INA, Ill. (May 3, 2017) - 海角视频 Board members, faculty, staff, and retired employees gathered in the Theatre last night to celebrate and distinguish several individuals for an exceptional academic year. At the annual Recognition Banquet, seven retirees and a handful of current employees were honored for their service, as well as the awarding of the Full-Time Faculty Excellence Award, the RLC Foundation Staff Excellence Award, the Assessment Award, and certificates of recognition for members of the Academic Council.
Retirees
RLC has seven retirees this year with a combined 150 years of service to the college. They were recognized and honored with a plaque during the banquet.
Cindy Corn, Health and Physical Education Professor and Women芒鈧劉s Golf Coach
Not only will the Lady Warriors Golf Team be in need of a new head coach, but RLC is losing a veteran professor of nearly three decades in Cindy Corn, who is retiring at the end of the month after 28 years of service.
Cindy Corn
The Mt. Vernon resident started working at RLC part-time as the Fitness Director in 1988 and was hired full-time in 1989 to replace the father of the fitness center, Wayne Arnold, who was himself retiring.
芒鈧揙ne of my favorite memories would have to be getting hired here. Wayne wouldn芒鈧劉t stop exercising when I dropped off my r脙漏sum脙漏. I kept coming back and he hadn芒鈧劉t looked at it yet, but I was persistent,芒鈧� said Corn. 芒鈧揌e gave me a great opportunity to work under him for a year before he retired.芒鈧�
For the first few years, Corn ran the fitness center and taught part-time, even trying her hand as the Assistant Coach for the Women芒鈧劉s Basketball team for a season. Eventually, she found herself leading the charge for a new team: Women芒鈧劉s Golf. The program started in 1999 with Corn as the Head Coach - a spot she芒鈧劉s only given up for one season in the past 18 years.
芒鈧揥ith the golf team, I芒鈧劉ve traveled across the United States. I芒鈧劉m very competitive and it was challenging to start the program, but I love challenges and I love new things,芒鈧� said Corn. 芒鈧揊ourteen of 18 golf teams have gone to Nationals, and this year is one of the best teams I芒鈧劉ve had. We芒鈧劉re currently ranked 6th in the nation, so I芒鈧劉m leaving the program in good shape. I want to make sure they continue to have success. I always want to see Rend Lake do well.芒鈧�
In recent years, Corn has taken on new challenges as they passed through: learning RLC芒鈧劉s online Blackboard system and teaching dual credit courses. In the end, her goal was always to challenge herself and her students.
芒鈧揧ou hope as an individual that you芒鈧劉ve had a positive influence on your students, and all students,芒鈧� said Corn. 芒鈧揑 feel like I芒鈧劉m connected to so many of them. Some of my favorite memories are with non-traditional students. They write me letters about how I芒鈧劉ve influenced them, and it makes me tear up. I did not mean to be a school teacher. I芒鈧劉m trained to be in fitness, a personal trainer, but I love where I芒鈧劉ve ended up.芒鈧�
Other than the students, it might be the faculty and staff that have left a lasting impression on Corn - something she芒鈧劉ll remember for years to come.
芒鈧揟he college has done so much for me,芒鈧� said Corn. 芒鈧揟he best part of working here is the administration lets you do things on your own. They always gave me the opportunity to do or try new things. I get bored really easy, so I芒鈧劉m always trying new things that keep my interest. Ultimately, it芒鈧劉s what Rend Lake has done for me, not what I芒鈧劉ve done for the school. The faculty and staff are so amazing. They芒鈧劉re always welcoming and open. That芒鈧劉s what makes this a great place to work and a great campus.芒鈧�
In her retirement, Corn said she芒鈧劉s headed home to Florida to spend time with her mother and brother. Though her children will still live in the area, Corn said she plans to go back and forth between the two states. In her spare time, she says golfing and flipping houses are on the to-do list. She suspects going back to work after a year or so will also lie in the future.
Tina Grounds, Early Childhood Education Professor
It芒鈧劉s hard to measure the impression a teacher has on a community, all the lives touched spreading out over the entire area to impact the lives of every youth to call the area home. So, it芒鈧劉s even harder to imagine the impact of the teachers芒鈧劉 teacher.
Tina Grounds
Tina Grounds, of West Frankfort, has helped mold educators at every level as part of RLC芒鈧劉s Early Childhood Education program. Hired on full-time in October of 1991 as the Family Literacy Coordinator, Grounds eventually transitioned to the Math and Science Department and the classroom.
芒鈧揑 have had the opportunity to teach a profession that I believe is so important to our society. I have such a passion for this field because I know that teaching young children provides the foundation for their future learning,芒鈧� Grounds expressed.
芒鈧揑 always encourage my students to strive to be an intentional teacher and provide a classroom where each child is viewed as an individual in their daily learning. Being a teacher and teaching future teachers has been professionally fulfilling. Especially when I see my students in a classroom utilizing active learning techniques and making a difference with the children in their classrooms.芒鈧�
Grounds was recognized for her impact in 2013 when she received the Full-Time Faculty Excellence Award.
For her part, Grounds said her fondest memory from her 26 years of service was being part of the building and development of the RLC Foundation Children芒鈧劉s Center, a facility that both offers vital hands-on training for Early Childhood Education students and also provides quality care for numerous local youth.
When asked how she plans on spending her retirement, the answer was easy.
芒鈧揑 will be spending time with my three favorite human beings - my grandchildren,芒鈧� she said.
She also plans to help in her daughter芒鈧劉s store, travel with her husband, learn to play guitar, and work in foreign and local missions with her church.
芒鈧揑芒鈧劉m excited to see what the future holds for this next journey in my life,芒鈧� she said.
Grounds will officially retire from RLC at the end of the month.
Kevin Weston, Architectural Technology Professor
The Architectural Technology program will have a different feel after Kevin Weston retires at the end of the month. Weston, a native of Elkhart, Ind.; graduate of Zeigler-Royalton High School and current resident of West Frankfort, will leave his position after 25 years of service.
Kevin Weston
Initially hired as an instructor for the program in August of 1992, Weston said the position went above and beyond his expectations.
芒鈧揑 have truly been blessed to have a career that has challenged me to improve every day,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揃eing able to watch my students grasp an understanding of architecture, continue on with their studies, and develop into young professionals, has been very rewarding.芒鈧�
Of his time at RLC, Weston has served on RLC芒鈧劉s Academic Council serving as Chair for seven years and was honored with the Full-Time Faculty Excellence Award in 2012. In 2006, he was named to a joint task force of the Illinois General Assembly芒鈧劉s spring session to study ways to improve the Illinois Community College System. He has served as President of the Illinois Community College Faculty Association which represents all 20,000 full-time and adjunct faculty to the Illinois Community College System and currently serves on the executive committee.
He has also served on the Illinois Community College Boards Finance Advisory, Program Advisory and Presidential selection committee, three years on the Illinois Board of Higher Education芒鈧劉s Faculty Advisory committee, and as a member of its community college caucus.
In his little spare time, Weston serves as a contest supervisor and writes the problem for the annual Illinois SkillsUSA Architecture Drafting competition. He also currently serves as executive member of the IDEA (Illinois Design Educators Association) and was elected President in 2012. Through this past spring, Weston also served as the Regional Director for the IDEA芒鈧劉s annual Drafting & Design competition, held on RLC芒鈧劉s campus for local high school students. In 2015, he was named the R. Tim Phillip Teacher of the Year by the IDEA.
Weston said some of his favorite memories at RLC come from a particular group of faculty and staff.
芒鈧揟he camaraderie we shared in the old AAA (Agriculture, Architecture, and Automotive) Department in the North Oasis,芒鈧� he said. 芒鈧揜eplacing former instructors Fred Bruno and Rueben Hawkins after they retired from teaching in the Architectural Technology program for twenty years was a little tough at first with the others in the department, but having [now President] Terry Wilkerson芒鈧劉s office next to mine for his first five or six years here at the college was very interesting.芒鈧�
In his retirement, Weston said he hasn芒鈧劉t worked out a 芒鈧搈aster plan芒鈧� yet, but plans to do more traveling and volunteering.
Therese Melena, Art Professor
Looking back, it芒鈧劉s not the art that Professor Therese Melena will remember about her 23 years at 海角视频. She says it芒鈧劉s the connections she芒鈧劉s made that will stick with her through her retirement years.
Therese Melena
芒鈧揑t meant connections. Connections to my students, all students. Connections to the faculty, and connections to the community,芒鈧� said Melena.
The 1986 graduate of RLC and resident of Ina was hired full-time in the Art Department as an instructor in August of 1994. However, it was before that when, as a student, she first made one of those connections with then-Dean of Liberal Arts, the late Stephen Tietz.
芒鈧揑 was a student here, in the library doing research. Steve came walking by and said to me, 芒鈧淚 don芒鈧劉t want to see you for another four years,芒鈧劉 and I was heartbroken over that,芒鈧� said Melena. 芒鈧揃ut what it was, he wanted me to get out of here and get my degree so I could come back and teach for him. He was an amazing boss and I always respected him.芒鈧�
With one semester left before her retirement in December, Melena is also saying goodbye to the numerous projects and events she芒鈧劉s started or helped with, including fundraising, student-oriented projects, and campus-wide events.
For the past few years, Melena has worked closely with The Amy Center in Mt. Vernon, raising funds to support the agency, and spends much of her free time at her church, West Salem Trinity United Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon, offering free painting workshops to get the community interested in taking classes at RLC.
For the students, Melena was an integral part of the creation of the Halloween Party to celebrate all students. The Art Department also offers unique options every year at their booth during Fun Fest - a welcome back to campus event for all students in September. She also has a hand in helping with the Student Art Show.
But maybe most importantly, Melena has volunteered her time for the past several spring musicals to design, construct, and paint sets. In her retirement, Melena said she hopes to carry on that tradition.
芒鈧揑芒鈧劉m hoping to work more with my art and work more with my church. If I芒鈧劉m lucky, I芒鈧劉ll get the chance to work with Sara [Alstat, Director] and her musicals,芒鈧� said Melena.
Though Melena芒鈧劉s main focus in the art realm is painting, she also spends her time drawing, creating stained glass, and sculpting. At RLC, she would always pass along commission-based job opportunities to her students, but next year, she plans to begin working once more.
Wendy Smith, Controller
For the past 18 years, Marion native Wendy Smith has had a integral hand in keeping the wheels of RLC turning.
Wendy Smith
Originally hired on as a payroll accountant in January of 1999, Smith was quickly promoted to Business Office Accountant where she spent 12 years. In March of 2013, she took the mantle of Controller, and it is from that position that she will retire in June.
芒鈧揑 have truly enjoyed working at 海角视频 for the past 18 years. The college has provided me with so many wonderful opportunities and experiences over the years. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Business Office team as an accountant and the RLC controller,芒鈧� Smith said.
芒鈧揑 have had the privilege to play a part in the success of RLC and our students over the years. I have developed friendships with faculty, staff, and students that will last a lifetime. I am looking forward to enjoying my retirement but will miss my RLC family. I wish everyone and RLC continued success in the future.芒鈧�
So, what does the future hold for Smith? Adventure!
With her husband Dave, she is going on a grand boating excursion.
芒鈧揙ur first boating adventure will take us south to Florida. We will start our journey on the Tennessee River to Pickwick Landing-Lock & Dam, then we will enter the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to Mobile Bay. Once we reach Mobile Bay we will travel the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway to different destinations like芒鈧range Beach Ala., Destin Fla., and Panama City Beach Fla. The real fun starts when we cross the Gulf of Mexico to Clearwater Fla. and our final destination the Florida Keys,芒鈧� she explained.
芒鈧揙ur second boating adventure is still in the planning stages芒鈧aybe the Bahamas. Life is good boating,芒鈧� said Smith.
When asked if she had a favorite memory of RLC over the years, Smith simply responded with, 芒鈧揑 have been blessed with so many wonderful RLC memories over the years and I will cherish them all for the rest of my life.芒鈧�
Laura Kern, Adult Education Student Services Coordinator
Originally brought on board as a Financial Coordinator for several grants, Laura Kern will be retiring from RLC at the end of December after 18 years of service.
Laura Kern
The West Frankfort native currently sits as the Adult Education Coordinator, and with a final day of July 1, she will be truly missed on campus.
芒鈧揟o learn and to teach the old adage 芒鈧� tell me with whom you walk and I will tell you who you are
I have walked with RLC and I have become RLC and hope that I have contributed as much as I have received,芒鈧� she said.
As for post-retirement, Kern says she is eager to step into the next phase of her life. Guided by her personal life experiences she plans out utilizing the coming years to the fullest.
芒鈧揑 plan to be happy and not to take my current good health for granted. It is because I know there are fewer tomorrows than yesterdays,芒鈧� she said.
Betty Jo Herbert, Director of Nursing
Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Director Betty Jo Herbert is retiring after more than a decade of working with students in RLC芒鈧劉s ADN and Certified Nurse Assistant programs. Herbert, from Mt. Vernon, was hired full-time in August of 2006 after years of working as a part-time instructor.
Betty Jo Herbert
She said in her retirement letter, 芒鈧摵＝鞘悠� has given me the opportunity to learn and grow as both an instructor and a leader in the nursing community. I will treasure all of the many friendships and support systems that have developed as a result of my tenure. I wish the nursing program continued success, and I will continue to be a lifelong supporter of 海角视频.芒鈧�
Herbert芒鈧劉s last day will be June 30.
Full-Time Faculty Excellence Award
芒鈧揗rs. Ragan is one of the greatest science teachers I have ever had. Period. She is a great teacher and a wonderful person to be around.芒鈧� - With glowing student endorsements like that, it doesn芒鈧劉t take a rocket scientist to see why RLC Professor Carrie Ragan has been given the 2017 Faculty Excellence award.
Since 2001, Ragan has been at the forefront of teaching RLC students Biology, Ecology, Zoology, Anatomy and Physiology as a member of our all-star Math and Sciences Division.
Carrie Ragan, LEFT, and RLC President Terry Wilkerson
Her ability to touch students is far past theory. It芒鈧劉s a well-documented fact.
芒鈧揗rs. Ragan is an excellent teacher. She is very energetic and always knows how to make class fun. She is very thorough in explaining new topics and helps students comprehend the material. She is very enthusiastic and happy about passing on this knowledge,芒鈧� said another student.
芒鈧揗rs. Ragan made class extremely interesting. All of her instructions, lectures and examples build upon layer after layer to make the material easy to understand. She is always willing to answer everyone芒鈧劉s 芒鈧渨hat if芒鈧劉 questions. Her teaching style and personality are what I enjoyed the most,芒鈧� expressed one more of Ragan芒鈧劉s former pupils.
With a number of exceptional educators at RLC, the decision for the Faculty Excellence Award is never easy, but Ragan was nominated by a large group of her colleagues and has proven time and time again to go above and beyond, displaying a passion for her content and a dedication to helping her students better understand the course material.
芒鈧揑 am humbled to have received the Faculty Excellence Award and want to acknowledge the talented and industrious teachers here at the college who set a standard of expectation that perpetuates quality education,芒鈧� Ragan expressed.
芒鈧揑t is wonderful to get to share topics that I feel so strongly about, but the best part of my job is the people
coworkers and students. I芒鈧劉m one of the lucky few in the workforce who has the opportunity daily to meet large numbers of fine folks who have made a commitment to improve their lives and are on the cusp of an adventure.芒鈧�
芒鈧揗any of them are fearful. Many of them have obstacles to overcome. I think about them during my 35-minute commute and wonder who in my class needs a word of encouragement or extra help with a tough topic that day. I am blessed and proud to be part of the culture that has developed at 海角视频. It is a culture in which staff, faculty and administration are focused on not just the education of students, but also the edification of students
lifting them up in ways that surpass instruction.芒鈧�
Ragan芒鈧劉s nomination letter, penned by her colleagues, cites her constant redesign and development of courses, creation of an online Biology for non-majors hybrid course and being a vital part of the IAI submission and approval of three courses in the past two years, with a few more in the approval processing stage.
Over the past three years, she has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the Title III Pathway to Success in Health Careers Grant in Anatomy and Physiology courses. She is also cited as frequently helping new instructors to become acclimated to the classroom and campus community. She provides insight and advice to new instructors while helping them to navigate RLC systems.
芒鈧揅arrie芒鈧劉s contributions to 海角视频 and the educational community of Illinois have been many over her career. She has proven to be an exceptional classroom instructor, active curriculum innovator, and dedicated committee member. Both RLC and the region have benefited from her professionalism and academic expertise,芒鈧� read the nomination letter.
芒鈧揝he challenges students with high expectations, all the while, creating a comfortable environment for her students to learn and grow芒鈧�.Carrie has demonstrated Faculty Excellence in her devotion to education throughout her time at 海角视频.芒鈧�
Her award also means she is in the running for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association芒鈧劉s Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Member Award.
Staff Excellence Awards
Susan Cunningham, Title III Activity Director
Susan Cunningham, Title III Activity Director, was honored with the 2017 RLC Foundation Staff Excellence Award for her 10 years of service at RLC, specifically for her exceptional work ethic and dedication to students. The Mt. Vernon resident was hired full-time at RLC in August of 2007 and was nominated by three of her colleagues.
Susan Cunningham, RIGHT, and RLC President Terry Wilkerson
In their nomination letter, the fellow staff and faculty members highlighted Cunningham芒鈧劉s numerous duties on campus, including overseeing the Learning Enhancement Center, Tutoring, Disability Services, and the Health Studies Student Success Center. She also coordinates and hosts the Transition Summit for area high school students. She also helps with the First-Year Experience orientation course by teaching in the classroom.
芒鈧揝ue is a vital asset to RLC in many ways. We are blessed to have such a genuine, caring person who always puts students first,芒鈧� reads the letter. 芒鈧揝tudents of all walks of life seem to see Sue as a valuable resource and someone they can trust. She will always make time for a student who has an issue, needs help, or simply needs to talk. We have witnessed Sue skip her lunch hour numerous times because she was spending time with a student芒鈧� If all other avenues have failed, Sue will personally tutor students.芒鈧�
The letter continues, 芒鈧揝he takes the time to genuinely get to know students and always knows every single student athlete by name and a little about their background. But students aren芒鈧劉t the only ones who lean on Sue for support. Faculty and staff frequently find themselves in Sue芒鈧劉s office asking for advice regarding professional and personal matters. Sue gives her undivided attention and will listen to understand, ponder the information, and give helpful feedback.芒鈧�
Wesley Rush, Custodian
Wesley Rush, Custodian, was also honored with the 2017 RLC Foundation Staff Excellence Award for going above and beyond his normal duties every day. The Marion resident was hired full-time at RLC in January of 2000 and was nominated by seven of his colleagues.
Wesley Rush, RIGHT, and RLC President Terry Wilkerson
In his nomination letter, Rush芒鈧劉s co-workers speak to his odd work hours and the immense space he covers as motivations for the nomination. Known as one of the 芒鈧揼o to芒鈧� employees in the Physical Plant department, Rush is notorious for stepping up when called upon.
芒鈧揂fter the day comes and goes, that芒鈧劉s when the work begins for Wes,芒鈧� reads the letter. 芒鈧揌e is assigned to two buildings on campus to clean, and those two buildings tally up to be 67,744 square feet. In addition to the work of cleaning and maintaining the buildings, there are always set-ups, board meetings to get ready for, and other surprises that seem to come up when least expected. You never hear a complaint from him when it seems overwhelming or hard to handle. He just rolls up his sleeves and does the best he can.芒鈧�
The letter continues, 芒鈧揥es is known to his co-workers as one of the 芒鈧済o to芒鈧劉 guys when there is a special need or extra help. Good attitude, willing to work, and never complains is what Wes can be described as.芒鈧�
Assessment Award
Sarah Bilderbeck, Office Systems Technology Associate Professor, was awarded the 2017 Assessment Award for her 16 years of service to RLC. This award credits an individual who works tirelessly on assessment policies and procedures to the college, and is only awarded when there is a qualified candidate.
Sarah Bilderbeck, RIGHT, and RLC President Terry Wilkerson
Bilderbeck of McLeansboro was hired full-time at RLC in May of 2001 and was nominated by 19 of her fellow faculty members alongside staff and administration.
In her nomination letter, Bilderbeck is applauded for her diligent work on her students芒鈧劉 behalf, assistance to other RLC faculty and staff, and for sitting on the college芒鈧劉s Institutional Assessment Committee.
芒鈧揝arah recognizes the importance of student learning and the effects that it has on her students芒鈧劉 lives and potential careers. She is devoted to preparing her students for their transition to the next step, whether that is to the workplace or a senior university,芒鈧� the letter reads. 芒鈧揂ssessment plays a huge role in that preparation and process.芒鈧�
The nomination continues, 芒鈧揝arah works diligently on the assessment process - assessing her students, analyzing the learning that takes place, and recommending curriculum modifications accordingly. Based on assessment results and discussions with advisory committee members, Sarah has recently revamped the Office Systems Technology degrees and certificates to better meet the needs of her students and the demands of the workplace. She continues to evaluate the changes and the effect it has on student learning.芒鈧�
Academic Council Certificates of Recognition
Several RLC faculty were awarded Certificates of Recognition for their service on Academic Council and sub-committees.
Service Awards
Five Year Awards
Five Year Awards were given to, FROM LEFT, Hillary Halsey, First Year Experience Coordinator; Gina Schenk, Technology Integration and Training Coordinator; Natalie Brown, Records Specialist; Mallory Howell, Business Office Accountant; and Lana Wilson, Business Office Accountant. Not pictured is Melissa Bertschi, Cosmetology Instructor, and Charlie Brown, Security Guard.
Ten Year Awards