bradley;

Forest City: Evan White, Basic Commercial Driver Training certificate;

Galesburg: Nicolas Wilson, Computer and Network Technician, Cyber Security, and Enterprise Computer Network Specialist certificates;

Glasford: Leah Reavley, Associate in Science degree; Jessica Schabatka, Practical Nursing certificate;

Havana: Alana G. Boggs, Associate in Arts degree; Erin R. Danner, Medical Assistant certificate; Madison Noelle Hofreiter, Associate in Arts degree; Krista Koke, Associate in Arts degree; Cari Towery, Associate in General Studies degree;

Industry: Dalton C. Phillips, Basic Commercial Driver Training certificate;

Ipava: Jett Woods, Welding Operator certificate

Kilbourne: Reese Aryn Smith, Associate in Science degree;

Kingfisher, OK: Logan Rutledge, Associate in General Studies degree

Lewistown: Maddison Marie Brown, Phlebotomy Technician; Curtis Bump, Computer and Network Technician, Computer User Support Specialist, and Server Administration certificates; Makyna Ebbert, Associate in Arts degree; Stephanie Lee Hadsall, Associate in Arts degree; Cortney A. Hopkins, Associate in Arts degree; Brook Massingale, Associate Degree in Nursing;

Lincoln: Alex Bogdanic, Associate in Arts degree;

Littleton: Marguerite R. G. Higgins, Practical Nursing certificate;

Macomb: Amanda Lynn Ambrose, Medical Coding certificate; Caitlyn Behymer, Practical Nursing certificate; Jessica Campbell, Associate in Arts degree; Emerald Lee DeWitt, Associate Degree in Nursing; Adam Joseph Fellner, Practical Nursing certificate; Kaitlyn Geltmacher, Medical Coding certificate; Jennifer Henson, Medical Assistant certificate; Asante-Imani Johnson, Associate in Arts degree; Arbiana Kadriu, Associate in Arts degree; Joaquez Ratliff, Associate in Arts degree; Matthew J. Sash, Associate in Applied Science/Computer Information Systems degree, Computer & Network Technician, Computer Information Technology, Enterprise Computer Network Specialist, and Server Administrator certificates; Madison Elizabeth Severs, Associate Degree in Nursing;

Marietta: David Burr Fenner, Basic Commercial Driver Training certificate;

Mindy Eileen Miller, Associate Degree in Nursing;

Peoria: Mijamneu Chenelle Buckner, Practical Nursing certificate;

Plymouth: Audrey R. Shelor, Associate in Arts degree; Wesley J. Shelor, Associate in Arts degree; Martisa Webster, Medical Insurance/Billing certificate;

Prairie City: Justin R. Beer, Basic Commercial Driver Training certificate;

Rushville: Aidan Thomas Davis, Associate in Arts degree; Tanner Lewis, Associate in Arts degree;

Shorewood: Noah Johnson, Associate in Arts degree;

Table Grove: Drake Heller, Welding Operator certificate;

Vermont: Karter Gould, Welding Operator certificate; Joshua Turpin, Welding Operator certificate.

Taylor Purdy Awarded the Bonnie Stine SRCFA Scholarship

Taylor Purdy of Mackinaw has been awarded the Bonnie Stine SRCFA Scholarship for $500 for the 2022-2023 academic year at Spoon River College.

Purdy is a 2021 graduate of Illini Bluffs High School where she played softball and volleyball. She was a member of the Student Council and the National Honor Society, and served as vice president of the Spanish Club. At SRC Purdy is a member of the volleyball team and was the recipient of a performing skill grant through the SRC Foundation. She is also a member of TRIO and Phi Theta Kappa.

Purdy is in her second year at Spoon River College, and while she hasn’t made any final decisions about where she will transfer to after receiving her associate degree or her career plans, being a veterinary technician is high on her list. She said that her indecision is one of the things that made SRC a great choice. “I’m constantly changing my mind about what is the best fit for me. Starting here is giving me time to figure that out.”

Purdy also appreciates the strong connection between students and faculty that she has experienced at SRC, particularly with Education faculty member Beth VanTine.

“Mrs. VanTine has been there for me when others haven’t, and I feel like I wouldn’t have the courage to be as confident as I am without her. She is proof that there are genuinely nice people in the world.”

The Bonnie Stine SRCFA Scholarship was previously known as the Spoon River College Faculty Association Scholarship. In 2013, faculty voted to rename it to recognize Stine’s role in establishing the original SRCFA scholarship. Stine taught at the College for 31 years before retiring in 2008 and was known for her generosity to students.

2022 SRC/CCC Alumni Award Recipients Announced

9/22/2022
​Spoon River College will host its Annual Alumni Association Awards Reception on Saturday, Nov. 5. Dinner will be offered beginning at 5 p.m., and the program will begin at 6 p.m. and will last approximately two hours. The event will be held in lower level Centers on the Canton Campus.

The Distinguished Alumni Award, reserved for those SRC alumni who have previously been honored with an alumni award and have reached the top of their field or otherwise achieved extremely noteworthy accomplishments of statewide notoriety, will be presented to Rick Klinedinst of Canton.

Alumni Achievement Awards are given to alumni to celebrate outstanding achievements made by alumni of SRC or Canton Community College, and this year’s recipients are Barbi Brewer-Watson (Kankakee), John Davis (Canton), David Gregory (Peoria), Randy & Susie McMillen (Cuba), Jeff Standard (Farmington), and Carla Teslicka (Macomb).

The Outstanding Service Award, given to alumni who have made significant voluntary contributions to the community and/or to the college will be presented to Henry Dare and Janice Dare Bruster of Canton.

Ellen Dodd (Fiatt) will be honored with the Distinguished Spoon River College Retiree Award, which is based upon an individual’s significant contributions to Spoon River College, its students, and the community.

Elliot “Pete” Terry, a track and field All-American in 1970 who finished second in the nation in the triple jump, will be the Athletic Hall of Fame inductee.

Though donations will be accepted and appreciated, the event is free and the public is invited to attend. Reservations are required. Please RSVP to Lori Murphy at (309) 649-6260 or at lori.murphy@src.edu by Friday, Oct. 28.

The SRC Alumni Association exists as a function of the SRC Foundation and seeks to close the gap between past alumni, present students and future leaders. SRC alumni need not be graduates. Those who were nominated but not selected this year will remain in consideration for future years. To learn more about the SRC Alumni Association or to register as an alumnus/alumna, please visit https://www.src.edu/alumni or call (309) 649-6260.

SRC Community Chorus Presents the Best of Barry Cloyd

​International award-winning musician, singer, and songwriter Barry Cloyd returns to the SRC Theatre stage, for one performance only, on Sunday, October 23, 2022 @ 3:00 p.m. with The Best of Barry Cloyd.  Tickets are now on sale.

Tickets may be purchased at https://spoon-river-college-foundation.square.site/s/shop or by calling (309) 649-6260 Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

“Barry’s show kicks off the SRC Community Chorus 2022-23 season,” said Carol Davis, Artistic Director of the SRC Community Chorus.  “His delightful variety of songs and instruments, personal storytelling approach, and heartwarming voice charms audiences of all ages.”

For the single price of $10, audience members will be treated to songs from FIVE of Barry’s most popular shows plus some of his own award-winning compositions.

The family-focused compilation show includes segments from some of Barry’s most popular shows including An Irish Immigrant’s Song; Burl Ives, Midwestern Minstrel; The River’s Song: The Importance of our Midwestern Rivers; Woody Guthrie, Dust Bowl Troubadour; Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, the Birth of Sci-Fi & The First Citizens of The Future; and A Taste of Barry Cloyd: The Songwriter’s Award-Winning Originals.

As a bonus, families can bring their kids at no charge. Every adult ticket sold offers a complimentary ticket for Spoon River College students as well as those 18 and under.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Two Rivers Arts Council.

For further information about the SRC Community Chorus, visit www.src.edu/chorus or email srccommunitychorus@gmail.com.

SRC Financial Aid Office Presenting Free Workshops at District High Schools

​Employees in the financial aid office at Spoon River College will present free workshops at district high schools during October. These workshops are for students, their parents, and any adult learners who are interested in learning more about options for paying for college.

Following an overview of the aid programs available, staff will also assist attendees with filling out and filing the 2023-2024 FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

“Filling out the FAFSA is always the first step to take in order to obtain federal and state aid for college, and also to apply for scholarships,” said Jo Branson, financial aid director at Spoon River College. “I can’t stress enough how important it is to have it completed accurately and on time.”

FAFSA applications can be filed beginning October 1, using 2021 income tax information, rather than waiting until January 1 or after. The school code for all locations of Spoon River is 001643. This code is needed to complete the FAFSA.

Branson noted that information about other financial assistance programs such as funding for veterans, scholarships, student loans, and payment plans will also be presented, and even those not planning on attending Spoon River College are welcome to attend.

The schedule for the high school visits and FAFSA completion workshops is as follows:

October 3 – Farmington High School 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

October 3 – VIT High School 4:30 to 6 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

October 5 – Lewistown High School 6 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

October 6 – Macomb High School 5:30 p.m., Presentation

October 26 – Macomb High School 5:30 to 7 p.m., FAFSA Completion

October 11 – Cuba High School 5:30 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

October 12 – Spoon River Valley High School 6:30 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

October 12 – Havana High School hosted at SRC Campus 6 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

October 13 – Canton High School 6 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

October 20 – Astoria High School 5:30 to 7 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

October 27 – Rushville/Industry High School 6 p.m., Information and FAFSA Completion

Attendees who wish to fill out the FAFSA should bring students’ Social Security and driver’s license numbers, 2021 W-2’s, 2021 federal income tax return, parent’s 2021 federal income tax return and W-2s (if required), and any additional untaxed income such as veteran’s benefits, child support (paid or received) and worker’s compensation.

SRC staff who will be attending are Branson, financial aid coordinators Charlie Cox and Nikki Rittenhouse. Gianna Hines, representative from ISAC (Illinois Student Assistance Commission), will also be participating in the Canton High School visit.

For more information, visit www.src.edu and click on the Financial Aid link under the Student Services tab or call (309) 649-7030 in Canton or (309) 833-6073 in Macomb.

National Adult Education and Literacy Week is September 18-24

National Adult Education and Literacy Week, September 18–24, underscores the continued demand for programs and services for adult students who need to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and math and obtain a high school equivalency certificate.  More than 36 million adults nationwide, including 1.2 million here in Illinois, lack basic literacy skills that limit their ability to advance in education and at work.

Spoon River College is one of 72 adult education providers offering programs funded through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) that improve and expand the nation’s available pipeline of workers by assisting those who lack the educational requirements to achieve gainful employment in today’s increasingly high-tech, global job market.

Spoon River College’s Out of School Youth Program is designed to serve students ages 16-24 who have dropped out of high school, have a deficiency in literacy or numeracy and are economically disadvantaged, with the goal of helping them to increase their literacy and numeracy, obtain employment or attend post-secondary training after completion of the program, and obtain a GED®

The college partners with Career Link and Western Illinois Works, Inc. for this program, which includes monetary incentives, and many students do continue with higher education once they have obtained their high school equivalency.

“Many of our students transition into credit and certificate programs, which increases the diversity of life experiences students bring to their college classes. Partly through the inclusion of adult students, community colleges can offer an unmatched richness of thought and experience,” said Chad Murphy, director of the Adult Education programs at the college. “In addition, increasing the skill level of adults is often a centerpiece of economic development for neighborhoods and communities.”

English as a Second Language (ESL) is designed for adults, 16 years and older, whose native language is not English. The ESL program helps students improve their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills from literacy to the advanced level—skills necessary for success in the workplace, the community, and for future course work.

The Literacy Program offers services to adults in the college district. With the help of trained volunteers, programs are centered upon improving the reading, writing, and math level of each individual while understanding their unique needs and goals.

Adult education provides a path from low-income jobs and limited opportunities to middle-class wages and increased family sustainability. Full-time workers with a high school diploma earn almost $10,000 more per year than those without a diploma.

“Illinois community colleges are the driver for a trained workforce working with nearly 10,000 unique employers across the state.  With nearly 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs in our state requiring education beyond a high school diploma, the Illinois Community College System is the ideal place for getting on a path to a good paying career,” said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham.

For more information about adult education programs and services at Spoon River College, visit www.src.edu or call 309-649-6278.

SRC College Visit Days Scheduled for September 27, October 26, December 1

​Spoon River College will host College Visit Days at their Canton and Macomb campuses on Tuesday, September 27 from 9 – 11 a.m., Wednesday, October 26 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., and Thursday, December 1, from 9 – 11 a.m.

These visit days are for people of all ages who are interested in learning about the transfer and career education programs available at Spoon River College, as well as the different degrees and short-term certificates that each program offers.

High school students should inquire with their school about using a college visit day, and letters from the college confirming their attendance at the event will be provided.

The December 1 Visit Day at the Canton Campus will offer additional simulations and hands-on activities for those interested in the career programs, which include Advanced Manufacturing, Agricultural Business Management, Commercial Driver Training, Computer Information Systems, Healthcare, Welding and more.

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with advisors and financial aid specialists, and will receive information about the application process, tuition costs, and financial aid options including scholarships, as well as student life activities, clubs, and organizations.

Tours of the campuses will be given and will include the Multi-Purpose Building and the  Snapper Villas student housing on the Canton Campus. All attendees will receive a free t-shirt.

RSVPs are encouraged but not required. You can choose your preferred date at https://www.src.edu/collegevisit

The Canton Campus is located at 23235 N. County Hwy. 22, and the Macomb Campus is located at 208 S. Johnson Street.

Three Positions on SRC Board of Trustees to be Filled in April 2023 Election

​Two positions on the Spoon River College Board of Trustees will be filled in the consolidated election scheduled for Tuesday, April 6, 2021.  Two positions are for six-year terms on the College Board commencing April, 2021 through April, 2027.  Currently these positions are held by Ms. Linda Butler of Rushville and Mr. Jerry Cremer of Macomb.

Filing dates for candidacy will be Monday, December 14th through Monday, December 21st, 2020.  All candidates wishing to file petitions MUST either mail or submit in person to the Canton campus.  Hours for filing will be 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, December 14th to December 18th, and Monday, December 21st, from 8:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Petitions WILL NOT be accepted for filing at the Macomb Campus or the Havana and Rushville Centers.

On the first day of filing at Spoon River College, Monday, December 14th, petitions will be received in the Cabinet Room, Administrative Foyer, Centers Building at the Canton Campus.  On the other days of filing, petitions may be filed at the reception desk, Centers Building, at the Canton campus.

According to the Consolidated Election Laws, all individuals present at the opening of the election office doors on the first day of filing Monday, December 14th, will be considered as having filed simultaneously.  In addition, any petitions received during the first mail delivery of that day will be included in this group.  For all in this “simultaneous group,” a lottery will be held Wednesday, December 16th at 1:00 p.m. to determine the ballot positions of all in the simultaneous group.  Others who file later will be listed on the ballot after the simultaneous group in the order the others petitions are received.

In order to become a candidate for one of the positions on the College Board, the following documents are required for filing:

  • a Statement of Candidacy form,
  • at least 50 valid signatures on petition forms, which must be consecutively numbered, and each form notarized,
  • a receipt for filing a Statement of Economic Interest with the County Clerk of the county in which the principal office of the unit of local government with which the person is associated is located.  To qualify to be a candidate for trustee, an individual must be on the date of the election, a U.S. citizen, 18 years of age or older, a registered voter, and have resided for one year in the college district.

Petitions and other materials required for filing will be available September 22, 2020 at the Canton Campus, Reception Desk, Centers Building as well as from each of the three SRC off-campus locations (Macomb, Rushville, and Havana).  Petitions and other filing materials may be obtained from each location during normal office hours.  At the Canton campus, these are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Office hours at the off-campus locations may differ from those at the Canton campus.  Contact the off-campus locations for hours when petitions and other candidate materials may be obtained from them. Visitors are required to wear face coverings while on campus and to maintain six feet of social distancing at all times.

Information is available by calling (309) 649-6232 at the Spoon River College Canton campus.

SRC Community Chorus Announces 2022-23 Season

For its 2022-2023 season, the SRC Community Chorus presents A Season for All Generations.  Celebrating a love of live performance, this season brings together generations of experienced performers, skilled directors, and emerging talents for three separate offerings.

The season begins with The Best of Barry Cloyd for one performance only on October 23, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. in the SRC Theatre. Internationally award-winning singer/songwriter Barry Cloyd captivates and educates his audiences by blending period music with historical storytelling.  This show features segments from his most popular shows.  For every adult with a paid ticket, one child/youth/student under 18 receives a complimentary ticket.  Tickets go on sale September 19.

Our Favorite Things:  A Concert for the Winter Season, directed by John L. Davis, runs December 3 at 7:00 p.m. and December 4, 2022, at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the First Christian Church of Canton. This concert features secular, sacred, classical and Broadway musical numbers celebrating the holidays and the beauty of winter.  Anyone with a love of singing is welcome to participate.

“This year our concert will also celebrate the 120th birthday of Richard Rodgers with a special focus on his work The Sound of Music,” said Carol Davis, Artistic Director. “Our members ages currently span from 18 to 87.  This year we will be adding a children’s group to the concert and feature them in The Sound of Music segment as singers/performers.  We’ve also added a matinee on December 4 for those who prefer daytime performances.”

Rehearsals for Our Favorite Things begin September 15.  To learn more about participation, please contact the Chorus at srccommunitychorus@gmail.com.

The Show of Shows Showcase June 2-4, 2023, completes the Chorus season.  The musical revue of Broadway numbers will be directed by Carol Davis.

Young emerging performers from 18-30 will be invited to participate in a performance workshop as well as perform in the staged showcase. Invited participants will receive personalized performance strategies from a panel of music directors, prepare their own special Broadway numbers from what they’ve learned, and receive constructive critiques for improvement from panelists. The Showcase enables these emerging future stars to work alongside seasoned community/professional performers and participate in musical numbers with them.

“Despite the challenges of the last two years, our Chorus continued to discover ways to produce concerts and shows,” Davis said. “Our participants’ dedication amazes me. We’ve noticed an increase in diversity and in age variety not only in our performers, but in our audiences.  This is vital for growth and sustainability in the arts and this year we celebrate. Our second overarching goal remains supporting student educational success through our Named Endowed Scholarship program.”

The SRC Community Chorus was established in 2005.  If the arts are to continue to thrive, it is vital that we reach out to all generations to develop new talents and new audiences.  We believe the multi-generational approach in our 2022-23 Season of Generations sets a solid foundation for years to come.”

For more information, visit www.src.edu/chorus or email srccommunitychorus@gmail.com

SRC Community Chorus Announces 2022-23 Season

Photo Credit: Dave Barbknecht/Stilled Moments