Fall 2010 - Kaskaskia College

Pictured above (left to right) KC Board member Jim Beasley, State Representative John Cavaletto, KC
President Dr. Jim Underwod, Head Softball Coach Torey Crowell, KC Board Chairman Bill Hawley, State
Senator John O. Jones, KCSA Board Member Cathy Karrick and KCSA Chairman Wes Monken.
Kaskaskia College has broken ground the College’s new Sports and Activities
Facility that will benefit all of KC’s sports programs and student activities.
The new 80 x 100 square foot multipurpose facility will be constructed east
of the KC Gymnasium and will allow sports programs to train and practice
during the winter months and inclement weather. Currently these programs
have to use borrowed facilities off campus, or schedule time in the College
gymnasium. The new facility will also be able to accommodate two to three
sports at the same time as well as providing a facility that can be used by the
more than 20 student organizations on campus. Young people in the district
will also be beneficiaries as it will allow KC coaches to expand the number of
athletic youth camps by holding them year round rather than just in the
summer months. Work on the Sports and Activities Facility is underway and
expected to be completed by early fall.
NEVER TOO LATE TO TRY SOMETHING NEW
After working for many years as a program
assistant in a severe behavior disorder program,
Laura Lemons, age 40, was diagnosed with
breast cancer and underwent a bilateral
mastectomy. Due to the side effects of the
mastectomy, she was unable to physically work
with the children she was responsible for.
“I was placed in a new program that was less
restrictive. When that program closed, I ended
up on temporary disability due to no light duty.”
When deciding what to do with the rest of her
life, she knew she had to return to college. “I
considered the Surgery Technology Program, but
when my doctor suggested the Respiratory
Therapy Program, I tried it and it seemed to be
my niche. I have always had an interest in the
medical field so it seemed to be a natural fit.”
A 1982 graduate of Mt. Vernon Township High
School, Lemons felt that returning to college
after so many years would be a tremendous
challenge. “My four-year old grandson lives
with me so I enrolled him in the KC Children’s
Learning Center and he was my car companion
while I was in class. The Learning Center at Kaskaskia is the best around, and the support that I got from them with my grandson
was a tremendous help. I also had great support from my husband which was invaluable in my being successful. Respiratory
Therapy Professor Beth Urban is very dedicated to her work and provided me with the tools I needed to be successful in the
program as well.”
On May 14, Lemons graduated with a 4.0 GPA (highest honors) from the KC Respiratory Therapy Program. While at KC, she
was also member of Phi Theta Kappa and was President of the Respiratory Therapy Club. Lemons now plans to receive her
Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and Respiratory Care from Grand Canyon University. The program started Monday, June 14,
and she thinks that one day she would like to follow Beth Urban and Eric Jones as an Instructor in the KC Respiratory Program.
Beth Urban, Director of the KC Respiratory Therapy Program says, “Laura was an exceptional and very conscientious student.
With every task given during her time in the program she always went above and beyond the expectations. Laura was the kind of
student that every program director dreams of having.”
After returning to college as an adult, Lemons says she had completed several classes at another community college, both
classroom and on -line and was never very successful. She adds, “Kaskaskia provided me with everything I needed to accomplish
what I needed to, from the very first experience I had with enrollment and advising with Micki Adams, through the financial aid
process, the excellent child care, Kaskaskia is set up to make it easy to obtain whatever help you need to better yourself through
education... Yes I would highly recommend it!!!”
Laura is now working at Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon as a Registered Respiratory Therapist. Her husband, Rodger,
also chosen to return to college at KC as he recently began taking classes towards an Associate in Arts Degree. Laura and
Rodger’s family consists of son Matthew and wife Amber Lemons, son Adam and wife Teigan Lemons, Rachel Lemons, and
Jacob Lemons. They are also the proud grandmother of Kaleb Keele, Ember Lemons and Ryan Lemons and expecting two more
grandchildren this year.
Another KC Success Story
The week of June 27 through July 3 is recognized as “Illinois Small
Business Week” to honor the important economic role of small
businesses. Kaskaskia College joins in the celebration by highlighting
Guzman’s Mexican Grocery and Bakery in Carlyle as a positive example
of the can-do attitude entrepreneurs provide to our communities.
“On my first visit to the Guzman’s store, I encountered pleasant
surprises such as cheerful hanging piñatas, unique treats and snacks, plus
interesting items on every shelf” commented Steve Groner, Director of
the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Kaskaskia College.
Adelaida Perez and Horacio Guzman are gracious hosts, making
customers feel welcome. Their store is located at 1160 12th Street (State
Route 127 North) in Carlyle. They specialize in products not readily
available to our area, and bring us the flavors and colors of Mexico.
Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, including weekends.
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Kaskaskia College is
partially funded by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) in
partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity as a service to Illinois Businesses. All SBA Programs are
extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. For further
information contact Steve Groner at 618-545-3260.
KC to offer the Associate of Engineering Science Degree
Kaskaskia College is pleased to announce the approval of the Associate of Engineering Science (AES) degree program by the
Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) to begin this coming Fall
Semester. The AES degree program is designed for students to complete their first two years of a baccalaureate degree in
engineering at Kaskaskia College. This core curriculum will allow students in Pre-Engineering at Kaskaskia College to be able
to transfer to a four-year college as a junior majoring in mechanical, civil, manufacturing, industrial, electrical, and computer
engineering.
The core curriculum was developed in cooperation with the engineering divisions at transfer institutions such as Southern Illinois
University at Edwardsville, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Missouri University of Science and Technology
at Rolla.
Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution are strongly advised to discuss their goals with the Pre-Engineering
Coordinator, Eric Hofelich, at Kaskaskia College to plan a program that meets their needs.
Persons interested in engineering science should posses a high school diploma or GED, strong math, science (including algebra,
geometry, trigonometry, physics or chemistry) and writing skills.
Overall job opportunities in engineering are very good, with some specialties in higher demand. Areas of employment include
manufacturing, office buildings, laboratories, industrial plants, construction sites, oil and gas exploration and production sites,
alternate energy research and development and public facilities, including roads, bridges and water and pollution control
systems.
For more information go to http://www.kaskaskia.edu/PreEngineering or call Professor Eric Hofelich at 545-3359.
Another Entertaining Season Set at KC
The Kaskaskia College Season of Entertainment is pleased to announce its line up for the
2010-2011 Season. “Each year the SOE committee looks to bring in acts and performers
that will appeal to a wide range and I think this year is no different,” said Committee CoChair Travis Henson. “There is truly something for everyone this year.”
The season officially kicks off with Abbamania! on October 1 at 7:30 p.m. ABBAmania!
has been recognized as the #1 ABBA musical production in the world with stops in
Malaysia, South America, The Dominican Republic, Jakarta, Grand Cayman Islands and
the United States. ABBAmania features nine incredible musicians and singers performing
an entire evening of ABBA’s greatest hits.
On November 13, Kaskaskia College is pleased to welcome Jigu! Thunder Drums of
China. This world-renowned company of nearly thirty drummers, percussionists and
musicians is now preparing for their fourth tour of the United States. Deeply rooted in
Chinese folk traditions and updated with high-tech lighting and special effects, Jigu’s
spectacular movement and drumming is a feast for the eyes, ears and spirit.
In keeping with the SOE’s desire for a entertaining and wholesome holiday show, KC will
welcome The Cat’s Pajamas vocal band on Sunday, December 5 at 3:00 p.m. Considered
the fastest rising vocal band on the planet, The Cat’s Pajamas pride themselves on their
singing talents and their ability to engage each audience member during their dynamic,
interactive performances. Their blend of classic songs with a modern a cappella twist
showcases their unique style which commands every audience’s attention.
A unique performance will kick off the second half of the season with, The Tweaksters!
Fabulous Feats of Physical Fun, on February 25, at 7:30 p.m. The Tweaksters! Fabulous
Feats of Physical Fun is an innovative mix of acrobatic dance and artistic juggling that
blends pure athletic creativity with odd objects in a rhythmic, crazy cool performance for
all ages.
Adventurer, award-winning author, National Geographic Adventure magazine contributor
and world-travel expert, Doug Lansky will be this season’s guest speaker on March 25. In
his acclaimed, informative and often hilarious presentation, “Get Lost”, Lansky imparts
lessons learned while backpacking through more than 100 countries using a barrage of
color images.
The season will conclude on April 9 as the KC Season of Entertainment is pleased to
welcome country music star Aaron Tippin on April 9. After a multi-year break from
recording, Tippin is sharing new music and old hits with his many fans. His previous five
Gold Albums and one Platinum Album included hits such as “My Blue Angel”, “That’s As
Close As I’ll Get To Loving You”, “I Wouldn’t Have It Any Other Way”, and “Call of the
Wild.” His performance at KC is part of the Aaron Tippin Acoustic series which gives
audience members a more personal concert experience.
Season tickets for the six events are now on sale in the College's Lifelong Learning
Center, by phone at 618-545-3223 or by email at [email protected]. Additional
information on the upcoming season is also available on the college website at
www.kaskaskia.edu/soe.
HUELS ESTABLISH SCHOLARSHIP
Kaskaskia College is pleased to announce the newly created Gene and Bonnie Huels Scholarship fund. This scholarship is
established with a $5,000 gift to be matched dollar for dollar from the Title III, Strengthening Institutions grant from the United
State Department of Education.
Gene and Bonnie are committed to helping students who might not qualify for traditional forms of financial assistance yet still
need help with the costs of tuition and books. In making the gift Bonnie said, “Education is so important and there are too many
students out there in the middle, who don’t qualify for any assistance but a loan. We want to provide some help so these students
can keep their loans low and stay in school. We have thought about this for a long time and considered setting up a scholarship
later in life, but the Title III program convinced us that now was the time because our gift would be doubled.”
Gene Huels is a Financial Advisor with Country Companies in Carlyle, and Bonnie is the Assistant Professor of Sociology at
Kaskaskia College.
In recent months Kaskaskia College has received a Title III federal grant that will impact the college in significant ways over the
next five years. One component of that grant allows KC to match dollar for dollar funds that we raise for an endowed
scholarship fund. This scholarship gift will now be $10,000 in funding that will be available for area students.
Pictured are Rob Blinn, Deborah Klieboeker, Director of Advancement for Kaskaskia College; Dr. Jim Underwood, President of
Kaskaskia College; Gene Huels, Bill Hawley, Chairman of the KC Board of Trustees and Bonnie Huels.
FITNESS CENTER DEDICATION
Kaskaskia College formally dedicated its new 3.4-million dollar fitness center May 3. Kaskaskia College Board
Chairman Bill Hawley pulls down the cloth unveiling the dedication plaque on the new Fitness Center.