Please Note: that all locations of SRC are closed Fridays for Summer Hours from May 16 through July 25. Announcement: all operations for the Macomb campus have temporarily moved to the Outreach Center (2500 E Jackson) until further notice as we make the transition to the new campus.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on 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.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on 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.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on 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.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on 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.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on 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.”
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on Time Capsule Buried by SRC Students in 2002
An Alanis Morrisette music CD, a disposable razor, and a blood pressure cuff. A license plate personalized with “POPROX 8” and an old cell phone. A Pizza Hut menu, a roll of print film, and an old YMCA shirt. A condom and a pack of Camel cigarettes.
These were some of the items in a time capsule buried 20 years ago by Spoon River College students who were in the Introduction to Cultural Anthropology class taught by sociology faculty Michael Maher.
“I was in my third year of teaching when I had this group of students, and it was the first time that I taught the Introduction to Cultural Anthropology,” Maher said. “This class became special to me. They were engaged, interested, funny yet serious, and just overall a great group of people. I wanted to celebrate them, and I wanted to create an excuse to reunite with them in twenty years.”
Students as well as a few faculty members brought in various objects. As a class they went to the SRC Arboretum and buried the plastic wrapped items in a tote. Also included were copies of a list of questions—such as what would the price of a Big Mac be as well as where each student saw themselves in twenty years—and the answers predicted by each student. A date was set for 20 years in the future when they would meet again to unearth their time capsule.
Earlier this summer, they did just that, joined by several former and current staff and faculty.
While not all of the former students were able to attend, those who did enjoyed reminiscing about the class and discussing the changes over the past two decades. They also laughed over how accurate—or inaccurate—the predications for their own futures had been, especially when it came to the number of children they expected to have and their careers.
“I’ve had several cohorts of students during my teaching career who stand out, but this cohort was the first, and getting the opportunity to visit with some of them and even just make email contact with others was incredibly gratifying.”
More pictures of the Time Capsule Project can be viewed on the Spoon River College Facebook page.
Past students who attended the Time Capsule Project Reunion were (l-r) Derek Grove, Craig Overcash, Michael Maher, Nathan Gardner, Mandy Zink (Manock), Angie Rabe (Erickson), and Jenny Zimmerman (Beatty).
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on SRC Announces Becky Sherwood as Director of Nursing
Spoon River College welcomes Becky Sherwood as the Director of Nursing for their nursing program. She was previously a member of the nursing faculty for five years prior to the pandemic.
Sherwood started her education at Spoon River College, receiving her Associate in Applied Science degree in 1994. She then attended Graham Hospital School of Nursing and earned her nursing diploma in 1998. Her nursing career has been primarily in surgical and emergency nursing and has included management experience. In 2009, Sherwood furthered her nursing education, earning a Bachelor’s equivalency and then her Master’s Degree in Nursing with a specialization in Education.
“I am thrilled to be back at Spoon River College and look forward to teaching and working with students again. I love witnessing a student’s ‘aha!’ moment,” said Sherwood, who said she was inspired to be a nurse by her mother’s teachings of compassion and putting others’ needs first. Sherwood also had a passion for being in the classroom—as a child she played teacher, using her stuffed animals as students and her stickers for grading their homework.
Sherwood resides in Canton with her husband Darren and their animal family.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on SRC Athletics Hosting Casino Night Fundraiser September 17
The Spoon River College Athletic department is hosting a Casino Night fundraiser on Saturday, September 17 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 because we wanted to do a fun community event rather than having our athletes sell merchandise. It was successful and well attended, but because of the pandemic we weren’t able to do another one until now. We are excited to finally be able to bring it back,” said John Bassett, athletic director and head softball coach.
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. The appetizers are being provided by Don and Nancy’s Café.
“Attending this event is a great way to see the facilities and meet some of our athletes,” said Bassett. “We’re also still seeking sponsorships and raffle donations.”
Spoon River College offers baseball, softball, volleyball, and men and women’s basketball. More information about the athletic program can be viewed at www.src.edu or by visiting the Spoon River College Athletics Facebook page.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on SRC Foundation Golf Outing Raises Over $23,000
The 29th annual Spoon River College Foundation Golf Outing was held on Friday, July 29 at Wee-Ma-Tuk Hills Country Club. This year’s outing raised more than $23,000.
“In these uncertain times where times remain difficult for many, having the success we had with our outing is incredible,” said Colin Davis, Executive Director of the SRC Foundation. “With the high cost of gasoline, food, and other goods and services, times remain difficult for our students, too, and every dollar raised will help local students have the best educational experience possible at SRC.”
In all, over 60 businesses and organizations from the SRC District and beyond sponsored the outing, and 26 teams competed in the event.
“We tried to keep the pressure off our local businesses given all that they are enduring,” said Davis. “But that didn’t stop them. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of our sponsors, and especially our Ace Sponsors: Corporate Clean, Cook Medical/CFC Inc., the Odendahl Family, OSF Healthcare, Randy & Susie McMillen/RE/MAX, and Unland Insurance and Benefits.”
Golfers this year were treated to lunch, an SRC golf towel, and the opportunity to compete for the coveted championship. This year’s winner, with a score of 21-under, was Team Odendahl. The Very Most Average Team award, given to the team which finishes closest to the average score that day, went to Team Progressive Vision Center, who finished at 9-under and won a coin toss to determine the winner.
Golfers also had the opportunity to compete for skill prizes on every hole. While these are normally prizes donated by local businesses, the SRC Foundation chose this year to purchase Chamber Bucks from the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce.
“Each year, we ask our local businesses to step up for us, and the last few years, we’ve thought it was important for us to show our support for them,” said Davis. “Chamber Bucks ensure that local businesses will see direct benefit from our outing, and we were proud to support Wee-Ma-Tuk by hosting our outing at Fulton County’s only golf course.”
The SRC Foundation raises funds to support scholarships, programs and facilities at Spoon River College. Funds from the 2019 and 2020 outings helped to provide emergency hardship grants to SRC students who lost income or had unexpected expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2021, the funds helped to purchase laptops for students to temporarily use to complete their studies. Funds raised at this year’s outing will help the SRC Foundation meet similar needs during this academic year as needs arise.
“The support of our communities means everything to us and to our students in a normal year,” said Davis, “but in this time where our students’ need is greater than ever, the support of our sponsors and teams means even more.”
Next year’s event is tentatively scheduled on the event’s traditional date of the last Friday in July – July 28, 2023, with more special events planned to mark the event’s 30th anniversary. To learn more about the SRC Foundation, call (309) 649-6260, e-mail foundation@src.edu, or go to www.src.edu/foundation.
This year’s winner of the SRC Foundation golf outing was Team Odendahl, with a score of 21-under. Team members were Ben Gillen, Fred Odendahl, Martha Davis, and Mike Moore.
Winner of the Most Average Team was Progressive Vision Center. Team members were Paul Sepich, John Turgeon, Mel Turgeon, and Jeremy Kauzlarich.
Posted by ONEFIRE Development on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Announces ICCB Grant to Fund Dual Credit Classes
Spoon River College has announced that through the awarding of an Illinois Community College Board Bridge Grant, all dual credit students enrolled in courses with Spoon River College will be granted a full scholarship for tuition and fees for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“We are thrilled to receive this grant and be able to offer this significant savings to dual credit students in our district, and hope it will help our district students begin their college careers at Spoon River College,” said Holly Norton, dean of transfer education at the college.
The award will cover all courses taken at all SRC locations and taught by SRC faculty, including online courses, and all courses taken at high schools in the SRC district and taught by high school instructors. Courses that will be excluded are those being funded by other sources such as grants, or those for which the students are not charged tuition and fees such as school-funded courses.
Because the grant was only recently awarded, all internal and external scholarships will be applied to students’ accounts, with this latest scholarship applied to the remaining tuition and fees. For those who have paid their tuition in full, the amount paid for the fall semester will be refunded. They will be processed through the Spoon River College business office after September 2.
There is no application to fill out to receive this grant, as all dual credit students will be included.
Spoon River College is still accepting new students for all fall dual credit courses. To register, students should contact their high school counselor or Spoon River dual credit advisor Sarah Fouts at sarah.fouts@src.edu or by calling 309-649-6221. Fall classes start Monday, August 22.
