ONE LAKER NATION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI
THE HENNINGSENS CONCERT HEADLINES LAKER HOMECOMING LAKER LOYALTY FIGHT SONG COMES TO LIFE SHAPING A COLLEGE AS A STUDENT & TRUSTEE TAKING FLIGHT WITH THE LAKER MASCOT NURSING HISTORY DOCUMENTED IN NEW BOOK
FALL 2017
FELLOW ALUMNI: This coming year is going to be an exciting one for our alma mater! This fall Lake Land will kick off its 50th anniversary celebration. It’s a great time for all of us in One Laker Nation to reconnect with each other and our beloved college. Whether you are one of the first alumni to graduate from Lake Land College on August 18, 1968 or are a member of the Class of 2017, we welcome you home for our second annual Laker Homecoming. Please mark your calendar for Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 and plan a trip to Mattoon. It will be a great weekend to see how the campus has grown, get in touch with your former instructors and plan to make some new memories with your old friends. Throughout this magazine you will see our rich history and bright future. While campus has evolved in the past 50 years, I am proud to say the caring environment you experienced here continues to live and inspire those who come after us to reach their goals. The Alumni Board is proud to be a part of this year-long celebration. Please keep in touch to see how you can join us. We’ll share information in the quarterly electronic newsletter and on Facebook and Instagram. Go Lakers! AUSTIN FRANK LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2006 Lake Land College Alumni Board President
JOIN ONE LAKER NATION FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING! FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017
#WelcomeHomeLakers WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 Laker Loyalty fight song unveiled at Student Life Pep Rally Laker Loyalty Selfie Video Submissions open FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 Dental Hygiene Alumni Continuing Education Seminar: Growing Partnerships to Advance Patient Care, Heartland Dental Care, Effingham Nursing Continuing Education Seminar: The Future Is Now: Updates on the Nursing Profession, Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, Mattoon Business Division Alumni Appreciation Reception, West Building with complimentary spa facials, manicures, and pedicures in the Cosmetology Lab, 4-8 p.m. Laker Volleyball Game at 6 p.m. in the Field House SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 Alumni Recognition Banquet honoring inductees into the Distinguished Alumni Society and Athletic Hall of Fame Brunch Campus Tours – choose from 3:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. One Laker Nation Alumni Tent with entertainment, food and beverages, 4- 7 p.m. The Henningsens Final Concert, Field House at 7 p.m. SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017 Laker Softball Alumni Game at noon REGISTER FOR EVENTS AND BUY CONCERT TICKETS AT LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI OR CALL 217-234-5363
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FALL 2017
CONTENTS 2 ALUMNI PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 4
WELCOME HOME TO THE HENNINGSENS FOR THEIR FINAL CONCERT
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SHAPING A COLLEGE
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RAISE YOUR VOICES ONE LAKER NATION!
10 LAKE LAND COLLEGE PRESIDENTS 12 TAKING FLIGHT
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4
14 WALL OF FAME 16 THE RICH HISTORY OF NURSING AT LAKE LAND COLLEGE 18 ONE LAKER NATION UPDATES
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LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Lake Land College Alumni Association is multifaceted. First, the Association endeavors to foster relationships that promote the Association. Secondly, the Association recognizes current and future alumni and help promote Lake Land College. Lastly, the Association will accomplish its mission by being visible, supportive of students, building loyalty to the Lake Land brand and promoting a positive learning experience.
ONE LAKER NATION MAGAZINE
is published annually for the alumni of Lake Land College in coordination with the Lake Land College Alumni Association and Marketing & Public Relations. Views and opinions expressed by individuals in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Lake Land College. For inquiries, please contact Marketing & Public Relations at 217-234-5215. EDITOR: Kelly Allee GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Paula Rosine, Laker Nation Class of 2003 WRITER: Lynnsey Veach, Crystal Villarreal
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Lake Land College is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that promotes equal opportunity and affirmative action and that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is the policy of Lake Land College not to engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital or civil union status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any basis of discrimination precluded by applicable federal and state statutes. This policy applies to admission and access to and participation, treatment and employment in the College’s programs, activities, and services. The following campus office is assigned the responsibility for ensuring compliance with this policy as well as federal and state statutes and regulations concerning affirmative action and equal access: Office of the Director of Human Resources 217-234-5210. Human Resources Office Complaint forms and procedures for filing can be obtained through Counseling Services or Human Resources. In addition, these offices will maintain current copies of appropriate laws, regulations, and policies.
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ARTISTA NASHVILLE HIT SINGLES American Beautiful (2012) I Miss You (2013) Why I Farm (2015)
ALBUMS EP – The Henningsens (2013) LP – World’s On Fire (2016)
LAKE LAND COLLEGE WELCOMES HOME
THE HENNINGSENS
FOR A FINAL PERFORMANCE This concert will be the final show for The Henningsens trio. Brian Henningsen and his son, Aaron will continue writing while daughter Clara is embarking on a solo career.
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SONGWRITING You Lie and All Your Life for The Band Perry
JOIN US FOR THE HENNINGSENS FINAL CONCERT Saturday, September 30, 2017 7 p.m. Lake Land College Field House Buy your tickets today! LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI OR CALL 217-234-5363
LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNUS BRIAN HENNINGSEN RETURNS TO CAMPUS FOR A FINAL PERFORMANCE WITH
THE HENNINGSENS Brian Henningsen, Laker Nation Class of 1981, never would have thought playing in a band with his Lake Land College ag friends would have led to a successful career as a country music artist and songwriter. “Interestingly, my music career started at Lake Land. My first band included a friend from ag classes. We would sing and play country music for friends and it soon became a passion. I look back fondly on my years at Lake Land. It was a great life experience!" Henningsen recalled when he was inducted into the Lake Land College Distinguished Alumni Society in 2015.
“We try to be very lyrically descriptive,” Brian says. “We always say it when we write: we’re trying to make a little movie play in your mind.” Coming together as a band was part of an unexpected path that found Aaron and Clara sharing the dream that their father once relinquished for the sake of family, only to find – years later – that his family was bringing that dream back into focus.
him to feel that he could explore a life beyond farming. “It was like you have that ‘Eureka!’ moment,” Brian recalls. “I’m not trapped in any circumstance I’m in. I have the ability to make my own destiny, which leads into the premise of ‘American Beautiful.’” The following year, the family purchased a historic fixer-upper in rural Tennessee. But the evolution of the group began in early 2007, when they penned their first song together with a writer in Nashville. When the trio played it at an open mic night at Nashville’s fabled Bluebird Café, Clara recalls they had no idea what to expect. “People were saying how great it was that we were performing as a family, and we really weren’t even thinking about that.”
Laker Homecoming for the Henningsens will be a family event. Brian’s wife, Debby (Pflum) Henningsen, Laker Nation Class of 1981, was a cheerleader during her time at Lake Land College. This fall, Brian will It was during this time that return to his alma mater Aaron met longtime musician/ with two of his children for songwriter Cactus Moser, who their band’s final concert shared some of the group’s performance. The trio demo recordings with producer Brian and Debby (Pflum) Henningsen (pictured left) enjoyed their days as consists of Brian on bass, Paul Worley. In 2008, Worley students at Lake Land College with friends Kevin Flauk from Cerro Gordo and Brenda Holman from Altamont. guitar and vocals, who is introduced them to another family the family patriarch and trio who had yet to sign a record father of 10; eldest son Aaron on Music had been a sideline for Brian, deal: Kimberly, Neil, and Reid, soon to guitar and vocals; and daughter Clara playing in Illinois-area bands off and be known as The Band Perry. on lead vocals and guitar. on for more than a decade, and by the early ’90s, he’d also begun “We know it’s unusual to see two “We will continue to play, write and songwriting. Trips to Nashville and generations of family living and laugh together for years and years to meetings with music publishers working so closely together, but we come,” Henningsen said. followed, but in early 1996, his father love doing it – and we hope that it was involved in an accident that might be a positive inspiration to Originally from Atwood where they still brought Brian home, as he set aside others,” Henningsen said. have their 1,700-acre family farm, The music to help care for his father and Henningsens’ story is one of pursuing take over the family farm. Partnering with companies they the American dream – just as the believe in, like Becks Hybrid and lyrics describe in their hit debut single By 2003, Aaron was writing and Sue Bee Honey, has helped them to “American Beautiful.” performing in a college band. While extend their positive inspiration to Brian enjoyed the farm, it was the people they most identify with and It’s their gift for songwriting that first pressure of farming in tough times, care about – farmers. began turning heads in Nashville, the excitement of Aaron’s music and a most notably on the Platinum-certified song that Brian had written at the time As for the future, Clara will be debut by The Band Perry, who scored that all became catalysts to reignite launching a solo career while Brian and big with “You Lie,” written by Aaron, his thoughts about music, as did an Aaron will continue writing. Clara, and Brian, and the two-week inspiring talk show – literally an on-the#1 smash, “All Your Life,” penned by tractor radio epiphany that allowed Brian and Clara. LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI w 217-234-5376
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SHAPING A COLLEGE
AS A STUDENT & TRUSTEE While visiting with Lake Land College Trustee and alumnus Mike Sullivan it quickly becomes clear that his optimism, can-do spirit, tenacity and devotion to improving the college for the betterment of students developed early in his career. Sullivan’s relationship with Lake Land College started nearly 50 years ago when he returned to his hometown after serving in the Vietnam War to find a new community college starting up. “I got out of the service in August of ‘68, and was in class by the end of August,” Sullivan said. He pointed out the main difference at that time,
was that Lake Land College was not a centralized campus, but instead was located in numerous locations ranging from the Armory to local businesses in Mattoon. PENNY BRIGADE One of his favorite stories from this time involved the inconvenience of parking tickets. Sullivan said students would get tickets every day, as the meter would only allow them to pay for two hours of parking. “If we were stuck in there for two classes, we would put in our penny or nickel but wouldn’t get out of class before the meter ran out,” Sullivan, Laker Nation Class of 1970, said. “The police officer
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would just walk down the line and ticket.” The students came up with an innovative solution. “We called it the Penny Brigade,” he recalled. “Right before class, the volunteers would go out and check to see if a police officer was coming. Then they would drop a penny in each one of them to give them the extra 12-15 minutes needed,” Sullivan said. “They stopped ticketing us.” He also remembers the struggles of having his classes spread out across town. “All I remember is you didn’t have much time at all, but it was kind
of neat knowing everyone else was doing the same thing just to get to class.”
THE GARAGE Sullivan wanted to be involved in the rapid changes of the college so he joined Student Congress. One of his first moves as the treasurer was suggesting a temporary storage building located across the street from Mattoon City Hall be renovated as a place for students to gather.
“I asked our president, Mr. Judge, if the students could have a place to hang out,” Sullivan said. At first, the administration did not approve the project for financial reasons. Sullivan refused to give up, and finally convinced the staff it was a project worth pursuing for the students. It ended up being a student project that involved updating the building and adding vending machines, tables and ping pong tables. “So we made it happen, and it ended up being called the Garage,” Sullivan said. “That was the hang out place, and then we eventually built a temporary building to last even longer for the students.” Sullivan said it was a good investment, since the temporary building lasted for more than 35 years and allowed students to come together in a good environment.
STUDENT EVENTS Sullivan said he and the student government also pushed for student events throughout his time at Lake Land, influencing the administration to allow the college to host concerts, dances, parades and even political candidates and leaders. One of Sullivan’s favorite endeavors was hosting a local Champaign band, REO Speedwagon. Sullivan said the concert was held in a small venue at Peterson Park. ENERGETIC FACULTY Not only was it Sullivan’s first year at Lake Land, but all of his faculty members were new hires who were innovative and developing new classes. “They were very creative, and working hard to start up programs at the college. “Lake Land still has great instructors, and it prepared me for my next step at U of I,” Sullivan, an agriculture major, said. “It was really easy when I went to U of I. I was prepared.” Sullivan mentioned the small class sizes still offered at Lake Land, and how grateful he is for the education he received at the community college. Despite the big differences and changes, Sullivan believes Lake Land College still holds the same mission from 50 years ago. “President Judge really started the college off right, getting the best faculty they could get,” Sullivan said. “The faculty always let everyone know how much they care about the students.”
MIKE SULLIVAN
HONORED FOR 30 YEARS OF SERVICE While now elected to office by constituents, Mike Sullivan, Laker Nation Class of 1970, began serving Lake Land College almost 50 years ago as a member of the Student Congress. That same dedication to the college continues today as he celebrates 30 years of service as a Lake Land College Trustee. This summer, Sullivan received three awards from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association. “A big congratulations to trustee Sullivan who was recognized with the 30-year Trustee Service Award, the Linden A. Warfel Trustee Education Award for participating in 100 ICCTA training events (only the fourth recipient in ICCTA history) and the prestigious Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “Lake Land College is fortunate to have a trustee who has devoted so many years to consistently leading the college to grow beyond expectations, while keeping students at the heart of all decisions.” Sullivan not only shows his commitment to students, but also maintains a significant presence in the local community by giving back to veterans like himself, the homeless, and area residents of the Lake Land College District.
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RAISE YOUR VOICES ONE LAKER NATION! This fall, Laker Nation will unite in song as the Laker Loyalty college fight song is officially unveiled as part of the 50th celebration.
shared his love of music throughout the Lake Land College community.
Sept. 27, right before Laker Homecoming weekend.
Through the generosity of the Lake Land College Foundation, Allan Horney, Eastern Illinois University professor emeritus of trombone and jazz studies, was engaged to convert the original sheet music to a full band score.
The music and lyrics were originally written by Wayne Bradtke, Lake Land College’s first music instructor. During his tenure that spanned from 1972-1991, Bradtke led a jazz band and a pep band that played at Laker basketball games. A saxophonist and active member of several musical groups, Bradtke
“We are thrilled to be able to bring the work of Mr. Bradtke to life with a professional quality recording. Introducing a new college tradition as we celebrate 50 years of loyal Laker alumni and fans is a perfect tribute to Mr. Bradtke,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said.
“Music connects with our emotions, in particular, nostalgia. Lake Land College students will take the sound memory of ‘Laker Loyalty’ with them when they graduate, and it will become part of their packet of memories from their college years,” Dr. Nancy Caldwell, Lake Land College music instructor, explained.
The song will premier during a student pep rally on Wednesday,
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The fight song will be played at Laker athletic events as well as commencement and other occasions. Later this fall, Laker Loyalty will be available to download as a ring tone and the college will invite fans to submit their own video recordings of Laker Loyalty.
LAKER LOYALTY
LAKE LAND COLLEGE CELEBRATES ITS 50TH! In 1967, the first group of Lake Land College students entered classrooms around the Mattoon community on September 6. At that time, there were 692 students and classes were held in a variety of short-term buildings in downtown Mattoon. This August, the 50th class of students will walk through Lake Land College’s doors in a beautiful, technology-rich, 317-acre campus south of the city. They will be among 22,000 students to enter Lake Land College this year. Several activities are planned throughout the year: JULY 2017 Lake Land College Board of Trustees kicks off the college’s 50th anniversary celebration by commemorating the college’s rich history AUGUST 23, 2017 Welcome Day Celebration of the 50th class of students SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 Laker Loyalty fight song unveiled during a Student Life Pep Rally Laker Loyalty Selfie Video Submissions open SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 – OCTOBER 1, 2017 Laker Homecoming – Welcome Home FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2017 Dental Hygiene Alumni Continuing Education Seminar at Heartland Dental Care in Effingham; Nursing Continuing Education Seminar at Sarah Bush Lincoln in Mattoon; Business Division Alumni Appreciation Reception, West Building; Laker Volleyball Game SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2017 Alumni Recognition banquet honoring inductees into the Distinguished Alumni Society and Athletic Hall of Fame Brunch; Campus Tours; Alumni Tent with entertainment, food and beverages; The Henningsens Concert SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017 Laker Softball Alumni Game DECEMBER 5, 2018 Employee & Retiree Celebration Holiday Luncheon FEBRUARY 2018 Celebrating our Lake Land College partners MARCH 2018 Wall of Fame Ceremony/Employee Recognition & Retiree Celebration APRIL 2018 Top 50 Most Influential People in Lake Land College’s History Ceremony & Recognition of the Members of the First Graduating Class MAY 2018 Student Life Spring Carnival – Debut Laker Loyalty fight song video Celebrating 50 years of Lake Land College Graduates
Lake Land Music Instructor Wayne Bradtke’s original sheet music for Laker Loyalty.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF STUDENTS
LAKE LAND COLLEGE PRESIDENTS
MR. VIRGIL H. JUDGE, 1967-1972 “He was a very nice man. The best words that I could use to describe him are he was a true gentleman - always kind, friendly and his main priority was the students.” – JAN STORM Laker Nation Class of 1970
DR. ROBERT WEBB, 1972-1984 “In the early years we didn’t have a student representative on the board of trustees. When I became the president of the student government I didn’t know better and thought it was part of my duties to attend the board meetings. Even though I normally sat in the back row of the room, when an issue came up that affected the students, Dr. Webb would call on me to ask how the students felt. Asking for input from the students became part of the Lake Land Board culture long before the legislation requiring a student to officially join the board of trustees, thanks to Dr. Webb.” – MIKE SULLIVAN Laker Nation Class of 1970
“He always struck me as a competent, capable administrator and a friendly leader. An example is he always remembered my name when we met.”
DR. DAVID SCHULTZ, 1984-1988 “I had the opportunity to interview for a position at Lake Land College with Dr. Schultz when he was president and it was obvious that Lake Land was moving in a positive direction.” - A LAKER ALUMNUS
– HAROLD STRANGEMAN Retired History, Sociology Instructor, Honors Program Director
JUDGE
WEBB
SCHULTZ
LUTHER
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THALLEMER
DR. ROBERT K. LUTHER, 1988-2006 “During the spring semester, Dr. Luther and I participated in a ‘Freaky Friday’ role reversal. In the morning, he and I switched places. I fondly remember handing off my book bag and class schedule and he turning his office over to me for the day. He followed and attended all my classes for the day and I carried on various ‘college president’ duties.” – AMY ROCHKES Laker Nation Class of 1989
DR. BILL THALLEMER, 2006-2007 “Dr. Thallemer was very energetic and a person who would come up with numerous new ideas every day. The question became, how do you keep up with him? He brought a feeling of excitement and wanted to make a change.” – MIKE SULLIVAN Laker Nation Class of 1970
LENSINK
MR. SCOTT LENSINK, 2007-2013 “His laugh was loud and infectious. His smile was constant and quick. We always got the work done or the task accomplished even if it seemed impossible but that isn’t what I recall most about Scott. It was how he always lifted everyone else up.“ – CHRISTINA KRAMER Laker Nation Class of 1989
DR. JOSH BULLOCK, 2013-PRESENT “At a PAS competition with my fellow horticulture students and instructor, we won third place in the team event. At the Agriculture Banquet held every year in February, my team was recognized. Later that year, I won the Outstanding Non-Traditional Student Award. When Dr. Bullock handed me my award that night, he leaned over and told me ‘Well Libby, tonight you are number one and not number three.’ I cannot tell you how much I was touched by that.” – ELIZABETH (LIBBY) VAN DE LIST Laker Nation Class of 2016
BULLOCK
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TAKING FLIGHT
FROM DUNKER DUCK TO LAKER LOUIE
GRAPHICAL IMAGES OF LAKE LAND COLLEGE THROUGH THE YEARS
1966
1967
1971
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1981
THE LAKERS NAME In the Lake Land College Student Bulletin, Volume I, Number I, dated Sept. 6, 1967, the students voted on registration day, Sept. 1, to name the college teams The Lake Land Lakers. They also adopted the colors scarlet and black. COLLEGE MASCOT The college’s first unofficial mascot was Dunker Duck. It appeared on Dec. 12, 1980 during the Laker Classic Basketball Tournament. From the Lake Land College Living Archive: “Dunker Duck (a.k.a. Tim Zarn, a civil engineering student), sprang from a cardboard box adorned with Christmas decorations at half court, thus introducing the college’s new mascot to fans. Dunker Duck, who was voted on by students in a survey organized by cheerleader sponsor Melinda Gill, beat out a ‘Popeyelike’ sailor, and was designed by an art student who donated his illustrations to the school. The ‘dunk’ part of his name was coined by Wally Taylor, division chairperson of the English department, since all the players on the men’s team were able to easily dunk the ball during games. During the season, Dunker Duck was used in a variety of ways, including as a goodwill ambassador who visited local schools and nursing homes. The name behind the costume was a secret throughout the entire basketball season, however, until that year’s annual athletic banquet, when his true identity was unveiled.” LAKER MASCOT & LAKER LOUIE In April 2015, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved a Laker mascot as part of an overall branding and marketing initiative. “We worked with more than 100 community members, alumni and college stakeholders to evaluate the visual brand assets of the college, and through that work, the Laker emerged as a strong college mascot. It just needed to be slightly enhanced,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said.
In August of that year, the Laker mascot came to life in a professional costume. A few months later the students voted on a name for the new addition. Students selected from five names. Laker Louie Laker Drake Laker Jake Lucky Laker Shaker Louie was revealed as his name between the men’s and women’s basketball games on Nov. 24, 2015. Standing just over 7 feet tall, the Laker Mascot was born in Mattoon on August 24, 2015. He makes his nest on the Lake Land College campus. COLLEGE LOGO In March 2002, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved the college’s first official logo. The design employed an infinity symbol to represent the never-ending opportunities available at the college. Then-President Robert K. Luther said in its 35 years of existence the college had never had an official logo. At this time it was announced that the college seal, which encompasses the founding programs of the college would be reserved for official college records and business of the board of trustees and president’s office. In May 2015, as part of a branding and marketing initiative, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved a new logo for the college. More than 100 community members, alumni and college stakeholders were involved in the process. COLLEGE SEAL During the 2015 branding initiative, the Lake Land Board of Trustees also approved a refined seal. The new artwork maintained the historical integrity of the piece, while strengthening the individual drawings and artwork within.
The original depiction of the mascot was developed for the women’s softball team. The college then worked with a professional design firm to take that original rendition and artistically refine it for a more usable rendering.
2002
2015
2015
2015
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WALL OF
FAME
Lake Land College has inducted six retirees into the Wall of Fame during the past two years. Located in the Robert K. Luther Student Center, the Wall of Fame recognizes honored retirees for their hard work and outstanding contributions to the college.
2016 HONOREES CLETIS UNDERWOOD, 1967-1992 (pictured left) Underwood was one of Lake Land’s first instructors joining the faculty in 1967. As an English instructor, he worked with students to create the college’s first yearbook. He personally went to basketball games and other events all over town to record the history of the college and worked with students to develop the yearbook. He created an automated tutorial system for the English Department so that students could get self-help and tutoring when needed. DAVE STAPLETON, 1969-2003 (pictured center) Stapleton joined the college as a "full-time, part-time instructor" in 1969. One year later he joined the Business Division as a full-time instructor. Stapleton developed several new courses and was an active member of the Lake Land College Faculty Association. He served as an advisor for the Veteran’s Club as well as to Phi Beta Lambda. He received the Eastern Illinois Business Education Association Teacher/Administrator Award in 1998 and the Lake Land College Outstanding Service Award in 1993. RON SANDERSON, 1984-2012 (pictured right) In his years of service to Lake Land College, Sanderson served in several positions from associate vice president for workforce development to an adjunct instructor. He led two major college grants. One assisted nursing students in advancing in their careers and the other linked sustainability efforts to academic programs. He continues to stay in touch with students by teaching a welding class every Saturday and serving as an instructor for Strategies for Success. 14 LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI w LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI
PAST WALL OF FAME HONOREES 2008 Dennis Gathmann Max Jaeger Joe Albin Marilyn Gover* Charles Womack* Gerald Parker Thomas Reedy* Bill Rich*
2009 Helen Smith David Greeson Larry Gutzler Hal Kottwitz* Joyce Shull
2011 Joe Hanley William Little Mildred Flottmann Roberta Hollada Roberta Williams
2010 Marianne Morgan Robert Orr Richard Heller Carol Sanders* Jack Browning
2012 Charles Wieck Jalee Cox Wayne Weaver
2013 Robert Luther Marion Rohlinger 2014 James Luedke Robert Jurgens Carroll Gibbons 2015 Roy Culp* Marilyn Fuqua Thompson *Deceased
2017 HONOREES JIM DUDLEY, 1967-1999 (pictured left) Throughout his career, Dudley put Laker athletics on the map. He was Lake Land’s first basketball coach and was responsible for what is probably the school’s best season finishing with a 20-1 record. His 1994-95 team, nicknamed “Laker Lightning,” led the country in scoring with an average of 112 points a game. He is a member of the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Laker Athletics Hall of Fame. Dudley created a winning culture that mentored countless young men. CURT RINCKER, 1981-2011 (pictured center) Rincker has been an integral part of the agricultural community at Lake Land College. In the 10 years that he coached the Livestock Judging Team, he recruited students from all over the country and brought national recognition to the college. This practice continued in his role as division chair, expanding the enrollment from 130 to 300 and adding new programs such as John Deere Ag Tech. His mentorship has led many of his students to become recognized leaders in the agriculture community. BILL HOLLADA, 1968-1986 (pictured right) Hollada served as a journalism, speech and English instructor at Lake Land College. He was devoted to giving his students a hands-on experience. To do so, he started the Lake Land radio program in 1969 with three tape recorders and help from the Effingham and Shelbyville radio stations. He also taught Clownology classes to more than 100 students in the area. Bill continues to support Lake Land as an avid Laker athletics fan. LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI w 217-234-5376
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THE RICH HISTORY OF NURSING
AT LAKE LAND COLLEGE
Dr. Linda Ruholl, retired Lake Land College nursing instructor, autographs her book during a recent visit with nursing students at the Lake Land College Kluthe Center.
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RETIRED LAKE LAND COLLEGE NURSING INSTRUCTOR DR. LINDA RUHOLL shares her passion for history and nursing in her new book. Ruholl credits her passion for nursing to her cousins’ copies of the American Journal of Nursing that she read back in the 1960s. She has since developed her dedication to the field into a book highlighting 34 years of the nursing curriculum at Lake Land. Ruholl started her work at Lake Land College in 1984 teaching as an adjunct for BNA classes and a health class. As the nursing program developed and became its own degree, she took on a full-time position in 1991 where she stayed until her retirement in 2008. While she is technically retired, Ruholl keeps her nursing license up to date and uses her knowledge and resources to educate the public on the important history of nursing. “I planned carefully for retirement,
which is wisely encouraged at Lake Land College. I knew I wanted to explore paths I had not been able to go down before during my ‘paid work’ years. One of those paths was the humanities, in particular, history. Since I am a nurse and an educator, it seemed logical to look closer at health history, and nursing education has been a major part of health history since the days of Florence Nightingale,” Ruholl explains as her motivation behind writing her book. Her book, “Nursing at Lake Land College: A Faculty Reflection on Teaching and Learning 1987-2008,” serves as a reflection of Ruholl’s own time at Lake Land as well as a tribute to Marilyn Fuqua Thompson and Kathleen Doehring who were critical in creating and running the Associate Degree Nursing program. Within Ruholl’s book, readers can follow the history of nursing in Illinois as well as the creation and evolution of Lake Land College and its nursing program.
Pursuant with her passion for history, a portion of the proceeds are being donated to the Effingham County Cultural Center and Museum Association and a Lake Land College Foundation scholarship for nursing students. Ruholl plans to continue her passion for the history of healthcare through several more books. She is currently working on a history of the Effingham County Health Department as a part of its celebration of 70 years of service. Her next project will be a scholarly account of the 1949 St. Anthony Hospital fire. To purchase a copy of “Nursing at Lake Land College: A Faculty Reflection on Teaching and Learning 1987-2008,” contact Ruholl at lruholl@wbnorriselectric.com.
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ONE LAKER NATION UPDATES
10s
Clayton Slifer, Laker Nation Class of 2017, will continue his education at Eastern Illinois University and play baseball for the Panthers in 2018. Sarah Locke, Laker Nation Class of 2016, is completing an internship in public affairs with State Farm corporate office in Bloomington. Tyler Roy, Laker Nation Class of 2015, is in sales with Insoul Supply and lives in Neoga. Andrew Wooters, Laker Nation Class of 2015, is an instructor SME providing information to law enforcement, loss and fraud prevention with the McAfee Institute in the greater St. Louis area. Selina Johnson, Laker Nation Class of 2014, is a marketing coordinator with Unispace in the greater Los Angeles area. Barb Satterfield, Laker Nation Class of 2014, owns and operates Rainbow Web Design and Our Old House in Shelbyville, and is a salesperson for KC Summers auto dealership in Mattoon. Heidi Carr, Laker Nation Class of 2013, is a registered nurse with Agri-Fab in Sullivan. Adam Bierman, Laker Nation Class of 2012, works as a traveling nurse and plans to start a master’s program next year with the goal of being a nurse educational instructor. Rico Santos, Laker Nation Class of 2012, is a manufacturing and logistics consultant at Randstad USA in San Antonio, Texas. Tyler Everett, Laker Nation Class of 2011, worked in the ag tech industry after graduating, but returned to his true love of working the family farm in Lebanon, Ind. and owns his own seed business.
00s
Chelsey Sullivan, Laker Nation Class of 2009, is the vice president at Pinnacle Real Estate in the greater St. Louis area.
Nathan Meinhart, Laker Nation Class of 2006, is the vice president of business development at Innovative Staff Solutions in Mattoon.
Harley Schrock, Laker Nation Class of 2005, is the executive general manager of Coconut Point Honda in Ft. Myers, Fla. Brian Kai, Laker Nation Class of 2003, is a marketing web developer for Heartland Dental in Effingham and lives in Mattoon. Nathan Nohren, Laker Nation Class of 2002, is a senior project engineer at Farnsworth Group, Inc. in Effingham. Rachelle Hendrickson, Laker Nation Class of 2000, is a supervisor and registered polysomnography technician at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon. Matt Kocher, Laker Nation Class of 2000, is the director of marketing-US Poultry and Swine in Lenexa, Kan. Jeff Peadro, Laker Nation Class of 2000, is a senior security architect with CME Group in the greater Chicago area. Chad Phillips, Laker Nation Class of 2000, is the vice president at Unique Homes, Inc. in Charleston.
90s
Christy Ferguson, Laker Nation Class of 1999, is the owner of Sage Insurance Agency and lives in Mattoon. Bonnie Moore, Laker Nation Class of 1999, is the director for Center for Business and Industry at Lake Land College. John Robinson, Laker Nation Class of 1993, is the general manager at Ne-Co Asphalt, Inc. and lives in Toledo. Derek Dallas, Laker Nation Class of 1992, is the department chair for business and computer science and technologies at Parkland College in Champaign.
Eric Kimbrough, Laker Nation Class of 2008, is a recruiter for MyFootPath in Chicago.
Dana Henness, Laker Nation Class of 1990, is the aggregates supervisor for IDOT District 5 in Paris, IL
Ali Rauch, Laker Nation Class of 2008, is the director of marketing at Chicken Salad Chick in Auburn, Ala.
Tina Olszewski, Laker Nation Class of 1990, is the manager of the IT help desk at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
Justin Bozarth, Laker Nation Class of 2006, is a counselor and recently-named varsity basketball coach at Tuscola High School.
80s
Austin Frank, Laker Nation Class of 2006, is an assistant vice president with First Mid Illinois Bank and Trust in Mattoon and will serve as the president of the Lake Land College Alumni Board for 2018.
Adam Dobson, Laker Nation Class of 1988, works in the agriculture industry and lives in Cloverdale, Ind. Darci Golden, Laker Nation Class of 1983 & 1988, is the regional director of operations at General Hotels Corporation in Plainfield, Ind.
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Darren Bailey, Laker Nation Class of 1986, works the Bailey Family Farm with sons Zach and Cole and is married to Cindy (Stortzum) Bailey, Laker Nation Class of 1986, who is a dental hygienist. They live in Xenia, Ill. Susan Wise, Laker Nation Class of 1985, is self-employed in grain storage sales and construction in Assumption. Tom Bariether, Laker Nation Class of 1983, is involved in real estate and lives in Mattoon. Scott Arney, Laker Nation Class of 1983, is the land acquisition manager for IDOT District 5 in Paris and lives in Marshall. Jacquelyn Krehbiel, Laker Nation Class of 1983, is the executive assistant at 5 Star Assisted Living Facility in northern Virginia and is also a freelance website designer residing in Manassas, Va. Jim Zimmer, Laker Nation Class of 1983, lives in Mattoon and heads up several entrepreneurial ventures including Zimmer Properties (EIP), Commercial Lead Elemental Enzymes and serves as strategic advisor in the seed industry. Sheldon Tart, Laker Nation Class of 1982, retired from the Coles County Sheriff’s department in 2000 and moved to California where he retired as the security director of the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital – Trauma Center in 2014. He lives in Windsor, Calif. Dave Allen, Laker Nation Class of 1981, is the president and professional agriculture recruiter at Agri-Search in Arthur. Dr. Scott Baker, Laker Nation Class of 1980, is a professor and lead chemist at Triton College and a visiting scholar at Northwestern University, residing in Chicago. Deborah Stremming, Laker Nation Class of 1980, has taught kindergarten for 28 years at Beecher City CUSD #20. Both of her children have also attended Lake Land College.
70s
Patrick Walk, Laker Nation Class of 1978, and Brenda Walk, Laker Nation Class of 1978, farm 900 acres in the Sigel area and have five sons who have also attended Lake Land College. Linda Crawford, Laker Nation Class of 1977, works as a dental hygienist for Sunset Hills Dental Group in St. Lous. Sandy Bernhard, Laker Nation Class of 1976, is the vice president of operations and assistant treasurer for Washington Savings Bank in Effingham. Kristene Gugliuzza, Laker Nation Class of 1976, is an emeritus Scholar in the John D McGovern Academy of Oslerian Medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Sheila Walk, Laker Nation Class of 1975, is a program assistant for the Springfield Area Arts Council and member of Kappa Delta Pi and lives in Springfield. Becky Hamilton, Laker Nation Class of 1973, is the administrative manager for Green Valley Manufacturing of Illinois, Inc. and recently served as president of the Mt. Zion Chamber of Commerce. Barbara Marquis, Laker Nation Class of 1973, is the vice president/regional deposit manager for First Mid Illinois Bank and Trust in Mattoon. Tom Wright, Laker Nation Class of 1973, is the president at Wright Furniture in Dieterich and serves on the Lake Land College Foundation Board of Directors. John Moon, Laker Nation Class of 1972, is a purchasing supervisor for Flex-N-Gate in Urbana.
Carla Neal, Laker Nation Class of 1972, is a retired rehabilitation counselor at the state of Illinois Division of Rehabilitation and lives in Charleston with her husband Michael Neal, Laker Nation Class of 1972. Denny Schwartz, Laker Nation Class of 1972, is the president at Sunforest Transportation Insurance Group, Inc. in Toledo, Ohio. Kathy Spence, Laker Nation Class of 1972, is a realtor with All-American Realty and lives in Charleston. James Wahl, Laker Nation Class of 1972, is an oncology account specialist with Eli Lilly in Springfield. Donna Homann, Laker Nation Class of 1971, is the owner of the Side Door Salon in Mattoon.
Danny C. Brewster, Sr., Laker Nation Class of 1970, is a volunteer prayer ambassador and founder of “Speak the World Only” Ministries in Richmond, Va. Michel Montgomery, Laker Nation Class of 1970, is a retired manufacturing engineer from Caterpillar, Inc. Gary Philipi, Laker Nation Class of 1970, is the director of Eastern Illinois Education for Employment System in Mattoon.
60s
Did you attend Lake Land College in the 1960’s? We want to hear from you! Send us your story and information at lakelandcollege.edu/alumni.
JOIN ONE LAKER NATION FOR THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY HOMECOMING! #WelcomeHomeLakers
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2017 TO PLAN YOUR WEEKEND, REGISTER FOR EVENTS & PURCHASE THE HENNINGSENS CONCERT TICKETS
VISIT LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI OR CALL 217-234-5363.
2017-2018 ALUMNI OFFICERS ELECTED TERRY MCCONNELL, Mattoon, Financial Liaison/Treasurer LAKER NATION CLASS OF 1973
HANNAH CRNKOVICH, Windsor, Secretary LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2007
AUSTIN FRANK, Mattoon, President LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2006
RUDY HUBER, Sullivan, Vice President LAKER NATION CLASS OF 1976
CHRIS SWING, Lerna, Immediate Past President LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2001
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