Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on CTE Spotlight: Phillip Mahn of Garland, Texas
CTE spotlight: Phillip Mahn of Garland, TX traveled 765 miles for his love of trains and for Spoon River College’s Locomotive Mechanical Certificate, which is embedded in the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program.
He doesn’t remember the exact moment when he realized his passion for locomotives, but he does remember his mom taking him to a bookstore when he was young so he could get a train book. “No Thomas the Train for me,” he said. “I chose the Encyclopedia of Train History.” He still has that book.
Knowing his career path would include the rail industry, Phillip started searching for a locomotive training program. It led him to Spoon River College, a certified training center for the railway industry since 2019 through a partnership with the National Academy of Railroad Sciences (NARS), and Johnson County Community College in Kansas. It is one of the few such programs in the nation.
Phillip prefers quiet rural places and said finding the program he wanted in Canton “was like a lottery ticket out of the Dallas area.” Needing to work while here but with no transportation, he secured a student worker position in the SRC Community Outreach Office, as well with the college’s cleaning company–both things he could do while living on campus.
There was still a moment of panic when he realized that he didn’t have the funds necessary for both tuition and the required tools. He sought assistance with Career Link, which offers a variety of services to eligible individuals to help with overcoming roadblocks as they navigate career training or employment searches.
They were able to help him with the portion of tuition not covered by FAFSA and scholarships, as well as the cost of the tools. “They are the most kind and amazing people.” He says the same thing about many of the local people he has met since arriving in Canton.
Once he completes the program, which will culminate in an associate in applied science in Diesel and Power Systems Technology and a Locomotive Mechanical Certificate, he will head back south, maybe to the Arkansas area where he born, or maybe somewhere else. He’s not sure yet, other than it will be near a rail yard.
Learn more about the Diesel and Power Systems Technology program and the Locomotive Mechanical Certificate at Spoon River College by attending our Career and Technical Education Showcase, February 26, 9-11 a.m., in our VOTECH building on the Canton Campus!
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Theatre Presenting Waiting for Godot March 6-8 in Taylor Hall Theatre
“Nothing to be done.” Or is there? That’s the question being asked in the spring production of the Spoon River College Theater department that runs March 6-8.
Step into a world where time stands still, and anything—or nothing—can happen. In Waiting for Godot (1952), Samuel Beckett’s iconic tragicomedy, two vagabonds wait on a desolate road beneath a solitary tree for the mysterious Godot. Blending dark humor with poignant insight, Waiting for Godot is a theatrical landmark that redefined modern drama. Shows will be on Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m., and on Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. in the Taylor Hall Theatre on the Canton Campus.
In addition, the SRC Foundation is hosting an alumni reception immediately after Sunday’s matinee, where alumni can meet the cast, reminisce on their time at SRC, and enjoy refreshments.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Fellheimer Scholarship Application Deadline – March 20
The Spoon River College Foundation is now accepting applications for the Fellheimer Trust scholarship. This scholarship is for students who are full-time residents of McDonough County. Students must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher, and preference will be given to non-traditional students who are 25 years of age or older with a dependent child.
The deadline to apply is March 20, 2026. Applications can be picked up in the Student Services office or downloaded at Fellheimer Scholarship Application
Completed applications can be returned to the Student Services office. For more details about this scholarship, contact Foundation Director Dusty Berg at 309-649-6395 or visit
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Seeking Faculty Award Nominations
Spoon River College is seeking nominations that will be used to select a full-time faculty recipient for the H. Truman Standard Award, which honors current faculty who have distinguished themselves as members of the teaching profession at Spoon River College.
Nominations may be submitted by any current or former student, or any citizen of the Spoon River College district. The deadline for submissions is February 27, 2026.
The H. Truman Standard Award cannot be issued to the same faculty member more than once in a seven-year period. Those not eligible for nomination this year are Laura Bandy, Sarah Etter, Becky Leverette, Sarah Strode, and Beth VanTine.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Dr. Curt Oldfield to Leave Spoon River College
Canton, IL— After 14 years as its president, Curt Oldfield, Ed.D., will depart Spoon River College this summer to become President of Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.
“The Board of Trustees is appreciative of Dr. Oldfield’s service to Spoon River College. He began as a student, became an instructor, moved up to Dean, and then served for 14 years as President. Lincoln Land will present him with a new opportunity to continue his professional growth. The process to find our next President will begin immediately with the selection of a national search firm. We look forward to a dialogue with faculty, staff, students, and the communities we serve to assist in selecting our new President,” said Kevin Meade, Chair of the SRC Board of Trustees.
During Oldfield’s tenure as President, his contribution to the college and the community has been significant. Major initiatives have included increasing retention, expanding workforce development programs and developing strategic partnerships. He also guided the college through several capital projects including construction of the Multipurpose Building, baseball and softball fields on the Canton Campus and development of the new Macomb Campus.
The Board will announce next steps in the presidential search process in the coming weeks. The College remains focused on supporting students and advancing its mission during this transition.
Spoon River College is a two-year, public community college in West Central Illinois, with campuses and Community Outreach Centers in Canton and Macomb, with Learning Centers in Havana and Rushville. For more information about Spoon River College, visit www.src.edu.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Career and Technical Education Showcase Event to Highlight February as CTE Month
February is celebrated as Career and Technical Education (CTE) month as a way to put the spotlight on the value that CTE programs offer to students, the workforce, and the overall economy. Community colleges and the programs they offer are key to preparing students for the expanding workforce.
On Thursday, February 26, from 9-11 a.m., Spoon River College will host a Career and Technical Education Showcase event offering simulations and hands-on activities. Faculty, current students, and staff from several SRC departments will be available to answer questions about the programs, the admission process, and financial aid options. This event is for people of all ages.
“This is a great opportunity to learn more about career programs that get students job-ready and into the workforce in a short amount of time, whether it be with an associate degree or a short-term certificate,” said Todd Thompson, Diesel and Power Systems Technology instructor and Division Chair for CTE programs at SRC.
Programs being featured include Agriculture Business Management, Commercial Driver Training/Logistics, Computer Information Systems, Diesel and Power Systems Technology, Early Childhood Education, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Healthcare Careers (Medical Assisting, Medical Billing/Coding, Phlebotomy), Medical Lab Technician (MLT), Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Small Business Management, and Welding.
In 2021, a $1.5M grant from the Economic Development Administration allowed for new training equipment and renovations of the college’s Vocational and Technical Education Center (VOTECH), which were completed in 2024. In addition, scholarship funding was provided by SRC alumnus and retired Caterpillar vice president and CEO Lynn McPheeters, with a $500,000 gift earmarked for students entering career and technical education programs, which are currently ineligible for federal aid.
According to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), there is a projected deficit of 6 million skilled workers through 2032. CTE programs can prepare individuals for these high-skill, in-demand jobs in fields which can pay up to $2.8 million in lifetime earnings, as well as pay more than bachelor’s degrees in other fields, while also limiting student debt.
This is an open house type of event. Participants are welcome to arrive anytime between 9 and 11 a.m. Schools bringing buses of students are encouraged to email Melissa Miller. Please allow 45 minutes to an hour to tour the VOTECH Building and stop at all of the program booths. This event is being held at the Canton Campus, 23235 N. County Hwy. 22 at the VOTECH Building.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Bowling Team Hosting Snakebite Doubles Tournament February 21 at Linn Lanes
The Spoon River College bowling team is hosting a Snakebite Doubles Tournament fundraiser on Saturday, February 21, at 5 p.m. at Linn Lanes in Canton. All splits and 9 counts of the first ball are strikes. Entry fee is $35 per bowler, and the top six qualifiers from three games will advance to a bracket format final.
There will also be bake sale, silent auction, 50/50 drawing, and a bowling ball raffle. Players my sign up at Linn Lanes, or through SRC bowling coach Ken Shockency at 309-635-6002 or by Facebook messenger. Those interested can also contact Shockency for more detailed information about the tournament.
The college added bowling to their athletic program in August of 2024, with Shockency as head coach. A Canton native, he has been coaching for the past 20 years.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Commercial Driver Training Program Relocated to SRC Canton Campus
Operations of the Spoon River College Driver Training (CDT) program are moving from its location on 4th Avenue in Canton to the campus of Spoon River College. New director of the program is Michele Johnson, who was hired in November following the retirement of Bob Walter. Joining Johnson are CDL driving instructors Greg Gibson Cary Dixon.
“We’re excited to have them on campus, where they will have more visibility,” said Melissa Miller, dean of career and workforce education. “Michelle, Greg and Cary are excellent additions to the program, and Michelle is both an experienced over-the-road driver and instructor.”
The 4-week CDT Basic Course will be conducted on the campus starting in the Spring semester. Classroom instruction will be held in the Vocational and Technical Education Center (VoTech) building, which also houses the Agriculture and the Diesel and Power Systems Technology programs. The remaining three weeks will be range and road training hands-on driving skills, and will also be done on campus.
The CDT certificate program is designed to offer individuals basic knowledge of the principles, techniques, and skills necessary for safe and efficient operation of tractor-trailer vehicles, and consists of 40 hours of classroom instruction, and 120 hours of range and road. Hours of instruction are 8-4. Prior to being enrolled, applicants must complete all items on the provided Commercial Driver Training Checklist.
Tuition assistance is available for eligible students. For information about Illinois Veteran and National Guard grants, contact SRC Veteran’s coordinator Charlie Cox at 309-649-6267 at the Canton Campus, or financial aid/veterans specialist Teagan Markham at 309-833-6065 at the Macomb Campus.
Additional funding grants are available through Career Link, Workforce Investment, Illinois Department of Human Service, Grant, National Farm Workers, and Community Action Partnership. Scholarships are available from the Farm Bureau IIA Scholarship and the McDonough County “Operation Generosity” scholarship.
More information about the CDT program, the application process, and funding can be viewed at www.src.edu or by calling Michele Johnson at 309-647-2794.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Spoon River College Announces Fall 2025 Degree and Certificate Completers
Spoon River College congratulates the following individuals who completed degrees and/or certificates during the Fall 2025 semester at Spoon River College.
Bath: Alexis Rutherford, Associate in Arts;
Cambridge: Arthur Smutzer, Basic Certificate; Waylon Tucker, Basic Certificate;
Canton: Amos Anderson, General Certificate; Jamerious Baker, General Certificate; T. Bennett, General Certificate; Austin Bickel, General Certificate; Emma Hardesty, Associate in General Studies; Makyla Marvel, Associate in Arts; Morgan Neptun, Associate in Science; Tori Sehr, Associate in Arts; Dane Watts, Basic Certificate;
Chicago: Kenneth Stemmons, Associate in Arts;
Cuba: Braden Sanderson, General Certificate; Samantha Woods, Associate in Applied Science;
Eau Claire, WI: Kolten Foulk, Basic Certificate;
Ellisville: Joel Featherlin, General Certificate;
Fairview: Tyler Lovitt, General Certificates;
Farmington: Kimberlee Harding, Basic Certificate;
Galesburg: Jalon Roberts: Basic Certificate;
Havana: Richard Baughman, General Certificate; Andrew Brault, General Certificates; Mia Specketer, General Certificates;
Kilbourne: Abigail Whitlow, Associate in Art;
Ladd: Riley Coble, Associate in Arts;
Lewistown: Bekjir Limani, General Certificate; Kaylynn Prater, Associate in Arts;
Macomb: Dallas Davis, General Certificate; Jacob Derry, General Certificate; Michael Ewen, Associate in Arts; Michael Lovell, Associate in Arts; Bryonna Oden, Associate in Applied Science; Rose Shelko, Associate in Arts; Lunden Skaggs, Associate in Science;
Pekin: Ashtin Ritchie, Associate in General Studies;
Prairie City: Elizabeth Gilfillan, Associate in Applied Science;
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on President’s List for Fall 2025 Full-Time Students
Spoon River College congratulates the following full-time students who were named to the President’s List in recognition of their academic achievement in completing 12 credit hours or more of college-level classes and earning a grade point average of 3.6–4.0 during the Fall 2025 semester. Please note that students who have designated a privacy hold will not be on the list.
Rushville: Emma Behrens; Darcie Govaert; Alexander Hunter; Macon Kessler; Natalie Perdew; Kaylee Shaw; Madeline Stoll; Audrey Sutor; Ainsley Trone;
Saskatoon, FO: Cameron Crerar; Courtney Frohaug;
Scoiot: Kendra Fowler; Madison Johnson;
Sherrard: Maddux Harksen;
Smithfield: Emma Barrick; Gracie Widger;
Springfield: Elijah Carlson;
St. David: Tandem Leezer;
Table Grove: Ethan Dennis;
West Point: Mitchell Wilcox;
Winchester: Brylee Lawson.
Spoon River College is a two-year, public community college in West Central Illinois with campuses and Community Outreach Offices in Canton and Macomb and Learning Centers in Havana and Rushville.
