One Laker Nation Fall 2016

ONE LAKER NATION THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

FALL 2016

LAKER ALUMNUS RECEIVES BIG BROTHER AWARD CALLED TO SERVE: A JOURNEY FROM AGRICULTURE TO MINISTRY LAKER ATHLETICS UPDATE ONE LAKER NATION CLASS NOTES JOIN US FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL LAKER HOMECOMING

FELLOW ALUMNI: Fall always brings back great memories of starting a new school year. I’m sure many of you share my fondness for those earlier days in our lives when we ran around the circular campus looking for our new set of classes.

As fall is also a time of traditions, it is my distinct pleasure to invite you to the college’s first ever Laker Homecoming! Get your phone out right now and block off the weekend of Sept.

30 – Oct. 2 to return to your alma mater.

Plans include several fun athletic events throughout the weekend as well as a golf outing and the introduction of the Laker Hall of Fame and the Distinguished Alumni Society dinner. The weekend is sure to be a great time for all of our alumni!

LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI IN ILLINOIS

Laker Homecoming is just one of the many initiatives the board has planned for you this year. We will keep you posted on our upcoming events via the quarterly electronic newsletter and on our Facebook page. We are continuing to develop new opportunities for our members to connect with other alumni and the college.

Our One Laker Nation continues to grow each year with hundreds of graduates joining our ranks. The map shows the many cities in Illinois where Lake Land College alumni live.

Go Lakers!

CHRIS SWING Lake Land College Alumni Association President

Map created by Brooke Ferguson, adjunct geography instructor.

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WE WELCOME OUR NEWEST ALUMNI

LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2016 FALL 2016

CONTENTS 2

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

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CALLED TO SERVE

6

BIG BROTHER PAIR GIVE BACK TO EACH OTHER

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BOB ORR SERVES ACES/ ATHLETICS UPDATE

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CLASS NOTES 11 LAKER HOMECOMING

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, 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.

DIRECTOR: Kelly Allee GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Jenny Osborn WRITERS: Emily Ramage & Emma Diltz

LAKE LAND COLLEGE DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE

on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any basis of discrimination precluded by applicable federal and state statutes in admission or access to or in treatment of employment in college programs and/or activities. Limited English language skills will not be a barrier to enrollment, nor will race be a barrier to the receipt of financial aid. The Director of Human Resources, Lake Land College, 217-234-5210, has been designated to coordinate compliance with nondiscrimination requirements contained in the implementing regulations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Age Discrimination Act of 1975. The Counselor/Coordinator of Disability Services, Lake Land College, 217-234-5259 is designated as the Section 504 Coordinator of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

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CALLED TO SERVE

KENIN SMITH BLENDS HIS LOVE OF AGRICULTURE INTO HIS LIFE OF MINISTRY

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n 1977, the Rev. Kenin Smith walked onto Lake Land College’s campus as a new student, eager to serve on the Livestock Judging Team.

Almost 40 years later, he returned to campus as the 2016 recipient of the Alumnus Achievement Award in recognition of his service to others.

Whether serving as a livestock judge or helping others as a pastor and family counselor, Smith draws on his past to positively impact others.

Smith said after years of working in agriculture, the opportunity presented itself for him to become a pastor, and he jumped at the chance.

“I felt that it was my calling to become a pastor,” he said. “While I loved working with agriculture, my life’s goal was to help people.”

2006 to found the Hope Community.

He continues his life of ministry and has published a curriculum entitled “Divorce Recovery” that helps individuals move ahead with life after a divorce.

Originally from Oakland, Smith grew up understanding the value of hard work and dedication.

He enrolled at Lake Land College as a member of the Livestock Judging Team, and then transferred to Michigan State University, where he also served as a judging team member on the 1980 national championship team. He received a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State and a master’s degree from the University of Illinois.

Upon changing his career path, Smith enrolled in classes and was ordained in 2001.

Throughout the years, he has delivered sermons in a canoe in the middle of the lake, took on the role of God’s water boy and portrayed various military generals to parishioners.

His ministry led him to Rensselaer, Ind., where he and his wife worked with a small group of parishioners in

“HE CONTINUES TO INFLUENCE OTHERS IN EDUCATION BY SHARING HIS LIFE STORY AND JOURNEY. HE HAS LIVED HIS LIFE IN SERVICE TO OTHERS.”

Smith said being on the livestock judging team opened his mind to a world outside of where he grew up.

“It took me to places outside of central Illinois, and it was a great opportunity to see there was a bigger world out there.”

Smith began his professional career as a livestock extension agent in Michigan and then Illinois. His rural roots have stayed with him his entire life as he advanced in the agriculture profession, and then transitioned to his life of service, settling in smalltown Indiana.

Shortly after being ordained, Smith joined the staff of Cooperative School Services as related services counselor, where he works to educate students and parents on a variety of topics such as parenting teens, positive behavioral interventions, bullying, de-escalation techniques and therapeutic crisis intervention.

Receiving the award from Lake Land College this spring reminded Smith of the value of his early college years.

“My father and I agreed Lake Land was too good of an opportunity to pass up,” he said. “It was the perfect stepping stone from graduating with a class of 44 from high school to attending a university with 45,000 students.”

Smith continues to take time every year to revisit his roots and spends hours judging county fairs throughout Indiana and Illinois, assisting with local 4-H fundraisers and auctions and serving as an advocate and ambassador for agriculture in local and area communities.

Larry Wilson, Smith’s nominator for the award, said Smith is a man of integrity, spirituality, compassion and a family and faith based man who gives back to his communities.

“Throughout his life and career, Kenin Smith is a true advocate of continuing education,” Wilson said.

“He continues to influence others in education by sharing his life story and journey. He has lived his life in service to others.”

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GIVING TO EACH OTHER

A BIG BROTHER PAIR GROW BEYOND MATCH

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.”

That quote from a recent meeting resonated deeply with Alan Fedrigon, a Lake Land College Alumnus.

A Mattoon High School graduate, Fedrigon transferred with an associate degree from Lake Land College to the University of Illinois in 1980.

Alan Fedrigon is one Laker alum

who hasn’t necessarily gone fast, but he’s definitely gone far. He credits his numerous successes on the relationships he’s built over his lifetime.

“I’m not sure I would have made it at the U of I as a freshman,” he admits, and adds, “There were classes I wouldn’t have gotten through without the help of fellow students I first met at Lake Land.”

Relationships are what matter most, according to Fedrigon’s philosophy.

“You might not realize it at the time, but relationships shape you. You’ll cross paths in some way with those people again.”

Fedrigon is especially proud of his relationship with Deonte Drake, his 14-year-old “Little” from Decatur.

They’ve been matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Illinois for

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more than six years. In 2015, Fedrigon was named the Illinois Big Brother of the Year, an honor that still puzzles him.

“There are hundreds of people who do the exact same thing, and they’re having a huge impact on their littles.

I’m just fortunate that I have a very good match,” Fedrigon said. “We just clicked.”

They’ve been matched since Deonte began third grade, evolving from a site-based match of weekly school lunch sessions to a community-based match of less structured sessions like a boating trip on Lake Shelbyville.

Fedrigon and Deonte focus together on improving grades, changing behaviors, and making good choices.

As with any relationship, however, the pair have their share of ups and downs.

A few years ago, Deonte was getting into so much trouble that Alan questioned whether or not to continue the match. “Sixth grade was a tough transition. I felt like I wasn’t being effective,” Fedrigon admitted.

Whenever Deonte slips into troubling behaviors, Fedrigon presents him with a choice. “If you want me to be your Big Brother, then you’ve got to show me that you want me to be your Big Brother.”

say, ‘Alan helped me through tough times and helped me look at things in the way I should to make good decisions,’ while having some fun in the process.”

So far, so good. Deonte just completed eighth grade in May. “We survived junior high together,” says Fedrigon. The two also endured the deaths of Fedrigon’s mother and Deonte’s little brother. “I never expected that,” Fedrigon said of the depth of his relationship with Deonte.

Fedrigon also never dreamed the match would last six years. “It started as a need to give back to the community, and it’s continuing because I have a relationship I enjoy and want to continue.”

Giving back to his community is extremely important to Fedrigon.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate in my life, and I need to serve others in some way.” Fedrigon volunteers for numerous other community activities, but he’s most often celebrated for the state’s Big Brother of the Year award.

“I hear the phrase, ‘He’s lucky to have you,’ a lot, and I’ll say, ‘Maybe so, but it’s a two-way street.’”

Fedrigon keeps in regular contact with Deonte’s guardian and school personnel, who all have noted his improved behavior over time.

Fedrigon takes his role in Deonte’s life very seriously and stresses he’s gotten just as much out of the relationship as he’s put into it.

“There have been times when I’ve taken him to lunch, which might seem like a treat, but in fact, I reamed on him the entire time about his poor choices,” Fedrigon added.

“If we don’t give back like this, we miss out. People have a lot they can give to others—time, talents, money—and they get a lot back in return. You’re bettering yourself if you allow yourself to give back.”

Good choices, Fedrigon asserts, are how he can have the greatest impact with Deonte.

LAKER ALUMNUS DAVIDSON RECEIVES BIG BROTHER AWARD Laker Alumnus Paul Davidson also recently received recognition for his contributions to the Big Brother organization. A career with UPS led Davidson, Laker Nation Class of 1978, to relocate to Sarasota, Fla., where he joined the local Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.

Davidson and his Little, Anthrone, have been matched for close to eight years and are “permanent parts of each other’s lives,” he said.

Davidson said he was honored to receive the 2012-2013 Big Brother of the Year Award.

“You get back much more than you put in. You can only imagine what it means to the child.”

Information and photo courtesy of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast

“I hope to influence him to the point where he makes good decisions.

I hope that when it’s all said and done, he will look back on this and LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION w 217-234-5376

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TEACHING AND COACHING ACE

BOB ORR

the college’s original faculty members.

He watched first-hand the transition from using churches and the armory as college buildings to a full-fledged campus on the south side of Mattoon.

“The main difference over the past 50 years is there’s now a main campus,” he said. “The gym used to be where the National Guard building is, but everything became so much better and easier whenever the campus was created. The transition was slow, but it was a very good thing.”

W

hether you’re headed to the Fitness Center or walking around campus, you’re sure to run into one of the college’s original instructors, coaches and loyal Lakers— Bob Orr. Leaving a smile on the faces of everyone he greets, Coach Orr is as much of a tradition at Lake Land

College as is the students vs. faculty softball game.

For almost five decades Orr has been sharing his knowledge and wisdom with students as the former tennis coach, instructor and athletic director.

He’s missed very few athletic events since he was hired in 1968 as one of

Splitting time as an instructor and coach, he was adamant that his athletes succeed in their classes.

“I always said their academic achievements will take them much further in life than their tennis achievements, and I stand by that today,” Orr said.

MONDAY, MAY 23, 1983.

Lake Land College tennis team places 11th at NJCAA Men’s National Tennis Tournament (May 23, 1983): During the 6-day tournament that took place at Central Florida Community College in Ocala, Fla., Orr’s players competed against opponents from all over the country, including Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania. Orr’s players—all from within the Lake Land College district—were as respected for their efforts off the court as on. The team’s average GPA was 3.65, with much of the students’ course work in the sciences. It was his team’s best finish to date.

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2016 SPORTS ROUNDUP Stay up-to-date with Laker Athletics at lakelandcollege.edu/athletics.

Fortunately, he said, most of his athletes were successful both in the classroom and on the court, which allowed him to focus on improving their tennis skills.

His dedication to his coaching position and his team paid off, taking his players to 28 national tournaments, with a combined record of 534-50.

Specifically, Orr said his most memorable time from Lake Land was winning his first tennis championship.

“Finishing top in the nation was really amazing,” he said. “My players were really great. I coached other sports, but tennis was really my sport.”

In 1992 he received the Stephens Award from the NJCAA Tennis Association and in 1993 he was among the first four coaches to be elected to the NJCAA Tennis Hall of Fame. In 2002, he was selected as National Coach of the Year for Junior Colleges.

Though he officially retired in 2001, Orr continues to give tennis lessons at Mattoon Golf and Country Club, teach some classes at Lake Land College for the health and physical education department and serves as the college’s intramural director.

Orr’s students often return to campus to tell him how his CPR class helped them save a life.

“I still teach because I love it,” he said. “Both of my children took classes at Lake Land, and they’re both very successful. It’s a great place to work and a great starting place for higher education.”

VOLLEYBALL: Coach Ashli

Robison said the outlook for this fall’s season looks good. “We are excited and look forward to our 2016 season with six returning sophomores, including the Great Rivers Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year and NJCAA Division One All-Region 24 team member Nathalya deSouza. We are welcoming seven incoming freshmen to the roster, all from local area school districts.”

Three athletes from last year’s team will continue at the next level: Demmie Long, Neoga, University of IllinoisSpringfield; Bianca Baez, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Florida National University; and Sophia Couto, Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Oklahoma Baptist University.

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Laker Athletics welcomes Brandon Colvin as the new men’s basketball coach.

Colvin has been a college coach for 10 years, serving most recently as the head coach at Dakota College in Bottineau, ND where he led the Lumberjacks to the second most wins in program history and a region championship.

He has worked at basketball camps in Europe and Asia, including the Swiss All-Star Camp as well as camps with FIBA in Bahrain and China. Originally from Waverly, Colvin graduated from

Bradley College, then moved on to get a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL:

The 2015-2016 Lady Lakers closed the season at 15-17. Coached by Dave Johnson, Layne Curley, Terre Haute, Ind., was named to the NJCAA AllRegion 24 team and Jillian Deters, Sigel, received NJCAA All-Region 24 Honorable Mention.

BASEBALL: Under the leadership

of coach Bill Jackson, the 2015-2016 Laker baseball team had a great end to its season, competing in the final four of the regional tournament. The team was named an NJCAA Academic All-American team for having a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Four individual athletes were named Academic All-Americans: Hayden Cole, Windsor; Coleman Engelkes, Charleston; John Thomas, Dixon; and Dallas Wilson, Charleston.

SOFTBALL: The 2015-2016 Laker softball team had a very successful season and returned to the national tournament in St. George, Utah for the fifth time in six years. With a record of 52-15, the team was named a NJCAA Academic All-American team and NJCAA Division One Region 24 champion.

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ONE LAKER NATION UPDATES

10s

Andrew McClain (2010) is the ADM & Golden Peanut freight coordinator/liaison at Archer Daniels in Mt. Zion and serves with the Army National Guard.

Cassie Yoder (2011) is celebrating eight years with Green Mill Village development in Arcola in charge of marketing and development.

Pierson Boose (2012) is a heavy equipment mechanic with the Army National Guard in Edwardsville.

Amanda Arena (2013) recently accepted a position in the accounting department with Howell Paving, Inc. Brooke Stevens (2013) is a marketing manager with J&J Ventures and Gaming.

Shannon Daugherty (2014) is a student at Missouri State University majoring in Entertainment Management, Arts, and Media Management.

Heath Huisinga (2014) is the owner and founder of Executive Marketing Solutions in Casey.

Selina Johnson (2014 ) is a marketing coordinator and graphic designer for HLW International, LLP in Santa Monica, Calif.

James Rieck (2007) is a business developer at Express Employment Professionals in Mattoon.

Adam Kohn (2008) is the operations supervisor at Fed Ex Freight in Effingham.

90s

Wendi Haslett (1985) is the commercial lines account manager for Charles L. Crane Agency Company in St. Louis.

Brittney Reynolds (1993) lives in Elkhart, Ind. and volunteers for the American Cancer Society and Hello Gorgeous of HOPE Inc.

Russell East (1986) is the owner/operator at East Farms in Arcola.

Tiffany White (1994) lives in Mattoon and is the senior operations planner with Marvin Keller Trucking.

Kerry Hopgood (1995) is a distribution planner 2 – logistics with RR Donnelley in Mattoon.

Justin Wendling (1996) is the director of affiliations and doctor recruiting with Heartland Dental Care in Effingham.

Sean Junge (1997) is the assistant fire chief for the City of Mattoon.

Marney Inboden (2014) is an optician at Walmart in Charleston.

00s

Christy Ferguson (1999) is the owner of Sage Insurance, LLC in Mattoon.

Trent Groothuis (2002) is the owner of The Greathouse of Pizza in Casey.

Lisa Kingery (2003) recently accepted a new position as a payroll processor with Heartland Dental in Effingham.

Daniel Hoelscher (2005) is the president of The Upchurch Group, an architectural, engineering and land surveying firm. He currently lives in Teutopolis.

Beth Willenborg (2005) was recently promoted to corporate accounting supervisor with Heartland Dental in Effingham.

Austin Frank (2006) is the retail loan officer with First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust in Mattoon. He serves as the board secretary for 2016-17 for the Lake Land College Alumni Association.

Kevin Meachum (1985) is an engineering technician III at the city of Decatur and serves on the Macon County Board.

Zoe (Williams) Chittick (1992) has reduced her dental hygienist hours to part time and substitute teaches in Brazil, Ind.

Roger Osthoff (1998) is the director, provider support services at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. He lives in Mattoon and recently joined the Lake Land College Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Chris Swing (2001) lives in Lerna and is the CFO at Vantage Outsourcing and owner at Swing Insurance Center. He serves as the president of the Lake Land College Alumni Association Board of Directors for 2016-17.

Seirra Laughhunn (1985) is the administrative assistant to the president at Lake Land College. She lives in Mattoon with her husband Todd.

80s

Deatrice Greathouse (1980) is a registered nurse and the associate director of Standard Interpretations for the Joint Commission in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill. Raymond Smith (1980) worked in radio/ TV for 31 years and is currently the communications coordinator at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Republican Caucus and lives in Harrisburg, Penn.

Roy Druin (1982) is the owner/franchisee for Jimmy John’s in Mattoon.

Tony Spivey (1982) works in tech support at Eastern Illinois University.

Marty Parkhurst (1986) is the central operations director for Walmart in Fayetville, Ark. Don Mayhew (1987) lives in Davenport, Iowa and is the senior engineer with the city of East Moline, Ill., overseeing municipal construction and storm water projects.

70s

Denise (Fedrigon) Webster (1976) is a registered dental hygienist with Heartland Dental Care in Clinton.

Mike Fowler (1977) is an electrician at Eastern Illinois University.

Thomas Fiesler (1978) is a grain farmer in Macon and Moultrie counties and lives in Decatur.

Kenin Smith (1979) serves as a pastor with the Hope Community in Rensselaer, Ind. and is a sought after guest speaker, lecturer and educator on livestock and livestock judging. He received the 2016 Alumnus Achievement Award at Lake Land’s commencement in May.

60s

James B. Myers (1969) is a charter student and member of the first graduating class of Lake Land College. He lives in Bourbon, Ind. and serves as a minister in Atwood, Ind. as well as performs in a gospel ministry.

We’d love to hear from you!

Send us your story and information at lakelandcollege.edu/alumni.

Michael Bohannon (1984) is the operations manager for Bolin Enterprises in Casey and serves on the Lake Land College Foundation Board of Directors.

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JOIN US FOR

BREAK OUT THE RED AND BLACK, LAKER ALUMNI!

Lake Land College is gearing up for its first annual Laker Homecoming on Sept. 30-Oct. 2. Lake Land College is calling you to come home and mingle with your classmates, golf in the golf outing, meet Laker Louie and cheer on your favorite team!

Here is an agenda FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. – Dental Hygiene FREE CEU opportunity, Heartland Dental, Effingham 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Alumni Association Social, Heartland Dental, Effingham 5:30 p.m. – Campus Tours, Field House 6 p.m. – Volleyball vs. Vincennes University, Field House - Campus 8 p.m. – Men’s & Women’s Basketball Scrimmage, Field House - Campus SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016 9 a.m. – Laker Softball Alumni Scrimmage, Softball Field – Campus 10 a.m. – Laker Softball Red and Black scrimmage, Softball Field – Campus 11 a.m. – Laker Athletics Golf Outing Meadowview Golf Course, Mattoon  Registration and lunch at 11 a.m.  Noon shotgun start  Register online at lakelandcollege.edu/athletics 6 p.m. – Alumni Recognition Banquet, Distinguished Alumni Society & Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Dinner, Mattoon Golf & Country Club, Mattoon SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2016 Noon – Laker Baseball, Laker Field, Campus FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

While times have changed, our current Lake Land College students are just like you were. They’ve set a goal and are working hard in the classroom, in the workplace and in their homes. Please consider helping a student have the same gift of an education that you enjoy today!

Look for the “Give” button in the top right corner of the college’s home page. lakelandcollege.edu

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JOIN US FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL LAKER HOMECOMING SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 2