Ali Andrews receives WVC Foundation scholarship

Ali Andrews, of Sumner, Ill., received the WVC Foundation Scholarship.

Andrews graduated from Red Hill High School and will attend WVC to pursue an associate degree in General Studies.

The WVC Foundation Scholarship recognizes outstanding academic achievement and leadership in high school and is awarded to students who demonstrate a potential to excel in their area of study. It has been established by the Wabash Valley College Foundation to assist students pursuing an associate degree at WVC.

This one-year award will help offset the cost of tuition for fall and spring semesters for one year as long as the student remains enrolled full time. Total value of this award is $2000 ($1000 per semester)

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IECC Board Of Trustees Meeting Recap

Trustees expressed appreciate to Marilyn Holt for serving as Interim CEO for the past year following the retirement of long time CEO Terry L. Bruce.  Dr. Ryan Gower began his duties in the top leadership role as Chancellor of the IECC District on May 11th. 

In an on-going effort to ensure District policies are up to date to serve students and meet requirements of Federal and Illinois State Statutes, the Board approved revisions to four policies and adopted one new policy. 

The updated Distance Delivery Education Plan was approved.  The revisions to support and promote district-wide distance delivery opportunities were made in response to the needs of the students and communities IECC serves. 

Lease agreements were renewed for off campus locations where IECC programs are offered.

            A Memorandum of Agreement for professional development with the District’s IECEA faculty union members was approved.   This agreement covers professional development coursework to enhance skills needed for distance learning instruction.                

The Board approved a one year renewal of the District’s Property, Casualty, and Liability Insurance coverage. 

Authorization was given to begin the process for the issuance of Taxable General Obligation Bonds (Alternate Revenue Source) for the IECC Community College District.  A bond hearing will be held at the July 21, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting.

Approval was given for an extension to the Flora West Side Central TIF District. 

Trustees approved the recommendation of the bid committee to accept bids for two items.  Approved was the bid for purchase of Lincoln C300 Welders from Stumpf Welding for a total of $101,213.28.  These welders will be for the OCC Welding Program at Olney Central College and the West Richland Center.  Trustees also approved the bid for purchase of sod and sod installation for the Lincoln Trail College Soccer Field.  The sod and installation bid recommendation was for Freeman Athletic Fields at a total cost of $38,479.00. 

            Affiliation agreements were approved with Lavender Ridge in Olney for Lincoln Trail College and Olney Central College’s Basic Nurse Assistant Program and for Clay County Hospital in Flora for Frontier Community College’s Emergency Response Program. 

            A resolution was adopted authorizing the permanent transfer of approximately $120,000 in interest earned in the Working Cash Fund to the General Fund.

            A resolution was adopted authorizing inter-fund loans during the 2021 fiscal year, with the loans to be repaid to the original fund within one year.

            A public hearing on the community college district budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2020 was set for Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at the hour of 7:00 p.m., at Wabash Valley College, Mt. Carmel, Illinois.  The tentative budget will be available for public inspection at the District Business Office, 233 East Chestnut Street, Olney, on or after Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

              A resolution was adopted to authorize certain expenditures from the Operations and Maintenance Fund, such as custodial salaries and utility bills.  

              Trustees conducted a semi-annual review of closed session minutes.  Under the Open Meetings Act, the board is required to examine closed session minutes at least twice a year. 

              Under Personnel actions the Board approved Special Assignments for fiscal year 2021 for all four colleges, including lead instructors, advisors, coordinators, managers, directors and some athletic personnel.    

              Dr. Bradley Logsdon was employed as a Physical Sciences Instructor at LTC, effective August 13, 2020.   Casey Wyllie was employed as Interim Head Men’s Basketball Coach at OCC, effective June 17, 2020.

              A change in status was approved for two current IECC employees.  Dennis York from Coordinator of Industrial Training at LTC to Broadband Telecom Instructor at LTC, effective August 13, 2020.  A change in status was approved for Sheryl Childers from Administrative Assistant in the Human Resources Department at the District Office to Executive Assistant to the Chancellor at the District Office, effective June 8, 2020.

              Resignation ratifications were approved for Michael Burris, Men’s Basketball Head Coach at OCC, effective May 27, 2020 and for Lacey Shalenko, Head Women’s Basketball Coach at WVC, effective June 13, 2020.

Retirement ratifications were approved for three employees.  Marilyn Holt as Interim Chief Executive Officer at the District Office, effective June 21, 2020; for  Pamela Swanson-Madden as Program Director of International Student & Director of District Student Recruitment at the District Office,  effective July 1, 2020; and for  Amy Loss as Coordinator of Registration & Records at FCC, effective October 1, 2020.

         The next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees will be Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 7:00p.m. at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson.

Sparta Loses The Grand American To Missouri

The Grand American, the largest trapshooting event in the world, is leaving Illinois and heading to Missouri this year.

The Illinois Department of Public Health and the Department of Natural Resources ruled that the annual event cannot take place near Sparta because of COVID-19 health concerns. Restrictions regarding the size of public gatherings under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan left organizers scrambling.

“The health and safety of participants who would attend, as well as spectators and staff, must remain top-of-mind,” IDNR Director Colleen Callahan said.

In anticipation of the decision, the Amateur Trapshooting Association had predetermined if the event could not be held near Sparta, it would be relocated to Linn Creek, Missouri, in Lake of the Ozarks.

Trish Creach, the executive director of the nearby Camdenton Chamber of Commerce, said the town is ecstatic.

“We are pleased with the announcement and we will roll out the carpet for the ATA when they arrive in August,” Creach said. “Lodging properties are already getting phone calls from participants that are coming in for this event.”

Illinois State Sen. Paul Schimpf of Waterloo said the news was a disappointment.

“Obviously we don’t like the economic hit that the region is going to take, but more importantly I am disappointed by the governor’s failure to lead on this,” he said. “The governor’s refusal to listen to us is probably the most disappointing aspect of this.”

The event has an estimated economic impact on the region of between $20 million and $30 million.

The ATA has a contract with the state of Illinois through 2026, but Schimpf said he was worried this may damage relations for the future.

“I do know for a fact that there are board members on the trapshooting association who have wanted to relocate this event prior to this year and there are other venues that are very eager to host it, so it certainly can’t help the situation as far as having this remain in Illinois for the long term,” Schimpf said.

IL GOP Suing Governor

The Illinois Republican Party is suing Gov. J.B. Pritzker in federal court in an effort to ensure political gatherings can happen heading into the election, despite the governor’s pandemic executive orders limiting groups to fewer than ten.

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said the governor is acting like a king.

“And now we see Pritzker continue to restrict funerals, weddings, festivals, youth sports and political gatherings at the same time he marches with thousands of protesters on crowded streets,” Schneider said.

Schneider said he agrees with the same protests Pritzker took part in to decry the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.

“It was awful [what happened to Floyd],” Schneider said. “They have a right to protest. We support their right to protest, but we just want those same rights when it comes to political gatherings.”

Schneider said the GOP’s challenge of the governor’s order seeking immediate relief is important, not just because it’s an election year and political parties need to meet, network and strategize, but because the governor has shown he’s willing to act against those who don’t comply with his edicts.

“This governor is the same governor that wanted to fine and criminally charge people and small businesses that tried to open their small businesses ahead of his executive order,” Schneider said.

Liberty Justice Center attorney Daniel Suhr said courts recognize Americans still have rights even during a pandemic and an outcome securing those rights would benefit everyone.

He said instead of the governor giving a pass to gatherings he attends leaving open the ability to enforce against others, the First Amendment demands equal treatment.

“For us as voters to make informed choices in the public square about the candidate we support, about the policies we advocate, we need a level playing field,” Suhr said.

The lawsuit seeks to deem the governor’s orders unconstitutional and allow political groups to meet.

The governor’s office didn’t immediately respond.

WVC summer enrollment up nearly 20 percent

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Wabash Valley College’s summer enrollment numbers are up nearly 20 percent! As the summer semester reaches the halfway mark, WVC anticipates this upward trend in enrollment to continue into the fall semester.

Assistant Dean of Student Services Steve Patberg reported the increased enrollment was most notable in the math, science and communications classes.

“Wabash Valley College had a significant increase of students picking up courses online this summer,” said Patberg. “This is a testament to our quality online instruction along with the affordability that a community college provides.”

While traditional face-to-face numbers are down substantially, online class registration has nearly doubled. In 2019, there were 193 students enrolled in online classes during the summer semester; in 2020, that number jumped to 375.

WVC also saw an increase in hybrid class (a style of class that blends online and face-to-face learning modalities) numbers. In 2019, only 20 students were enrolled in hybrid classes for the summer semester; however, in 2020, 74 students have enrolled in hybrid classes— that’s a 370 percent increase in student engagement in WVC’s hybrid classes!

“As the coronavirus pandemic creates uncertainties impacting college enrollment, Wabash Valley College has seen an enrollment increase for the upcoming summer semester,” said WVC Dean of Instruction Robert Conn. “We anticipated an increase attributable to students and parents recognizing the superior quality and value of the educational services provided by Wabash Valley College.”

With larger institutions charging students as much for online classes as they would for face-to-face instruction, many students are enrolling at community colleges, like WVC, because their tuition rates are significantly lower. However, Conn noted that these students aren’t just experiencing the economic benefits of attending WVC, they’re also experiencing the academic benefits as well. WVC students enjoy smaller class sizes, which means that professors are able to give each student more individualized instruction.

“The commitment of the faculty and staff at WVC is well known in our community and students know they can do as well at a community college as they would taking university courses online. Excellence is an important factor at WVC, which is evident as the college has again been named one of the top 150 community colleges in the nation. It is an honor to work with a faculty and staff group nationally recognized for excellence.”

No matter what format classes are taught in, every member of WVC’s faculty and staff is committed to carrying out the college’s mission to deliver exceptional education and services to improve the lives of its students and to strengthen its communities.

Come be a part of a continuing upward trend in local education; apply today! Call 618-262-8641 for more information!

Mt. Carmel Man Arrested After Altercation With MCPD Officers

On 6/13/2020, Mt. Carmel Police arrested Austin W. Moore, age 30, of Mt. Carmel, for Resisting/Obstructing a Peace Officer. Police were called to an address in the 300 block of West 4th Street because Moore was yelling for someone to call the police. It was also reported that Moore had made statements about shooting and stabbing the police as well. Once officers arrived at the scene, Moore was located and possessed two knives, one in each hand. Moore began to walk towards law enforcement but was ordered to the ground. Moore failed to comply until Ofc. Hopper and K-9 Ace arrived for backup at which time Moore complied. Moore was eventually transported to the Wabash County Jail where he was charged and held pending the posting of bond.