Alumni - Richland Community College

& AlumniFriendsRichland Community College Alumni NewsletterCommencement Ceremoniescontinued from page 1President Gayle Saunderswelcomed and congratulated the2009 graduates, their families,and instructors. “There are manypersonal stories of persistence,courage, and success amongyou,” she commented. “Manyof you are the first member inyour families to obtain a collegeeducation. Many of you havesacrificed a lot for your degree orcertificate – working long hours,raising families, and still findingtime for classes. Many of you haveworked many, many years to getto this point, taking only one ortwo classes per semester, so thatyou could make a livelihood andafford your education. Some ofyou have overcome incredibleobstacles – such as disabilities,loss of employment, challengingfamily situations – to get yourcredential this evening.”Following enthusiastic applause, Mindy Sanders, 2000Richland graduate and 2009 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year,shared her remarkswith the graduates.“Because of theeducation foundation Icompleted at Richland,I am able to providehigh quality patientcare and serve as arepresentative of thePhysician Assistantprofession. I have evenbeen lucky enough tosave a few lives alongthe way. How amazingit feels to know that Ican make a differenceevery day. Graduates,your journey is trulyPresident Gayle Saunders welcomes 2009 graduates.Mindy Sanders, 2000 RichlandGraduate and 2009 DistinguishedAlumnus of the Year.just beginning. You have been dedicated enough to make it thisfar…do not lose focus now. Remember that you become what youdecide to become. Happiness is what you choose…not what isgiven to you.”The ceremony continued as KathyIrvin, student speaker, stood at thepodium. “Fellow graduates, togetherwe will leave here tonight with doorsto our future opened thanks to whatwe have achieved at Richland. Thosedoors might lead to transferringto another college, to a new job,or improving the employment youalready have. No matter what youchoose to do from this day forward,your future is brighter and yourpossibilities endless. You started atRichland Community College andnow you can go anywhere!”Marcus Brown, Dean ofEnrollment Services, introducedRichland’s Director of Culinary Artsand full-time faculty member ChefLJ Klink. “The education you havereceived in your time at Richland nowbelongs to you. It cannot be takenaway, only built upon. Be proud ofwhat you have accomplished. Takeownership for all of your hard work and turn now toward the futureand what you can make of it. What you will become will be theproduct of hundreds,even thousands ofdecisions. Many ofthem seem to have noconsequence. Don’t befooled. There is alwaysmore to learn, moreyou can be, more to bedone.”In addition, JacobZindel was recognizedat the ceremony asRichland CommunityCollege’s 2009Pacesetter Awardwinner. Read moreabout Jacob on pagethree.Chef LJ Klink, 2009 Faculty Speaker of theYear.2 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsPost-graduation plansfor some 2009 AlumniLuke Allison is attending Illinois State University.Caitlin Aylmer is attending Eastern Illinois University.Kathryn Barnes is attending the University of Illinois.Phyllis Barringer is attending Millikin University.Logan Benedict is selecting a four-year university for transfer.Justin Bledsaw is attending Millikin University.Rhonda Brummit is seeking employment.Valerie Callihan is seeking employment.Katie Canaday is attending Concordia University in Wisconsin .Sarah Casebeer is seeking employment.Kyle Cotton is attending Ranken Technical College in St.Louis, majoring in Architectural Technology.Brenda Crist is working at the Health Department andcontinuing her education.Patrick Davis is attending University of Illinois.Katherine Dowling is attending Southern Illinois University.Braxton Fonville is attending Southern Illinois University.Terrill Garland is attending University of Illinois.Deborah Gaskins is attending University of Illinois.Claire Gillett is attending Illinois State University.James Grobelney is seeking employment.Zack Hays is attending Millikin University.Kelly Hazelrigg is continuing her education in Culinary Artsat Richland.Christine Hobson is seeking employment as an LPN.Kathy Irvin is continuing her employment at Richland as anAdmissions and Records Representative.Vicki Jefferson was recently hired as a Practical Nurse atLincoln Manor and is continuing her education.Jessica Jolly is attending the University of Illinois.Andrea King is seeking employment as an RN.Jeff Mason is seeking employment as an LPN.Marlise McDaniel is attending Millikin University.Casta McRoberts is seeking employment.Teddi Moore is seeking employment.Nakeshia O’Neal is attending Millikin University.Cord Patrick is attending the University of Illinois.Casey Peck is attending Illinois State University.Thomas Sanner is attending the University of Illinois.Celeste Settles is seeking employment and continuing hereducation.Carla Shehorn is continuing her employment at Richlandas an Admissions and Records Representative.Amanda Soper is attending University of Illinois.Peter Stocks is attending University of Illinois.Valerie Vincent was recently hired at DMH as a Surg Tech.Sherry Woodhead is seeking employment as a Practical Nurseand continuing her education.Terrie Wright is seeking employment.Matt Zucco is attending Eastern Illinois University.Richland Community College Alumni Newsletter2009Distinguished AlumnusMindy Sanders ofSherman, Illinois,has been selected asRichland’s DistinguishedAlumnus for 2009. Mindyobtained her SurgicalTechnology Certificatefrom Richland in 1998and her Associate ofScience Degree inSurgical Technology/Pre-PA in 2000, graduatingwith academic honors.She continued hereducation at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale,where, in 2007, she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree inPhysician Assistant Studies.Currently, Mindy is a Physician Assistant Certified(PAC) with Springfield Clinic, LLP at the Wabash MedicalCenter in Springfield, Illinois. During the past 15 monthsas a PAC, Mindy has had the opportunity to diagnose andtreat thousands of patients. On a daily basis, she utilizesthe information gained through her courses at RichlandCommunity College and realizes the importance that hercommunity college education at Richland holds in her career.2009Pacesetter of the YearJacob Zindel ofDecatur, Illinois,has been selected asRichland’s PacesetterAward Winner for2009. Jacob obtainedhis Associate in AppliedScience Degree inelementary educationfrom Richland in2006. Jacob receivedthe Walter and AliceScherer Scholarship from2004-2008. He went onto obtain his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education atIllinois State University in December 2008.Jacob recently completed student teaching at Oak GroveElementary School in Decatur and is currently substituteteaching for Decatur Public School District #61. Jacob looksforward to securing a full-time teaching position in fall 2009.3 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsRichland Community College Alumni NewsletterCulinary Arts Institute Provides International FlavorWilliam T. Eichenauer Scholarship Dinner for Culinary Arts a Success!Dishes reflective of regional cuisines from around theworld were featured at the William T. EichenauerScholarship Dinner for the Culinary Arts held in the ShillingSalons at Richland Community College on Saturday, April18. Teams of students from the Culinary Arts Instituteresearched authenticdishes from France,Eastern Europe,NorthernMediterranean,South Americas,and Spain todevelop theirmenus. The studentsthenexecutedtheir culinary skills under the leadership of Chef LJKlink, as they tantalized taste buds at the “strollingsupper” with a delicious variety of cuisine.Richland’s drama students dressed in periodclothing from the 1930’s, 1940’s, 1950’s, 1970’s, and2000’s role-played in displays representing the“Foods Through the Ages” that decorated theSalons. In addition, guests bid ata silent auction of delectabledesserts and a dinner for 10.“Tonight is a very specialnight. We not only get to providea fun opportunity to raisescholarship money for thestudents, but we get to honorWilliam T. Eichenauer (1929-2008), who with several othercommunity members breathedlife into their dream of having aCulinary Arts Institute inDecatur, Illinois,” remarked Dr. Gayle Saunders. William T.Eichenauer’s family members also wereamong the evening’s guests who shared inhis dream.Proceeds from the Culinary ArtsScholarship Dinners will provide funding tosupport culinary arts scholarships and theeducational needs of the students at RichlandCommunity College. Next year’s dinner willtake place Saturday, March 27, 2010.4 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsRibbon Cutting Celebration FORRichland Community College faculty and staff, membersof the Clarence G. Glenn family, community educatorsand supporters celebrated the opening of the new1,000-square-foot Adele P. Glenn Academy for EarlyChildhood Education at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April8, 2009.“Such a long name for aclassroom in which small childrenwill learn – The Adele P. GlennAcademy for Early ChildhoodEducation. But you see it really isvery fitting that this room benamed after Adele Glenn as shewas truly dedicated to education,”Dr. Gayle Saunders, President ofRichland Community College,said in her remarks. “In the 1960’sAdele Glenn found a passion ineducation through Title I,working to make suredisadvantaged students had theopportunity to visit areas outsideDecatur in an effort to broadentheir horizons. In 1966 she earned a teaching certificate fromMillikin University and in the same year was elected to theDecatur School Board where she served for six years. Herinfluence extended into the community through many effortsRichland Community College Alumni NewsletterThe Adele P. Glenn Academy for Early Childhood Educationincluding service as a trustee of the Decatur SchoolsFoundation, volunteering at South Shores School, and servicethrough the Girl Scouts, Decatur Day Care Board, and JuniorWelfare Association.”On Monday, April 13, Kimberly Brummett, Director ofThe Adele P. Glenn Academy for Early Childhood Education,greeted children ages threeto five as they arrived fortheir first day of school.The beautiful classroomwith its garden windowsoffers a unique learningsetting where they will beintroduced to positiveexperiences through the useof games, music, artwork,films, books, and computersin preparation forkindergarten.The Adele P. GlennAcademy for EarlyChildhood Education joinsthe already operationalRichland Community College Child Development Center,which offers parents full-time and part-time care for theirchildren. For information regarding enrollment in theAcademy, please contact Kimberly Brummett at 217.875.7211,Ext. 387.You Can Invest in the FutureALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPThe Richland Community College Foundation’sAlumni Association Scholarship assists currentstudents with tuition. It is awarded to both fullandpart-time students who have a grade pointaverage of 2.75 in any major. The amount awardedis determined by the number of gifts received fromalumni.If being a Richland Community Collegegraduate has helped you succeed, please considerreinvesting in the future of today’s RichlandCommunity College students. Your contributionwill give students the opportunity to earn theirdegree regardless of their financial barriers.Recipients will be featured in future Alumni &Friends newsletters.Yes! I would like to support the Richland Foundation.Major Gifts CampaignUnrestrictedGeneral Scholarship Fund OtherAlumni ScholarshipName ___________________________________________________________Address _ _________________________________________________________City, State, Zip _ ___________________________________________________Phone ___________________________________________________________Office Phone ______________________________________________________E-mail ___________________________________________________________richland.edu/foundationF O U N D A T I O NEnclosed is my gift of check or money order DiscoverMasterCard VisaCard Number _____________________________________________________Security Number ___________________________________________________Expiration Date ___________________________________________________Signature of Card Holder ____________________________________________5 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsRichland Community College Alumni NewsletterAlumniSpotlightSue Huskins ‘05EducationA.A.S. - Graphic Design• Certificate in Graphic Design• Certificate in Web Design• Certificate in Multi-MediaRichland Community CollegeB.A. - Visual Arts, University ofIllinois SpringfieldM.A. - Communications,University of Illinois Springfield(2010)Current OccupationFull-time StudentUIS Graduate Teaching Assistant in Photography DepartmentWhen Sue began taking classes at Richland CommunityCollege in 2002, she was not considered an ordinary collegestudent. Sue comments, “I had been out of high schoolfor twenty-eight years and had two grown children. I alsowas going through a difficult transition in my life duringthis period. In 1999, while working at a local print shop, afreak accident caused me to permanently lose the use of mydominant right hand and arm. Because of my circumstance,Workmen’s Compensation staff felt the only job I was capableof doing with my disability was telemarketing. Refusing tobelieve this, I went on a search for my future…and endedup at Richland Community College. After thoroughlyexamining the academic catalog, I decided to enroll in thegraphic design program. Richland’s art faculty played amajor role in my college success, and I especially relied onthe mentoring of Professor Gil Rocha and Instructor SaulSolano. These individuals instilled in me the confidence andknowledge that I lacked and needed. I also am very thankfulfor the photography classes I took at Richland with the lateLen Helding. It is because of him that I found my hiddenlove and talent for photography.”Sue graduated from Richland as a member of PhiTheta Kappa International Honor Society in 2005. Aftergraduation, Sue decided she wanted to continue her studyof photography, so she enrolled in the Visual Arts Programat the University of Illinois in Springfield. She graduatedSumma Cum Laude and as a member of Alpha SigmaLambda Honor Society from UIS in December 2008 and iscurrently working on her Masters of Communications, againfocusing on photography. Sue also is employed as a UISgraduate teaching assistant in the photography department.Sue’s work has been displayed at several locations includingUIS, and she has received several awards.AlumniSpotlightRicardo Cortez Cruz ‘88EducationA.A. – English,Richland Community CollegeB.S. – English,Illinois State UniversityM.S. – English,Illinois State UniversityCourse work completed towardDoctorate at Illinois State UniversityCurrent OccupationProfessor of Englishat Illinois State University, NormalThe concept of establishing a strong identity and imagethrough education is how Ricardo Cortez Cruz views theimpact Richland had on his life. The message Ricardo sends tohis own students, as a direct result of his time at Richland, is,“It doesn’t matter how good you are. What matters is how badyou want it.”Richland was the stepping stone for Ricardo’s success.When Ricardo was a teenager, his options for an advancededucation were limited, but he chose to attend Richland whilehe worked as a sports and news clerk for the Herald & Review.Many people find it interesting that Ricardo scored low inEnglish on his ACT but pursued this course of study. Today,as an award-winning teacher of creative writing and African-American literature at Illinois State University, Ricardo is alsoa published author of two novels and numerous pieces of shortfiction and has earned literary acclaim from his peers.He has his own set of memories about Richland from itstime at Park 101. He recalls that in the winter the windows anddoors were always glazed with ice, which he saw as a metaphorthat reflected how “cold” things seemed to be in Decatur andthe outside world. He saw the ice as a reflection of the strugglethat people have in communicating with each other via a warmand sincere manner.Staff and faculty who were important in Ricardo’s Richlandcareer include current Vice President of Student and AcademicServices, Jane Johnson; Adult Education Coordinator, LeonFonville; and Professors Tom Morrow and Larry Klugman. Hecarries additional memories of late English Professors WinfieldScott and Sid Berger.Ricardo is married to Carol Milling Cruz, whom he fell inlove with at a Richland event, and he is the father of RicardoCortez de la Cruz II. Ricardo was the Richland CommunityAlumni Spotlightcontinued on page 96 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsRICHLAND ANNOUNCESMAJOR GIFTS CAMPAIGNOn April 29, Richland Community College Foundationpublicly announced its major gifts campaign. To date, thecampaign has raised $12 million and will continue to seekcommunity support over the next 12 to 18 months to raise anadditional $4 to $5 million.The “Investing in our Future Campaign” is underway toraise funds for programs that will benefit students and faculty,furnish new facilities and provide technology upgrades, andstrengthen the College’s overall endowment.The campaign is the largest major fundraising initiative inRichland Community College’s 38-year history. It encompassesthe vision and goals of the College’s five-year Facilities MasterPlan for capital projects and three-year Strategic Plan to guideprogram development and enhancement, both adopted by theBoard of Trustees in 2007. The Trustees acted with theunderstanding that traditional public funding from the State ofIllinois and tuition revenue would not be adequate to accomplishthe bold goals and objectives set by both plans.Kevin Breheny, co-chairman of the Pacesetter Division of thecampaign, announced to the large kickoff crowd in the ShillingCommunity Education Center, “This campaign speaks to theheart of our community needs: education, training, and work forcedevelopment. There is great pride and confidence in knowing thatRichland Community College is here, providing the learningresources, accomplished faculty and advanced facilities to train thestudents and develop a skilled workforce in Richland’s District.”The high point of the announcement revealed that theCollege is celebrating a $6.8 million gift left to the RichlandCommunity College Foundation by long-time donors Walter andAlice Scherer of Decatur. This contribution is the largest given byan individual to an Illinois community college.What can the Richland Career Centerdo for you?Resume Writing Assistance • Job PostingsLibrary of Job/Career Development BooksCareer Planning • Illinois workNet AdvisorsInterview Preparation • Student EmploymentCollege Central Network/Career CruisingSelf Assessment (Strong/MBTI/LASSI)ContactMichael Diggs, Director, Career Services217.875.7211, ext. 205 | mdiggs@richland.eduRichland Community College Alumni NewsletterCongratulationsAlumi Awards • Achievements • RecognitionsKathleen Becker, ‘06Dr. Vicky Gilpin, ‘96Professor James Jones, ‘92Kathleen Becker was aFulbright Scholarship finalistfor study in Korea in 2009.Kathleen was offered a positionwith the Japan Exchange TeachingProgram, which is under theauspices of the Japanese Embassyin Washington, D.C.She graduated from UIUC inMay with a B.A. in ComparativeLiterature with a minor in EastAsian Languages and Cultures.ARichland Adjunct Englishfaculty member, Vicky waschosen as a Phi Delta KappaEmerging Leader. The programrecognizes top educators fromacross the world for their leadershipin service, research, and leadership.The 2009-2010 Class of EmergingLeaders were honored at the 2009PDK Summit in Indianapolis,Indiana.James Jones, Professor ofMathematics at RichlandCommunity College, received theIMACC (Illinois MathematicsAssociation of CommunityColleges) Award for TeachingExcellence. This award recognizesoutstanding contributions tomathematics education, successin instructional effectiveness andsupport of students, professionalinvolvement, and service to thecollege community.7 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsWalter and Alice SchererLeave $6.8 Million Gift Claire Gillett ‘08Gift Will Fund Scherer ScholarshipsIn 1991, Walter andAlice Schererestablished a scholarshipthrough the RichlandCommunity CollegeFoundation for studentswho attend RichlandCommunity Collegeimmediately followinggraduation from highschool. Tuitionassistance continues atan Illinois publicfour-year university foran additional two years.Mr. Scherer, a self-madeengineer, realized the importance of formal education and thevalue of philanthropic giving. He wanted to ensure that youngpeople had the opportunity he never had – to pursue a formaleducation.After Walter’s death in 1992, Alice continued to supportthe scholarship. When she died in 2008, Richland CommunityCollege Foundation became the beneficiary of the WalterScherer Trust. This wonderful gift to the young people of theRichland Community College District will provide theresources to continue the Walter and Alice Scherer Scholarshipfor generations to come.To date, this scholarship has provided over $400,000 intuition assistance for 74 outstanding students who graduatedfrom Richland Community College and continued at anIllinois public four-year university.In appreciation for their remarkable generosity and supportof education and in recognition of Mr. Scherer’saccomplishments as a self-educated engineer, Richland proudlynamed its Industrial Technology Center the Walter and AliceScherer Industrial Technology Center.Richland Community College Alumni NewsletterGrateful Scherer ScholarAs I began Richland in 2007, my goal was to obtain anAssociate of Science in Mathematics as quickly and“smoothly as possible. I loaded up my schedule with 16-18credit hours every semester and worked at least 20 hours atMoweaqua Foods.With the help of the Walter and Alice SchererScholarship, I was able to graduate from Richland with adegree in three semesters following graduation from highschool. Now, as a first-semester junior at Illinois StateUniversity, I appreciate the scholarship even more.I have started my education there with the hopes ofgraduating in the fall of 2010 with a Bachelor of Science inActuarial Science. With three math classes this semester, I donot find myself with a lot of free time. Outside of coursework, Iam expected to take and pass at least two exams administeredby the Society of Actuaries and Casualty Actuarial Society bythe time I graduate from ISU. Therefore, most of my time istaken up with studying and homework.The Walter and Alice Scherer Scholarship has allowed meto take this semester off from working. Most college studentsare not as fortunate. I feel extremely lucky that I can focus onmy studies and not worry about finances so much. It hasallowed me to adjust to a new home, make new friends, andfind a church. It has allowed me to go to college, debt free, as Ihave not had to take out any student loans. With the Scherers’blessings and generous gifts, they have kept my dreams and thedreams of other students alive by donating to our educations.For this, I am extremely thankful.”Richland President Dr. Gayle Saunders; Suzanne Hartwig, niece ofAlice Scherer; Wegi Stewart, Executive Director, Richland Foundation;and Claire Gillett, Scherer Scholar, gather at the “Investing in ourFuture Campaign” announcement on April 29, 2009.8 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsFaculty SpotlightProfessor Karen BeckerRichland Community College Alumni NewsletterProfessor Karen Becker teaches Englishcomposition, literature, and filmstudies at Richland Community College.She is recognized as a distinguishedscholar, inspiring teacher, and experiencedadministrator.Professor Becker began her teachingcareer at Richland Community College in1983 as an adjunct instructor. During thistime, she also taught as an adjunct instructorat Millikin University. In 1988, Richland’sBoard of Trustees approved Professor Beckerfor a full-time, tenured faculty position.She received her B.A. and M.A. in Englishfrom Kansas State University and ABD inEnglish from the University of Missouri.Professor Becker’s passion for teachingand enthusiasm for movies led her to expandlearning opportunities for students by developing Richland’sfirst film class in 1988, which she continues to teach.In 1991, colleagues and students honored Professor Beckerwith the title of Faculty Member of the Year. Currently, sheserves as the President of the Richland Federation of Teachersand served in this position two times previously. From 1995-1997, Professor Becker served as Richland’s first representativeon the Faculty Advisory Committee to the Illinois Board ofHigher Education. Service on this committeeis considered an honor because the FacultyAdvisory Committee to the Illinois Board ofHigher Education only selects community collegerepresentatives every 30 years. From 1999-2002,Professor Becker’s career at Richland continuedas she served as the Academic Director of theCommunications Division.Professor Becker also plays an important rolein the community, as she is active in the DecaturFriends of the Library and currently serves asPresident of this organization.Richland Community College has alwaysbeen a family affair for the Beckers. Her latehusband, Dr. Stephen Becker, served on theRichland Board of Trustees from 1997 to 2001.Both children, Bryan and Kathleen, attendedthe Richland Child Development Center and areRichland graduates. Bryan graduated in 2009 and Kathleengraduated in 2006. Kathleen also graduated May 2009 fromthe University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana.During the rare time when Professor Becker is not teaching,she enjoys reading, watching movies, working out at theYMCA, and playing bridge. She also has visited Englandtwice, and if independently wealthy, she would visit Londonevery year! If you would like to contact Professor Karen Becker,please email her at kbecker@richland.edu.U.S. Senator Dick Durbin Visits CampusRichland Community College was honored when U.S. Senator DickDurbin visited campus April 16 to hear firsthand from displacedworkers who are being retrained with federal stimulus dollars distributed byWorkforce Investment Solutions. Displaced workers shared their personaland work situations; where they were laid off from; what type of training theyare receiving at Richland; and how they are dealing with the situation. Manyof the displaced workers with young families are struggling with providinginsurance coverage. The Senator also visited classrooms where studentstalked with him about their specific training. Displaced workers expressedtheir genuine appreciation for the stimulus funding that is providing them anopportunity to retrain.10 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsRichland Community College Alumni NewsletterRichland Community CollegeOpens Fairview Park Plaza CenterRichland Community College hosted an open house on March 5 to celebratethe grand opening of its new Fairview Park Plaza Center at 1485 W. KingStreet in Decatur. This new Center is seen as an opportunity to reach out toDecatur’s West side, consolidate current activities in the area, and initiate newprograms directed to allage groups.The spacious newCenter houses threeclassrooms and aconference room. Noncreditcourse offeringsrange from ComputerClasses to BallroomDancing to DaleCarnegie Seminars.Class time varies from 8 a.m. to evening. Summer credit classes were offeredin drama, education, English, math, art, sociology and psychology. For moreinformation regarding future classes, contact Ron Wilson at 217.875.7211,Ext. 220, or 217.462.0480. For a schedule of courses, visit richland.edu/cpe.& AlumniAlumni & Friends newsletter is produced two times per yearfor alumni and friends of Richland Community College by theFoundation and Office of Alumni Development.StaffFriendsWegi Stewart, Executive Director of Richland FoundationKathy Carter, Director of Scholarships and Alumni DevelopmentKaren Black, Administrative AssistantSpecial thanks to the Marketing DepartmentSteve Vandiver, DirectorJackie Hagan, SecretaryRuthie Gergeni, Design and LayoutHow to Contact UsOffice of Alumni Development, Richland Community CollegeOne College Park | Decatur, IL 62521Telephone: 217.875.7211, Ext. 350/203 | Fax: 217.875.2762alumni.richland.eduRichland Community CollegeBoard of TrusteesAmy Bliefnick, ChairmanDale Colee, Vice ChairmanBruce Campbell, SecretaryRev. Wayne DunningDr. Gayle Saunders, College PresidentRandy PrinceDr. Larry OsborneEmmett SeftonFoundation Board of DirectorsMyung Kim, ChairmanPhil HazenfieldDr. Joseph Schrodt, Vice Chairman Corydon NicholsonGary Jackson, Secretary/Treasurer Thea RobinsonMatthew BeckRuth StaufferMissy ChiligirisFrank ThorpThomas EvansKim TsudaDr. Tom FulbrightRobert YuhasD. Lynn GriderFoundation Ex-Officio MembersDr. Gayle Saunders, College PresidentWegi Stewart, Executive Director of Richland FoundationDale Colee, Board of Trustees Liaison11 Spring/Summer 2009

& AlumniFriendsAlumni ConnectionSince the Richland Community CollegeAlumni Association website waslaunched in 2008, some of the alumni andfriends who have updated their informationinclude:Robert Betts ‘90Rockton, Illinois, is a Professor at RockValley College.Cheryl Bowlby ‘02Maroa, Illinois, is an Insurance Secretary atDowns Insurance Agency, Inc.Shannon (Stout) Brannock ‘08Mt. Zion, Illinois, is a Teller at NationalCity Bank.Faith Brenner ‘80Decatur, Illinois, is an IT Assistant Professorat Richland Community College.Mary (Mitchell) Burrus ‘79Pana, Illinois, is a Teaching Assistant forSpecial Education for Decatur SchoolDistrict #61.Valerie Callihan ‘06Decatur, Illinois is a student at RichlandCommunity College.Dr. Chad M. Cravatta ‘94Phoenix, Arizona, is a Dentist Specializingin Periodontics.Robyn Dunker ‘07Decatur, Illinois, is a Pharmacy Technicianat Walgreens.Russ Gowin ‘04Decatur, Illinois, is a Senior NetworkAdministrator for Deland-WeldonCommunity School District #57.Christopher Hickman ‘08Clinton, Illinois, is a student at Illinois StateUniversity.Elizabeth Jackson ‘95Decatur, Illinois, is an Online SupportTechnician at Richland Community College.Douglas Kirk, Jr. ‘04Argenta, Illinois, is a Maintenance Workerat Caterpillar.Marguerite Kirk ‘97Decatur, Illinois, is a Senior Accountantwith Sleeper, Disbrow, Morrison, Tarro &Lively, LLC.Kristina Lane ‘08Clinton, Illinois, is a student at Illinois StateUniversity.Jeffrey Lynch ‘95Decatur, Illinois, is an EngineeringTechnican with URS Corporation, CATFacilities Engineering.Angela Michael ‘95Decatur, Illinois, is a Registered Nursefor Dr. Benjamin Brooks.Thomas Michael ‘93Decatur, Illinois, is a carpenter with KellyConstruction.Richland Community College Alumni NewsletterShirley Moore ‘85Decatur, Illinois, is a GREAT CommunityVolunteer.Corletta Murray ‘99Decatur, Illinois, is a Special EducationTeaching Assistant with Decatur PublicSchool District #61.Kimberly (Carpenter) Rummer ‘03Forsyth, Illinois, is a Special EducationTeacher with Maroa-Forsyth Schools.Lori Sapp ‘96Decatur, Illinois, is a Child CareAssistant Director at the YMCA.Debra Sowa ‘99Decatur, Illinois, is an Elder AbuseInvestigator for CHELP.`Renee (Blakeman) Stivers ‘06Oakley, Illinois, is Director of Partners inEducation.*Nancy (Gowin) SullivanOakley, Illinois, is the Web Services Developer atRichland Community College.F. Kathie (Le Hew) Whitley ‘84Mt. Zion, Illinois, is the Vice President ofEmployee and Labor Relations at ArcherDaniels Midland Company.James Vincent Wright ‘79Decatur, Illinois, is a Staff PhysicianAssistant with St. Mary’s Rock SpringsFamily Medical Center.Erin Finger ‘05Clinton, Illinois, is a Teacher for ClintonCommunity School District.Penny Govro ‘89Decatur, Illinois, is a free-lance photographer.Christy Miller ‘01Champaign, Illinois, is a CertifiedSurgical Technologist/First Assistant atCarle Foundation Hospital.*indicates Friends of RichlandPlease update your alumni information athttp://alumni.richland.edu and receive yourFREE membership card that will allow youmany benefits!Do YouHave Suggestions?Look for the next Alumni & Friends newsletter this winter. View upcoming events at alumni.richland.edu/events . If you have suggestions for Alumni events, we would like to hear your ideas.Please contact the Richland Community College Alumni Development Office at 217.875.7211,Ext. 350.12 Spring/Summer 2009