Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Dean’s List for Fall 2024 Part-Time Students
Spoon River College congratulates the following part-time students who were named to the Dean’s List in recognition of their academic achievement in completing at least 12 credit hours of college level courses at SRC, and who were enrolled in six to eleven credit hours and earned a GPA of 3.0 − 3.5 during the Fall 2024 semester.
Adair: Sasha S. Chambers;
Astoria: Riley J. Burget, Danaca J. Wickert;
Blandinsville: Jade V. Miller;
Bryant: Alexis M. Kruzan I;
Bushnell: Madison L. Taflinger;
Camden: Breeley R. Haines;
Canton: Isabella J. Alig, Elliott J. Black, Lexus L. Ellsworth, Jessica A. Fluder, Amanda S. Koll, Erynn J. Lundeen, Reese C. Murphy, Tiffany Ranes, Carly O. Raubun I, Wade C. Wilkinson;
Cuba: Katherine R. Neese, Emma J. Staggs;
Dahinda: Mason Rader, Chloee M. Secrist;
Dunlap: Destiny L. Jordan;
Ellisville: Courtney S. Churchill;
Farmington: Alyssa Gilstrap, Carol A. Reed, Haley D. Smith;
Hanna City: Hayley J. Scanlon;
Industry: Danielle K. Icenogle;
La Harpe: Coulton D. Wascher;
Lewistown: Brooklyn P. Barclay, Natalee R. Miller, Kinslee Wickert;
Macomb: Abosede O. Ambali, Calvin L. Cheatham, Olivia J. Gardner, Matthew B. Goc, Fracnes E. Long, Lisa A. Murray, Katelyn D. Norton, Madelyn O. Skiles, Megan M. Stickler;
Mason City: Annalea R. Babbs;
Oxford, MI: Schyler Gaddis;
Pekin: Brittany C. Wertz;
Prairie City: Cameron A. Briggs I;
Rushville: Haley R. Emmett, Karlee A. Ham, Plamedi L. Izuba, Madisyn P. Quinn, Rachel B. Rahar, Andreas R. Smith;
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Volunteer Tutors Needed for Adult Literacy Classes
Spoon River College’s Adult Education Office is seeking volunteer tutors for students in their GED®, ESL (English as a Second Language), and Adult Literacy classes.
According to Melissa Koke, adult advisor and literacy coordinator at Spoon River College, tutors are especially needed for the following classes and locations: Canton Campus, GED® classes that meet on Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Havana Center, GED® classes that meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.; Macomb Campus, GED® classes that meet on Tuesday and Thursday from 4 p.m.-7 p.m.; and Rushville Center, ESL classes that meet Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Classes most in need are the Rushville ESL class that meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon in a face-to-face class, and an evening online class using Google Meets, which is divided into three different levels that meet at three different times between 5-9:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday nights.
“For the online class, all one would have to do is click on an email link that will be provided, using either a computer or a smartphone,” Koke said, adding that no special degree is required and that training would be provided to all tutors.
The English as a Second Language class is designed for adults 16 years or older whose native language is not English. The goal is to help students improve their reading, writing, and speaking skills to a higher level to ensure their success in the workplace and their communities,
“English is taught in almost every country in the world and most of our students can read and write English at varying levels but have trouble actually speaking it, which impacts their ability to communicate in social and business situations,” said Koke. “Volunteers are a vital part of student success. The need for tutors is great, the time commitment is minimal, and both tutors and students benefit greatly from the interaction.”
For more information about being a volunteer tutor, call 309-649-6310. For more information about the Adult Education programs offered at Spoon River College locations, visit www.src.edu or call 309-649-6278.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Fast Track Registration Begins January 6
Fast Track Registration for the Spring 2025 semester at Spoon River College will be held January 6-8 and January 13-15. On these days, the college will offer extended hours of operation from 8 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. at both the Canton and Macomb campuses.
During this time, prospective students will be able to apply, test, and register in one day. No appointment is necessary, but a valid picture ID is required. Financial aid staff will be available during the extended hours to answer questions and assist in the aid process.
Tuition and fees are due at the time of registering for classes. Students have the option of paying in full or signing up for a deferred payment plan through Payment Portal by Nelnet. Visit www.src.edu and click on Tuition and Fees under the Admissions tab, or call 309-649-7030 for more information about payment options.
Regular 16-week classes and the first session of 8-week classes begin Monday, January 13. A 12-week class session begins Monday, February 10, and the second session of 8-week classes begins Monday, March 17.
The course schedule can be viewed by clicking on Calendar on the homepage of the website.
For more information about the registration process or to make an appointment with an advisor, call (309) 647-6400 in Canton, (309) 543-4413 in Havana, (309) 837-6069 in Macomb, and (217) 322-6060 in Rushville.
The Canton Campus is located at 23235 North County 22 and the Macomb Campus is located at 208 South Johnson Street.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Vickie Parry Joins Spoon River College as Marketing Director
Spoon River College welcomes Vickie Parry as the new Marketing Director. She will be responsible for crafting and executing marketing strategies, and will report directly to SRC president Dr. Curt Oldfield.
Parry brings more than 30 years of experience in marketing, advertising, and public relations to the position, including eight years as the marketing director for OSF HealthCare and six years with the American Red Cross, where she was in charge of Disaster public affairs and fundraising. She has also been an adjunct faculty member for the Small Business Management program at Spoon River College since 2006. She has a BA in Journalism from Northern Illinois University and a MBA from Benedictine University.
Parry has resided in Canton for the past 22 years with husband Brent and their three children, Rachel, a freshman at the University of Alabama; Sam, a freshman and member of the baseball team at SRC; and Ben, a sophomore at Canton High School. Their family also includes three dogs. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family, and Christmas lights.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Michelle Howe Joins Spoon River College as Alumni Coordinator
Spoon River College welcomes Michelle Howe as the Alumni Coordinator, a position that was created to work in partnership with the Spoon River College Foundation.
Howe grew up in Tazewell County, but her involvement in FFA brought her to Spoon River College as a student after she graduated from high school. While at SRC, she continued being active in FFA events and participated in Post-Secondary Agriculture Students competitions. She also served as the Student Trustee. After graduating with an associate degree in 2007, she transferred to Western Illinois University and earned a B.S. in Agriculture and a M.S. in College Student Personnel.
Howe then worked for WIU for 15 years, serving as the assistant director for the Career Development Center and as a faculty member in the College of Business & Technology. In 2023, she was awarded the CBT Faculty Excellence Award in University/Community Service. She is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer.
Howe resides in rural Lewistown on a grain and cattle farm with husband Matt—also a SRC graduate and adjunct SRC faculty member—and daughters Macie and Madie. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, singing, traveling, and the weather as a trained storm spotter.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC’s #GivingSPOONday Raises $60,154
The totals are in, and the Spoon River College Foundation’s #GivingSPOONday campaign received 248 gifts from our supportive community. The 24-hour campaign last week raised $60,154.
As part of the larger Giving Tuesday movement to create a worldwide day of giving, the SRC Foundation challenged all friends of SRC to “make an impact” and donate funds to benefit SRC in the 24-hour period of December 3.
Donations ranged from $1 to $10,000, with a median gift of $50. The SRC community reaches much farther than western Illinois since gifts came from 12 states and 53 zip codes. Gifts came from as far away as Florida, New York, California, and even Canada!
What started with a goal of $5,000 in 2015 has grown to raising 10 times that amount this year. Dozens of new donors get involved annually, and it takes the efforts of the Foundation Board, local businesses, SRC employees, and other friends of SRC to keep this campaign running. Since 2015, the campaign has raised over $450,000 to help benefit SRC students.
As always, donors had the option of directing their gifts to be used however they saw fit. While some directed funds to specific scholarships, facilities, student or community programs, or the Student Emergency Hardship Fund, many donors made unrestricted gifts, which help the Foundation quickly meet the needs of SRC and students as the needs arise.
People who were unable to participate in #GivingSPOONday but still wish to help local students at SRC can visit www.src.edu/give or call (309) 833-6083. The college is closed for winter break from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, but gifts are tax-deductible in 2024 as long as they are postmarked via USPS by December 31.
“This is my first GivingSPOONDay, and those involved with the Spoon River College Foundation have done a wonderful job building up this event,” said Dusty Berg, Foundation Director. “While we didn’t reach our one-day goal for GivingSPOONDay this year, I’m proud of the work my team put in leading up to the day. We still have gifts coming in via mail, and we’ll be updating the count as we progress. You can still get your donation in for the campaign until the end of the month if you haven’t done so already!”
“What’s great about #GivingSPOONday is how the whole SRC community – even if it’s just by sharing information about the campaign on social media or making a gift of a dollar – joins in on the campaign to better students’ lives. It’s been a rough year for folks and the SRC Foundation is beyond thankful for those who took the time to make a positive impact on our students in need.”
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on FAFSA Completion Workshop at Cuba High School January 15
Employees in the financial aid office at Spoon River College will present a FAFSA completion workshop at Cuba High School for those wanting assistance in applying for the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid on Wednesday, January 15, from 6-7:30 p.m. This workshop is for students, their parents, and any adult learners who are interested in having assistance in filling out the application, including those not planning on attending Spoon River College.
The FAFSA is the official form that students or their families must complete to apply for federal financial assistance for college. This form must also be filled out before students can apply for additional college scholarships and/or state aid.
Anyone who is required to provide information on the FAFSA will need a Federal StudentAid.gov account before accessing and completing the application. This includes the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or the parent’s spouse.
If you have not created a FSA ID and Password and need assistance with that, please be aware it could take 3-5 business days for your information to be verified before the FAFSA application can be completed. It is recommended you do this before the event if at all possible.
Attendees can bring their own personal device if they choose, and must bring their 2023 income information (W-2’s or tax returns), as well as any additional untaxed income such as veteran’s benefits, child support (paid or received) and worker’s compensation. They should also bring the names, birth dates, social security numbers, and email address of any contributors. The school code for all locations of Spoon River College is 001643, and is needed to complete the FAFSA application. More than one school code can be listed if a final decision has not been made yet.
For more information or for assistance in setting up the FSA IDs and passwords before the workshop, call 309-649-7030.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on FAFSA Completion Workshop at Rushville-Industry High School January 28
Employees in the financial aid office at Spoon River College will present a FAFSA completion workshop at Rushville-Industry High School for those wanting assistance in applying for the 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid on Tuesday, January 28, from 6-7:30 p.m. This workshop is for students, their parents, and any adult learners who are interested in having assistance in filling out the application, including those not planning on attending Spoon River College.
The FAFSA is the official form that students or their families must complete to apply for federal financial assistance for college. This form must also be filled out before students can apply for additional college scholarships and state aid.
Anyone who is required to provide information on the FAFSA will need a Federal StudentAid.gov account before accessing and completing the application. This includes the student, the student’s spouse, a biological or adoptive parent, or the parent’s spouse.
If you have not created an FSA ID and Password and need assistance with that, please be aware it could take 3-5 business days for your information to be verified before a FAFSA can be completed. It is recommended you do this before the event if at all possible.
Attendees can bring their own personal device if they choose, and must bring their 2023 income information (W-2’s or tax returns), as well as any additional untaxed income such as veteran’s benefits, child support (paid or received) and worker’s compensation. They should also bring the names, birth dates, social security numbers, and email address of any contributors. The school code for all locations of Spoon River College is 001643, and is needed to complete the FAFSA application. More than one school code can be listed.
For more information or for assistance in setting up the SA IDs and passwords before the workshop, call 309-649-7030.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Students Present Research Posters
Spoon River College students participated in a research poster session November 20 at the Canton Campus. A total of 102 posters from the disciplines of Art, Biology, Chemistry, Drama, Environmental Science, Film, and Microbiology covered topics ranging from how social media affects mental health to the pros and cons of nuclear energy.
Biology professor Amy Rutledge said they began doing the research posters in 2014. “It’s a great way for students to gain experience in researching and presenting, and also allows them to branch out and learn about topics more in depth than what might be covered in the classroom.”
Honorable Mentions were awarded to the best poster from each category, and from those a Best of Show was selected, which went to Amy Barnes for her research, “The Analysis of Non-Traditional Methods of Bug Splatter Removal from Vehicle Windshields.” Testing a number of products, she found that wet dryer sheets worked best, with Bounce sheets being the most cost-effective and efficient.
Honorable Mentions were awarded to “Twilight Snow” by Eva Knollman; “Oedipus Rex” by Xander G. Fields; “I’m Damian Worden and this is Science Fiction” by Damian Worden; “Absorption of Paper Towels” by Taryn Wickman; “The Liquid Tree Microalgae” by Elliot Dalpiaz; and “Bubonic Plague” by Gillian Jensen.
Students awarded Honorable Mentions received $25 SRC gift cards, and Best of Show recipient received a $50 SRC gift card.
Spoon River College employees Sarah Fouts, Lindsey Larson, and Jill Olson served as volunteer judges. “It takes a significant amount of time to read all of the posters, and we really appreciate our volunteers who are willing to give of their time,” Rutledge said. “We also appreciate those who talked with the students about their work. It makes a difference to students when they are given the opportunity to discuss their research with others.”
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Foundation Scholarships Available, Application Deadline is March 14, 2025
Spoon River College and the SRC Foundation offer a variety of scholarships to provide financial assistance to students as well as to recognize outstanding performance in academics, athletics, art/theatre, and career and technical interests. The deadline to apply for scholarships for the 2025-26 academic year is March 14, 2025.
Applicants must complete the scholarship application and the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), and submit their most recent transcripts. This process is required for all scholarships, and all steps must be completed by the March 14 deadline. Students receiving other sources of revenue such as Pell Grants or Work Study are still eligible to apply for and receive scholarships.
The scholarships—which may be a permanent named endowed scholarship, a Foundation administered scholarship, an academic performing grant, or a performing skill grant—have differing eligibly requirements. Some may be targeted towards individuals from a specific town or county, a specific career field, or other criteria. Scholarships specifically for nursing students and dual credit students are also available.
Once the paperwork is submitted, applicants will be considered for all available scholarships they are eligible for, and in some cases could receive multiple awards. Applicants will be notified of their status either way by the end of April.
Too view all scholarships and to apply, visit https://www.src.edu/foundation/foundation-scholarships-grants. For more information, contact Penny Hunt at (309) 833-6083 or any Spoon River College advisor at (309) 647-4645.
