Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Graduate Attending University of Essex in the UK
Long fascinated with the United Kingdom, SRC graduate A Roos had a dream come true when he/they had the chance to travel there during a group visit to Europe, with London becoming a favorite place. “As cliché as it sounds, I felt more at home there than I ever did here. I was finally able to relax and be in a place I truly enjoyed, even if it was only for a day.”
A will be living that dream for the next four years as a student at the University of Essex, working towards a bachelor’s degree in Global Studies with Human Rights. That may not be a typical degree choice, but for A, it’s the perfect choice.
“Advocating has always been such a big part of my life it’s hard to place that moment when I realized I was doing it or that I needed to do it. It was just something I did, without really thinking. Throughout my life I have advocated not only for myself but for my brother as well.”
A’s older brother Parker was born with Fragile X syndrome, and A grew up watching—and being a part of—advocacy in action.
“I grew up seeing my mom talk with various groups of people about Fragile X syndrome, including going to Congress to talk about certain bills that would help people with Fragile X and other disabilities. I even went with her a couple of times to Washington DC to talk to members of Congress as well. It was an amazing experience and further fueled my passion for advocacy.”
While the classes A took at Spoon River College don’t transfer in the way they would in the States, those with a political science concentration will put him/them at the same level as other entering freshman.
“We spend high school taking a variety of classes, while in the UK their classes are focused on what field they are most interested in to help them prepare for college.”
The admission process is also different; the majority of prospective students all apply though the same non-profit website. They can choose up to three colleges, then must fill out an application as well as write a letter stating why they would be a good candidate for a program. “Once that information is accepted, students must then get a letter of recommendation from a current or former teacher that is submitted privately—thank you, Mr. Maher!”
The completed paperwork is sent to the department head of each university for the specific program selected, and they decide if an offer will be made. Offers come through the same website students applied through, with an option to accept or reject. “I was fortunate to be accepted into all three schools I applied to, but the University of Essex had the program most focused on Human Rights that appealed greatly to me.”
Different also is the length of time to earn a degree; it typically takes just three years to earn a bachelor’s degree in the UK because students only focus on classes that are relevant to a specific degree. They also have trimesters, so school starts in early October and runs until the end of June.
The program in Global Studies would also typically be a three-year degree, but A has opted to do a placement year that will give him/them the opportunity to work in the field and gain job experience.
“The other difference is the cost; college is significantly less in the UK, and you don’t see students graduating with tremendous amounts of debt. Even as an international student, the cost is less than a lot of universities here.”
While A is excited for college life in the U.K., he/they won’t forget favorite moments at Spoon River College, particularly those in a creative writing class taught by English faculty Laura Bandy. “This class was filled with so many wonderful people who all shared a love for writing, especially poetry. Everyone was always super supportive of everyone’s work and it was an amazing environment to be in. We would all mess around and have a great time while expanding our abilities as writers.”
As for a future career, A’s main goal is simply to help others and try to create a kinder world through change.
“My ultimate career goal is to do advocacy work and help make the world a better and more accepting place for everyone. I want to help create long-lasting change and help people live in a world they can be themselves in without living in fear. I want to uplift the voices of minorities, I want to be part of creating a world filled with equality for all, not just for some.”
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Graduates Share Transfer Experiences
Clay Beekman and Avery Smith took dual credit classes in high school, earned their associate degrees after just one year at SRC, and then transferred; Clay to the University of Illinois to major in chemical engineering, and Avery to Illinois State University to major in elementary education.
As an elementary education major, all but one of Avery’s credits transferred. Clay, who was still unsure of his major while at SRC, found that he had taken classes that didn’t pertain to his major, but those that did transferred easily and those that didn’t still transferred as electives. Both took summer classes at SRC while at attending the universities, and those transferred also.
Read on for Q&A about their transfer experience, and their advice to other students.
Q: Do you feel your classes at SRC adequately prepared you for a four-year university?
Clay: While I will say that my classes at SRC were easier than those I have taken here at U of I, I can safely say that they did prepare me for the class difficulty and style of that of a four-year university. Although the class sizes are much larger at this university, the individual attention I received at SRC and connections that I made with professors helped to equip me with the skills needed to succeed in a more challenging setting.
Avery: I can confidently say that the classes I took at SRC, especially the ones related to my major, prepared me for classes at ISU. I did not feel behind in any way when I transferred to ISU and began to take classes.
Q: If you had it to do over, would you still start at SRC?
Clay: I originally attended SRC after graduating high school because I had already taken classes there prior to attending full-time and, more importantly, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study. However, even if I did know from the start, I would still start at SRC. Although the specificity of my major requires many classes not available to students at SRC, the low cost of tuition for a solid education and being able to live at home are a better deal, even if that means graduating a little later. I strongly encourage anyone who does not know what major to study to attend community college. At SRC you can take all your electives for a fraction of the cost than if you were to take them at a university while still receiving a great education.
Avery: I was unsure of where I wanted to go after graduating from high school, but SRC had been on my radar since I took college classes during high school. If I could go back, I would 100% still go to SRC! I truly believe that there is no reason to go to a 4-year university to do gen ed courses if you can do it for a fraction of the cost at SRC. I advise anyone who is still unsure of what they want to do to go to SRC. While going there, I was able to stay at home, save money, and still get a good education.
Q: Any advice for students who transfer from a community college?
Clay: For me, the biggest difference between community college and a large university is the size of classes. Big lecture halls with hundreds of students and only one professor can be overwhelming, but don’t let this hold you back from asking for help. Always feel comfortable with reaching out to professors; it’s their job to help you learn!
Avery: My biggest worry about transferring to a bigger university was the social aspect. I would advise anyone planning to transfer to a larger university to put yourself out there and talk to people within your major. I have made so many great relationships with people in and out of my major!
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Connesha Posey is Student Shout-Out Award Recipient for September
Connesha Posey of Macomb is the recipient of the Student Shout-Out Award for September at Spoon River College, and received a $100 Visa Gift Card. She was nominated for exemplifying the SRC core values of caring, responsibility, integrity, respect, and fairness.
“Connesha’s exceptional demonstration of our core values stood out during a recent class review activity. She went above and beyond to assist the fellow students in her group who were grappling with challenging course material,” said math faculty member Shelli Stuart. “With unwavering patience and genuine empathy, she provided guidance and support, and her actions are a testament to her outstanding character and dedication to creating a positive learning experience for all. It is the spirit of unity that we strive to cultivate in our school community.”
Posey, full-time student and mother of three, was also a past recipient of the Nathan Cobb Memorial Scholarship, and plans to transfer and major in accounting.
The Student Shout-Out is an initiative that encourages any faculty or employee to nominate a student who deserves a special shout-out for exhibiting the core values of the college—caring, respect, integrity, fairness and responsibility—or going above and beyond to help others.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on 29th Annual Lifelong Learning Conference October 27
The 29th annual Lifelong Learning Conference will be hosted by the Spoon River College Office of Community Outreach and co-sponsor MidAmerica National Bank on Friday, October 27, 8 a.m-2:30 p.m. in the Engle Conference Center on the Canton Campus.
The popular conference offers break-out sessions that feature local speakers presenting on a wide range of interesting and entertaining subjects, a soup and sandwich buffet, and a vendor resource fair.
“This is a fun learning and social event that utilizes the talents and knowledge of our local experts and enthusiasts,” said Andrea Barbknecht, director of the SRC Canton Outreach Center. “We love seeing our repeat attendees as well as welcoming new ones!”
The conference will kick off with the keynote presentation “An Abraham Lincoln Christmas” delivered by Rick Klinedinst, who will talk about the present-day holiday traditions that originated during the Civil War era, how Lincoln’s family celebrated in the White House, and more. Following that will be three break-out sessions, with each offering three topics for participants to choose from.
Session one offers “Canton Women of Note, Continued…” with Cheryl Bielema, Janice Bruster, Hannah Cox, and Kathy Myers sharing the stories of five Canton women of note who have been inducted into the Canton High School’s Hall of Fame; “History of Banking: Nationally to Locally” by Rick Klinedinst and covering how the banking industry began and evolved in America; and “Adventures in Iceland and Scotland” that will chronical the travel adventures abroad of Jeanine Standard and Kathy McDowell.
Second session topics are “Josephine Baker: An American in Paris,” presented by Stan Ransom about the life of this American-French personality who was a singer, spy, actress, civil rights activist, and WWII hero; “It Played in Canton—Part 1,” which begins the story of the nationally and in some cases internationally popular music groups and individuals who played in Canton between 1964 and into the early ‘70’s, with Kevin Stephenson presenting; and “Yesterday’s Children,” with Brooks Carver relating the story of abandoned nineteenth-century immigrant children, orphan trains, and early twentieth-century child labor in America.
Session three choices are “It Played in Canton—Part 2” with Stephenson continuing down the memory lane of music in Canton; “Wonderful and Whimsical Wreaths!” features Christine Wright demonstrating new trends in wreath-making in her trademark energetic and entertaining style; and “The Night the Music Stopped: The Titanic Musicians,” with Gwen Alexander sharing stories of the lives and of the musicians hired to play on the Titanic (including a scandal involving one of the violinists!).
The early bird price is $25 before October 20 ($35 after). Registration can be completed online at https://src.augusoft.net, or by calling 309-649-6260.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Recognizing National Student Transfer Week October 16-20
Spoon River College will celebrate National Transfer Student Week October 16-20. NTSW is recognized every third week in October as a way to highlight the success of transfer students, as well as to continue to improve the transfer process for them.
For bachelor degree seeking students, the required curriculum for the first two years is the same regardless of where they are taken, and students often complete those first two years at a community college before transferring to a four-year university.
“Starting at a community college is a smart move financially for students; tuition is less and the need for student loans is reduced. It can also be less overwhelming than starting at a bigger institution,” said Holly Norton, vice president of educational and student services at Spoon River College.
Spoon River College participates in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide agreement that allows transfer of the completed Illinois General Education Core Curriculum between participating institutions. Completion of that curriculum at any participating college or university in Illinois assures transferring students that lower-division general education requirements for an associate or bachelor’s degree have been satisfied.
Norton said the best options for transfer students are to either earn an associate degree or complete the general education core curriculum. “We also always encourage students to work closely with their SRC advisor to make sure they are selecting those IAI courses. Students who have made the decision about where they are transferring to can also reach out to an advisor at the transfer institution.”
The college recently teamed up with Southern Illinois University Carbondale to offer the Saluki Step Ahead program. It enables SRC students who have earned their associate degree to continue at SIU and earn their bachelor’s degrees online in accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, early childhood, elementary education, health care management, history, industrial management and applied engineering, information technology, nursing (RN to BSN), psychology and radiologic sciences.
Besides being completely online, it offers a cost savings. Students in the Saluki Step Ahead program pay the community college rate for their first two years. In the third and fourth years, they receive an annual $4,000 scholarship.
“It brings an accessible and affordable bachelor’s degree to the SRC students and SRC alumni who are able to keep living and working in this area while achieving their dream,” said Spoon River College President Curt Oldfield.
According to the Illinois Board of Education, Illinois not only leads the nation in bachelor degree completion rates (53.8%) among community college students who transfer to four-year colleges, it has also exceeded the national average of 42.2%.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Softball Team Hosting Princess Party Fundraiser November 4
The Spoon River College softball team is hosting a Princess Party fundraiser on Saturday, November 4, from 3:30-5 p.m. at the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus located at 23235 N. County Highway 22.
Children can come dressed as a princess and enjoy a spa experience that includes royal hairstyles, magical manicures, and beauty makeovers. Dancing, games, refreshments, and a photo op with Prince Charming are also on the agenda for the afternoon.
All ages are welcome, but children four years of age or younger must have adult supervision. The cost is $25 per child. To register, use the link https://bit.ly/SRCPrincessParty, which can also be accessed on the Spoon River College Athletics Facebook page, or call John Bassett at john.bassett@src.edu or 309-649-6303.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on Athletic Department Hosting Casino Night October 28
The Spoon River College Athletic department is hosting a Casino Night fundraiser on Saturday, October 28, 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, then had to skip 2021 because of the pandemic,” said John Bassett, athletic director and head softball coach. “We brought it back last year and it was well attended. It’s a fun community event, and we hope to see it continue to grow in attendance.”
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. “Attending this event is a great way to see the facilities and meet some of our athletes,” said Bassett. “We’re also still seeking table sponsors and prize donations.”
Spoon River College offers baseball, softball, volleyball, and men and women’s basketball, e-sports, and are preparing to add bowling also. More information about the athletic programs can be viewed at www.src.edu or by visiting the Spoon River College Athletics Facebook page.
For more information or to purchase tickets, contact John Bassett at john.bassett@src.edu or 309-649-6303. The Canton Campus is located at 23235 County Hwy 22.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on SRC Student Abigail Spencer Awarded the Bonnie Stine Scholarship
Spoon River College student Abigail Spencer has been awarded the Bonnie Stine SRCFA Scholarship for $500 for the 2023-24 academic year.
Spencer is a graduate of Canton High School, where she was recognized with the Board of Education Award and High Honors. She also made the President’s List at Spoon River College as a dual credit student, and was named Elks Senior of the Month. She was a member of Student Council (serving for one year as the secretary), Spanish Club (serving two years as secretary), Club Unify, Class Officer/reporter (one year), and the FFA.
Besides being active in clubs, Spencer also played sports—volleyball, basketball, and softball—and served as the assistant basketball coach. Her volunteer work included Special Olympics, Ladies Auxiliary Junior Member, Fulton County Humane Society, and KARE Camp Counselor, which she continues to do. In addition, she held part-time jobs while attending school, and is currently working for a local business and nannying for a family with a 6-year-old, a one-year-old, and one on the way.
Spencer is following in the nursing footsteps of her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her initial career goal was to work in labor and delivery, but after job shadowing in the NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), she knew in her heart that was where she was meant to be.
When planning her education, proximity to her family was key. “Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to go to college somewhere close to home. I am a huge family person and have had no desire to ever move far away.” With other siblings also attending college, cost too was a factor.
“During my freshman year, I attended the career fair at Spoon River College and knew it was the place for me. I also was able to fast-track my college career by taking dual credit classes. I’ll be able to graduate from SRC with my associate degree and then go straight to OSF to work on my bachelor’s degree.” Her spot at OSF School of Nursing is already reserved through their early admission program.
“SRC has so much to offer including a small beautiful campus that is close to home, affordable, and has lots to offer educational-wise,” Spencer said. “Choosing SRC was an easy decision for me.”
The Bonnie Stine SRCFA Scholarship was previously known as the Spoon River College Faculty Association Scholarship. In 2013, faculty voted to rename it to recognize Stine’s role in establishing the original SRCFA Scholarship. Stine taught at the College for 31 years before retiring in 2008.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on College Visit Day October 11
Spoon River College will host a College Visit Day Wednesday, October 11, from 1-3 p.m. at both the Canton and Macomb campuses.
This is 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 also have the opportunity to meet with advisors and financial aid specialists, and will receive information about the application process, tuition costs, student life activities, clubs and organizations, and financial aid options, including scholarships.
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.
Posted by Sally Shields on | Comments Off on College and Transfer Fair 2023 Scheduled for October 19
Spoon River College will host College and Transfer Fair 2023 on Thursday, October 19, from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Multi-Purpose Building on the Canton Campus. Representatives from multiple colleges, universities, and trade schools will be in attendance. This event is free, open to the public, and RSVPs are not required. Attendees may come and go at any time during the event.
“This is an excellent opportunity for parents, students, and adult learners to explore a variety of colleges and trade schools in one convenient location at one time,” said Janet Munson, director of enrollment services at Spoon River College. “Representatives will be able to answer questions regarding admission requirements, the registration process, tuition and board, athletics, student activities, and more.”
This event is also for current college students who are interested in learning more about the transfer process.
Spoon River College utilizes StriveScan, which allows attendees to sign up for a bar code in advance of the event. As they visit the various tables, the representatives who are also using StriveScan will be able to scan the barcode, making it possible for them to send additional information based on the specific information attendees are interested in receiving.
As of press time, the following colleges were scheduled to participate: Blackburn College, Carl Sandberg College, Coe College, Culver-Stockton College, Eastern Illinois University, Eureka College, Graham Hospital School of Nursing, Illinois College, Illinois Wesleyan University, Knox College, McKendree University, Methodist College, Missouri S&T, Northeast Iowa Community College, St Francis Medical Center College of Nursing (OSF), Paul Mitchell The School – Normal, Peoria Air National Guard, Quincy University, SIU-Carbondale, SIU-Edwardsville, St. Ambrose University, State Technical College of Missouri, Truman State University, University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy, U of I -Springfield, U of I-Urbana Champaign, US Air Force Gold Bar Recruiter, Western Illinois University, and Western Illinois University-Military Science.
Spoon River College programs and clubs that will be in attendance include Admissions/Advising/Financial Aid, Transfer Programs, Career Programs: Agricultural Business Management, Commercial Driver Training, Computer Information Systems, Diesel and Power Systems Technology, Early Childhood Development, Emergency Medical Technician, Health Information Management, Logistics Operations Management, Medical Laboratory Technician, Manufacturing, Nursing, Nursing Assistant, Small Business Management, Welding; and Student Life Organizations.
Spoon River College’s Multi-Purpose Building is located at 23235 N County 22 in Canton, IL. For more information about Spoon River College or the College and Transfer Fair, visit www.src.edu or the Spoon River College Facebook page.
