Students Inducted into Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society

Spoon River College inducted new members into its Nu Delta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society in a ceremony held at the Canton Campus on April 17.

After a welcome by Dr. Curt Oldfield, president of Spoon River College, the history of Phi Theta Kappa was presented by Mary Toothaker, president of the Canton Chapter. Missy Wilkinson, dean of student services, introduced the four members who were named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team, chosen on the basis of academic achievement, volunteer work, campus activities, honors, and awards. Those students were Joshua Bryan, Angel Dailey, Zoey Lane, and Chester Ruff.

Phi Theta Kappa faculty advisors Shelli Stuart and Rebecca Werland presided over the initiation of new members, who were introduced by faculty member Sarah Dalpiaz and student success coach Andrea White.

The new inductees were:

Astoria: Skye Stambaugh, Molly Westlake;

Bath: Ella Kramer;

Bourbonnais: Nicholas Rodriguez;

Browning: Andru Vaughn;

Bushnell: Holli Warner;

Canton: Hannah Anderson, Ethan Bender, Hailie Clark, Jersey Dilts, Ella Dixon, Austin Dornberger, Lindsey Harrison, Jennifer Hernandez, Cristian Hernandez, Emily Love, Bella Markley, Alicia Maxson, Jocee Miller, Stephanie Millikan, Nicholas Oldfield, Addison Palmer, Olivia Parkinson, Roxann Richardson, Allison Robinson, Kylie Simmons, Beau Slayton, Anna Taylor, Gage Wallick, Chase Williamson;

Easton: Dale Devore;

Fairview: Jenna Schleich;

Farmington: Shaylee Kellerstrass;

Glasford: Sydney Sager;

Havana: Tara McCausland, Halicyn Minor, Lindsey Morgan, Margaret Porter, Kaitlyn Robison, Elizabeth Towery;

Ipava: Angel Dailey;

Kilbourne: Chloe Turner;

Lewistown: Traci Brown, Elliot Dalpiaz, Brady Hanes, Emma Henderson, Chelsey Hopkins, Preston Horwedel, Taegan Neteler, Danielle Sill;

Macomb: Dallas Davis, Kristyn Ford, Chester Ruff, Brady Sullivan, Bethany Swanson;

Mount Sterling: Gabriel Blakeley;

Norris: Avri Hindahl;

Rushville: Isabel Escapa, Emily Gossage, Aubree Jones, Amy Logsdon, Paul Malcomson, Hayden Moon;

St. David: Delaney Eastwood.

SRC Students Named to Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team

Four Spoon River College students have been named to the Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team as a result of their nomination to the All-USA Community College Academic Team. From the Canton Campus are Angel Dailey (CTE) and Zoey Lane (transfer), and from the Macomb Campus are Joshua Bryan (transfer) and Chester Ruff (CTE).

Joshua Bryan is completing an associate in science degree, and plans to transfer to Western Illinois University where he will major in Political Science Pre-Law and Spanish. While at Spoon River College, Bryan has served as president of the Student Government Association and of Nu Delta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, and has been named to the President’s List. He is also the assistant boys’ soccer and swim coach at Macomb High School.

Angel Dailey is enrolled in the Medical Lab Technician program, and will graduate with an associate of applied science degree. Dailey served as Valedictorian at her high school graduation, and has been named to both the Dean’s and the President’s lists while at Spoon River College. She has served as a volunteer for a local food pantry and for Toys for Tots.

Zoey Lane is completing her associate degree in science and will be transferring to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to work towards her pre-dental bachelor’s degree. Upon completion, she will then attend Alton’s Dental School of Medicine for four years to become a doctor of dental medicine before joining her family’s dentistry business.  During her time at Spoon River College, Lane has been a member of HEAL (Healthcare Enthusiasts And Leaders) Student Association, was named to the President’s List, and served as the 2022-2023 Student Trustee.

Chester Ruff is enrolled in the Small Business Management program, and will graduate with an associate in applied science degree, as well as with certificates in Entrepreneurship and Business Plan Entrepreneurship. While at Spoon River College, he has been named to the President’s List. He has served at Victory Baptist Church in Macomb for more than a decade, and has run several disc golf fundraisers. Ruff plans to continue work at his current place of employment, and his goal is to pastor. He and wife Jessica have one daughter, Kaley.

These students were awarded $1,500 scholarships for the Spring 2023 semester from Spoon River College and the Spoon River College Foundation, and are also eligible for additional national scholarships. They were also honored at the Annual Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois awards banquet held April 27 at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield.

Spoon River College faculty Shelli Stuart (Macomb) and Rebecca Werland (Canton) are the advisors for the Nu Delta Chapters of Phi Theta Kappa at Spoon River College.

The All-USA Academic Team is sponsored annually by Phi Theta Kappa, USA Today, and the American Association of Community Colleges. The All-State Academic Team is a division of the Academic All-USA Team for Community, Technical and Junior Colleges.

Joshua Bryan

Angel Dailey

Zoey Lane

Chester Ruff

2022-2023 Student Trustee Honored for Service on SRC Board of Trustees

Zoey Lane of Havana, who served as the 2022-2023 Student Trustee on the Spoon River College Board of Trustees, was presented with a Resolution honoring her service to the Board by Jerry Cremer, Board Chair at the regular public meeting held April 26 at the Canton Campus.

Lane will be transferring to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville to work towards her pre-dental bachelor’s degree. Upon completion, she will then attend Alton’s Dental School of Medicine for four years to become a doctor of dental medicine before joining her family’s dentistry business. Besides serving as the Student Trustee, Lane was a member of HEAL (Healthcare Enthusiasts And Leaders) Student Association, and was named to the President’s List.

Samantha Smith-Coulter will serve as the 2023-2024 Student Trustee. Originally from St. Louis, Smith-Coulter and her husband now reside in Canton.

A self-employed dog groomer for the past two years, Smith-Coulter is working towards an associate degree in science in preparation for transfer to continue her studies in veterinary science.

Student trustees at Spoon River College attend monthly board meetings and give updates about student life and events to trustees, further the interests and promote the welfare of SRC students, and represent the student body in the Student Government Association. Along with gaining leadership skills, trustees have opportunities to attend state trustee meetings and conferences. They serve one year, and receive a stipend towards their tuition and fees.

  Zoey Lane, 2022-2023 Student Trustee      Savanah Smith-Coulter, 2023-2024 Student Trustee

President’s Reception Honors SRC Foundation Donors

Spoon River College hosted the annual President’s Reception to honor those donors who have reached specific levels of cumulative giving to the SRC Foundation, and also those who established new named endowed scholarships in 2022. This year’s event was held April 30 in the Spoon River College Conference Center on the Canton Campus.

New, permanently endowed scholarships established were the Lukas R. Goforth Memorial Scholarship and the Long Family Scholarship.

Friend ($1,000-$4,999): Bard Optical, Coachmen Motor Club, Dempster Insurance Agency, LLC, Jill Eberle, Christina Fidler, Brian K. Huff, Kevin L. Kaiser, Scott and Angie Miller, Emile J. Smith, Spoon River Garden Club, Stinauer Family Dentistry, Shelli Stuart, Deborah Bender, Glen and Debbie Hamm, Judy Simpson Juraco, Meade Law Office PC, OSF Healthcare System, Donna Sorensen, and White Oak’s Tavern.

Ambassador ($5,000-$9,9999): Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Froehling, Dr. and Mrs. Ramayya Gowda, Jim and Susie Lafary, Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Saunders, and Marlene Thompson.

Benefactor ($10,000-$24,999): Compeer Financial, Sarah and Jeff Gray, Kenneth and Nina Long, Mr. and Mrs. Edward McManus, Daniel and Sheryl Voorhis, and Melissa and Michael Wilkinson.

Honorary Director ($25,000-$49,999): Janice Dare Bruster and Drs. Tom and Robin Hines.

Founder ($100,000 and up): Sherman W. Reed Trust.

“These generous gifts from community members, alumni, and businesses are vital in allowing the SRC Foundation to continue to offer high quality academic programs, provide scholarships, and other assistance that aids our students in successfully meeting their academic goals, which also benefits our communities,” said Colin Davis, Director of the SRC Foundation.

In addition to honoring donors, outgoing Foundation board members Brendon Bauman, Staci Mayall, and Nick Tinsman were recognized for their six years of service on the SRC Foundation Board.

The SRC Foundation supports scholarships and college programs through hardship grants, innovation grants, faculty research, facility and technology upgrades, and community projects. For more information about the SRC Foundation visit www.src.edu.

Scholarships Awarded to Students in the Diesel and Power Systems Technology Program

Five Spoon River College students in the Diesel and Power Systems Technology (DPST) program were awarded scholarships following a round of interviews with program faculty and members of the Diesel Advisory Board.

Advisory Board member Sam Brooks presented the awards to the following students: Connor McCabe (Cashion, OK), Harold Dare Scholarship; Andrew Rairden (Keokuk, IA), Phi Mu Tau Scholarship; Kyle Rhoades (Good Hope, IL), Brian Telander Scholarship; Caleb Rogers (Payson, IL), Ed Kaiser Scholarship; and Kyle Wise (Farmington, IL), Coachman Motor Club Scholarship.

The two-year DPST program is one of the college’s longest-running career and technical education programs, offering education and training in the field of diesel power technology and its related applications, that culminates in an associate in applied science degree. In 2019, the College also became a certified training center for the railway industry through a partnership with NARS (National Academy of Railroad Science) and Johnson County Community College. Certificates are offered in Locomotive Mechanical, Preventive Maintenance, and Rail Transportation and Power System Technology. Instructors in the program are Todd Thompson, Joe Clemens, Aaron Mayall, and Dave Andersen.

For more information about the program, visit www.src.edu.

Spoon River College Hosting College Visit Day April 20

Spoon River College will host its final College Visit Day of the spring semester at both their Canton and Macomb campuses on Thursday, April 20, from 1-3 p.m.

These are 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 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 Snapper Villas student housing on the Canton Campus. All attendees will receive a free t-shirt.

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.

RSVPs are encouraged at https://www.src.edu/collegevisit, but not required.

The Canton Campus is located at 23235 N. County Hwy. 22, and the Macomb Campus is located at 208 S. Johnson Street. For more information, call 309-647-4645.

During a previous College Visit Day, Melissa Miller, director of Allied Health at Spoon River College, shows a visitor how to prepare a patient and then perform an ECG on them using an Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) Simulator. The final College Visit Day of the spring semester will be held on Thursday, April 20 at the Canton and Macomb Campuses from 1-3 p.m.

Spoon River College Utilizes PATH Grant for Expanded Medical Assistant Training

Spoon River College recently partnered with Graham Health System to provide currently employed medical assistants the opportunity to attend a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) Bootcamp, facilitated by Melissa Miller, director of Allied Health at Spoon River College.

Following completion of the camp, twenty-six GHS employees were eligible to sit for the National HealthCareer Association’s CCMA Certification Exam.

“Currently, in the State of Illinois, medical assistants do not have to be nationally certified to work as a medical assistant,” said Miller. “However, many healthcare facilities pay certified medical assistants a higher wage than someone who is not certified.”

Graham Health System employees who took part received a weekly stipend to attend the seven weeks-long camp, and upon successful completion of the exam will also receive an hourly pay increase.

Miller said the CCMA Bootcamp was created for those already working in healthcare who are performing medical assistant type job duties in their current position. “Besides a pay increase, these employees benefit by strengthening their knowledge and clinical skills, and being prepared to sit for the national exam.”

Spoon River College funded the CCMA Bootcamp using a PATH Grant (Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce) they were awarded from the Illinois Community College Board with monies received from the State of Illinois for distribution to community colleges. The goal of the grant was to create, support, and expand opportunities of individuals within the healthcare pathway.

Spoon River College Commencement May 11 at Canton Campus

Spoon River College will hold their 62nd Commencement on Thursday, May 11 at 6 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus, located at 23235 N County 22. Check-in time for graduates is 5:15 p.m. Sha Lyn Photography will be available from 4-5:15 to take individual graduation photos, and students will be provided with the proper order form for that service.

Cap and gown pickup will begin the week of May 1, and rehearsal for students participating in the ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 10 at 2 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus.  Caps and gowns purchased before April 10 will be $25. After April 10, the cost will increase as follows: April 10-14 – $30, April 17-21-$35, April 24-28-$40, and May 1-5, $45. No orders will be placed after May 5.

The commencement is free and open to the public.

SRC to Host 8th Grade Reality Store April 14

After a pandemic generated break, Spoon River College will once again be hosting their annual 8th Grade Reality Store event at the Canton Campus on Friday, April 14. Approximately 600 8th graders from Astoria, Bushnell Prairie City, Canton Ingersoll, Cuba, Farmington, Havana, Lewistown, Spoon River Valley and Macomb will be attending.

This unique and popular event allows students to choose a career field they are interested in, and then attend a question and answer session with a professional from that field. Following the presentations, students receive a paycheck that reflects the monthly starting salary – minus taxes – for the particular occupation they chose. After that, the real learning begins.

“Once they get a paycheck, they must pay bills and live on what’s left for a month, just like in the real world,” said Brandi Ketcham, Spoon River College student advisor and coordinator for the event. “All of them must pay the basics – housing, transportation, insurance, and the like – but some students are randomly selected to also have families, which means extra costs, such as childcare.”

And just like real life, the unexpected pops up. In the case of the 8th Grade Reality Store, real life pops up via the Wheel of Chance, which can throw off even the most frugal budget with an expensive home repair or speeding ticket.

“Sometimes though, the Wheel of Chance can be a windfall, such as winning a radio contest or inheriting money,” said Ketcham. “That’s the thing about real life; you don’t know what might come up on any given day.”

16th Annual Tractor Show and Car Cruise-In April 29 at Spoon River College

The 16^th Annual Tractor Show and Car Cruise-In will be held Saturday, April 29, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Spoon River College Campus in Canton.

The event is hosted by Phi Mu Tau fraternity students in the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program. Anyone who has a classic car or tractor is invited to bring or drive them to the college and be part of the show. There is no entry fee.

“This is a free, fun, casual event,” said Todd Thompson, DPST instructor and Phi Mu Tau advisor. “Bring the family and come on out. There is always a nice variety of antique vehicles and tractors, plus some new and unique ones.”

Registration will be from 9-11 a.m. Awards for best car and best tractor will be determined by fan voting and announced at 3 p.m. Raffle and 50-50 drawing winners will also be announced at 3 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, it will be held inside the Votech building. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

For more information about the car show, contact Todd Thompson at (309) 649-6244. The Canton Campus of Spoon River College is located at 23235 N. County Hwy 22.