PHI THETA KAPPA INITIATION HELD AT WVC

Phi Theta Kappa Members, left to right: Abygail Hicks, Madison Ferreira, Rachel Byrns, Holly Hawkins, Kaylee Epperson, Dalen Stopher, Katherine Embry, Hoan Nguyen, Vy Nguyen, Kara Price

Eighteen students were initiated into the Rho Psi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa on April 19 at Wabash Valley College. The officers conducting the ceremony were: President Katie Hnetkovsky, Vice President Lauren Goodson, Secretary Amanda Hundley, and Treasurer Christy Haase.

The 2018 Rho Psi initiates were: Jayden Brown, Rachel Byrns, Megan Eder, Katherine Embry, Kaylee Epperson, Madison Ferreira, Holly Hawkins, Matthew Herman, Abygail Hicks, Destinee Miles, Erin Niederhaus, Hoan Nguyen, Vy Nguyen, Kara Price, Haley Shewmake, Dalen Stopher, Tien Tran, and Jonas Trimble.

Presentation of the Phi Theta Kappa 2018 scholarships was by Faculty Advisor Brenda Phegley. Since 1984, the local Rho Psi Chapter has awarded $9,800 in scholarships. Students must complete an application form and write an essay. Applicants are judged on G.P.A., involvement in activities, and the essay. The recipients of the $100 scholarships were Lauren Goodson and Jacey Schwarzlose.

Lauren Goodson is from Mt. Carmel. She has been on the CEO’s honors list while attending WVC. She is a member of the Health Professionals Club, the Student Nurses’ Association, and the National Technical Honor Society. She is also a worship volunteer at Parkview Christian Church and a volunteer at Parkview’s Caring Closet, in addition to volunteering at Hope Pregnancy Center’s fundraisers. Lauren received both the Outstanding Transfer Student Scholarship and the Mary Cunningham Scholarship in 2017. Lauren’s future plans include completing the Nursing Program at WVC and then obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.

Jacey Schwarzlose is from West Salem. She has been on the CEO’s and President’s honors lists while attending WVC. She is a member of the WVC Tribe Club, the WVC Seekers Christian Club, and Who’s Who Among American College Students. She volunteers at Zion United Methodist Church, where she helps with Vacation Bible School, Feed My Starving Children, and Threads of Hope. Jacey received a Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship from Phi Theta Kappa. Jacey’s future plans include transferring to Oakland City University, where she will major in Christian Counseling. After obtaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Studies, she plans to pursue a Master of Divinity Degree.

The members of the Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Academic Team for 2018 were also introduced. These students are Jacey Schwarzlose and Julia Whittler.

Phi Theta Kappa has recognized intellectual achievement in American two-year colleges since 1918. Membership in Phi Theta Kappa is conferred on those students of the community college who have “established academic excellence as judged by the college faculty.” Initiates must have completed at least one semester of community college work, achieved at least a cumulative 3.5 G.P.A., and must possess qualities of good citizenship. Since its founding, Phi Theta Kappa has been the national honor society for American community colleges.

Phi Theta Kappa Officers, left to right: Lauren Goodson, Katie Hnetkovsky, Amanda Hundley, Christy Haase

Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship Recipients, left to right: Jacey Schwarzlose, Lauren Goodson

Phi Theta Kappa All-Illinois Team, left to right: Julia Whittler, Jacey Schwarzlose

WVC OFFERING LIFEGUARDING CLASSES

If you are interested in becoming a certified lifeguard, or if you are a certified lifeguard and need recertification, now is your opportunity to enroll in the upcoming American Red Cross Lifeguarding class or Advanced Lifesaving/Recertification class which will be offered at the Wabash Valley College Pool. The Lifeguarding class will meet at the following times: Wednesday, May 16, 5-8 p.m., or if you are unable to attend the Wednesday class, you may go on Sunday, May 20, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Other class meeting dates which must be attended are: Wednesday, May 23, 5-8 p.m., Saturday, May 26, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, May 27, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Mark Colvin is the instructor for the course, phone 618-263-2918.

This class will teach participants the knowledge and skills needed to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. The course prepares participants to recognize and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and to prevent drowning and injuries.

Upon successful completion of the class, the Lifeguarding/First Aid Certificate will be issued which will be valid for 2 years. The CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer is for a 2-year period.

Students may register at the first class meeting. The course number is CRN 10605/PEI 1141. The cost for in-District students is $178.

Individuals enrolled in the Advanced Lifesaving/Recertification class may meet on Wednesday, May 16, 5-8 p.m., or if you are unable to attend that meeting, you may attend the Sunday, May 20, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. meeting; all students must attend the Wednesday, May 23 meeting from 5-8

p.m. at the WVC Pool. Mark Colvin is the instructor for the class. This class is for individuals who have Lifeguard Certifications which will be expiring. The course number is CRN 10606/PEI 2116. The cost for the class for in-District students is $133. This will include the charge for the Lifeguard/CPR card.

Upon successful completion of the class, the Lifeguarding/First Aid Certificate will be issued which will be valid for 2 years. The CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer is for a 2-year period.

Questions about the classes may be addressed to Mark Colvin, phone 618-263-2918.

BAGPIPES AND DRUMS OFFERED AT WVC SUMMER SEMESTER

If you enjoy Celtic music and have ever thought about playing in a Pipe and Drum Band, here is your opportunity!

Wabash Valley College, in Mt. Carmel, Il, is continuing to offer a class on learning to play the Great Highland Bagpipe and Scottish-style drumming, INS 2144. The class will meet from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Monday evenings in the International Building Room 2 beginning June 5. Anyone wishing to learn these Celtic instruments should contact the College at 618-262-8641, or toll-free at 866-982-4322 (866-WVC-IECC), or Bob Cunningham at 618-299-2036.

Members of Kyilindi Pipes and Drums will assist William McKiddy in teaching the Great Highland Bagpipe. Theresa McKiddy will be teaching Celtic drumming.

The only prerequisite for this class is a desire to learn to play these noble instruments and a love of Celtic music. Instructional books and practice instruments may be ordered at time of registration.

In-District tuition may be discounted for students enrolled in four or less semester hours in the evening. There will be a $5 Technology fee per credit hour, a $12 Student Support fee per credit hour, and a $15 Maintenance fee per credit hour. Students may register at the first class meeting.

IECC Board Hires New CFO

 Ryan Hawkins was employed as Chief Financial Officer at the District Office, effective July 1, 2018.  The CFO position was left vacant with the May 1 retirement of Roger Browning.   Mr. Hawkins, of Olney, was appointed CFO by the IECC Board of Trustees at the regular meeting Tuesday, May 15, at Lincoln Trail College, Robinson.

            IECC students continue to be satisfied with services provided by the colleges, according to the latest student satisfaction survey, with survey questions included in the areas of Communication, Student Services, Instruction, Technology and recommending the college to others.  Results included:

            95% were satisfied with Advisement services.

94% were satisfied with Financial Aid services.

96% were satisfied with Help Desk services.

            95% were satisfied with the quality of instruction.

            96% felt the instruction was academically challenging.

            94% would recommend the college to others.

            The survey was completed by 844 students and the results of the survey are shared with various district-wide committees as well as college committees to work on improving any area that needs attention.  

            An updated Distance Delivery Education Plan was approved.   The IECC Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of an institutional strategy and structure to support and promote district-wide distance delivery opportunities.

            A resolution expressing support for construction of a county wide recreation center to be located on the Lincoln Trail College campus was approved. The cost of construction and operation of the proposed Crawford County Recreation Center would being funded by corporate and individual donations.    A contract setting forth Obligations of Operations will be adopted prior to beginning construction.

            Trustees approved minor revisions to the policy on Substance Abuse Testing of Athletes.  

               Six affiliation agreements with area health care institutions were approved dealing with the IECC programs for Pharmacy Technician, Electronic Medical Records, Certified Medical Assistant, and Emergency Response. 

               Approval was given for change in academic rank from Instructor to Assistant Professor for five faculty members.  Approval was given for change in academic rank from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor for eleven faculty members.  Approval was given for change in academic rank from Assistant Professor to Professor for nine faculty members.

Justin Gephart was employed as Broadband/Telecommunications Instructor at Lincoln Trail College effective August 9, 2018.  Patrick Harris was employed as Coordinator of Career Advisement at Wabash Valley College effective June 18, 2018.  Angelique Maguire was employed as Coordinator, Transition Services at Frontier Community College effective May 16, 2018.  Karissa Perry was employed as Administrative Assistant at Wabash Valley College effective June 18, 2018.

            Employment status was approved for Tracy Robinson from Office/Computer Lab Assistant at the District Office to International Student Liaison at the District Office effective June 1, 2018.

            A resignation ratification was approved for Cindy Westendorf as Help Desk/Computer Technician at the District Office effective May 5, 2018. 

            A retirement ratification was approved for Jeff Cutchin as Chief Academic Officer at the District Office effective July 21, 2018.  A retirement ratification was approved for Chris Heindselman as Coordinator of Accreditation Compliances & Academic Services at the District Office effective August 1, 2018.  A retirement ratification was approved for Keith Nash, as Process Technology Instructor at Lincoln Trail College effective August 1, 2018.

               Next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, June 19, at 7 p.m. at Olney Central College, Olney.

Richardson Tells School Board Class Size Matters

The budget cuts made in 2015 by the Wabash District #348 school board that increased class sizes have negatively impacted the reading scores of students in kindergarten through 3rd grade. At Monday’s school board meeting, Director of Curriculum Shelley Richardson talked of the importance of students reading proficiently at an early age…

Richardson said since the budget cuts, class sizes in kindergarten have gone from an average of 13 to 23; first grade classes have doubled from 12 on average to 24 and second grade classes have jumped from an average of 15 to 25 students. That has also led to a dramatic jump in the number of students classified as special ed. Presently there are 216 students, or 14.5% of the entire district enrollment, in special education classes. Richardson said with the state’s new evidence-based funding formula, the district will receive over $281,000 in additional funding. She recommended using that money to hire three new teachers for Kindergarten, second, and third grades, 4 new paraprofessionals for K through 2 and an instructional coach that the state recommends. Richardson’s recommendations were taken under advisement by the board Monday night.

MCES Kindergarten Program

Kindergarteners at MCES presented their Spring program this afternoon. Click the photos for a gallery from today's program. 

District #348 Personnel Matters

At their meeting Monday night, the Wabash District #348 school board took action on these personnel items.

Public Hearing Next Month On Amended District #348 Budget

A public hearing will be held next month on the amended Wabash District #348 budget. At last night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Tim Buss said the amendments to the current year budget is actually good news…

The amended budget is now on display at the district office until June 18th when a public hearing will be held at 6:45pm. The board will then adopt the amended budget at their meeting that same night.

School Board Delays Decision Again On Pay To Play

Another month, another delay in making a decision on whether any changes will be made to the Wabash District #348’s pay to play policy. In March, Superintendent Tim Buss broached the possibility of changing the policy that charges athletes to play and then makes each individual team responsible for providing or paying for transportation to games.

At their meeting last night, board members again dragged their feet asking for yet another set of financial numbers from district officials. Board President Tim Schuler proposed the district return to providing transportation for the teams, but raising the amount of the pay to play fee from $75 an athlete to $125 or more to offset the transportation costs.

But, board members Janice Alka and Theresa Hocking both balked at making any decision last night saying they wanted even more financial numbers, especially those from the junior high level. 

After the discussion, the board tabled the discussion for the third straight month kicking the issue to their June meeting, which will also be Tim Buss’s last meeting as superintendent.

Ian Hipsher Hired By The First National Bank of Allendale

The First National Bank of Allendale is pleased to announce the addition of Ian Hipsher to its team in Mt. Carmel. Hipsher, a native of Mt. Carmel, is a 2014 graduate of Mt. Carmel High School and a 2018 graduate of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance. Hipsher will begin a management training program focusing on credit administration and analysis.

President Donald Price commented, “Ian’s educational background is a perfect fit for this position. It is always good when our local college graduates can return home to begin their careers. His addition will support the continued growth of the bank. We are excited to have him on board.”

The First National Bank was chartered in 1905 and opened for business in 1906. The bank has full-service banking offices in Allendale, Mt. Carmel, and West Salem, Illinois. The bank’s total assets are approximately $222 million. The bank offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial services.