TC Wright: 2025 CCC/SRC Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

TC Wright was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and attended Iroquois High School. Sports have always been a big part of his life, thanks to his family’s influence. He came to Spoon River College to play basketball and earned his Associate of Arts degree in 2022. TC chose SRC because he “needed a fresh start” and learned about the college through a friend.

During his time at SRC, he earned numerous honors, including 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Region, and 2nd Team All-American. After graduating, he continued his education at Campbellsville University before going on to play professional basketball for the Newfoundland Rogues, where he’s competed for the past two years.

In addition to his athletic career, TC has worked as an aide for elderly patients with traumatic brain injuries. He considers graduating from both high school and college his greatest achievements, as many of his friends were not able to accomplish the same.

Looking back, TC says what he enjoyed most about SRC was the close-knit bond among the sports teams and athletes. His advice to current students is: “Enjoy your time and cherish it. I’ve been all over the world, and Spoon is a place I still cherish. There’s no place like Spoon.”

When he’s not on the court, TC enjoys cooking, playing video games, and coaching.

SRC Community Chorus Concert Features WIU International String Quartet

SRC Community Chorus Concert Features WIU International String Quartet

The Spoon River College Community Chorus presents Handel’s MESSIAH and Winter Olio on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7 at the First Christian Church in Canton.  Over 50 singers, technicians, and production staff will be joined by the Western Illinois University International String Quartet.

The WIU International String Quartet program, now in its 20th year, was formed in 2005 by the Western Illinois University School of Music to give international students the opportunity to come to the United States and study in Illinois. The quartet members receive full scholarships to WIU.

Performing with the SRC Chorus in 2025 are Georgica Parvu, from Romania, on violin; Helena Iacob, from Romania, on violin; Gabriel Gene Regojos, from the Philippines, on viola; and Juan Marco Robledo Galvez, from Guatemala, on cello.

The quartet’s appearance is made possible by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council and the Two Rivers Arts Council.

The Sunday matinee is sold out; however, tickets for the Saturday, December 7, 7 p.m. are still available.  Tickets for the 20^th anniversary concert may be purchased at SRC Chorus.

Spoon River College Hosts Annual 10th Grade Career Expo at Canton Campus

Approximately 370 sophomores from Astoria, Canton, Cuba, Farmington, Havana, Lewistown, Spoon River Valley, and VIT school districts were on campus to talk with professionals from a wide variety of career areas at the annual 10^th Grade Career Expo held November 7 at the Canton Campus.

The annual event gives students the opportunity to talk with professionals and gather information about multiple career choices, including the education, degrees, skills required for a specific job, and what a typical work day looks like.

“A huge thank-you to the schools for attending, and to the 58 presenters who took the time out of their busy day to both inspire and educate the students on the career fields available to them, many which are right here in Fulton County,” said Brandi Ketcham, advisor and coordinator for the event.

The career areas represented were Agriculture/Mechanical/Food/Natural Resources/Engineering/Logistics: Fulton County Farm Bureau; Martin Tractor; Prairie Hills Resource Conservation and Development, Inc.; Spoon River Animal Clinic; University of Illinois-Springfield; Retired engineer Ted Neuendorf; Cook Medical; and Spoon River College (Diesel and Power Systems Technology, Logistics, and Welding);

Arts/Communications/Computers/IT/Business: Mid-America National Bank; Canton Hy-Vee; International Award-Winning Sleight of Hand Artist; State of Illinois; and Spoon River College (Computer Information Systems, Art, Marketing, and Business Office);

Education/Human and Public Service Cluster: Fulton Mason Crisis Service; Fulfill Your Destiny Life Coach; Fulton County Emergency Medical Association; Illinois State Police; Canton School District; Western Illinois University (Speech Pathology and Audiology); McCarthy and Jackson Law Firm; and Spoon River College (Early Childhood Education);

Health Care: Carl Sandburg College (Dental Hygiene and Radiology); Graham Health Services (Rehabilitation, Imaging, Behavioral Health, Doctor, Laboratory, Pharmacist, Clinic Nursing, Nursing Education, Hospital Nursing, and Quality Department); Canton Union School District; Advanced Rehab and Sports Medicine; and Spoon River College (Nursing/Nursing Assistant).

Pictures from the event can be viewed on the Spoon River College Facebook page. For more information about Spoon River College, visit www.src.edu.

Graduates of the SRC Community Leadership Academy Recognized

This fall marked the 24th SRC Community Leadership Academy to be offered through the Spoon River College Office of Community Outreach, and the newest graduates were recognized at the Lifelong Learning Conference held October 10 at the Canton Campus. They were Martha Davis, Connie Heller, Michelle Howe, Pam Jump, Jodie and Robbin Kost, Judy Lietze, Evelyn Oaks, Judy Spahn, and Rebeca Wilcoxen.

The Academy started as the Retirees Leading Academy funded by grant money in 2006, and at that time was held twice a year. The name was changed a few years ago and is now only held once a year.

“Class sizes have ranged from six to eleven participants, and including our current graduating class members, we’ve had a total of 212 graduates of the program,” said Andrea Barbknecht, director of community outreach in Canton. “Coordinators are Kathy Lock, Janice Bruster, and Mary Williams, who are graduates of the program. They secure the tours, speakers, and participants in the program.”

Tours and speakers for this class included the Spoon River College campus with President Curt Oldfield; History of Banking in Fulton County with Rick Klinedinst; Graham Health System with CEO Bob Senneff; State of the City with Mayor Kent McDowell; Fulton Mason Crisis Service with Community Educator Julie; Canton Fire Dept. with Assistant Chief Hanlin; Canton Police Department with Officer Josh Wages; Fulton County Jail; COOK facilities; Fulton County Rehabilitation Center with Shelly Entrekin; Fulton County Ambulance with Chris Blackwell; Canton Park District with Amanda Atchley; Canton Area Heritage Center; Canton Area Chamber of Commerce with Director Carla Bobell; Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development with Executive Director Michelle Spiva; and Canton Main Street with Jennie Grove.

For more information about the Academy, Lifelong Learning, and other events and classes offered through Community Outreach, visit http://www.src.edu/outreach.

Pictured are (front, l-r) Pam Jump, Evelyn Oaks, Michelle Howe, Robbin Kost, (back), Judy Leitze, Rebecca Wilcoxen, Martha Davis, and Jodie Kost. Not pictured are graduates Connie Heller and Judy Spahn.

Spoon River College Literacy Program and District Libraries Celebrating Family Reading Night November 20

The Spoon River College Literacy Program is pleased to announce that the 34^th Annual Family Reading Night will be celebrated on Thursday, November 20. This year’s theme is “Read. Renew. Repeat.”

“Reading as a family is so important, said Melissa Koke, Adult Education advisor. “It 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.”

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.

“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,” Koke said.

The activities, locations and times of each library’s events are listed below.

Astoria Public Library will have a Stuffed animal sleepover on Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. Families are invited to bring their stuffed animals with them for story time, with refreshments and a take home craft. The stuffed animals are then welcome to spend the night at the library with the library mascot, Foxy Loxy. When the animals are picked up (either the next day during regular hours or during Astoria’s Carriage Night), they will also have a book with pictures of the activities the animals had during the night.

Canton Parlin-Ingersoll Library will host a “Game Night 2025” themed event on Nov. 20, from 6-7:30.  Participants will read a story, play games, and have snacks.

Cuba Spoon River Library will have guest readers at their family reading night on Nov. 20, from 5-6, and will have treats and giveaways.

Farmington Area Public Library’s Family Reading Night will be held at Farmington Central Elementary on Nov. 20, starting at 5:30 p.m. Children’s Coordinator Christine Casteel will have a table set-up with paper games and book giveaways, and will also be reading to children. The school will be offering additional activities as well.

Havana Public Library District will hold their event at New Central School on November 20, from 6:40-7:45. There will be guest readers, free books, pumpkin pancakes, and prizes. Attendees are encouraged to wear their pajamas!

Lewistown Carnegie Public Library District will be holding a “make and take’ craft day,” and will also have snacks and a book give away while supplies last.

Rushville Public Library will celebrate Family Reading Night on Wednesday, November 19, from 3-6:00 pm. A special guest, Curious George, will visit and join in the reading at 4 p.m. Every child will get to pick out a free book to take home with them.

For more information about the Literacy Project at Spoon River College, call Melissa Koke at 309-649-6310.

Sponsored by the Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian and the Illinois State Library’s Illinois Center for the Book, Family Reading Night is an annual statewide event held the third Thursday in November to encourage families to spend quality time reading together.

SRC Community Outreach Hosts 33rd Lifelong Learning Conference

The Spoon River College Office of Community Outreach hosted the 33^rd Lifelong Learning Conference on October 10 on the Canton Campus, welcoming attendees, speakers, and resource fair vendors.

“It’s always wonderful to welcome this group of enthusiastic learners!” said Andrea Barbknecht director of the SRC Canton Outreach Center. “It’s nice seeing old and new friends!”

MNB President Rick Klinedinst started off the day with the keynote address that featured the story of Mary Todd Lincoln, sharing fascinating details about her life both before and after she became Mrs. Lincoln.

Other educational sessions included Fulton County in Civil War by Col. Steve Rice; Historic Farms of Fulton County by Cheryl Bielema and Janice Dare Bruster; Climbing Your Family Tree by Kevin Meade; Eleanor Roosevelt by Stan Ransom; Read Beat by Steve Tartar, Seven Wonders of the World by Mike Delligatti; and A Year of Sunflowers by Christine Wright.

“The talent in our own backyard never seems to run out, and we are thankful for the collaboration between our Community Leadership Academy graduates and the many local experts and enthusiasts who continue to give their time and be a part of this fun and informative event,” said Barbknecht.

Another perk of the event is that attendees bring non-perishable items for the SRC Student Needs Pantry.  Besides a table full of donated items, over $800 was raised to help support the many needs of our SRC students.

The event was co-sponsored by MidAmerica National Bank. Other sponsors included SRC Adult Education, The Clayberg Nursing Center, Thrivent Financial, Graham Health System, Canton Community Concert Assoc., Spoon River Home Health, Willow Ridge Hospice, The Loft Rehabilitation and Nursing of Canton, Spoon River Partnership for Economic Opportunity, the Center for Youth and Family Solutions, Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois, and CASA of West Central Illinois.

Attendees enjoyed morning refreshments and a soup and sandwich buffet that was catered by the SRC River Roast Café, with members of the SRC volleyball team helping serve and in clean-up duty.

The next Lifelong Learning Conference is scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2026.

Annual Pancakes for Bette Fundraiser Hosted by Phi Mu Tau at Spoon River College

The 16th Annual Pancakes for Bette fundraiser was held at Spoon River College in Canton on November 5, hosted by the Phi Mu Tau fraternity, which is comprised of students in the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program.

This year’s event raised $600 and will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Isaiah Crotzer of Canton won the pancake eating contest, earning him a $50 gas card that was donated by Student Services. DPST instructor Todd Thompson was the winner of the 50/50 drawing, which he donated back.

The event was originally created to aid long-time SRC employee Bette Dye with medical expenses after she was diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, Dye lost her battle with cancer on September 19, 2010, just 11 days after the second fundraiser was held.

“I worked with Bette for eleven years, and she served many pancakes to my students during that time,” said Thompson. “She cared about all the students and made it a point to know them by name, and would ask about them even after they had graduated.”

Olivia Miller, SRC Student: First-Generation Student Feature

Current SRC Sophomore, member of TRIO and Snapper Volleyball Team

My college experience at Spoon River has been great as a first-generation student. Spoon River has been the perfect blend of staying close to home, but also branching out and making new friends. The faculty and staff here are amazing and are always willing to help students.

TRIO has provided me with the extra resources I needed to be successful as a college student. They have provided me guidance in many different aspects and are very helpful. I have learned many different things that will help me in my future.

After SRC, I plan to attend Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing to earn my BSN. I hope to become a pediatric nurse!

Nikki Rittenhouse, Director of Financial Aid: First-Generation Student Feature

My college experience was not typical. First of all, the school I attended had 13,000 students, so I felt like I was just a number! I was a commuter, traveling around 50 miles a day, to and from class. I worked 30 hours a week to afford gas, insurance and other things I needed. I didn’t have time for any extracurriculars. I lived at home with my parents because I could not afford housing on campus. Thankfully they supported me in that way, but because my parents did not have the experience of going to college themselves, I had to figure out a lot of things on my own. I remember being too scared to go into the Financial Aid office to ask questions. I didn’t know what to say or how to ask about withdrawing from a class and how that would affect my financial aid. Now that I work in Financial Aid, I never want a student to feel that way. I have always tried my hardest to make students feel comfortable in our office.

SRC is small enough that students don’t feel like “just a number”. We know our students names, and they know ours! With that added personal experience, we take the time to work with students, by offering the TRIO program to help prepare them for transferring on to a 4-year school. We have a top-notch Learning Resource Center that works with students, one-on-one, to be successful.  Our faculty provide challenging coursework to ensure our students are ready to move on to the workforce or their next academic adventure. We take pride in saying “we knew that student when” because our students go on to do some amazing things!

Jason Strandberg, History/Political Science Professor: First-Generation Student Feature

In some ways, my college experience was very challenging.  I had pretty much no support from my parents and lived largely with friends.  I accepted a Track and Cross-Country scholarship so I could afford to go to college, but balancing school work and outside work with that definitely kept me on my toes.  There were definitely times I was not convinced that I would finish college, but I kept at it with the help of friends. On the other hand, I loved it.  I made a lot of friends at SRC who I am still in touch with today and enjoyed my time here.  Lowell Aten, the history teacher during my time inspired me to work towards my Master’s Degree.  After SRC, I went on to earn my B.A. and M.A. and eventually began to teach full time at SRC when Mr. Aten retired.

Although I went to SRC a long, long time ago, I feel many of the things that helped me be successful are still major strengths at SRC today.  I believe both faculty and Student Services are good at helping students see what their options are after they leave SRC.  There are many opportunities to explore what four-year universities can do to help further prospective student educational goals, or career opportunities after graduating from SRC.  When it comes to First-Gen students, these can be crucial to help students feel more confident (and lower stress) when it is time to take that next step.