OPENING DOORS TO OTHERS THROUGH GIVING

ONE ALUMNA’S SERVICE AND GENEROSITY OPENS DOORS TO STUDENTS.

JENNIFER JANSEN of Effingham has made helping others a priority in her life. Be it caring for her family, assisting on boards or coaching junior high girls’ basketball, Jansen has shown her concern for others in many ways. One of these is a scholarship created to assist Lake “I do not think it would have been possible for me to take classes if I had to drive to Mattoon,” Jansen said. “I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to take classes on a schedule that allowed me to be home with my children, work part time and be a part-time student.” Land College students who may be otherwise unable to attend college. Jansen said her life growing up was difficult, though she never knew it at the time. It was the “I am extremely honored to be able to assist students who, like myself, would not be able to attend college without financial assistance,” Jansen said. “Each year my husband and I receive thank you letters from students difficulties she overcame that planted the desire to help others in her heart. Following that desire, Jansen said she has always tried to help the community by serving on boards directly related to assisting children and families in need. who have been awarded our scholarship. The letters are always filled with so much gratitude and appreciation for our financial assistance. It is very heartwarming.” When her children were young, Jansen chose to continue her education at Lake Land College. Taking one or two classes at a time because she was also coaching the inaugural junior high girls’ basketball team at St. Anthony High School, Jansen was able to earn a second associate degree and went on to graduate from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Jansen said the then newly constructed Kluthe Center was a “Growing up, we did what we needed to do to survive,” Jansen said. “Now I am fortunate to be able to give back to our community, and I am so very grateful for all the board members I have served with over the years. One board Jansen served on was the Lake Land College Foundation Board. Having joined a group of people dedicated to the success of the Foundation and making certain as many students received scholarships as possible, Jansen found she most enjoyed reading scholarship applications of students who desperately wanted to attend college but needed financial assistance to do so. “EACH YEAR MY HUSBAND AND I RECEIVE THANK YOU LETTERS FROM STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN AWARDED OUR SCHOLARSHIP. THE LETTERS ARE ALWAYS FILLED WITH SO MUCH GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR OUR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. IT IS VERY HEARTWARMING” -JANSEN major factor in her ability to take classes at Lake Land. “So many of the applications brought tears to my eyes,” Jansen said. “I had to work to support myself and put myself through college, and the stories of these students reminded me of experiences similar to mine.”

Looking back, Jansen said she would not change anything about her life. With each phase of her life from early childhood to the present helping to shape who she is today, Jansen did say she would offer a bit of advice to her past self.

“Don’t be afraid to fail,” Jansen said. “Failure builds character if you accept it for what it is. You will never know what could have been if you don’t keep trying.”

Jansen also went on to express her gratitude to the Lake Land College community supporters. Prior to serving on the Foundation Board, Jansen said she had only served on non-profit boards in Effingham County and she thought the Effingham community was the most giving community around.

During her time on the Foundation Board, however, Jansen said she learned that every community in the district is equally as generous.

“The amount of scholarships the Foundation has to offer is the result of countless people who had either previously attended or were affected by Lake Land College and want to ensure local students can pursue their dreams of attending college,” Jansen said. “I want to personally thank all of the people who support Lake Land College and the Foundation Board. We are truly blessed to be part of such a great institution.”