THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI
SUMMER 2022
One Laker Nation
TWO NON-TRADITIONAL ALUMNI'S PATHS BRING THEM BACK TO LAKE LAND IN LEADERSHIP ROLES
READ ABOUT HOW LAKE LAND IMPACTED THEIR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES
Fellow Alumni:
This past year has been a great year bouncing back from the pandemic. We were able to enjoy many fun and exciting opportunities. Over the past year, the Alumni Association Board was able to meet in-person quarterly, the College Advancement staff brought back the annual Foundation Golf Classic held in September, and the whole campus celebrated the return of our in-person commencement. It was an incredible year seeing everyone’s smiles again. Whether you are one of the first to graduate in 1968 or a member of the Class of 2022, we welcome you into One Laker Nation. For those who have earned at least one credit hour, know that you are also a valued alumnus of Lake Land College. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as president of the Alumni Board for 2021-2022 and look forward to serving another term as the board leads the organization into the future. Please like our Facebook page to stay connected and see how and when you can join us. You can also stay updated with upcoming events and opportunities by subscribing to our YouTube Channel and visiting our Alumni webpage. There is always something for everyone at Lake Land College, and that continues after graduation. NATE DRAGOVAN LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2004 Lake Land College Alumni Board President .COM/LAKELANDCOLLEGEFOUNDATIONANDALUMNI
STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR ALMA MATER! Update your information to receive the monthly Alumni e-newsletter at lakelandcollege.edu/alumni.
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Contact
AMANDA TUCKER Laker Nation Class of 2015 Alumni Engagement & Special Events Coordinator 217-234-5376
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SUMMER 2022
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ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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WELCOME LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2022
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INSPIRED TO ACHIEVE THE PATH FROM INCARCERATION TO EDUCATOR
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LAKER ALUMNI FIND SUCCESS AT LAKE LAND COLLEGE
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10 LAKER ALUMS FIND LOVE ON CAMPUS AND FLOURISH PROFESSIONALLY AFTER LAKE LAND 12 THE ULTIMATE HONOR SHARING HER ART THROUGH TATTOOS 14 FROM GRAPHIC NOVEL TO FILM: ALUMNUS ACHIEVES DREAM OF BECOMING A STORYTELLER
Make a gift
To make a gift to the Lake Land College Foundation that supports students and college programs, call 217-234-5363 or visit lakelandcollege.edu and look for the “Give” button at the top right of the homepage.
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
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.
LAKE LAND COLLEGE IS COMMITTED
to developing and maintaining an environment for students, employees and college community that embraces and actively supports diversity, equity and inclusion. We aspire to be an institution where the quality of education and work environment are enhanced and enriched by an inclusive campus community that encourages multiple perspectives and the free exchange of ideas.
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!
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LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2022
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Inspired to Achieve
THE PATH FROM INCARCERATION TO EDUCATOR 6 LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI s LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI
TWENTY YEARS AGO,
not apply herself as well as she could have, she said without taking the initial course during her incarceration, she did not know if she would have had the confidence to continue her education.
Elizabeth Cruz began her educational journey with a Lake Land College course while incarcerated. Today she is an adjunct faculty in the psychology and "LIFE CAN TAKE human services departments at YOU BEYOND YOUR one of the largest WILDEST DREAMS, community colleges BUT YOU CAN’T in Illinois as well as ALLOW YOUR PAST working with the EXPERIENCES TO Women’s Justice DICTATE WHAT WILL Institute to assist HAPPEN IN YOUR women before and FUTURE." after their release -CRUZ from prison. “My journey has been amazing only because I have been given these incredible opportunities,” Cruz said. “Education inside of prison is extremely challenging, because incarceration is such an ongoing traumatic event.” Upon her release, Cruz went on to earn associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Because Cruz said she graduated from high school with all Ds and did
“I was always so excited to go to class,” Cruz said. “I was in a really bad space when I was incarcerated, so knowing that I was working toward bettering myself for my future gave me the hope that I could succeed after I was out as well.”
Cruz now works with the Women’s Justice Institute to redefine the narrative of mass incarceration of women as well as advocate for and give voices to currently and formerly incarcerated women. The institute also works with Sandra Brown, who was the first woman in Illinois history to earn her master's degree while incarcerated.
“There is so much hope for people to come out of prison and do whatever they set their minds to,” Cruz said. “A lot of people have the perception that they can’t be successful after incarceration, but that simply isn’t true. There is a world of possibility out there.” As an instructor, Cruz said she draws upon her past experiences to educate her students as well as takes the opportunities to learn from them. “I always tell my students ‘I hope the student in me brings out the teacher in you’,” Cruz said. “I’ll teach things and think ‘I remember when I was a student taking these classes.’ Life can take you beyond your wildest dreams, but you can’t allow your past experiences to dictate what will happen in your future.”
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LAKE LAND COLLEGE
Vice President for Student Services Valerie Lynch and Vice President for Academic Services Ikemefuna Nwosu are both proud Lake Land College alumni as well as enthusiastic employees. Both shared how their Lake Land College experiences helped them develop in their roles and careers within and beyond the college.
I am so glad because I ended up loving Lake Land.” Lynch would go on to take classes at any times or places she was able, spending weekends, evenings and summers completing her degree and even participating in one of the earliest online classes. “I graduated at the same time as my peers and went right on to a university,” Lynch said. “If I didn’t have the support system that I did, I likely would not have finished.”
“Lake Land really showed me what I would want to give to students in the future in terms of support and connection,” Lynch Nwosu expressed a similar said. “I have been a student at sentiment, saying Lake Land three institutions other than Lake was a “springboard” that Land, and I can say that the level challenged him to greater of genuine care heights. A welcoming “I REMEMBER THINKING spirit was the most and comfort I felt during my time as a ‘MAN, THIS IS HEAVEN.' prominent aspect I HAD BEEN TO OTHER Nwosu experienced Lake Land student UNIVERSITIES, BUT topped the charts.” as a student, and he FROM THE BEGINNING AT LAKE LAND THERE said his goal is to give Not only was Lynch back to his students in WAS A WORLD OF a first-generation the same way. DIFFERENCE." college student, she -NWOSU had a child to care “When my students for and no reliable transportation walk into my classroom, my first when she began her Lake Land priority is to make them feel journey. The first day of Lynch’s welcome,” Nwosu said. “My college career may have fallen transition from Zambia to here short of what she had hoped, was a huge challenge. I was able but she was able to persevere to assimilate, but I still had a lot through her first day challenges of other challenges, including to find success. finances. I remember how I would walk through Walmart at “I walked into my very first 10 p.m. just to dream of things I class and tripped over a cord,” couldn’t afford.” Lynch said. “My books went everywhere, and I was mortified. Nwosu was involved in several I just collected them and left the activities and groups, such as class thinking ‘I don’t belong Student Government Association here.’ I was ready to leave, but and tutoring. Upon nearing my dad talked me out of it. completion of his time at 8 LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI s LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI
Lake Land, Nwosu asked faculty members for suggestions on how to proceed, eventually leading to his pursuit of a master’s degree. “I remember thinking ‘Man, this is heaven,’” Nwosu said. “I had been to other universities, but from the beginning at Lake Land there was a world of difference. It’s just a very different culture.” As a person of color, Nwosu said he was also deeply appreciative of being made to feel supported, safe and comfortable during his time on campus. “As a black male in 2002, I always felt I was an ambassador in my role,” Nwosu said. “But even when I first came to Lake Land I felt very safe, respected and heard. Because I was related to that way, I feel it is important for us to continue to think about how we all relate to one another as human beings.” Having overcome several barriers as well, Lynch said she has never been made to feel any less than empowered in her position at Lake Land. “I was not expecting to be in this role at this point,” Lynch said. “As a young mom, a first generation student, a woman…I started out with a lot of barriers, and Lake Land taught me that it doesn’t matter. Every time you break down a barrier to success it becomes easier, and the people who supported me during my time at Lake Land and beyond helped me to stay motivated and have confidence.”
Laker Alumni Find Success AT LAKE LAND COLLEGE
"EVERY TIME YOU BREAK DOWN A BARRIER TO SUCCESS IT BECOMES EASIER, AND THE PEOPLE WHO SUPPORTED ME DURING MY TIME AT LAKE LAND AND BEYOND HELPED ME TO STAY MOTIVATED AND HAVE CONFIDENCE." -LYNCH
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Laker Alums Find Love on Campus
AND FLOURISH PROFESSIONALLY AFTER LAKE LAND THE SAME ENTHUSIASM,
commitment and desire to make a difference that led Todd Rauch and then Ali Vice to succeed as student leaders at Lake Land College have propelled them through outstanding careers in Opelika, Alabama, where they continue to make a difference in their professions and community. The Rauches met at Lake Land in 2006 when they served on the Student Government Association and were instrumental in the building of the Lake Land College Fitness
Center. Ali was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Todd served as the 2006-2007 Student Trustee. They are the only couple to have married on campus. Today, Todd Rauch is a city council member for the City of Opelika, in Alabama, serving his constituents as their elected representative in the legislative branch of Opelika's Municipal Government, which is the policy-making body. He was recently named to Business Alabama's Movers & Shapers list.
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At the age of 17, Todd joined the military and two years later was deployed to Iraq where he was wounded. He returned to the states at age 20 to spend the next two years living at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During this time he created a music therapy program to help wounded soldiers. It was immediately following this experience that Todd enrolled at Lake Land College and earned an associate degree. Upon completion, he transferred to Auburn University, graduated and went on to become an intelligence
specialist and have a top secret TSSCI security clearance, and worked to make a difference for Aviation & Missile Command before moving on to his current career path. Ali serves as president & CEO of the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, a membership organization that acts as the voice for business for almost 20,000 employees across Opelika and the surrounding area. Most recently, she led the Opelika Chamber to join the top 3% of Chambers nationwide, earning a five-star accreditation for their sound
Ali was a first-generation business practices through the college student at Lake Land as US Chamber of Commerce. was the first in her Ali was named “ALTHOUGH WE DID family to earn an to, "Alabama's HAVE THE PLEASURE associate degree Movers & Shapers 2021.” In OF MEETING, FALLING and transfer on to her previous role IN LOVE AND GETTING earn a bachelor’s MARRIED ON THIS at Southern at Chicken Salad Chick, she was CAMPUS, OUR LOVE FOR Illinois University, also named to LAKE LAND COLLEGE Edwardsville. She 2019's Women in AND THE IMPACT IT’S began working at the age of 12 and the Lead by Fast HAD ON OUR LIVES by her senior year Casual Magazine, SPREADS WELL BEYOND of high school had and QSR OUR RELATIONSHIP.” three simultaneous Magazines 15 jobs. Young Restaurant -A. RAUCH Leaders to Watch in 2020.
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The Rauches' 2009 wedding in the Laker Field House.
SCAN THIS QR CODE FOR A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE RAUCHES' STORY! LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI s 217-234-5376
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KRIS EVANS HAS ENJOYED
creating art for as long as she can remember. After deciding to pursue art as a career, Evans completed an associate degree in art at Lake Land College, and she now works as a tattoo artist at Vintage Karma in Tuscola.
“Jodi and Ben make an amazing art department,” Evans said. “They have such a well-rounded program, especially for having the students for such a short amount of time. I learned a ton from them, everything from color theory to ceramics and everything in between.”
During her time at Lake Land, Before working as a tattoo Evans received the Walter and artist, Evans enjoyed creating Lola Stevenson Cole Endowed paintings such as pet portraits Scholarship and the Laura or murals. Traue Scholarship, and However, Evans “MY SCHOLARSHIPS she said these made said she had all the difference in her WERE THE wanted to path to success. DIFFERENCE pursue a career BETWEEN ME BEING as a tattoo artist ABLE TO ATTEND “Receiving for a while. scholarships is what SCHOOL WHILE allowed me to go to WORKING FULL “I just think it’s school and get my TIME, AND NOT associate degree, so cool to have GOING AT ALL.” otherwise I probably people walking around with your -EVANS wouldn’t have art on them,” gone,” Evans said. Evans said. “I feel like that’s “My scholarships were the the ultimate honor, putting difference between me being your art on someone’s body.” able to attend school while working full time, and not Evans praised the art program going at all.” at Lake Land, saying it was obvious that the instructors As for the stigma surrounding are very knowledgeable in the tattoo industry, Evans said their fields. it is important to remember
that tattooing is not only an art form, it is also a form of self-expression. “Some tattoos have specific meanings, and some don’t, it just depends on the person,” Evans said. “Regardless, you can’t let people hurt your feelings. Ultimately it’s a very unique, personal experience.” Evans credited much of her success to her experience at Lake Land and offered some advice to current and future art program students. “I love Lake Land. Honestly, I have been to a lot more expensive schools, and I got a lot more out of my time at Lake Land,” Evans said. “My advice to students, especially in the art program, would be to be receptive of critique. You wouldn’t be there if you didn’t want to be better.”
Ways to give TO THE FOUNDATION GENERAL SCHOLARSHIPS
ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
SPECIALIZED FUNDS
ANNUAL GIFTS
Visit lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/giving or call 217-234-5363 for more information on ways to give a gift. 12 LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI s LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI
The Ultimate Honor
SHARING HER ART THROUGH TATTOOS
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FROM GRAPHIC NOVEL TO FILM:
Alumnus Achieves Dream OF BECOMING A STORYTELLER
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AUTHOR AND LAKE LAND ALUMNUS GRANT CHASTAIN
saw characters he had written brought to life on the big screen in the recent Tubi original film “Corrective Measures” starring talents of Bruce Willis, Michael Rooker, Dan Payne, Brennan Mejia, Tom Cavanagh and more.
“When I found out Bruce Willis had selected my story as the one that resonated with him the most, it was very surreal. I remember thinking ‘Wow! Mr. Die Hard wants to be a part of something I wrote.’” Chastain went on to praise the talents of many of the other film stars as well, saying he could “go on and on” about how “at every turn, they did an amazing job.”
Based on the graphic novels “Sometimes it felt like of the same name written being in a time capsule,” by Chastain, the film follows Chastain said. “I characters "WHEN I FOUND OUT would remember the within a BRUCE WILLIS HAD occasional humdrum supervillain SELECTED MY STORY conversations that prison. led to developing AS THE ONE THAT these stories, and I’m “It is still super RESONATED WITH just so grateful to be gratifying HIM THE MOST, IT where I am today.” and super WAS VERY SURREAL. humbling to I REMEMBER THINKING One of Chastain’s see these ‘WOW! MR. DIE HARD biggest inspirations incredible actors breathe WANTS TO BE A PART he said came in the OF SOMETHING form of now-retired life into Lake Land College I WROTE.'" characters I English Instructor had only ever - CHASTAIN John Bennett. seen in my head,” Chastain said.
“[Bennett] helped me recognize things I still use today about structure and how things between point A and point B add up,” Chastain said. “He taught me that whatever streets you’re taking are not wrong. Even if you back up and take a different route, there is value in knowing what would happen if you had gone down the other.” Chastain said he is grateful for his higher education experience because it was a fundamental part of his growth as a person. “My time at Lake Land allowed me to have exposure to ideas and things I otherwise wouldn’t have, so I am very grateful for all of the things I took away from my college experience,” Chastain said. “I never wanted to be anything but a storyteller, and Lake Land College played a crucial role in getting me to that outcome.”
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