SILVER LININGS FROM ALUMNI WORKING IN THE HEALTHCARE FRONT LINES

“We’re being even more cohesive than we were before,” Holsapple said. “It’s kind of nice to have everybody checking on each other and making sure we’re doing okay, skilled healthcare workers by either building

which doesn’t always happen during nonpandemic times.”

Brittany Mette, Laker Nation Class of 2014, works as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) at Carle on Hurst in Mattoon. She said one of the most positive outcomes of the situation her children as her husband was deployed during the quarantine.

Lakers like these from all over the globe have found examples of positivity amid the turmoil surrounding the lives of people everywhere.

Lake Land College supports these proud alumni as they help serve in their communities and continues to help produce she saw was getting to spend more time with

foundations for further education or training students to enter the medical field.

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NURSE Associate Degree Nurse Practical Nursing Pre-Nursing Transfer Program

MEDICAL ASSISTANT Medical Assistant

CNA Basic Nursing Assistant

EMT AND PARAMEDIC Emergency Medical Services Paramedical Services

CLINICAL LAB PERSONNEL Clinical Laboratory Science Transfer Program

DOCTOR Pre-Medicine Transfer Program Pre-Chiropractic Transfer Program

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Pre-Medicine Transfer Program

MEDICAL CODER Medical Coding & Health Information Medical Coding Specialist

PHYSICAL THERAPIST AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST ASSISTANT Physical Therapist Assistant Pre-Physical Therapy Transfer Program

VISIT LAKELANDCOLLEGE.EDU TO LEARN MORE!

DURING A extremely grateful for the funding he received to help support him at such a difficult time. NORMAL “Lake Land has helped me in every aspect I can think of,” Silas said. “As a parent, there SCHOOL YEAR, around 58% of students work 20 to 40 hours have been times I didn’t have food, so I appreciate Lake Land for everything they’ve done for me.” a week to make ends meet. They struggle, but they work hard and make it through their Silas decided to go back to school after the course work and meet their commitments. death of his mentor in 2018. His mother had That delicate balance turned upside down this died previously, and both had urged Silas past spring when the COVID-19 pandemic to earn a college degree. Looking into Lake forced many students and their family Land College, Silas said he initially was unsure members out of work. if he could afford to attend, but Lake Land helped him arrange a way to pay for “I went from having three “I HAD BILLS THAT his college costs. jobs to basically working five hours a week at only one job,” Ashley Daniels WERE COMING UP, SO UPON RECEIVING “I’ve had a lot of death in my family,” Silas said. “My mentor and (right) said. “I had bills THE GRANT FROM my mom were always talking to me that were coming up, so upon receiving the grant from the Lake Land Foundation, I was able THE LAKE LAND FOUNDATION, I WAS ABLE TO PAY MY RENT about going back to school, and I finally got the opportunity to do it. The people at Lake Land have been great to me. I cannot tell you how to pay my rent and bills. I was extremely grateful for that.” AND BILLS. I WAS EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THAT.” much they bend over backward for me.” Continuing to praise Lake Land Ashley Daniels, a freshman -DANIELS College, Silas said not only was he broadcasting major from proud to be a student at Lake Land, Joliet, was devastated when her only sources he is thankful to the instructors who have of income were abruptly shut down due to been there for him throughout his college the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, Daniels process. was one of several students who received an Emergency Funding Scholarship from the “I can’t describe in words how much Lake Lake Land College Foundation. Land has helped me out,” Silas said. “I want to thank Greg Powers, Judy Bennett, Eva Another student in a similar situation was Ritchey and Tara Watson. They’ve all helped James Silas from St. Louis, Missouri. Silas me out a whole lot. I think if I hadn’t been earned an associate degree in radio/TV back to school at Lake Land, I wouldn’t be in broadcasting in May, however he said the as good a situation as I’m in now.” COVID-19 pandemic greatly restricted his ability to do so. Thanking the Lake Land While dealing with these hardships, Daniels College Foundation, Silas said he was also expressed gratitude to Lake Land College for handling the response to the pandemic in the best way the college could. Though she said the online classes were a struggle, Daniels was thankful to have the ability to continue her education online.

“Honestly, it’s a scary thing to go through, one minute you’re in class and the next you’re home and away from student life, losing that face to face interaction with everyone.” Daniels said. “To go to a school that’s very aware of current events, and acts quickly and efficiently I think that’s really good. I feel like the online classes were a chance for students to finish the semester the best way they could and allow the students to learn even if it’s not on the campus.”

At this time in the nation’s history, everyone has a unique opportunity to show goodwill and solidarity. Lake Land College’s emergency assistance fund is more important now than ever before. It provides a lifeline to students whose changing financial circumstances jeopardize their ability to continue their education.

Thanks to Lake Land College’s donors, these students were given the opportunity to continue working toward a brighter future.

For more information on how to make a difference to students like these, contact Executive Director for College Advancement Christi Donsbach at 217-234-5354 or cdonsbach@lakelandcollege.edu.