THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI
FALL 2020
ONE LAKER NATION
WELCOME LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2020 A REWARDING CAREER HELPING PEOPLE AS A SURGEON CELEBRATING 50 YEARS FROM ENTREPRENEUR TO SCHOOL FOUNDER: LIGHTING PATHS FOR OTHERS OPENING DOORS TO OTHERS THROUGH GIVING FROM THE LAKER BASKETBALL COURT TO NCAA DIVISION 1 ASSISTANT: MAKING A CAREER OUT OF A PASSION
FELLOW ALUMNI: This past year was very exciting for Lake Land College and One Laker Nation as we hosted the fourth annual Laker Homecoming. Many alumni attended various events during Homecoming week and reconnected with the college. The weeklong Homecoming celebration consisted of an Athletic Alumni Reception, Alumni Recognition Banquet honoring new inductees into the Distinguished Alumni Society, and Athletic Hall of Fame. It ended with an outdoor concert and classic car show in Alumni Park. Whether you are one of the first to graduate in 1968 or a member of the Class of 2020, we welcome you to One Laker Nation. For those of you that have earned at least one credit hour, you should know that you also are a valued alumnus of Lake Land College. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as president of the Alumni Board for 2019-2020 and look forward to serving another year as president and leading the organization in the coming year. Please keep in touch and see how, and when, you can join us. There is always something for everyone at Lake Land, and that continues after graduation. We’ll share information through Facebook and the Alumni website. Go Lakers! RUDY HUBER LAKER NATION CLASS OF 1976 Lake Land College Alumni Board President .COM/LAKELANDCOLLEGEFOUNDATIONANDALUMNI
INTRODUCING STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR ALMA MATER! Update your information to receive the monthly Alumni e-newsletter at lakelandcollege.edu/alumni.
AMANDA TUCKER Alumni Engagement & Special Events Coordinator Laker Nation Class of 2015
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FALL 2020
CONTENTS 2 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 4
WELCOME LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2020
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NEW FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI CENTER NEARING COMPLETION TO OPEN THIS FALL
6 A REWARDING CAREER HELPING PEOPLE AS A SURGEON 8
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CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
10 FROM ENTREPRENEUR TO SCHOOL FOUNDER: LIGHTING PATHS FOR OTHERS 12 OPENING DOORS TO OTHERS THROUGH GIVING 14
FROM THE LAKER BASKETBALL COURT TO NCAA DIVISION 1 ASSISTANT: MAKING A CAREER OUT OF A PASSION
MAKE A GIFT To make a gift to the Lake Land College Foundation that supports students and college programs, call 217-234-5354 or visit lakelandcollege.edu and look for the “Give” button at the top right of the homepage.
LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Lake Land College Alumni Association is multifaceted. First, the Association endeavors to foster relationships that promote the Association. Secondly, the Association recognizes current and future alumni and help promote Lake Land College. Lastly, the Association will accomplish its mission by being visible, supportive of students, building loyalty to the Lake Land brand and promoting a positive learning experience.
ONE LAKER NATION MAGAZINE
Is published annually for the alumni of Lake Land College in coordination with the Lake Land College Alumni Association and Marketing & Public Relations. Views and opinions expressed by individuals in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of Lake Land College. For inquiries, please contact Marketing & Public Relations at 217-234-5215. EDITOR: Kelly Allee GRAPHIC DESIGNER: Megan Nelson, Laker Nation Class of 2006 WRITER: Mercury Bowen
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Lake Land College is committed to maintaining a working and learning environment that promotes equal opportunity and affirmative action and that is free from unlawful discrimination and harassment. It is the policy of Lake Land College not to engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital or civil union status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any basis of discrimination precluded by applicable federal and state statutes. This policy applies to admission and access to and participation, treatment and employment in the College’s programs, activities, and services. The following campus office is assigned the responsibility for ensuring compliance with this policy as well as federal and state statutes and regulations concerning affirmative action and equal access: Office of the Director of Human Resources 217-234-5210. Human Resources Office Complaint forms and procedures for filing can be obtained through Counseling Services or Human Resources. In addition, these offices will maintain current copies of appropriate laws, regulations, and policies.
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WE WELCOME OUR NEWEST ALUMNI
LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2020
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DR. JOSH BULLOCK, LAKE LAND COLLEGE PRESIDENT, TOOK THE FIRST STEP TOWARD DEMOLISHING THE BOOKSTORE. ORIGINALLY CONSTRUCTED AS A TEMPORARY BUILDING, THE POLE BARN HOUSED THE BOOKSTORE AND SEVERAL OFFICES OVER THE YEARS.
NEW FOUNDATION AND ALUMNI CENTER
NEARING COMPLETION TO OPEN THIS FALL WITH CONSTRUCTION NEARING COMPLETION,
the new Lake Land College Foundation and Alumni Center will soon be ready to serve as a welcoming place for alumni and foundation guests.
Not only will the building offer a large space for meetings, receptions and small banquets, it will also provide a central location for the college advancement staff. With the nearly 44-year-old bookstore demolished in early January after the Laker Nest bookstore was relocated to the Luther Student Center, the
Foundation and Alumni Center will link inner campus to Alumni Park and cultivate a connection between current Lakers and Alumni as they pass by the building. Just in time for the Lake Land College Foundation’s 50TH anniversary, completion is tentatively scheduled for early fall.
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ONE OF DR. BIERMAN’S MOST REWARDING MOMENTS WAS GRADUATING FROM RESIDENCY, KNOWING HE WAS RETURNING TO THE AREA TO LAUNCH HIS MEDICAL CAREER.
A REWARDING CAREER
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LAKE LAND COLLEGE IS A PLACE FOR LEARNING
as well as self-discovery, and Dr. Todd Bierman, Laker Nation Class of 2008, did just that during his time here. Initially intending to major in engineering, it was during Bierman’s time at Lake Land College that his interest shifted to medicine.
surgery. Patients come in with a problem. I fix it. They go home. It’s very rewarding to see that almost immediate difference.” Bierman praised Lake Land for being a stepping stone in his career path as well as allowing him to get involved in different programs such as Student Ambassadors while still having fun with his friends.
“There are always tons of things to do,“ Bierman said. “It’s just a neat atmosphere. It made my transition Now working as a general surgeon much easier, and it allowed me at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health to build my resume. It’s not just Center, Bierman said he is glad to medicine, it’s any career path that be back home. Having joined the you choose. A junior college is surgical staff in September 2019, more affordable. It’s usually closer Bierman said his surgery schedule to home. It’s more of a community had just started to pick up when feel where everyone cares about the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Even each other, and everyone wants in such unusual circumstances to see you succeed. It’s probably however, one of the smartest Bierman said “IT’S SO EASY TO STAY decisions I made in my he has no academic career.” trouble staying MOTIVATED WHEN I LOVE motivated in his COMING IN TO WORK Continuing to work. AND SEEING PATIENTS. praise Lake Land,
Bierman expressed I’M VERY FORTUNATE “When I’m on his appreciation for THAT MOST OF THE call there are still Chemistry Instructor things that come TIME WHEN I’M HELPING Greg Capitosti. in that I need to PATIENTS, I CAN SEE A take care of,” TANGIBLE DIFFERENCE.” “I had (Capitosti) pretty Bierman said. “It much the entire time -BIERMAN helps that I love I was at Lake Land,” what I do. That’s Bierman said. “The classes I had part of the reason I chose this with him were hard, but he made career. It’s not monotonous. Every them enjoyable. When I think of day is different. It’s so easy to stay any of my teachers from college, motivated when I love coming in it’s him that stood out. I liked his to work and seeing patients. I’m teaching style. He took something very fortunate that most of the that was so hard and made it time when I’m helping patients, enjoyable.” I can see a tangible difference. That’s kind of the beauty of
Bierman said one of his most rewarding moments was when he graduated from residency. Having already signed a contract to work at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center one year before completing residency, Bierman said it was a good feeling knowing he already had a job lined up and was going home. No stranger to the area, Bierman grew up on a farm near Dieterich. Graduating from Newton High School in 2006, he enrolled at Lake Land College where his career journey began. Earning an associate degree in biology, Bierman went on to graduate from Saint Louis University with a bachelor’s degree in biology. He then completed a rural medicine program through the University of Illinois Chicago and did residency for five years at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, Alabama. “I’ve had a lot of other physicians approach me having seen that I attended Lake Land College and say ‘I saw that you went to a junior college, can you convince my kids that it’s okay to go to a junior college and not straight to a four-year university?’” Bierman said. “I’m always like ‘SURE!’ The amount of money I saved and the experiences and study habits I gained helped push me through to where I am now.”
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CELEBRATING
50 YEARS
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THE LAKE LAND COLLEGE FOUNDATION IS CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
of connecting, inspiring and giving for Lake Land College! The Foundation is a nonprofit corporation that assists the college in developing and enhancing educational opportunities and services to students, alumni and citizens of the district. The Foundation administers general and academic scholarships, which have been made available by contributions, gifts, grants and bequests.
running smoothly and discussions for campus buildings underway, a group of Lake Land supporters formed the Foundation. “An original Foundation brochure published on the College’s Living Archive website states, because many persons and groups have shown an interest in providing scholarships and student loan funds, the Lake Land College Foundation was formed and exists to provide an organized, legal agency through which individuals and organizations may invest in the future of their community, state, and nation through education.” Officially organized September 23, 1970, the Lake Land College Foundation was created exclusively for educational, scientific, and cultural purposes to assist in developing and fostering scholarships and charitable activities. Upon receiving a certificate of incorporation from the Illinois Secretary of State, 40 people from across the district met to elect Foundation officers and establish an active organization.
LAST YEAR THE FOUNDATION AWARDED NEARLY 500 SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
Since its creation 50 years ago, the Lake Land College Foundation has provided assistance and support to many areas of Lake Land College. Last year the Foundation awarded nearly 500 scholarships to students in need of financial assistance. The Foundation has also assisted with many recent campus projects such as purchasing new scoreboards for the Field House and athletic fields and a new injection mold machine for workforce development in 2018. Last year, the Foundation funded a Veterans Memorial honoring student veterans and their relationship to Lake Land College.
Mrs. James Honnold was elected first president of the Foundation, and the cabinet included then Dean of Business
Affairs Tim Helton and Dr. Robert Webb, superintendent and future college president. The Foundation’s first donation was a $1,000 check from Mrs. Virginia Cater. The money was used to establish the John W. Hawk Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Cater’s uncle. Hawk was a respected Shelbyville man who was active in Boy Scouts and youth programs as well as being a leader in community betterment activities. The Foundation is headed by a board of directors, comprised of community members. The 19-member board of directors oversees the holding, investing, managing, and awarding of Foundation assets. Just in time for its 50TH anniversary, the Foundation will be receiving a new home on campus. The new Lake Land College Foundation and Alumni Center will soon be ready to serve as a welcoming place for alumni and foundation guests as well as providing a central location for the college advancement staff. LEFT: Students gather with friends in the Luther Student Center in the 1980s and in the new addition in 2019.
The Dr. William & Margaret Podestá Park on campus was another project created by the Foundation from funds given by the Podestá family many years ago. The park contains walking path as well as an eagle sculpture that is a great addition to the campus. With college operations LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI s 217-234-5376
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LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNA KRISTIE CAMPBELL
saying she believes much of her success has to do with her time here.
“The people who teach at Lake has led quite a remarkable life. Land College are very interested From becoming an entrepreneur in in teaching,” Campbell said. “I just the restaurant business to starting had the greatest experience, and an alternative education school, it really helped springboard me Campbell ambitiously forward in my education “I JUST HAD pursued her dreams and career path. I got from an early age. THE GREATEST pretty well straight As in EXPERIENCE, AND college, and I think a lot Having dropped out IT REALLY HELPED of that had to do with of high school at age the foundation I received SPRINGBOARD ME 16, Campbell’s path at Lake Land.” to a bachelor’s degree FORWARD IN MY included Boston EDUCATION AND After getting married, University, Lake Land CAREER PATH.” Campbell and her College, Duke’s Marine husband opened The -CAMPBELL Lab and eventually the Firefly Grill in Effingham, University of Miami, named for Campbell’s where she finished with a double memories of catching fireflies major in math and biology. in her grandmother’s backyard. Deciding to raise their daughter “Of all of those college Camden in the community, experiences, I can tell you Lake the Campbells struggled with Land was hands down the best,” decisions about her education. Campbell said. “I learned more in those two semesters than probably “Though it would have been all the other schools combined.” much easier to homeschool my daughter, once I got so far into Campbell offered many words of the research I realized there was praise about Lake Land College, really a need in our community,”
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Campbell said. “We need to evolve the way we’re educating our children to prepare them for the modern workplace. The reality is that two out of three kids in grade school today will be working in jobs that haven’t been invented yet, and that number is just going to increase.” Campbell’s solution was the Buckeye Friends School, an alternative education school that focuses on cultivating children’s natural creativity, curiosity and motivation to learn. “What we believe at Buckeye is that there’s no way we can prepare our kids for this rapidly evolving future by doing what we’ve done in the past,” Campbell said. “We focus on what’s called ‘desirable difficulties.’ We are not interested in removing obstacles from our kids’ paths. We want to help them cultivate the skills and the courage to move through those obstacles, because ultimately that’s the best way for the human brain to learn.”
AS FOUNDER OF BOTH THE FIREFLY GRILL AND THE BUCKEYE FRIENDS SCHOOL, CAMPBELL CONTINUES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FUTURE OF TODAY'S YOUTH.
FROM ENTREPRENEUR TO SCHOOL FOUNDER:
LIGHTING PATHS FOR OTHERS
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ONE ALUMNA’S SERVICE AND GENEROSITY OPENS DOORS TO STUDENTS.
OPENING DOORS TO OTHERS
THROUGH GIVING
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JENNIFER JANSEN
of Effingham has made helping others a priority in her life. Be it caring for her family, assisting on boards or coaching junior high girls’ basketball, Jansen has shown her concern for others in many ways. One of these is a scholarship created to assist Lake Land College students who may be otherwise unable to attend college.
“I do not think it would have been possible for me to take classes if I had to drive to Mattoon,” Jansen said. “I will always be grateful for the opportunity I had to take classes on a schedule that allowed me to be home with my children, work part time and be a part-time student.” Jansen said her life growing up was difficult, though she never knew it at the time. It was the difficulties she overcame that planted the desire to help others in her heart. Following that desire, Jansen said she has always tried to help the community by serving on boards directly related to assisting children and families in need.
“I am extremely honored to be able to assist students who, like myself, would not be able to attend college without financial assistance,” Jansen said. “Each year my husband and I receive thank you letters from students who have been awarded our scholarship. The letters are always “EACH YEAR MY HUSBAND AND I RECEIVE THANK filled with so much gratitude YOU LETTERS FROM and appreciation STUDENTS WHO HAVE for our financial BEEN AWARDED OUR assistance. SCHOLARSHIP. THE It is very LETTERS ARE ALWAYS heartwarming.”
FILLED WITH SO MUCH
“Growing up, we did what we needed to do to survive,” Jansen said. “Now I am fortunate to be able to give back to our community, and I am so very grateful for all the board members I have served with over the years.
When her children GRATITUDE AND were young, APPRECIATION FOR OUR Jansen chose FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. IT One board Jansen to continue her education at Lake IS VERY HEARTWARMING” served on was the Lake Land College Land College. -JANSEN Foundation Board. Taking one or two Having joined a group of people classes at a time because she was dedicated to the success of the also coaching the inaugural junior Foundation and making certain high girls’ basketball team at St. as many students received Anthony High School, Jansen was scholarships as possible, Jansen able to earn a second associate found she most enjoyed reading degree and went on to graduate from Eastern Illinois University with scholarship applications of a bachelor’s degree in psychology. students who desperately wanted to attend college but needed Jansen said the then newly financial assistance to do so. constructed Kluthe Center was a major factor in her ability to take “So many of the applications classes at Lake Land. brought tears to my eyes,”
Jansen said. “I had to work to support myself and put myself through college, and the stories of these students reminded me of experiences similar to mine.” Looking back, Jansen said she would not change anything about her life. With each phase of her life from early childhood to the present helping to shape who she is today, Jansen did say she would offer a bit of advice to her past self. “Don’t be afraid to fail,” Jansen said. “Failure builds character if you accept it for what it is. You will never know what could have been if you don’t keep trying.” Jansen also went on to express her gratitude to the Lake Land College community supporters. Prior to serving on the Foundation Board, Jansen said she had only served on non-profit boards in Effingham County and she thought the Effingham community was the most giving community around. During her time on the Foundation Board, however, Jansen said she learned that every community in the district is equally as generous. “The amount of scholarships the Foundation has to offer is the result of countless people who had either previously attended or were affected by Lake Land College and want to ensure local students can pursue their dreams of attending college,” Jansen said. “I want to personally thank all of the people who support Lake Land College and the Foundation Board. We are truly blessed to be part of such a great institution.”
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DUSTIN YODER, LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2008,
has spent the majority of his life making a career of what he loves: basketball. From his time spent playing with a basketball and hoop as a child to earning his position as an NCAA Division I assistant coach at Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau, Missouri Yoder has continued to dedicate his talent and love for basketball to those he works with on and off the court. “Basketball has been a part of my life from the very beginning,” Yoder said. “I just grew a love for the game, and that ultimately led to me really wanting to work in the field. I know that having a chance to impact society one student athlete at a time is a reason why I love this field so much, and I get to do it all surrounded by my favorite game.” As a two-year letter winner at Lake Land College under junior college basketball Hall of Fame coach Jim Dudley and Coach Cedric Brown, Yoder said his time at Lake Land changed his perspective on his life and the lives of others. “Initially when I went to Lake Land my goal was just to graduate from college and be a high school coach somewhere in Illinois and maybe teach P.E.” Yoder said. “Lake Land provided my first opportunity to see the world differently. When I started really getting to see a different side of the world, I started to take an oath to helping that age group of men become better men. Giving them all that I can with love and support, teaching and coaching and helping them shape their lives in a
positive direction, I get even more out of that than the basketball itself.”
Amid all the excitement and success, Yoder said his proudest moments are ones when he is able to help a player realize his potential.
Graduating with a degree in physical education, Yoder quickly worked his way up the ladder of “When I get to see a kid who had success from student manager to to come to Division II basketball head manager at the University because he didn’t qualify for of Illinois, then assistant coach at Division I, not because he Parkland College in Champaign. wasn’t good enough or wasn’t Next Yoder talented enough but became just academically “I [TOOK] AN OATH graduate didn’t meet Division TO HELPING...MEN assistant and BECOME BETTER MEN. I standards, start to later video turn a corner and GIVING THEM ALL THAT make something of his coordinator at I CAN WITH LOVE AND academics, over all the Kansas State University. SUPPORT, TEACHING AND games we’ve won, is After that he COACHING AND HELPING probably the number took a position THEM SHAPE THEIR LIVES one thing that stands as assistant out to me the most,” coach at NCAA ...I GET EVEN MORE OUT Yoder said. “These OF THAT THAN THE Division II things kind of outweigh University of the wins and losses. “ BASKETBALL ITSELF.” Texas Permian -YODER Basin and Yoder expressed his finally became gratitude to Lake Land associate head coach at NCAA College for providing a strong Division II college Cal State at foundation for his education and San Bernadino before taking his path to his career. current position at SEMO. “I probably wouldn’t have gotten Yoder has also celebrated many into the University of Illinois out of accomplishments and victories as high school, but with the GPA and a coach. Yoder said he’s had teams the associate degree I was able play everywhere from Brazil and to claim at Lake Land I got in,” Italy to Madison Square Garden. Yoder said. “It’s definitely not high While at Kansas State University, school, but Lake Land provides a Yoder’s team won the Big 12 really nice transition for that next regular season title in 2012-2013. path in your life. My two years at Lake Land were two of the best In his two years at Cal State San years of my life. I cherish the years Bernadino, Yoder helped guide a I had there, because I definitely team, that had not had a winning think that they bettered me and basketball team in 10 years, to made me a better student that I having a winning season in his first needed to be to be able to go to year there. And, in his second year, the University of Illinois and be the team had a record of 21-8 and successful there.” made the NCAA tournament. “I’ve been very lucky and very blessed,” Yoder said. “It’s been a fun ride so far.”
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YODER HAS KEPT HIS EYE ON THE BALL FROM DAY ONE, AND NOW HE IS HELPING OTHER YOUNG MEN DO THE SAME
FROM THE LAKER BASKETBALL COURT TO NCAA DIVISION 1 ASSISTANT:
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