SRC Hosts Annual 10th Grade Career Expo in Macomb

Approximately 300 sophomores from Bushnell Prairie City, Macomb, Rushville, and West Prairie high schools attended the annual 10^th Grade Career Expo hosted by Spoon River College at the Macomb Spoon River College Outreach Center on November 9.

The interactive event focused on four main career areas: health care/human and public services, arts and communication, agriculture/food/natural resources, and manufacturing/engineering/logistics. Presenters provided hands-on activities and shared information about their respective careers. Several of the businesses were represented in multiple career areas.

“Our presenters did a great job of giving students a look at the work they do while also providing both entertaining and informative hands-on activities that got the students’ attention,” said Karen Trusely, advisor and event organizer. “Hopefully it gave students some things to think about as they make decisions about their futures.”

The following businesses were in attendance, with several represented in multiple career areas: McDonough Telephone Cooperative, MidAmerica National Bank, Crafty Coop, Western Illinois University, Carl Sandburg College, Advanced Rehab, Hy-Vee, McDonough District Hospital, AMR, DOT Food, McDonough County U of I Extension, Corteva Agri Science Research Facility, Martin Tractor, Birkey’s, VIT School District, Macomb Fire Department, Catch A Star Learning Center, WIRC, Illinois State Police, and Spoon River College.

Pictures of the event can be viewed on the Spoon River College Facebook page.

CCC/SRC Alumni Association Awards Reception and Athletic Hall of Fame

The Canton Community College/Spoon River College Alumni Association hosted their annual Alumni Association Awards Reception and Athletic Hall of Fame Induction November 4 at the Spoon River College Canton Campus.

Bonnie Swedell was honored with the Distinguished SRC Retiree Award. Inspired by her high school business teacher, Swedell attended WIU for business on a full academic scholarship and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1964. She taught at Wethersfield High School in Kewanee before moving to Macomb and teaching there. In 1986, she began working part-time at Spoon River College, eventually joining as a full-time employee until she retired in 2021. In her capacity as an advisor, Swedell was known for developing close relationships with students and coworkers alike. She served in several roles at the college, and at the time of her retirement, was a TRIO advisor helping first generation students succeed.

William Thomas received the Distinguished Alumni Award. After graduating from SRC and Eureka College, Thomas earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago and did Post-Master’s Study in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin, then began teaching at for the Stockton school district before returning to his alma mater as the associate director of admissions. His career has also included time as a principal for grades ECE-6^th, a senior partner and COO of The Laurasian Institution, and CEO of Teleologic Learning Company. Currently Thomas is the executive director of the Logan County Economic Development Partnership, chairman of the board of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, and director for the Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway Program Board. As a member of the Illinois Route 66 Association, he was appointed to the National U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission by President Biden in 2022.

Larry Peterson was recognized with the Outstanding Service Award. After graduating from Canton High School, Peterson enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Vietnam. His service earned him a Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, two Gold Stars, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. When he returned from active duty and while working at Caterpillar, he began taking night classes at the college, earning his associate degree. He worked for the Canton Post Office from 1980 until 2007. He has volunteered for the Little Giants Booster Club and also coached youth and school sports. He became a mainstay in Canton sports and a positive role model for many young people, earning him the Little Giant Booster of the Year award. He is a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Purple Heart Association, Combat Infantry Association, VFW, AmVets, and the National Purple Heart Hall of Fame.

Recognized for Alumni Achievement Awards were Dr. Anthony Roberts, Stephanie and Wesley Carithers, Dr. Kayla Miller, and Julie Reeder.

Dr. Anthony Roberts, D.C., enrolled at SRC after graduating from VIT High School, then attended the Palmer College of Chiropractic, graduating in 1989 and opening a practice in Havana. A request to examine a horse led him to enroll in equine/feline/canine seminars and he now successfully treats two-legged and four-legged creatures of all types and is recognized in equestrian circles nationwide. Roberts serves on various boards including the SRC Foundation, Fulton County Playhouse, and is currently board chair of the Fulton County Rehabilitation Center and the Vermont Christian Church. Roberts is also known for his musical talents, and he shares them in a variety of community, high school, and college events, directs shows for major area theatre groups, and has traveled to Haiti to teach children music.

Stephanie and Wesley Carithers have been the owners of the Orchid Hill Farm near Lewistown since 2016. Stephanie, who has a master’s in occupational therapy from Belmont University, has worked in area nursing facilities, including Culberson Memorial Hospital in Rushville, where she was recognized as their Employee of the Year in 2022. She serves as the academic advisor and student health coordinator for the Astoria school district, and also teaches the Dance Team. Wes, who was recognized as the vocational student of the year while at SRC, teaches agriculture and shop classes at Astoria High School. He is also the Astoria Township supervisor. In both 2019 and 2020, the Orchid Hill Farm earned First Place Illinois Cider and First Place National Cider at the Illinois State Horticulture Society’s annual National Sweet Cider contests.

Dr. Kayla Miller continued at the University of Illinois at Springfield after graduating from SRC, and earned a bachelor’s degree, majoring in chemistry with a pre-medical concentration. She then earned a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine, and completed her residency at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Since then, Miller has worked at Mason District Hospital in Havana & Mason City Medical Associates as a physician in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She also works as a Hospitalist for Emergency Physician Staffing Solutions, and as the Medical Director for the Mason City Area Nursing Home. Miller serves as a physician preceptor/mentor for students completing their IM/Pediatrics residency at OSF, and in the past has been involved in Bradley University’s mentorship program for pre-med students. She’s an avid supporter of St. Jude activities — both as a runner and as a volunteer — and has participated as an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, a community service organization for women.

Julie Reeder earned her associate degree from SRC before continuing at Illinois College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She first worked for Affina before joining Graham Health Systems as a senior accountant in 2005. Reeder worked her way up, serving as decision support analyst, director of accounting, and finally as vice president of finance and chief financial officer in 2017. She has been active in several community organizations, including the Health and Wellness Connection of Fulton County, Little Giant Booster Club, YWCA of Canton, and Traveling Baseball, Traveling Softball, and JFL boards. She also earned a Master of Business Administration from Kaplan University in 2009.

The complete bios of the award recipients can be read on the News Bureau page at www.src.edu.

Larry Peterson, Dick Brown, Wes Carithers, Stephanie Carithers, Dr. Tony Roberts, Dr. Kayla Miller, William Thomas, and DeAndre Alexander. Not present were award recipients Julie Reeder and Bonnie Swedell.

DeAndre Alexander, SRC Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

DeAndre Alexander was inducted into the Spoon River College Athletic Hall of Fame during the annual Canton Community College/Spoon River College Alumni Association Reception and Athletic Hall of Fame Induction held November 4 at the Canton Campus.

Born in 1981 in Shreveport, Alexander graduated from Arcadia High School in Arcadia, LA, and came to SRC on a basketball scholarship, staring during one of the SRC men’s basketball program’s most successful eras and becoming one of the most decorated players in SRC’s history. He ranked seventh in the nation in scoring and third in rebounding, was named to the All-Conference First Team, earned Region 24’s All-Tournament Most Valuable Player honors, and was an NJCAA All-American.

Earning an associate degree in criminal justice in 2003, Alexander transferred to the University of Louisiana Monroe, where his basketball career continued. He led ULM in rebounding with 7.8 per game and finished second on the team in scoring. His best performance came in a win over Baylor, during which Alexander posted a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds.

Alexander earned a bachelor’s from ULM in 2007 and a Master’s in Sports Administration (plus 30) from Grambling State University in 2010. For 16 years, he has worked at his alma mater, Arcadia High School, as an educator and as a basketball coach. With Alexander sharing his experience and leadership as an assistant coach, the Hornets have won 1A Louisiana State Championships in 2016 and 2021. Between these titles, he survived a vehicle accident that left him on a ventilator for weeks and kept him down for an entire year.

Alexander served four years on Arcadia’s City Council, was appointed to serve as Bienville Parish Constable for two years, and he currently serves on ULM’s Alumni Association Board of Directors. He’s active in Holland Grove Baptist Church, Tea Time for Cure (to support breast cancer awareness and research), Men Standing Against Domestic Violence, the NAACP, and Arcadia Parks and Recreation. He’s the founder of a mentoring program for ages 7-16 called Adopt-A-Son, and Calling All Young Men, an organization he created in response to rapidly-growing gun violence in his community. He’s also been honored with the Bienville Parish 30 & Up Top Professionals Award and ULM’s 2021 Rising Young Alumni Award.

Alexander has been married to his wife, Alexis, since 2022 and is the proud father of DeAndre’a (age 23, a first-year teacher), DeAsia (age 14), Braylon (age 12), Asher (age 5), and Demir (age 11 months).

Dick Brown, SRC Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee

Born in 1943 in Canton, this CHS graduate was one of the earliest students at Canton Community College, graduating with an associate degree in 1963.

While at CCC, Brown was a two-sport athlete in both baseball and basketball, but especially excelled in the latter. In his freshman year on a team that went 18-8 on the season, he averaged 18 points per game. He followed that up with an All-American season as the country’s fourth-leading scorer at 27 per game (in the pre-three-point-shot era), leading CCC to a 27-4 record. He went on to play on the baseball team for a year and on the basketball team for two years at Western Illinois University and earned an All-Conference honor in basketball.

Brown credits working at his family’s restaurant, Brown’s Snappy Service in Canton, for helping to prepare him for his career as a teacher, coach, and administrator. He also recognized a strong desire to be around young people and to help them develop their own athletic skills.

Brown began his teaching and coaching career in Colchester, but in 1969, he headed to Avon Unit School District #176 to launch a career that would span over 40 years. During his time there, he taught both P.E. and driver education, served as the school’s Athletic Director, and took on an additional title as Dean of Students.

Brown was awarded the “Teacher of the Year” award twice, helped to organize Avon’s Jaycees chapter, and was active in the Lion’s Club, serving as Treasurer for two years. He’s also an inductee onto the A-Town “Wall of Fame” and was inducted into the Canton Little Giant Hall of Fame for basketball and as a member of the 1961 CHS baseball team, which finished third in the state.

Brown and his wife Judy reside in Elkhart, Ill. He is the proud father of Shelley, Angie, Chad, Jodi, and Courtnee, and he is the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren. In retirement, he enjoys playing golf, watching sports, and watching his grandkids grow up.

Bonnie Swedell, Distinguished SRC Retiree Award

Born in Morrison, Ill. in 1942, Swedell was so strongly influenced by her high school business teacher that, after attending Western Illinois University for business on a full academic scholarship, she chose the same career.

Despite it being a time when many women got married and began family life rather than furthering their own education, Swedell earned her bachelor’s degree in 1964 and began teaching at Wethersfield High School in Kewanee, Ill. before moving to Macomb to continue teaching there. She also filled the roles of yearbook sponsor and junior class sponsor.

Swedell was recruited to fill a part-time position at SRC, joining the staff in 1986. She enjoyed it so much that, when working both jobs became too much, she chose to remain at SRC. She was known for developing close—almost motherly—relationships with students and coworkers alike. She was named SRC’s Employee of the Year in 2011 and served in several roles. In her final role as an advisor in SRC’s TRIO program, she helped first-generation college students and other students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

After a bout with cancer in 2010 left her at higher risk for severe illness, Swedell’s doctor recommended that she retire at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to lessen the risk to her own health. This left her one year shy of reaching her goal of 35 years of service to SRC and SRC’sstudents.

Though her beloved husband Lennie passed in 2022 after 57 years of marriage, Swedell remains extremely proud of their sons, Dave and Steve; her educator daughter-in-law, Ashley; and her grandchildren, Audrey (also an educator) and Blaine, who is a current SRC student and fifth- generation family farmer.

William Thomas, Distinguished Alumni Award

A Fulton County native and 2008 recipient of the CCC/SRC Alumni Achievement Award returns this evening to accept the college’s highest award, the Distinguished Alumni Award.

William (Bill) Thomas graduated from SRC in 1974. While he was here, he was a member of Phi Theta Kappa and participated in, among other things, Reader’s Theatre. A history major (with minors in theatre and political science) at Eureka College, Thomas graduated summa cum laude in 1976 as a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society.

Thomas earned a Master of Arts degree a year later from The University of Chicago and did Post-Master’s Study in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Wisconsin from 1980 to 1981, also serving as a Teaching Assistant responsible for the supervision and evaluation of history student teachers.

An educator himself, Thomas began his career in 1977 at Stockton (Ill.) Community Unit School District #16, teaching social studies, U.S. history, and drama at the high school and middle school levels. In 1982, he became the Associate Director of Admissions at his alma mater before returning to the public school system as Principal for Olympia Community Unit School District, overseeing the ECE-6 grade levels.

In 1993, Thomas left the classroom for good and became Senior Partner and Chief Operating Officer of The Laurasian Institution, a not-for-profit educational foundation focused on the design and administration of international and cross-cultural educational programs. In 2008, he became the CEO of Teleologic Learning Company, an LLC that designs, develops, and produces online learning products.

He currently serves as Executive Director of the Logan County Economic Development Partnership and is the Chairman of the Board of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, as well as the Director for the Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway Program Board. Also a member of the Illinois Route 66 Association, Thomas was appointed to the 12-member National U.S. Route 66 Centennial Commission by President Biden in 2022.

Thomas and Christine, his wife of 40 years, live in Atlanta, Ill. and are the parents of Rachel, Grace, and Noah, and the grandparents of Talin and Abel.

Larry Peterson, Outstanding Service Award

After graduating from Canton High School, where he played baseball and basketball, during the height of the Vietnam War, Larry Peterson put his college career on hold to enlist in the United States Army. Upon completing his training requirements, he was deployed to Vietnam.

While there, Peterson’s infantry was attacked, and he was hit in the arm and the leg by gunfire. With broken bones, he attempted to help others before evacuating on foot. He was airlifted to a hospital in Japan for medical care and remained there for two months before returning back to the U.S. for further care. For the final eight months of his service, he was assigned as a mail clerk at Ft. Leonard Wood.

While working at Caterpillar and on a two-month early-out, Peterson chose to attend night classes at SRC beginning in 1968. He received 120 hours of credit — enough, he jokes, to probably receive two degrees — and earned his degree 10 years later, in 1978.

After being laid off from the strip mine, Peterson began working as a mail clerk at the Canton post office in 1980. He worked in this role until 2007, which gave him the opportunity to play both basketball and softball, and to volunteer for the Little Giants Booster Club and coach youth/school sports.

Along with his close friends Bob Barnes (basketball) and Mike Walters (baseball), Coach Pete became a mainstay in Canton sports and a positive role model in the lives of many young people. Together, they helped to bring some success to both programs, with both teams having 20+ win seasons during their tenures, with the basketball team winning the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament twice.

Peterson made the Dean’s List while at SRC, but he’s also been honored with recognitions that include a Purple Heart, the Combat Infantry Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, two Gold Stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Little Giant Booster of the Year. He’s a member of the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, the Purple Heart Association, the Combat Infantry Association, the VFW, AmVets, and the National Purple Heart Hall of Fame.

The proud father of Clint Peterson and Shana Rudd; the proud stepfather of Taylor Steck; and the proud grandfather of Charlie and Izabelle Peterson and Parker and Beau Rudd, Peterson lives in Canton, Ill., with his wife, Krista. The two have been together for 23 years.

Julie Reeder, Alumni Achievement Award

With a maiden name of “Dalmasso,” Julie Reeder is no stranger to this event.  However, this year, she becomes associated with this event in a new way — as an Alumni Achievement Award recipient.

A native of Canton, Ill., Reeder graduated from Canton High School in 1995 and, like many other members of her family, immediately enrolled at SRC.  She earned her Associate of Science degree in May 1997 and went on to attend Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL, from which she graduated in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in accounting.

Reeder immediately put that degree to use in Peoria, working for Affina for two years as a Junior Accountant before her promotion to Account Manager. At Affina (now HGS), Reeder helped to build and maintain relationships with Affina clients with data and ideas to improve their businesses, including providing profitability analysis and identifying new opportunities for services.

In 2005, Reeder brought her professional talents back to Canton, joining Graham Health System as a Senior Accountant.  She worked her way up Graham’s ladder, serving as Decision Support Analyst from 2006- 2015 and Director of Accounting from 2015-2017, before her promotion to Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer for Graham, her role since 2017.

In her current role at Graham, Reeder, one of six on the GHS administrative team, is responsible for ensuring the overall financial health of GHS, an organization with net assets totaling over $250 million and which is the largest employer located in Fulton County. Outside of work, she’s also been involved with many local organizations, including the Health and Wellness Connection of Fulton County, the Little Giant Booster Club, the YWCA of Canton, and Traveling Baseball, Traveling Softball, and JFL Boards.

Reeder and her husband Troy have two children, Maddie, a junior at the University of Illinois, and Drew, a senior at CHS. Reeder also holds a Master of Business Administration from Kaplan University, which she completed in 2009.

Dr. Kayla Miller, M.D., Alumni Achievement Award

Dr. Kayla Miller took her first course (a dual-credit course) at SRC in 2003, when she was still in high school. The appeal of staying close to home and remaining in her familiar environment—where she grew up in Havana, Ill.—led to her deciding to continue her education at SRC. She received Associate of Science and Associate of Arts degrees in May 2006.

Miller then continued on to the University of Illinois at Springfield as a biology major and received her bachelor’s degree in 2009, majoring in chemistry with a pre-medical concentration. She then earned her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Illinois College of Medicine (in Peoria) in 2014. She completed her residency at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria in June of 2018.

Since then, Miller has worked at Mason District Hospital for Havana and Mason City Medical Associates as a physician in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.  She also works as a Hospitalist for Emergency Physician Staffing Solutions, and as the Medical Director for the Mason City Area Nursing Home.

In what spare time she has, Miller is eager to give back to the community. Currently, she’s serving as a physician preceptor/mentor for students completing their IM/Pediatrics residency at OSF, and in the past, she’s been involved in Bradley University’s mentorship program for premed students.  She’s an avid supporter of St. Jude activities—both as a runner and as a volunteer—and has participated as an active member of Beta Sigma Phi, a community service organization for women.

Miller is married to her husband, Aaron (also an SRC graduate from the Diesel Power Systems Technology program), and is the proud mother of Jack (age 10), Nolan (4), and Everett (2), and the proud stepmother of Brooklyn (15). She enjoys spending time with her family, studying, reading, exercising, traveling, dining, and attending sporting events.

Dr. Anthony Roberts, D.C., Alumni Achievement Award

At VIT High School, Roberts expanded his vocal and instrumental gifts in music. He first learned the trumpet, but when a dentist informed Tony he needed braces, which would interfere with his playing, he switched to the bassoon.

After graduation in 1983, Roberts attended Spoon River College from 1984-85, earning the credits needed to attend Palmer College of Chiropractic.  Rather than moving to a larger city to start his career after graduating in 1989, he returned to Havana and opened his own practice, which has provided chiropractic services to babies, those in their 90s, and all ages in-between for the past 34 years. He and his family also operate Airbnbs around the Havana area.

Roberts is also recognized in equestrian circles nationwide. After attending several horse competitions around the country, he was asked to examine a horse competing in a 2012 Mustang Million event. Although he had never worked on horses before, this experience led him to enrolling in equine/feline/ canine seminars. He now successfully treats two-legged and four-legged creatures of all types.

Robert contributes to Central Illinois communities by serving on various boards including the SRC Foundation, the Fulton County Playhouse, and currently as Chair of the Fulton County  Rehabilitation Center board and the Vermont Christian Church Board. Roberts is equally known for his extraordinary musical talents and is in high demand. He excels at the piano, taught himself the concert harp, plays the trumpet, and will attempt about any instrument that intrigues him. He’s seen on piano benches in many churches, plays piano, keyboards, and harp for a variety of community, high school, or college events, and directs musical shows for all the major theatre groups in the area. He has been invaluable to the Spoon River College Community Chorus and to Western Illinois University. He even traveled to Haiti to teach music to the children there.