Lincoln Trail College welcomed high school students from across the region to campus for its annual Celebrate Art! Day, an event designed to showcase student artwork while providing an educational experience in the arts. Students in grades 9-12 from area schools, including Robinson, Oblong, Palestine, Hutsonville, Marshall, Lawrenceville, Red Hill and Richland County, participated in the event by submitting artwork for display and competition.

Olney Central College is proud to announce that 100 percent of its 2025 Cosmetology graduates passed the Illinois Licensed Cosmetologist Exam — marking the fourth consecutive year the program has achieved a perfect completion rate.

More than a century ago, two sisters from southern Illinois helped lay the foundation for nursing education in the region. Today, their legacy will continue through a new scholarship supporting the next generation of nurses at Lincoln Trail College. Beginning with the 2026–27 academic year, the Lincoln Trail College Foundation will award the Katharina and Philomina Weber Nursing Scholarship to a student enrolled in the college’s Nursing program. The scholarship honors the Weber sisters’ lasting contributions to nursing care and education in southeastern Illinois.

Lincoln Trail College hosted the Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science (ACES) Competition on March 2, welcoming more than 125 students from nine area high schools to campus. The ACES Competition provides high school students the opportunity to test their knowledge in subjects related to engineering and science, including mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. Students select subject areas and complete exams designed to challenge their understanding and problem-solving abilities.

Olney Central College is hosting a FAFSA Completion Night from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24 in Room 205 on the second floor of Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall. OCC Financial Aid experts will be available to answer questions and assist students and parents in Filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Those attending should bring their FSA ID and 2024 tax returns to simplify the process.  

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges is mobilizing campus and community resources to support workers and families impacted by the sudden closure of Champion Laboratories in Albion. IECC — including Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College and Wabash Valley College — is coordinating training opportunities, financial assistance and career services to assist the more than 1,000 affected employees during this uncertain time.

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) will host a series of Student/Parent Information Nights, known as SPIN Nights, this March to help prospective students and their families take the next step toward college enrollment. Each campus will host its own SPIN Night from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on the following dates: Frontier Community College – March 3 Olney Central College – March 5 Lincoln Trail College – March 19 Wabash Valley College – March 17

Career and Technical Education Month at Lincoln Trail College is shining a spotlight on programs where students learn by doing, gaining hands-on experience and developing skills tied directly to in-demand careers. Across Career and Technical Education programs such as Process Technology, Telecommunications, Certified Medical Assistant and Welding, students say the opportunity to work with real equipment and learn in active lab environments has been a defining part of their college experience.

Lincoln Trail College alumna Krista Phillips ('24) was crowned Miss Illinois County Fair Queen, a moment she described as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and a powerful reflection of her journey as both a student and competitor. “I was in disbelief that my name was called,” Phillips said. “I kept thinking, I really did it. My dreams were fulfilled, prayers answered, and waves of gratitude kept pouring over me.”

Lincoln Trail College has announced the cast for its spring production of Disney’s Newsies, the Tony Award-winning musical based on the 1992 Disney film. Performances will take place April 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7 p.m., with matinees April 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. in the Zwermann Arts Center Theater.