THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI
SUMMER 2021
ONE LAKER NATION
LAKER WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM WINS NJCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP READ ABOUT THE ROAD TO VICTORY AND OTHER EXCITING ALUMNI UPDATES INSIDE!
FELLOW ALUMNI: This past year has been challenging for all of us in many different ways. Unfortunately, we had to alter or reschedule many of our annual events, but we didn’t let that keep us down. Over the past year, the College Advancement staff moved into the Foundation & Alumni Center. The new building is located northwest of the Luther Student Center and adjacent to our beautiful Alumni Park. The new space provides a state-of-the-art events room that will host many of the Alumni & Foundation events throughout the coming years. Whether you are one of the first to graduate in 1968 or a member of the Class of 2021, 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 am looking forward to serving as president of the Alumni Board for 2021-2022. To stay connected and to see how and when you can join us, please like our Facebook page. You can also stay up to date with upcoming events and opportunities by 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
CONTACT STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR ALMA MATER! Update your information to receive the monthly Alumni e-newsletter at lakelandcollege.edu/alumni.
AMANDA TUCKER
Laker Nation Class of 2015 Alumni Engagement & Special Events Coordinator 217-234-5376 atucker1563@lakelandcollege.edu
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SUMMER 2021
CONTENT 2 ALUMNI BOARD PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 4
WELCOME LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2021
6 ALUMNA GIVES BACK TO LAKE LAND EVERY YEAR SINCE GRADUATING 8
WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A VICTORY
10 ALUMNUS RECEIVES ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR DEDICATION TO PATIENTS
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RADIO-TV PROGRAM CELEBRATES TRADITION WHILE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE
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.
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 2021
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ALUMNA GIVES BACK
TO LAKE LAND EVERY YEAR SINCE GRADUATING
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SINCE HER GRADUATION IN 2016,
Cassidy Strohl (left) has given to the Foundation each year, making 2021 her fifth year as a Foundation donor at only 25 years old.
students and what that money is going toward,” Strohl said. “Then it’s super easy to make the decision to donate and say ‘Yes, this is going to directly impact our community and the students coming to Lake Land.’”
One such student is Harley Barry (right), MVP of “I got a scholarship from the the Women’s Basketball Foundation my senior year of Team’s national high school, championship and it really "NOW THAT I HAVE victory. Barry said helped with GRADUATED AND AM she is grateful for some of the ABLE TO GIVE BACK the gifts of donors extra costs I like Strohl, because FINANCIALLY, I THINK earning scholarships had,” Strohl IT’S IMPORTANT FOR helped to ease a lot said. “Now that I have ME TO GIVE BACK TO of stress for her. graduated WHAT GOT ME WHERE and am able “It really means a I AM." to give back lot,” Barry said. “I -STROHL financially, didn’t really have I think it’s the time to get a important for me to give back job, so having the scholarship to what got me where I am.” allowed me to focus on playing basketball and not Originally having come to worry about my financial Lake Land because she was situation.” uncertain what path she wanted to pursue, Strohl said As she continues her Lake Land was a great place education, Barry said having to discover what she was received a scholarship has passionate about while still not only helped her succeed completing general education while at Lake Land but will courses. help her do so when she transfers to Eastern Illinois For those considering giving, University in the fall as well. Strohl suggested reaching out to the Foundation or “I think not having to worry even researching projects the about my finances as much Foundation is working on. will really help me focus on my academics in my next two “Find out how the donations years,” Barry said. “Even with are directly impacting basketball I was able to keep
my grades up, so it will just make things so much easier for me knowing I got that scholarship.” As an elementary education major, Barry said she believes her experience as a scholarship recipient will provide insight in her future career. “I think it will help me be more reassuring to the students who maybe don’t have as much as others,” Barry said. “I want to be able to be there and support those students. Sometimes knowing there’s someone there supporting you and pushing you can make you try that much harder and achieve more things.” HARLEY BARRY, LAKER NATION CLASS OF 2021 FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT & 2021 NJCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MVP
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WHERE THERE'S A WILL
THERE'S A VICTORY
MARCH 24 Mikayla (Kayla) Sirjord posts to Instagram “be right back – imma go see what it feels like to be a national champion real quick.” MARCH 16 The Lakers were seeded No. 4 when NJCAA canceled the national tournament due to the pandemic.
APRIL 12 Lake Land College Women’s Basketball Team seeded No. 2 in the NJCAA National Tournament. JANUARY 23 APRIL 20 First game of the 2020-21 Women’s Basketball Team season.
APRIL 21
Lakers take down No. 10 seeded USC Salkehatchie Indians 61 - 55 to earn a place in the NJCAA DII Women’s Basketball Final Four. Lakers win first round of the tournament against the No. 15 seeded Lackawanna Falcons 75 - 53, advancing to the NJCAA DII Women’s Basketball Elite Eight. APRIL 23 Lakers defeat No. 6 seeded Parkland Cobras 68 - 47 and advance to the NJCAA DII Women’s Basketball National Championship game.
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ON APRIL 24, THE LAKE LAND COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM CELEBRATED the first National Championship victory in Lake Land history.
The Lakers headed into the 2021 NJCAA Division II National Tournament seeded No. 2 and battled to the end, defeating the Johnson County Cavaliers with a score of 53-49 in Hickory, North Carolina. With 10 sophomores on the team, Head Coach Dave Johnson said missing out on last year’s tournament only fueled the team’s motivation to win this year. “They just kind of willed their way to win. We were down five in the fourth quarter. We called time out. Everyone was calm and they just went out and did it.”
Finishing the season with a 25-2 overall record, the Lakers achieved a 16-game winning streak to close out the season including the national championship game. “We knew this could be the year we would bring home a Laker championship,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “As a college community, we are so proud of our Women’s Basketball Team for working so long and so hard to make this victory possible.” At a formal event recognizing the team’s achievement, the college revealed a new permanent national championship banner honoring the team in the Field House. Harley Barry, Shiloh, was voted Most Valuable Player, and Kamaria Gant, Bloomington, earned 2nd Team All-American at the tournament. Johnson also earned the Coach of the Tournament Award at the national championship game, and was
named NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year. THE MEMBERS OF THE LAKE LAND COLLEGE WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM SOPHOMORES Harley Barry, Shiloh, IL Kamaria Gant, Bloomington, IL Joanna Schultz, Altamont, IL Tresoir Newson, Normal West, IL Abigayle Weis, Effingham, IL Jaelynn Riggleman, Casey-Westfield, IL Shania Schoonover, Pana, IL Josie Orris, Sullivan, IL Elizabeth Buescher, Charleston, IL Mikayla Sirjord, Ulen-Hitterdal, MN FRESHMEN Karrington Krabel, Paris, IL Olivia Niemerg, Teutopolis, IL Avery Still, Sullivan, IL COACHES Dave Johnson, Mattoon, IL JR Hodges, Lerna, IL Tom Titus, Janesville, IL
APRIL 24 Lakers win against the Johnson County Cavaliers with a score of 53-49, earning Lake Land College’s first-ever National Championship victory.
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THE LAKE LAND COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES HONORED BERNARD “HANK” HABING,
Habing said though the award came as a complete surprise, it was a great honor and very much appreciated. He expressed gratitude to his nominator, Finley, as well as the Lake Land College Board of Trustees.
Teutopolis, with the Alumnus Achievement Award for this year. Habing, Laker Nation Class of 1992, is a family nurse practitioner at Effingham Urology Associates and Mid-Illinois Medical Care Associates/Runde Clinic in Teutopolis. “This award in a small way shows Hank that he is appreciated for his dedication to his patients,” Thomas Finley, Teutopolis, said of his experiences as Habing’s patient. “When you are one of Hank's patients, it seems like you are the most important patient he has. Hank treats each of his patients with this same caring attitude. He is a blessing to his community, the clinics and profession but more importantly to the many patients he sees every day.”
certificate, Habing went on to earn an associate degree as a registered nurse through Lake Land as well. “I would highly recommend Lake Land College for anyone looking for an excellent community college education,” Habing said.
“It has been many years since my time at Lake Land, and I still look back on “LAKE LAND those years fondly,” COLLEGE... Habing said. “The education I received there was a building block for the development of my career as a nurse practitioner.
HELPED HIM BECOME THE OUTSTANDING PRACTITIONER HE IS TODAY.” -FINLEY
The educators, particularly in the Nursing department, were exceptional, top notch in my opinion. I definitely would not be who I am today without them.” Habing began his medical career working in the emergency room at St. Anthony's Hospital in Effingham, earning a licensed practical nursing certificate from Lake Land College as he did so. After completing an LPN
THE LAKE LAND COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES IS PROUD TO PRESENT THE
2021 ALUMNUS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD TO
HANK HABING IN RECOGNITION OF HIS OUTSTANDING SUCCESS AND ACHIEVEMENT
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“Lake Land is a tremendous asset to Central Illinois.”
Habing then pursued a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner from Indiana Wesleyan University. Upon completing the degrees, he joined the staff at the Effingham Urology Center and the MidIllinois Medical Care Associates Runde Clinic in Teutopolis. Habing is also a board member for the St. Hedwig's Haus of Hospitality in Charleston, and each year helps organize a benefit in Teutopolis for St. Hedwig's Haus to assist with the costs of providing a safe harbor for women and children in need. “I have seen firsthand the compassion, professionalism and dedication Hank shows to his patients,” Finley, Laker Nation Class of 1971, said. “Hank and I have discussed the difference Lake Land has made in both our lives, and Lake Land College rightfully should be proud of Hank Habing and how his education there helped him become the outstanding practitioner he is today.”
ALUMNUS RECEIVES ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
FOR DEDICATION TO PATIENTS
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LAKE LAND ALUMNA RECEIVES
ICCTA PACESETTER AWARD
THE 2021 PACESETTER AWARD
recipient Megan McQueen is a school counselor in the Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education at the Kansas Treatment and Learning Center. McQueen said she was humbly appreciative of the award, and she now has it proudly displayed in her living room. “I‘m happy, and I’m grateful,” McQueen said. “It makes me feel really good about myself to know I have made a difference. I don’t do my job for glory, I do it because I know in my heart it’s what I am meant to be doing. They say if you love your job you’ll never have to work a day in your life, and that is very true for me.”
Having now earned a master’s degree in school counseling, McQueen said she began her college journey at Lake Land College with no major in mind and no clear path to accomplishing her goals. Even facing these challenges, McQueen said she knew she had to make a change in her life. Working in retail while she and her husband cared for their family, including her son who has autism, McQueen said realization hit nearly overnight. “I can’t explain it,” McQueen said. “I woke up one day and decided I could not do this anymore. I realized I could not take care of my son in my situation then.” With hard work and determination as well as assistance from TRIO
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Student Support Services, McQueen worked her way through college, graduating with an associate degree in art and a 3.371 GPA. As a nontraditional student, McQueen said her path was not always easy, but that attending Lake Land helped guide her toward her goals. “Community college has so many options for people to explore,” McQueen said. “The level of attention the instructors give to their students and the different ways the college helps people are unmatched. Now I always recommend community college first.” McQueen continued her education by earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology as well as a master’s
degree in school counseling. She even completed an internship at Lake Land College while working toward earning a master’s degree. McQueen said it was during her time at Lake Land that she realized she wanted to pursue her dream of working with troubled children. “I felt somewhat excluded as a kid,” McQueen said. “I knew I wanted to help others and children in particular.” McQueen is now doing just that in her position at the Kansas
Treatment and Learning Center. Often counseling children during difficult times, McQueen said she is glad she pursued her goal and is able to be in a position to help. “I love my job,” McQueen said. “Sometimes I get hugs from students I have struggled to connect with all year or get asked to eat lunch with students who had never spoken to me before. It is those moments that make me so happy I can make a difference doing what I love.”
STAY CONNECTED TO YOUR ALMA MATER We love hearing from all the members of One Laker Nation! Here are three easy ways to keep in touch!
1 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! Stay up-to-date with the Foundation and Alumni at FACEBOOK.COM/ LAKELANDCOLLEGE FOUNDATIONANDALUMNI.
2 UPDATE YOUR INFO! Sign up to receive our monthly Alumni e-newsletter at LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ UPDATE-INFO.
3 THE FOUNDATION & ALUMNI CENTER
SHARE YOUR STORY!
Tell us your good news at LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU/ALUMNI/ GOOD-NEWS-TO-SHARE.
IS OPEN AND GUESTS ARE WELCOME TO VISIT Students and staff returning to the Lake Land College campus will be greeted by the sight of the newly opened Foundation & Alumni Center, with the building’s staff having officially moved in on October 6 of last year. As restrictions lessened, small groups were able to meet in person, as the new event room allowed for social distancing requirements to be followed. Extending from the event room is a patio area, which provides an excellent setting for receptions and other campus events. The Foundation & Alumni Center is open and thriving. The College Advancement staff is eager to welcome guests, and encourage anyone interested to visit.
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RADIO-TV PROGRAM CELEBRATES TRADITION
WHILE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE FROM THE FIRST STUDENTS ENROLLED in the program to a new trajectory for the future, the Lake Land College Radio-TV program continues to evolve and recognize its alumni and faculty who influenced its success.
For nearly 30 years, Radio-TV alumnus Robert “Doc” Kralman has been a part of the lives of the Effingham community as a cornerstone of the WXEF and KJ Country family radio stations. He was one of the original three students who enrolled in the radio program at Lake Land College and out of that group, was the only one who pursued a career in the field.
After graduating from Lake Land, Kralman started his first job in radio in April of 1971. Fifty years later he celebrated his success in the broadcast industry during a retirement party at the studio. Lake Land College Alumni Association President Rudy Huber and Alumni Engagement & Special Events Coordinator Amanda Tucker attended the event and presented Kralman a certificate honoring his service and distinction as a Lake Land College Alumnus. “It is a rewarding field to do, and I’m glad I got to do it over the years,” Kralman said. “You have to really learn how to be a part of the community, because if you’re on the air, you eventually become brothers, sisters, aunts or uncles to people you’ll never know feel that
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way about you. It has just been a fun journey through the whole time.” After Kralman’s graduation, former WLKL Station Manager and RadioTV Broadcasting Instructor and Division Chair of Humanities Ken Beno’s leadership continued to develop the program. During his tenure, he created outstanding opportunities to students through the RadioTV Department and WLKL. He also led the development of the college’s leading-edge distance learning program that expanded opportunities for residents to attend classes throughout the district. For these reasons and more, Beno was inducted into the college’s Retiree Wall of Fame in March 2021.
“Lake Land has always been good to me,” Beno (right) said. “It was a tremendous place to work, and I always said that 95% of the time when I woke up in the morning, I enjoyed going to work. I think that really says a lot about the college.” Both Kralman and Beno recall Lake Land’s commitment to students, which continues to this day. Just as Beno expanded the program and Kralman grew in his profession, the Radio-TV program continues to evolve. Beginning
this fall, the Radio-TV program will now be called the Broadcast Communications department and it will fall under a new umbrella of Communication Studies. Also included in this umbrella are the speech courses. Designed to facilitate students’ pathways to success in this in-demand career field, the new structure aligns with university communication majors and provides an opportunity to expand curriculum to reflect the significant impact communication has on many career fields such as social media, television, radio
broadcasting, mass media, writing and many other careers. To learn more about communications opportunities at Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu/guidedpathways and explore Humanities and Social Science.
View what's changing in Broadcast Communications online at https://blog.lakelandcollege.edu/ blog/post/561392/ communicationschanges
LAKE LAND COLLEGE CELEBRATES THE
2021 RETIREE WALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
The Lake Land College 2021 Retiree Wall of Fame inductees Pam Crisman, Joyce Allen and Ken Beno were honored during a virtual ceremony in March. Vice President for Development, Director of Public Relations and Consultant Pam Crisman (below with Dr. Bullock) led the public relations and development office for nearly 30 years, serving six presidents during her tenure. Under her leadership, the Foundation received its largest gift, which provided funding for the new Foundation and Alumni Center.
“I am humbled and honored to be inducted into the Lake Land College Retiree Wall of Fame with this year’s other honorees Ken Beno and Joyce Allen,” Crisman said. “I have the utmost respect and regard for those Lake Land retirees who have been inducted before me. Throughout my nearly three decades of service to Lake Land, I have many fond memories working with many of those individuals.”
established, before we even had a campus,” Allen said. “Lake Land’s famous saying was ‘we are student oriented,’ and that is still true. The students are the ones we were there to take care of, because we knew that’s what education is.”
Psychology Instructor and later Interim Dean of Instruction Joyce Allen (right) helped transition to the current campus, having a lasting impact on student learning as one of the first to implement and advocate for learning objectives. She was the first Lake Land College psychology instructor and was one of the few original female faculty members. “I came to work at Lake Land the second year the school was LAKE LAND COLLEGE ALUMNI s 217-234-5376
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NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID EFFINGHAM, IL PERMIT NO. 294
5001 Lake Land Blvd. Mattoon, IL 61938 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
JOIN US FOR THE
FOUNDATION GOLF CLASSIC
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 MATTOON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Registration at 11 a.m. s Shotgun Start at Noon Register online by visiting lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/golf or call 217-234-5376 for more information.
