Alumni - Richland Community College

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& 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
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Alumni - Richland Community College

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