Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on 29th Annual Lifelong Learning Conference October 27
The 29th annual Lifelong Learning Conference will be hosted by the Spoon River College Office of Community Outreach and co-sponsor MidAmerica National Bank on Friday, October 27, 8 a.m-2:30 p.m. in the Engle Conference Center on the Canton Campus.
The popular conference offers break-out sessions that feature local speakers presenting on a wide range of interesting and entertaining subjects, a soup and sandwich buffet, and a vendor resource fair.
“This is a fun learning and social event that utilizes the talents and knowledge of our local experts and enthusiasts,” said Andrea Barbknecht, director of the SRC Canton Outreach Center. “We love seeing our repeat attendees as well as welcoming new ones!”
The conference will kick off with the keynote presentation “An Abraham Lincoln Christmas” delivered by Rick Klinedinst, who will talk about the present-day holiday traditions that originated during the Civil War era, how Lincoln’s family celebrated in the White House, and more. Following that will be three break-out sessions, with each offering three topics for participants to choose from.
Session one offers “Canton Women of Note, Continued…” with Cheryl Bielema, Janice Bruster, Hannah Cox, and Kathy Myers sharing the stories of five Canton women of note who have been inducted into the Canton High School’s Hall of Fame; “History of Banking: Nationally to Locally” by Rick Klinedinst and covering how the banking industry began and evolved in America; and “Adventures in Iceland and Scotland” that will chronical the travel adventures abroad of Jeanine Standard and Kathy McDowell.
Second session topics are “Josephine Baker: An American in Paris,” presented by Stan Ransom about the life of this American-French personality who was a singer, spy, actress, civil rights activist, and WWII hero; “It Played in Canton—Part 1,” which begins the story of the nationally and in some cases internationally popular music groups and individuals who played in Canton between 1964 and into the early ‘70’s, with Kevin Stephenson presenting; and “Yesterday’s Children,” with Brooks Carver relating the story of abandoned nineteenth-century immigrant children, orphan trains, and early twentieth-century child labor in America.
Session three choices are “It Played in Canton—Part 2” with Stephenson continuing down the memory lane of music in Canton; “Wonderful and Whimsical Wreaths!” features Christine Wright demonstrating new trends in wreath-making in her trademark energetic and entertaining style; and “The Night the Music Stopped: The Titanic Musicians,” with Gwen Alexander sharing stories of the lives and of the musicians hired to play on the Titanic (including a scandal involving one of the violinists!).
The early bird price is $25 before October 20 ($35 after). Registration can be completed online at https://src.augusoft.net, or by calling 309-649-6260.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Recognizing National Student Transfer Week October 16-20
Spoon River College will celebrate National Transfer Student Week October 16-20. NTSW is recognized every third week in October as a way to highlight the success of transfer students, as well as to continue to improve the transfer process for them.
For bachelor degree seeking students, the required curriculum for the first two years is the same regardless of where they are taken, and students often complete those first two years at a community college before transferring to a four-year university.
“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.
Spoon River College participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed Illinois General Education Core Curriculum 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.”
The college recently teamed up with Southern Illinois University Carbondale to offer the Saluki Step Ahead program. It enables SRC students who have earned their associate degree to continue at SIU and earn their bachelor’s degrees online in accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, early childhood, elementary education, health care management, history, industrial management and applied engineering, information technology, nursing (RN to BSN), psychology and radiologic sciences.
Besides being completely online, it offers a cost savings. Students in the Saluki Step Ahead program pay the community college rate for their first two years. In the third and fourth years, they receive an annual $4,000 scholarship.
“It brings an accessible and affordable bachelor’s degree to the SRC students and SRC alumni who are able to keep living and working in this area while achieving their dream,” said Spoon River College President Curt Oldfield.
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 Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Softball Team Hosting Princess Party Fundraiser November 4
The Spoon River College softball team is hosting a Princess Party fundraiser on Saturday, November 4, from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus located at 23235 N. County Highway 22.
Children can come dressed as a princess and enjoy a spa experience that includes royal hairstyles, magical manicures, and beauty makeovers. Dancing, games, refreshments, and a photo op with Prince Charming are also on the agenda for the afternoon.
All ages are welcome, but children four years of age or younger must have adult supervision. The cost is $25 per child. To register, use the link https://bit.ly/SRCPrincessParty, which can also be accessed on the Spoon River College Athletics Facebook page, or call John Bassett at john.bassett@src.edu or 309-649-6303.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Athletic Department Hosting Casino Night October 28
The Spoon River College Athletic department is hosting a Casino Night fundraiser on Saturday, October 28, at 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus. Proceeds will help support the athletic programs.
“We first hosted a Casino Night in 2020, then had to skip 2021 because of the pandemic,” said John Bassett, athletic director and head softball coach. “We brought it back last year and it was well attended. It’s a fun community event, and we hope to see it continue to grow in attendance.”
The cost of admission is $50 and includes 25 playing chips, free food, drink ticket, prizes, and silent auction items. Games featured will be blackjack, poker, craps, and roulette. “Attending this event is a great way to see the facilities and meet some of our athletes,” said Bassett. “We’re also still seeking table sponsors and prize donations.”
Spoon River College offers baseball, softball, volleyball, and men and women’s basketball, e-sports, and are preparing to add bowling also. More information about the athletic programs can be viewed at www.src.edu or by visiting the Spoon River College Athletics Facebook page.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact John Bassett at john.bassett@src.edu or 309-649-6303. The Canton Campus is located at 23235 County Hwy 22.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Student Abigail Spencer Awarded the Bonnie Stine Scholarship
Spoon River College student Abigail Spencer has been awarded the Bonnie Stine SRCFA Scholarship for $500 for the 2023-24 academic year.
Spencer is a graduate of Canton High School, where she was recognized with the Board of Education Award and High Honors. She also made the President’s List at Spoon River College as a dual credit student, and was named Elks Senior of the Month. She was a member of Student Council (serving for one year as the secretary), Spanish Club (serving two years as secretary), Club Unify, Class Officer/reporter (one year), and the FFA.
Besides being active in clubs, Spencer also played sports—volleyball, basketball, and softball—and served as the assistant basketball coach. Her volunteer work included Special Olympics, Ladies Auxiliary Junior Member, Fulton County Humane Society, and KARE Camp Counselor, which she continues to do. In addition, she held part-time jobs while attending school, and is currently working for a local business and nannying for a family with a 6-year-old, a one-year-old, and one on the way.
Spencer is following in the nursing footsteps of her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her initial career goal was to work in labor and delivery, but after job shadowing in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), she knew in her heart that was where she was meant to be.
When planning her education, proximity to her family was key. “Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to go to college somewhere close to home. I am a huge family person and have had no desire to ever move far away.” With other siblings also attending college, cost too was a factor.
“During my freshman year, I attended the career fair at Spoon River College and knew it was the place for me. I also was able to fast-track my college career by taking dual credit classes. I’ll be able to graduate from SRC with my associate degree and then go straight to OSF to work on my bachelor’s degree.” Her spot at OSF School of Nursing is already reserved through their early admission program.
“SRC has so much to offer including a small beautiful campus that is close to home, affordable, and has lots to offer educational-wise,” Spencer said. “Choosing SRC was an easy decision for me.”
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.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on College Visit Day October 11
Spoon River College will host a College Visit Day Wednesday, October 11, from 1-3 p.m. at both the Canton and Macomb campuses.
This is open to people of all ages who are interested in learning about both the transfer and the career education programs available at Spoon River College, as well as the different degrees and short-term certificates each program offers.
Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet with advisors and financial aid specialists, and will receive information about the application process, tuition costs, student life activities, clubs and organizations, and financial aid options, including scholarships.
Tours of the campuses will be given, and will include the Snapper Villas student housing on the Canton Campus. All attendees will receive a free t-shirt.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on College and Transfer Fair 2023 Scheduled for October 19
Spoon River College will host College and Transfer Fair 2023 on Thursday, October 19, from 9:30-11 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.
Spoon River College utilizes 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: Blackburn College, Carl Sandberg College, Coe College, Culver-Stockton College, Eastern Illinois University, Eureka College, Graham Hospital School of Nursing, Illinois College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Knox College, McKendree University, Methodist College, Missouri S&T, Northeast Iowa Community College, St Francis Medical Center College of Nursing (OSF), Paul Mitchell The School – Normal, Peoria Air National Guard, Quincy University, SIU-Carbondale, SIU-Edwardsville, St. Ambrose University, State Technical College of Missouri, Truman State University, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, U of I -Springfield, U of I-Urbana Champaign, US Air Force Gold Bar Recruiter, Western Illinois University, and Western Illinois University-Military Science.
Spoon River College programs and clubs that will be in attendance include Admissions/Advising/Financial Aid, Transfer Programs, Career Programs: Agricultural Business Management, Commercial Driver Training, Computer Information Systems, Diesel and Power Systems Technology, Early Childhood Development, Emergency Medical Technician, Health Information Management, Logistics Operations Management, Medical Laboratory Technician, Manufacturing, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Small Business Management, Welding; and Student Life Organizations.
Spoon River College’s Multi-Purpose Building is located at 23235 N County 22 in Canton, IL. For more information about Spoon River College or the College and Transfer Fair, visit www.src.edu or the Spoon River College Facebook page.
Posted by Mitch Williams on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Holds Events for National Transfer Student Week
Spoon River College will be hosting a variety of events to promote National Transfer Student Week (NTSW), on all campuses the week of October 16–20, 2023.
Organized by the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, NTSW offers participating colleges the opportunity to hold “events and activities that celebrate the diversity of the transfer student experience”.
SRC will offer events and services geared to assist students in navigating the transfer process throughout the week, culminating in the SRC College and Transfer fair on the Canton campus on Thursday, October 19. The week’s schedule of events includes:
Monday, October 16
Welcome Cookies – All locations
Financial Aid & Transfer Application Information table – All locations
Need help with your University Application? Make an appointment with Student Services in Canton or Macomb.
Add your transfer plans to our NTSW Boards (Canton LRC, Macomb, LRC, Havana Center and Rushville Center)
Tuesday, October 17
Pizza with the Prez – Canton Campus, lower level Centers – 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
TRiO T-Shirt Day – Wear your TRiO T-Shirt
Financial Aid & Transfer Application Information table – All locations
Need help with your University Application? Make an appointment with Student Services in Canton or Macomb.
Add your transfer plans to our NTSW Boards (Canton LRC, Macomb LRC, Havana Center and Rushville Center)
Wednesday, October 18
WIU Table Visit – Macomb LRC – 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
College Transfer T-Shirt Day – Wear a T-shirt for the university you hope to transfer to
Financial Aid & Transfer Application Information table – All locations
Need help with your University Application? Make an appointment with Student Services in Canton or Macomb.
Add your transfer plans to our NTSW Boards (Canton LRC, Macomb LRC, Havana Center and Rushville Center)
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Theatre Announces Company for Fall Production
The Theatre Program at Spoon River College has announced the company for the upcoming production of Exit the King, a 1963 absurdist drama by French playwright Eugene Ionesco.
The play explores death through the rapid decline of Berenger the First, king of an unspecified land. Four hundred years old at the time of the play, Berenger moves through recognizable stages of loss and existential confusion as his kingdom, in apparent sympathy with the King’s withering, gradually crumbles around him. Berenger is attended throughout by his first wife, his current wife, his doctor, his nurse, and one guard.
“The play has lots of genuine comedy as well as poignant drama,” said Douglas Okey, SRC professor and Director of the theatre program. “It’s also a very manageable 90 minutes, played without an intermission.”
On Sept. 5 and 6, SRC Theatre held auditions and interviews to select cast and crew members for the upcoming production. Selected for the company were: Rachel Hickle, Astoria High School; Tiffany Carlin, Tori Cooper, Elliot Dalpiaz, and Kayla Ray, all of Lewistown; Ava Dunham, Cuba; Ella Alexander, Owen Bohn, Jace Emery, Xander George Fields, Haiden Lee, Celia Hale, and El Roderick, all of Canton; and Grace Havens, Savannah Smith-Coulter, and Stacy Smith. All company members are currently enrolled SRC students.
Performances of Exit the King will run Nov. 3-5 in the Taylor Hall Theatre on the SRC Canton Campus. Tickets will go on sale in October.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Students Race to Solve Clues in First-Year College Experience Class
Freshman students at Spoon River College enrolled in LA 103 The College Experience class taught by Amy Rutledge (Biology) recently competed in “The Great Race,” a scavenger hunt designed to assist new students in getting orientated to the campus buildings and location of the offices and spaces often utilized by students.
Five teams of two each had to solve a series of riddles, leading them to the correct location where they then received the next riddle that would lead them to the next location. Teams were given just one hour to find all the locations.
“I wanted to give them a better sense of where some of the resources they could benefit from were located and thought this would be a fun way to do that,” said Rutledge, who also encouraged staff to prepare handouts detailing the services they provided that they could give to students along with the next clue.
Locations each team raced to find were the weight room in the Multi-Purpose Building, Community Outreach Office in Engle Hall, the SRC Theatre, IT Helpdesk, and Rutledge’s office in Taylor Hall, and Advising, Cafeteria/Coffee Shop, Dean’s office, Financial Aid, Learning Resource Center, and the Bookstore in Center.
“Each group made it to the finish line in the allotted time, and all said they enjoyed it and found it helpful. I’m already thinking about how to make it even better the next time,” said Rutledge.
The College Experience class is designed for first-year college students, but open to any student wanting to get the most out of the college experience. It plays a vital role in helping students navigate the challenges of the their first year in college, and aims to foster personal growth, academic achievement, and a smoother transition into higher education.
