For four Lincoln Trail College Process Technology students, a trip to Texas became more than a competition. It became a chance to experience the industry at a higher level. Hannah Potts, Natalie Ramsey, Korbin Alger and Dalton Spahn recently traveled to compete in the NAPTA Troubleshooting Skills Competition, held April 29-May 1. The group was one of just 12 teams from across the country to qualify for the national event.

For the Class of 2026 at Lincoln Trail College, commencement will serve as a celebration of achievement, perseverance and the next step forward. The college will host its 56th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 15, at 7 p.m. in the LTC Sports Center. Approximately 120 students are expected to receive degrees and certificates during the ceremony. Of those, 66 graduates will be recognized for academic distinction, earning Honors, High Honors or Highest Honors.

Olney Central College will hold its 62nd commencement exercises at 7 p.m. on May 15 in the OCC Gymnasium. Friends and relatives of the graduates are invited to attend.  OCC Dean of Instruction Amy Tarr will give the welcoming remarks while Chris Simpson will deliver the President’s Message. OCC alumnus Leon Stallard, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Olney, will present the 2026 Commencement Address. 

Mount Carmel, IL — Wabash Valley College is proud to share that WVC’s Cozy Corner has been named the winner of the Spring 2026 NILRC Photo Contest, hosted by the Network of Illinois Learning Resources in Community Colleges (NILRC).

For Landry Price, the classroom isn’t always defined by four walls and a lesson plan. Sometimes, it looks like a group of grade school students gathered around a table, hands covered in paint, learning about creativity, teamwork and even a little bit about college along the way.

For Elizabeth Womble, the path to becoming a teacher is clear. Getting there is the challenge. A student at Lincoln Trail College, Womble is working toward a degree in education with plans to become a high school home economics teacher. It’s a goal shaped not just by her interests, but by her life experience. “I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years,” Womble said. “I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I thought about what I’ve been doing that I wouldn’t mind teaching for a long time.”

Academic achievement took center stage as Lincoln Trail College welcomed a new class of students into the Alpha Iota Epsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa during its spring induction ceremony. The ceremony recognized students who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom and a commitment to scholarship, leadership and service.

Olney Central College student Jacob Kimbro, of Flora, captured first place in the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center Welding Competition — becoming the first OCC student to earn top honors in the Nix Industrial-sponsored event. “Being in the competition was a really good experience,” Kimbro said. “I feel great about winning — it was definitely a surprise. I didn’t think I was going to take first place, but it felt good. I was proud to represent OCC, the Welding Program and Instructor Maverick Fisher.”

Olney Central College is undertaking an extensive $2 million project to renovate four science labs in Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall. The work will focus on transforming the third-floor physics, chemistry and two biology labs into modern, high-tech learning spaces. OCC President Chris Simpson said the renovations will be a much-needed addition to the campus.

Four Lincoln Trail College Process Technology students have qualified for the NAPTA Troubleshooting Skills Competition, earning the opportunity to compete against top programs from across the country. Hannah Potts, Natalie Ramsey, Korbin Alger and Dalton Spahn will represent LTC at the national competition, which is organized by the North American Process Technology Alliance and will be held April 29-May 1 in Pasadena, Texas.