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.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on 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.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on 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;
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;
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;
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on 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.
