INA, Ill. (April 5, 2016) - Students, graduates, and faculty of 海角视频芒鈧劉s many agriculture programs celebrated the department芒鈧劉s 40th birthday last week at the Annual Agricultural Banquet, held in Waugh Gymnasium on the Ina campus.
During the banquet, countless students were honored with gifts from faculty, including nine outstanding student awards. In addition to the awards, two keynote speakers, a slideshow of students working both in the classroom and out, and the awarding of the Henry Douglas Leeck Service Award were all highlights of the evening.
Terry Wilkerson, RLC President and 1992 Outstanding Ag Student of the Year, first addressed the audience with a brief history of the program and words of advice for the students.
芒鈧揟his is our appreciation for you, the students. It芒鈧劉s about you and your future,芒鈧� said Wilkerson. 芒鈧揥hen you look at agriculture, the lifestyle gives you the ability to make tough decisions, work hard, and have fun. Don芒鈧劉t forget what you芒鈧劉ve learned, and don芒鈧劉t forget where you came from; your roots and the people who helped you get where you are. I芒鈧劉m glad to see you here tonight and we芒鈧劉re proud of you.芒鈧�
Karen Nehrkorn, a 2014 graduate of RLC芒鈧劉s Ag program, also gave advice to current students. She encouraged students to trust in their advisors and instructors, much like she did with Wilkerson and Kathy Craig, RLC Agriculture Associate Professor, to shape their paths to graduation.
芒鈧揟hey saw potential in me that I didn芒鈧劉t see in myself. Everybody has struggles, but in every bad experience, you learn who you can trust,芒鈧� said Nehrkorn. 芒鈧揟he people behind me taught me everything I know and I can never pay that back. I can only strive to do better. I wish you guys all the best in your futures.芒鈧�
After the speakers, Lisa Price, RLC Vice President of Student Services, was awarded the Henry Douglas Leeck Service Award. Price has worked at RLC since October of 1994. Craig said Price was chosen by the faculty based on the support she gave to the programs.
芒鈧揫Lisa Price is] someone who works hard for our students. She has helped out a student who had some personal issues in the past year, as well as just coming through for all of us with questions and guidance,芒鈧� said Craig.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
At the close of the Ag Banquet, dozens of students were honored for their hard work during the last academic year. Nine students were awarded Outstanding Awards: Tyler Blair of Norris City with the Heavy Equipment award, Brett Morr of Columbia with the Diesel Technology award, Claire Pytlinski of Waltonville with the Ag Business award, Josh Rynski of Ashley with the Ag Production award, Patrick Suchomski of Ashley with the Ag Mechanics award, Dalton Troehler of Herrin with the Diesel Technology award, Katie Walker of McLeansboro with the Ag Business award, and Clark Wisely of Oakdale with the Ag Mechanics award.
The faculty also selected Jay Baue of Sparta for the Overall Outstanding Ag Student of the Year Award.
芒鈧揥e feel these students went above and beyond,芒鈧� said Craig. 芒鈧揟here are no specific qualifications for the outstanding awards. We look at how they interact with other students, what the other students think, and how we think they are going to be an outstanding representative for the college.芒鈧�
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
To learn more about RLC芒鈧劉s Agriculture programs, visit .