For Tanara Ryden, fused glass making started as a creative experiment. Armed with YouTube tutorials, determination and a willingness to learn through trial and error, she taught herself the craft and eventually turned a hobby into The Glassy Nut, a cottage business featuring her handcrafted glass art. This fall, Ryden will share her passion for glass with others through a series of community education classes at Olney Central College.

The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Nursing Program has earned statewide recognition for excellence in nursing education. PracticalNursing.org ranked Olney Central College and Wabash Valley College No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in its 2026 list of the Top Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) programs in Illinois. A trusted source for nursing education information, licensure guidance and career resources, PracticalNursing.org provides data-driven rankings to help prospective students identify quality nursing programs.

The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees has accepted the retirement notification of Chris Simpson, Vice Chancellor for Business Operations and President of Olney Central College, effective May 17, 2027.

Olney Central College’s Massage Therapy Program is accepting appointments for Summer clinicals. The clinics are open to the public and will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 23, July 11 and July 24 at the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center in Noble. The cost for a relaxing massage is $45 for an hour and $30 for half an hour. A 20-minute chair massage is $20.

OLNEY, Ill. — Olney Central College’s Massage Therapy Program is accepting new students for Fall 2026. Designed with busy adults in mind, the program offers convenient evening classes that allow students to pursue a rewarding new career without putting life on hold. Best of all, the certificate can be completed in just one year.

The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees is expected to affirm the appointment of Dr. Timothy L. Taylor as the next Chancellor of Illinois Eastern Community Colleges at its June 16, 2026, meeting at Olney Central College. Dr. Taylor, who currently serves as President of Shawnee Community College, would assume the chancellorship on August 15, 2026, pending Board approval.  

Wabash Valley College has released its academic honor lists for the Spring 2026 Semester. Three lists have been established by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges to indicate students who have achieved academic excellence. They are the Chancellor’s Honors List, the President’s Academic Honors List, and the Dean’s Academic Honors List. To qualify for any of the honor lists, a student must be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more) and must be taking college-level classes.

Lincoln Trail College has released its academic honor lists for the Spring 2026 Semester. Three lists have been established by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges to indicate students who have achieved academic excellence. They are the Chancellor’s Honors List, the President’s Academic Honors List, and the Dean’s Academic Honors List. To qualify for any of the honor lists, a student must be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more) and must be taking college-level classes.

FAIRFIELD, Ill. - Frontier Community College has released its academic honor lists for the Spring 2026 Semester.  Illinois Eastern Community Colleges recognizes students for academic excellence through three honor lists: the Chancellor’s Academic Honors List, the President’s Academic Honors List, and the Dean’s Academic Honors List. 

OLNEY, Ill. — Outstanding students at Olney Central College have received academic honors for the Spring 2026 Semester. Students named to the Chancellor’s List have attained a grade point average of 3.90 or higher, on a 4.0 scale. Those on the President’s List have achieved a grade point average between 3.75 and 3.89, while those students named to the Dean’s List have earned a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.74. Chancellor’s List: Albion: Isaiah Henson, Zachary Leavens, Travis Roosevelt and Kamryn Trowbridge Alma: Kyra Swift