One Laker Nation One Laker Nation
INTO
Alumni:
This past year has been full of inspiration, growth and celebrations for the Foundation & Alumni Office. We proudly celebrated our 2025 graduates with Alumni tote bags, launched our Community Partners Program, celebrated WLKL’s 50th anniversary, recognized our exceptional 2024 award recipients and continued to grow our communications with an enhanced e-newsletter. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we also reached another successful Love a Laker campaign that demonstrates the power of our community when we come together for Lake Land students.
Looking ahead, we’re building on our momentum through the Community Partners Program, which offers new and meaningful ways for businesses, organizations and individuals to engage with and support Lake Land College. You can learn more about this exciting initiative on the back cover of this magazine or by reaching out to me directly.
No matter your connection, whether you’re a graduate, a one-credit student, or a community supporter, you are part of One Laker Nation. Stay connected by liking our Facebook page, LinkedIn group and visiting our Alumni webpage for the latest news, events and opportunities. There’s always something happening at Lake Land College, and we’d love for you to be part of it!
BAILEY COLE
Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations
217-234-5376
bcole2@lakelandcollege.edu
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"Going to Lake Land just made sense for me. I got a strong education for a lot less money, and it gave me some buffer time to decide what architecture program I wanted to transfer to"
-Davis
From Graduate to Game-Changer:
DESIGNS
HAVING PLAYED SPORTS
throughout his childhood, Colton Davis knows that the key to a great gameday experience lies in the venue. During a lengthy ballgame or a weekendlong tournament, it’s the smallest details, such as the snacks at the concession stands, the quality of the seating or even the nearby entertainment options for little siblings, that often make or break the experience for players and their families. So, when it was decided in 2023 that Mattoon would become home to the Emerald Acres Sports Complex, a state-of-the-art, 150-acre facility, it was clear that homegrown architectural talent Colton Davis was the perfect fit for the job.
“I spent my childhood and high school years playing in all kinds of different facilities, so I know what separates a good one from a bad one,” Colton said. “I’ve got some inside knowledge about how a player uses a facility, and I could pull from that experience to help design this complex.”
Growing up in Mattoon, when Colton wasn’t playing baseball, he enjoyed drawing, painting or completing other art projects. He was also exposed early on to the world of construction from multiple family members who worked as contractors and carpenters. By Colton’s senior year at Mattoon High School, he had already decided to combine the two interests and study architecture.
Colton decided to begin his college journey locally by attending Lake Land. There, he completed his general education courses to lay the foundation for his architectural studies. He transferred to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale to earn both a Bachelors of Architecture and a Masters of Architecture degree.
“Going to Lake Land just made sense for me. I got a strong education for a lot less money, and it gave me some buffer time to decide what architecture program I wanted to transfer to,” Colton said. “It also let me practice being independent while still receiving personal support. When you’re sitting in a
class of 200 students at a university, you realize how good it is to be in a class of 25 and get much more personal attention at Lake Land.”
In 2015, Colton moved back to Mattoon and began working with the Effingham-based architecture firm, Utz & Associates Architects. There, he has spent years designing various facilities throughout Central Illinois. Then in 2023, when the plans for Emerald Acres were first set in motion, Colton finally had the chance to design a project in his hometown of Mattoon.
“There was a lot of pressure with this one,” Colton said. “Being an athlete myself growing up, I knew what was at stake with this project and what these kids could have if it all turned out as planned.”
The first phase of Emerald Acres, a 140,000-squarefoot facility, officially opened in February 2025. Inside, the state-of-the-art gym offers eight full-sized baseball courts that can be divided into 16 volleyball courts. The rest of the building includes a courtside café, locker rooms, an attached Sarah Bush Lincoln Walk-In Clinic and even an arcade. Already, the field house is packed almost every weekend for youth tournaments, birthday parties and other events.
Work on Emerald Acres is still ongoing, and by summer 2026, the fully completed facility will span 150 acres, with four outdoor baseball and softball diamonds as well as eight soccer fields. Equally remarkable is the surrounding economic growth the project has prompted, with numerous brand-new retail shopping centers and restaurants opening near the Emerald Acres facility.
“If you had asked people 10 years ago if something like this would ever be possible in the area, most would have said ‘no’,” Colton said. “But this has shown that we can support thousands of visitors every weekend and more. It’s shown that there’s a lot of good possibilities here, and that Mattoon is worth investing in.”
IF ANYONE WAS EVER DESTINED TO TELL STORIES
for a living, it would surely be Cassie Yoder. A chatterbox since she was a little girl – and with the detention slips to prove it – Cassie has always possessed a unique love for community and a knack for building connection through words.
With her passion for storytelling and natural charisma, Cassie always felt right at home in front of lights, cameras and microphones. On her 16th birthday, Cassie landed her first broadcasting job with the Cromwell Radio Group of Decatur, and by the time she graduated from high school, she was a budding radio star. With talent and experience already in spades, Cassie decided to take the next steps in her career by enrolling in Lake Land’s Radio & TV Broadcasting program, where she would work with real industry equipment from day one.
At Lake Land, Cassie solidified her passion for storytelling and, perhaps more importantly, gained a lifelong friend and mentor in Ken Beno. Serving then as the Director of Broadcast Operations, Ken taught countless courses and oversaw the campus radio station, WLKL. For Cassie, Ken provided guidance and career advice, helping her identify her unique strengths. Even after Cassie transferred to Eastern Illinois University, she continued to learn from Ken by working in Lake Land’s Radio & TV program as a teaching assistant.
“Ken was always relentless to help you become better and help you grow,” Cassie said. “I can’t reiterate enough how choosing Lake Land and meeting him changed the trajectory of my life.”
Through Ken’s guidance, Cassie came to realize that her passion for storytelling could lead to many careers beyond radio. At EIU, she studied corporate communications and public relations, and shortly after graduating in 2005, she landed a job as a Marketing and Event Coordinator for the University of Illinois’ Allerton Park. Through this role, she built an impressive network of business owners and community leaders, a network so vast that the same year Cassie graduated from college, she decided to start her own marketing firm, Cass Concepts.
Located in Decatur, Illinois, Cass Concepts is a full-service creative marketing agency dedicated to helping clients build messaging, plan and execute events, promote products and more. Run through the motto, “Community over Competition,” the firm serves organizations of all sizes, from nationwide brands to local businesses, and supports regional development by working with city officials, administrators and chambers.
“The common thread between every client is that they all have unique stories, and we want to help tell them,” Cassie said. “That fundamentally goes right back to Storytelling 101 with Ken.”
Each year, Cass Concepts continues to excel. In 2024, the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce honored the agency as the “Small Business of the Year” and named Cassie “Entrepreneur of the Year.” In 2025, Cass Concepts reached an incredible milestone: 20 years in business, a testament to the thriving, supportive community Cassie has cultivated.
Cass Concepts’ 20th anniversary was not the only milestone for Cassie to celebrate in 2025, however, as this year also marked the 50th anniversary of Lake Land’s campus radio station, WLKL. In recognition of this milestone year, Cassie and many other Radio & TV alumni returned to campus to celebrate the program’s ongoing success and reunite with familiar friends. But of course, the most memorable reunion came between Cassie, the successful business owner living her dreams, and Ken Beno, the mentor who taught her how to achieve them.
“Time has moved so quicky, but sitting there at the awards, hearing Ken’s voice – it was like no time had passed at all,” Cassie said. “I closed my eyes for a moment, and it was as if I was 18 again, full of huge dreams and believing I could take on the world. His encouragement and unwavering belief in me left a mark I still carry. I only hope I’ve passed that same kind of impact on to others.”
“If you don’t know what you want to do, Lake Land is the best step to sort through your career options and if you do know what you want to do, Lake Land is an option that lets you dive into that industry right away.”
-Yoder
Entrepreneur
A Q&A WITH THE PAST AND PRESENT VOICES OF LAKE LAND’S STUDENT-RUN RADIO STATION
Pictured Left to Right: Larry Blackerby, Brenda Blackerby, Aaron Tardy and Casey Bence
FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS, the Lake Land College Broadcast Communication program has given students the opportunity to showcase their talents on the on-campus, student-run radio station, WLKL. Every day, students build their skills with hightech equipment, preparing to join the countless graduates before them who are making waves in the Radio/TV industry.
As we commemorate this milestone year, we turn to four students who share their personal reflections and insight into the world of WLKL.
What made you decide to study in the Lake Land College radio broadcasting program?
Larry Blackerby (Class of 1975):
“Actually, I believe it was the size of the school and the affordability. My high school graduating class had less than 40 students, so for a farm kid from a small town, Lake Land was the perfect size. I knew I wanted to be in broadcasting and Lake Land offered that program, so those are the three things that got me to choose LLC.”
Brenda Blackerby (Class of 1975):
“I started Lake Land in a different major. I met Larry during that year and spent a fair amount of time down in the broadcasting area and realized they were having lots of fun. I wound up helping Larry study for the difficult test to get a license to be on the air. I then decided to take the test myself and passed, so I received my license. At that point, I changed my major to Radio Broadcasting.”
Casey Bence (Class of 2025):
“I always enjoyed making content with my friends when we were younger. I also did some things related to broadcasting in high school, so I thought that I should get into the field. I had always heard that Lake Land College was such a great school, so when it became time to choose, I always had Lake Land near the top of the list.”
Aaron Tardy (Class of 2013 and 2026):
“This is actually my second time being a student in the program. I started here in 2011 after graduating from Mattoon High School and
earned a certificate in Radio and TV Studio Production. Then, I got hired at Lake Land College in 2014 as the Digital Media Specialist. I put the rest of my education on hold for a while, but I recently decided it was time to finish the rest of my degree. I was a little nervous at first coming back to take classes in my 30s, but I feel like I’m a stronger student because of my life experience and my experience in my job at Lake Land. I’m truly thankful for it.”
What do you like most about radio broadcasting?
Larry Blackerby
“I fell in love with working in television from Day One and I never fell out of love in over 40 years of working in the biz. I loved that no two days were ever the same. I had so much fun that on many occasions I thought, ‘Wow, I am getting paid for this.’”
Casey Bence
“My favorite aspect of radio broadcasting is creating content for people to listen to. I have always enjoyed making all sorts of random content, from racing liveries to making videos and streaming with my friends. As long as I make at least one person happy, it makes all the effort I put into something worth it.”
Aaron Tardy
“Ever since high school, I’ve enjoyed being behind the camera, and that’s initially what I wanted to do. But since I returned to the program, I find radio a lot more interesting than I did before. I realized it allows me to be creative. I kind of have a quirky personality, and radio allows me to be who I am.”
What are some of your proudest accomplishments in the field?
Larry Blackerby
“My goal was to become a General Manager of a television station before I was 40, and I achieved that goal. It was nice over the years to win awards and be recognized by your peers. But, I believe the thing I am most proud of is the amount of people that worked for me at various stations that have gone on to become General Managers themselves. (Ten to be exact). I like
to think I had something to do with that as I mentored them during and after our time together.”
Brenda Blackerby
“I got into advertising sales when women were just starting to get those jobs. The glass ceiling was hard to crack. It wasn’t easy, but once clients realized I was truly trying to help their business, they trusted me to help them reach our vast audience.”
Aaron Tardy
“I would say all the things I get to do in my job at Lake Land are what I’m most proud of. I run events here all the time, mapping out the best setup and making sure all the audio is good to go. I’ve learned a lot through it, and I’m proud to see how the experience has helped me in the classroom. It almost feels like cheating because I’m getting to pull from so much experience compared to the first time I was a student in the program.”
How would you describe the Radio Broadcasting program at Lake Land?
Brenda Blackerby
“Ken Beno was the Radio Broadcasting instructor when I was at Lake Land. He was fantastic at teaching us about the real world of the radio business. His advice and counsel was incredibly helpful when I was transferring to Indiana State and in my whole radio career.”
Casey Bence
“I can really describe the broadcast communication program, and really all of Lake Land College, in one word, and that’s home. It’s really an environment where you can find your place in broadcasting while you find your strengths and weaknesses. The teaching staff really helps you round out the edges and helps you become not only a better broadcaster but also a better person.”
Aaron Tardy
“It’s great, and the best thing is that your experience is what you make it. Greg Powers and Ed Thomas are super helpful and
50 YEARS ON AIR - A TIMELINE OF WLKL
20, 1975
Switched On 10 Watt Station Dr. Robert Webb - President Ken Beno - Station Manager
knowledgeable, but you have the freedom as a student to mess around with the equipment and be as creative as you can be.”
Do you have a favorite memory that stands out to you from your time in the program?
Larry Blackerby
“This is the easiest question to answer. I met this beautiful girl in a class (non-broadcasting class). That girl is still beautiful and has been my wife for 48 years.”
Brenda Blackerby
“A special moment at Lake Land I’ve told people many times over the years was a typing class I was in, back when there were actual “typewriters.” A guy named Larry happened to sit next to me in that class and seemed to not know how to work his typewriter. Of course, I helped him, but wondered why he was in this advanced class and having such trouble. We soon became friends and I realized I was so naïve! He was playing me! Now we’ve been married 48 years.”
Casey Bence
“There isn’t really just one special moment from my time in the program, but more of a few really good ones. The first one is getting the chance to be on-air as a sportscaster on the radio. If I had told my younger self that I would get to call games for some of the best NJCAA teams in the country, I would have never believed myself. Another one of my favorite memories from the program actually comes from my internship with Lake Land College Marketing & Public Relations. I was given the opportunity to create some stuff for the WLKL 50th Anniversary, and being able to see those at the ceremony meant a lot for me as I was mostly self-taught, really only making race car liveries when it comes to graphic design.”
What does it mean to you to be a part of the 50-year history of WLKL?
Brenda Blackerby
Larry Blackerby
“Being there on the first year of that history is pretty cool, except for the fact that it makes me feel old.”
“I feel so honored and lucky to have been there at the start of WLKL. Learning such a creative and fun business from the ground up was amazing. It created a wonderful career path for me.”
Casey Bence
“It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever been a part of. Walking into a full room at the ceremony and not only seeing but also talking to some of the people who have made it in the industry was really cool. Then, coming back to the studio after and seeing everyone who was once a part of the program walk around and see what the facility looks like now was really amazing.”
Aaron Tardy
“It means a lot, honestly. In my opinion, the Radio & TV program is up there as one of Lake Land’s top programs. It’s kind of like a storied franchise. So, to be a part of that at all is something special. And coming back to school to finish my degree during such a big year for the program honestly kind of feels like a movie. It was crazy to be there for the 50th Anniversary celebration, too. I actually got to work the event and run audio. Seeing the older generations of students there just made it clear how significant it all is.”
What are your future plans with your Radio/ TV Broadcasting Degree?
Casey Bence
“I am currently planning on finishing a fouryear degree at Eastern Illinois University in Television and Video Production while working as a PA/Racing Announcer. After I am done with college, the dream would be to stay in the Racing Industry.”
Aaron Tardy
“I want to use the skills I’m learning to continue to do my best in my job at Lake Land College. Earning the degree will also future-proof myself for possible opportunities down the road. My dream job would be to work with the Chicago Cubs in their audio/visual department. That might be a long shot, but that would be the dream.”
"Lake
Land doesn’t just educate. It inspires ambition and opens doors to possibilities that might once have seemed out of reach."
-Henderson
FROM PENTAGON TO PROFESSIONAL TO CEO:
One Graduate's Remarkable Path
IN NEARLY 30 YEARS of instructing at Lake Land, Scott Rhine has met countless students, but few have been anything like Devin Henderson. In the two years he knew him, Scott witnessed in Devin both a rare technological brilliance and a concerning troublemaking habit. By the time Devin graduated from Lake Land, the only conclusion that Scott could draw was that the young man was destined for big things, good or bad. Three years later, Scott assumed all his greatest concerns had come true, when badged U.S. Government Agents visited him to ask questions about Devin.
“I knew Devin had great potential,” Scott said. “The question was, ‘Would he be able to direct it at something useful?’”
As it turned out, the answer to that was “yes.” The agents weren’t looking for a suspect; they were completing a background check on a future employee. At just 22 years old, Devin would accept his first post-collegiate job just outside of Washington, D.C. at the U.S. Pentagon.
The idea of working in the Pentagon would have been unthinkable to Devin just a few years prior. He struggled as a student at Effingham High School as he unknowingly battled ADHD, and his academic future looked bleak. That all changed, however, when his Effingham High School class attended a career fair at Lake Land. There, Devin met Scott Rhine for the first time and became fascinated with the College’s Network Administration program.
Devin enrolled at Lake Land in 2001 and instantly thrived in a hands-on, tech-heavy environment. He earned a near-perfect GPA at Lake Land, and when he later transferred to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, he found himself far ahead of his peers.
“All the students there were just getting the hands-on experience in year three that I just spent the last two years getting at Lake Land,” Devin said.
Beyond helping him excel in the classroom, Devin’s vast hands-on experience would soon make him the perfect candidate for a unique career opportunity. Nearly 800 miles from the SIUC campus, the U.S. Department of Defense was working on a strategic response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. They decided to renovate all of the building’s IT communications, and they needed skilled tech workers to complete the project. Enter Devin Henderson.
Shortly after graduating from SIUC, Devin moved to Virginia and began working for a contracted company to upgrade the Pentagon' infrastructure. He jumped right in, setting himself apart with a strong work ethic and rapidly advancing in his career. Within just a few years, he became the Chief Architect for the Air Force side of the Pentagon.
Devin worked at the Pentagon for five years before leaving in 2011. He then created a business called DH Technologies to sell IT
solutions to the U.S. government, starting the company with just $200. Within the first year of operations, the company generated more than $1 million in revenue, and today, the company generates nearly $150 million annually. Devin sold DH Technologies and converted it to an employee-owned company in 2024. He still serves as the CEO.
From struggling high school student to successful business owner, Devin redefined his life’s trajectory and created a powerful future for himself – and made a certain former instructor very proud in the process.
“Devin not only directed his talents at something useful, he was very successful in creating a business and livelihood with it,” Scott said. “I’m proud to have had a small part in his success, and I wish him all of the best in the future.”
As for Devin, he considers his experience proof that community college is the perfect tool for students to discover their passions and achieve their dreams.
“I don’t think I would have been nearly as successful, and I would never have had that job at the Pentagon if I didn’t go through the Network Administration program at Lake Land,” Devin said. “Lake Land doesn’t just educate. It inspires ambition and opens doors to possibilities that might once have seemed out of reach.”
Opening Doors:
BRINGING EDUCATION THAT WORKS TO EFFINGHAM
IT WAS A DAY YEARS IN THE MAKING,
and one that will revolutionize local education for generations to come. On July 30, 2025, approximately 1,500 Lake Land students, staff, faculty, alumni, organizational partners and community friends gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the College’s newest facility, the Effingham Technology Center.
The Effingham Technology Center spans 100,000-square-feet, all of which were used as a sprawling office space when Lake Land purchased the building in 2023. After a massive two-year renovation process, the building now boasts cutting-edge chemistry and biology labs, a realistic hospital simulation room, upgraded nursing and physical therapy labs, a spa-like massage therapy clinic, a recording studio and a groundbreaking Innovation Center filled with 3D printers, programming tools and augmented reality/virtual reality technology.
The grand opening celebration signaled a bright future for local education and marked a major milestone in the historic partnership
region. In 1995, Lake Land first established a physical presence in Effingham with the opening of the Kluthe Center, which for decades served thousands of students and connected the College with local organizations. Now, with four times the space at the Effingham Technology Center, Lake Land is creating new opportunities for education and partnership in the Effingham community.
“The Effingham Technology Center will serve as a local hub of innovation, offering new educational opportunities and community partnerships that will impact the success and growth of the area,” Bullock said. “We’re thrilled to take the next step in our partnership with the Effingham community and expand our presence in the area with this new facility.”
The Effingham Technology Center is more than an academic facility - it’s a regional space for innovation and collaboration. In addition to Lake Land College programs and courses, the building serves as the first-ever home for Creating Opportunities for Regional Employment (CORE), a career exploration
academy designed for high school students and incumbent workers to discover occupational pathways and build high-demand skills.
The Effingham Technology Center also operates as a satellite location for the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Eastern Illinois University Lumpkin College of Business. The SBDC supports local entrepreneurs with free advising and affordable training in marketing, financial management, planning, strategy, sales and more.
Lake Land has also leased part of the Effingham Technology Center back to Patterson Companies, the building’s original owners. Through this partnership, the College maintains a strong business connection, helps the powerhouse organization maintain a strong presence in the community and creates unique opportunities for Lake Land graduates to connect with industry leaders.
In addition to its educational mission, the Effingham Technology Center offers space for
the community to utilize, strengthening Lake Land’s commitment to serving the region and fostering local engagement. Organizations and individuals can host meetings, business trainings, special events and more in one of the building’s many conference rooms, classrooms, offices and other state-of-the-art facilities. To reserve space in the Effingham Technology Center, contact Jerry Tkachuk, Director of Effingham & Regional Education Centers, at 217-540-3500 or jtkachuk@lakelandcollege.edu.
Fall 2025 marks the very first semester for students to attend classes and complete programs at the Effingham Technology Center. As they roam the halls, enjoy the labs, access the resources and utilize the technology, they’re taking part of a monumental milestone in Lake Land College history. The building stands as a symbol of progress, partnership and possibility—continuing Lake Land’s mission to engage minds and shape lives through the power of education.
5001 Lake Land Blvd.
Mattoon, IL 61938
Sponsorship Opportunity for 2026
Become a Community Partner! Strategic alliances between corporations and colleges have become increasingly valuable in an era where businesses seek meaningful connections to drive success. The benefits of becoming a Community Partner include:
EXPOSURE TO STUDENTS
You’ll have an advantage in developing a talent pipeline by interacting with our students and creating awareness of your organization throughout campus.
EVENTS
You will have the opportunity to sponsor and participate in several Foundation and College events throughout the year.
CAMPUS VISIBILITY
We will work together to display your company’s logo and sponsorship activities among students, employees and visitors.
LEARN MORE
LakeLandCollege.edu/foundation/community-partners 217-234-5363
