Chris Vallillo to perform in Fine Arts Series at Illinois College

Annual Celebration of Excellence highlights student and faculty achievementsemily.titsworthFri, 04/26/2024 - 08:40 4.26.2024 Illinois College commemorated academic accomplishments during its ninth annual Celebration of Excellence on Friday, April 19. Throughout the day, students and faculty engaged in various activities celebrating academic achievements. The Honors Convocation, held in Sherman Gymnasium at the Bruner Fitness and Recreation Center, marked the ceremonial highlight of the day. Provost Catharine O’Connell delivered opening remarks. Subsequently, five significant awards recognizing academic excellence, service and teaching were conferred upon outstanding Illinois College students and faculty members. Additionally, the event included the announcement of student marshals for the upcoming academic year, recognition of Phi Beta Kappa inductees, and announced the winners of the Julian Monson Sturtevant Campus Leadership Award, the Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award, and the Don P. Filson Faculty Award for Vision for the Future. Kara Dorris, assistant professor of English, was honored with the esteemed Harry Joy Dunbaugh Distinguished Professor Award, an accolade considered the highest recognition for a faculty member at Illinois College. The recipient of this award, chosen annually by a student committee under the dean's supervision, is not announced until the Honors Convocation. Anna McKee ’25 and Thomas Menke ’25 were appointed as student marshals for the forthcoming academic year, a distinction reserved for individuals who exhibit exceptional academic achievement and campus leadership. Illinois College’s Epsilon chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, founded by Charles Rammelkamp in 1931, welcomed new inductees: Isabella Aguirre ’24, Carson Beyers ’24, Shannon Engmann ’24, Emma Green ’23, Rebecca Hudson ’24, Arnaud Rioual ’24, Haylee Simmons ’24, Ainslee Stroup ’24, and Trenton Terry ’24. The Julian M. Sturtevant Campus Leadership and Service Award recognized students who demonstrated outstanding service and leadership throughout their time on campus. Among the honorees were Anthony Aguilar ’24, Isabella Aguirre ’24, Luis Avila-Alvarez ’24, Kristen Costa ’24, Shannon Engmann ’24, CJ Liddell, Jr. ’24, Carlos Limon ’24, Edris Roman ’24, Rachael Rosenstengel ’24, Kenzie Strong ’24, and Madison Webb ’24. The Don P. Filson Faculty Award for Vision for the Future was awarded to Brittney Yancy, assistant professor of history and African American studies program coordinator. This honor is awarded to faculty members who see beyond the scope of the status quo to further develop or implement a vision which can move the college forward. This faculty award was established by 1970 Illinois College graduate Darlene Nelson ’70 in memory of Dr. Filson’s vision for Illinois College to have a computer science department. Bernd Estabrook, professor of global studies, and Lawrence Zettler, Hitchcock professor of biology, were the recipients of the Enkyklios Award. Recipients of this award are recognized for their exceptional performance in teaching, professional engagement, and service, exemplifying excellence across these areas within a single year. The Celebration of Excellence also showcased student presentations on recent research endeavors and achievements spanning various disciplines in the liberal arts. For additional photographs from the event, visit the Illinois College Facebook page. Research and Learning

Senator Dick Durbin awards Illinois College $911K grant for nursing programemily.titsworthFri, 04/26/2024 - 14:12 4.26.2024 On April 25, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) visited campus to hold a press conference announcing a $911K grant to further support Illinois College’s mission to combat the national nursing shortage.This grant is just one of the many ways that IC is fostering success and academic excellence in its nursing students. From left: Kent Siltman, Catharine O'Connell, Stephanie Chipman, President Barbara Farley, Senator Dick Durbin, Ed Curtis, Marsha Prater, Angela Bentley Important leaders on campus and in the community were in attendance when Durbin made the announcement awarding the nursing program $911K. These funds will directly impact current and prospective nursing students through the renovation of facilities on campus to strengthen the program’s excellence and expand enrollment. During the press conference, Senator Durbin stressed the need for medical professionals. A recent national survey stated that 100,000 nurses left the medical field during the pandemic. IC is working extensively with the local community to prepare students for the field. The success of the IC nursing program has grown exponentially. So much so that qualified applicants at IC are admitted to the nursing program with no waitlist, allowing students the opportunity to begin their education without worrying about program capacity limitations. I want to congratulate and thank Illinois College for establishing and working on this new nursing school. This morning I met with some of the leaders of Illinois College with President Farley and they talked about their goals. America would be proud to hear that Illinois College is part of the future, not only in Jacksonville and central Illinois and the Midwest, but the national effort to make sure that Americans have the best healthcare in the world. Senator Dick Durbin Last year, IC announced a partnership with Memorial Health to combat the growing nursing shortage in the area. This partnership includes scholarships for eligible residents from 38 surrounding counties interested in pursuing a career in nursing, covering the cost of tuition for the first two years at IC. In years three and four, students have the opportunity to continue receiving support while working part-time at any Memorial Health site, allowing them to gain hands-on experience while continuing their education. These nursing scholarships are in addition to Illinois College’s Advantage Plus Program, which covers 100% of financial need for Illinois residents. Illinois College is dedicated to nursing education. The federal support announced today will support the expansion of our program to recruit and educate the future nursing workforce. Illinois College President Barbara Farley Funds from this federal grant will directly impact current and prospective nursing students in addition to a generous grant from Memorial Health. The IC+MH academic partnership announced in June 2023 included a $4.2 million grant to renovate facilities, provide scholarships to nursing students, and support student success. The renovation project, slated for completion by August 2024, focuses on expanding the nursing program labs. This reaffirms Illinois College's dedication to delivering a high-quality, hands-on education that prepares students for the evolving demands of the healthcare industry. This endeavor creates additional state-of-the-art learning environments in Baxter and Parker Halls, providing nursing students with increased opportunities for hands-on learning and cutting-edge training. Ed Curtis, Memorial Health president and CEO, gave remarks at the conference about the important partnership between IC and Memorial Health. “[In the healthcare field] we continue to say that health care was the first in the pandemic and the last out. Why? Because of the labor issues and the impact the pandemic caused, accelerating retirement rates even further and leaving the profession. We have worked to increase the number of graduate nurses, and we're doing that successfully because of Illinois College.” In addition to the four-year BSN, the College added a fully online MSN program in 2022 after securing federal Community Project Funding sponsored by Congressman Darin LaHood. To learn more about the nursing program at Illinois College, visit ic.edu/nursing In the News

Successful giving day positions Illinois College to exceed $1 million annual fundraising goalemily.titsworthFri, 04/26/2024 - 14:30 4.26.2024 With support from over 1,200 donors around the world, Illinois College’s annual ALL IN FOR IC, on March 20, 2024, set records raising $642,650. The figure is the highest in the campaign’s seven-year history, with an increase of over 40% of last year’s total. The next highest total of $423,763.09 was raised in 2022. Katie Carls, executive director of the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, said she is excited to see the impact this funding will have on students in the fall. “Students at Illinois College are experiencing extraordinary opportunities for learning inside the classroom and around the world. I have seen a lot of positive momentum this year — with the opening of Crispin Hall as a STEM center, new and growing academic programs and several notable winning seasons for athletic teams. None of this is possible without the generous, engaged people in this community,” she said. Carls believes the College could have a record-setting year for giving — exceeding $1 million — if this level of support continues through May when the academic year closes. She added that the IC Fund helps meet the needs of today’s students as colleges provide more personalized services, technology, innovative learning environments and global experiences needed to prepare students to meet the evolving needs of the modern workforce. ALL IN FOR IC is an annual daylong fundraising event. Since its start in 2018, IC has seen an exponential increase in gifts made to the College, having raised over $2.2 million through these days of giving alone. ALL IN FOR IC directly impacts students in areas of experiential learning, scholarships, and enhanced academic programs and community engagement. Donors were able to designate their gifts to various areas of campus, with academic programs raising the most. Generous donors offered to match funds raised to double the impact of gifts given that day. Of those, Joan Pederson Schulz ’63, a lifelong supporter of her alma mater along with her late husband, Randy Schulz ’63, generously provided a $50,000 matching gift on the day. Leading up to the day of giving, the College hosted a bingo event, giving students the opportunity to win prizes. One student won the grand prize of a $1,000 scholarship generously donated by Bob Moore '78 and Sherry Kwater. Students were also able to win prizes from local businesses such as Leo's Pizza, The Vault, Sonic, Walmart, Arby's, Taco Bell, Jacksonville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Applebee's, Los Rancheros, and Alison & Co. To track progress toward the IC Fund goal and make a gift to support students at Illinois College, visit ic.edu/giving Giving

Illinois College’s agribusiness program taught by major leaders in the industryemily.titsworthFri, 04/19/2024 - 10:33 4.19.2024 Jeff Galle has been involved in the agriculture industry his entire life, having grown up on a grain and livestock farm then continuing into the industry by teaching at colleges in Illinois. Kevin Klein, coordinator of online business programs, and Dr. Jeff Galle, professor of agribusiness Now, he is one of the professors in the agribusiness program at Illinois College and uses his experience and expertise to help students achieve their goals of working in the agriculture industry. The agribusiness program focuses exclusively on the business side of the agricultural industry as opposed to crop or animal production. This allows students to further develop their business skills, whether it be through economics, finance, marketing, and so on. Agribusiness majors are able to weave their courses with courses in the business program, giving them the best of both worlds. Courses are offered each year on a rotating schedule. Students are required to take general business courses such as economics, accounting, and statistics. The program also has agricultural-specific courses that are relevant to the changing landscape of the industry in the United States. The Emerging Issues in Agriculture course teaches students about ongoing and upcoming issues in the industry, giving them a glimpse into real-world issues in their field. Being able to lay the foundations that were founded in the business department and in the agribusiness program prepares them for a strong, successful career in the agriculture community. Dr. Jeff Galle Prior to joining the faculty at Illinois College, Galle built a foundation for himself in the swine industry, having taught at John Wood Community College in their swine management program. His expertise is not restricted to the classroom, however. Galle has been involved in all aspects of the Pork Producers organization at the local, state, and national levels, having served as the President of Pike County Pork Producer then moving up the ranks to become the President of the Illinois Pork Producers Association. Jeff served as a delegate for several years and eventually ran and was selected by the Pork Producer delegates, and then appointed to the National Pork Board by the United States Secretary of Agriculture in 2006 and served until 2009. Galle credits his connections to industry leaders with his 30+ years teaching and working in the industry and utilizes those connections to recruit students to join the agribusiness program at Illinois College. “My experience working in higher education gave  me exposure to a tremendous amount of people in the FFA and 4H communities and the Dept of Agriculture,” Galle explains, “It gave me the contacts that are necessary to make this program visible.” The agribusiness program is currently in its sixth year and is a part of the well-established business department. Since the start of the program, course offerings have expanded to include an asynchronous online program, providing students the flexibility to fit coursework into their lives. “Online students are able to take one course every eight weeks,” Galle explains, “These students are given all the resources they need to complete the classes at their own pace.” The agribusiness program is an ideal fit for anyone looking to break into the agricultural industry, whether its accounting, finance, or management. IC made it even more accessible through an articulation agreement with community colleges in the state of Illinois. “This agreement is designed for students who graduate with an associates degree and are looking to continue their education,” Galle says, “These students have the opportunity to transfer to Illinois College and complete a bachelors on campus or online.” Galle emphasizes that agribusiness is not something that can only be achieved at the local-level, it’s an international market. His time in the swine industry has taken him all over the world. He was invited by the Illinois Director of Agriculture to visit Hungary on a trade mission with several other industry leaders. He’s spent time in Brazil and Argentina as a part of an Illinois Ag Leadership Program Class to evaluate their agriculture and the effect of hyperinflation. He was also a key evaluator of the success of Freedom Farms International’s potential for long-term livestock production in Ukraine. Most notably, however, Galle has established an international business in the southeast Asian country Laos with the creation of the brand Laos Fresh Meats under his company Global Pork Production Enterprises. “Our hope for our students is that we help prepare them to go out and be successful in the workplace, to be able to look for career opportunities that are going to be long term and enjoyable for them,” Galle notes, “The agribusiness program gives them the chance to see and do things that prepare them for being involved in the industry after graduation.” To learn more about the agribusiness program, click here. Learning

Illinois College and John A. Logan College Forge New 2+2 Partnership for Seamless Degree Transitionemily.titsworthThu, 04/18/2024 - 13:00 4.18.2024 In a new collaboration aimed at empowering students' educational journeys, Illinois College (IC) and John A. Logan College (JALC) have announced a 2+2 partnership. This initiative allows graduates of John A. Logan College to pursue bachelor's degrees in agribusiness management, accounting and behavioral health at Illinois College, both on campus and through online programs. The announcement of this partnership was made during a virtual event on Tuesday, March 26, featuring remarks from IC President Barbara A. Farley, John A. Logan College Provost Stephanie Chaney Hartford, as well as professors Jeff Galle and Wayne Griffith from IC and JALC, respectively. "This is truly a moment to celebrate a great partnership between our institutions and launch the 2 + 2 agreements for agribusiness, accounting and behavioral health pathways,” President Farley remarked, “Well-prepared students from John A. Logan College will have the opportunity to make a seamless transition to Illinois College to complete their undergraduate degrees." The partnership facilitates a smooth transfer process, enabling students to complete a bachelor's degree while benefiting from generous financial aid. JALC students will receive support from dedicated IC admissions counselors throughout the application and transfer process. “We are excited for this new partnership and opportunity for our students to continue their education in agribusiness, accounting and behavioral health,” said JALC Provost Dr. Stephanie Chaney Hartford. “The flexibility of this program will be beneficial to our students, and we are looking forward to continuing to grow this partnership with Illinois College.” The partnership offers both on-campus and online degree options for JALC students with associate degrees, ensuring flexibility in completing their studies. Students with applied associates degrees in accounting or agribusiness, as well as associates in arts in social work degrees, can seamlessly transfer to and complete their bachelor's degrees at Illinois College. On campus, students will have the opportunity to fully engage in campus life, access state-of-the-art facilities, and immerse themselves in the IC community. Additionally, online programs provide flexibility for students who require remote access to education, whether on a full- or part-time basis, with asynchronous courses. Jeff Galle, a professor of agribusiness, underscored the benefits of this partnership, emphasizing the flexibility of the program offerings. “Not only does this partnership provide us an opportunity to bring students to the campus but also to reach more students online. It’s important for us to be able to give JALC students the opportunity to grow and finish their career development.” At Illinois College, programs and degrees offer diverse learning opportunities, including internships, student-faculty research, participation in conferences, and engagement with industry speakers. Recent internships and post-graduation employment opportunities have included collaborations with leading regional and national companies. Wayne Griffith, an assistant professor of agriculture at JALC College, expressed excitement about the partnership. "We’re proud of the students that graduate from JALC and look forward to what they’ll achieve at Illinois College and in the ag industry in the decades going forward." JALC is the fourth college to sign an articulation agreement with Illinois College, along with Kaskaskia College, John Wood Community College, and Lincoln Land Community College. In addition to these articulation agreements, Illinois College works with several hundred transfer students each year from other 2-year and 4-year institutions. If you are considering transferring to Illinois College, please visit the Transfer Admissions page. To explore Illinois College's programs in agribusiness management, accounting, and behavioral health, visit ic.edu/majors-programs. For more information about John A. Logan College's programs, visit jalc.edu. Admission

Unity Fest aims to bring the campus and the community together on April 20, 2024emily.titsworthFri, 04/05/2024 - 14:54 4.05.2024 Illinois College is hosting their first Unity Fest to promote inclusivity and connect the greater Jacksonville community with the Illinois College community on Saturday, April 20, 2024. The event will take place from 4 - 7 p.m. on the Upper Quad. This all-ages event is free and open to the public. Interested parties are encouraged to RSVP at the link, but it is not required. “Our goal for this event is to bridge the gap between Illinois College and local communities,” Student Senate president Paige Walker '25 explains, “This event aims to be both engaging and enlightening, offering insights into Greek Life, Identity Organizations, and the overall diversity illustrated both in the local community and at Illinois College.” Attendees are invited to participate in activities and engage in various cultures. Student organizations that will be present include the African Student Union, the Black Student Union, Disability Rights Education Advocacy and Mentoring, Koine (international students), Students for Sexual and Gender Equality, and the Women’s Advocacy and Communications Club. Joining in on the Fest's activities and representing the diversity of the Greek community are IC's historic Literary Societies and national service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega. Activities include: Stress management activities and coloring sheets Rock, Mini canvas, & Cantaritos painting Cupcake Decorating Dance Lessons DIY Bracelets, Lanyards, and Tote Bags Build your own flower bouquet Yard Games Chalk Art Photo Walls International Candy/Snack Tasting "Petting Zoo" - Cats and Dogs Along with activities for all ages, participants are encouraged to speak with Divine 9 Greek organizations. The Divine Nine are nine internationally-recognized, historically black fraternities and sororities that were first founded in 1906. They differentiate from your typical Greek life in that you don’t have to be attending a college or university to join. It is a lifelong commitment. There will be local chapters from all 9 organizations attending this event from Springfield, Decatur, and Bloomington. To RSVP to the event, click here. On Campus