Dr. Zahi Atallah has been named the 11th President of Lincoln Trail College. Atallah is from Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, where he was the founder of IncludED Consultants, an educational consulting firm that works to enhance student success, increase access to students with differing abilities and backgrounds, and provides classroom student support.  “I’m very blessed and humbled to receive this opportunity,” says Atallah. “I wanted an opportunity to work in a small community in the Midwest that shares the same interest in higher education that I have.”

Lincoln Trail College will offer a variety of community education classes over the summer, including a return of the popular Children’s Summer Theater and College For Kids programs. “We weren’t able to offer these programs last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Lincoln Trail College Coordinator of Marketing Chris Forde. “These are both very popular programs that bring more than 100 children to our campus each year. We also weren’t able to offer other community education classes for adults and we’re excited to bring those back too.

The Lincoln Trail College Music Department will present two concerts this Spring. The LTC Handbell Ensemble will have its concert on April 30 at 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Robinson. There is limited seating available for the concert and tickets are available at the church. There will also be a livestream of the concert at robinsonfumc.org/livestream.

Olney Central College will hold its 57th commencement exercises on Saturday, May 15. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and in consideration of students and guests, two separate in-person ceremonies are planned. OCC will honor Associate in Science and Arts and Associate in General Studies students at 10 a.m. Career and Technical Education and Allied Health students will be recognized at 1 p.m. Both ceremonies will be held in the OCC Gym with additional seating available in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center.

Lincoln Trail College Process Technology students took second in the North American Process Technology Alliance’s Troubleshooting Skills Competition on April 24. LTC’s team was made up of Kyler Pankey, Dawson Hawkins, Christopher (Noah) Daugherty, and Austin Price.

Olney Central College student Sutton Dunn, of Olney, recently completed his one-year term as the student representative to the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees. “I really enjoyed the experience,” Dunn said. “I felt like the board members welcomed me with opened arms. Everyone on the board has been really nice. They asked a lot of questions about me, and my major. I know the relationships I have made will continue far beyond my term.”

OCC Director of Choral Activities Dr. Andrew Pittman and his students will present their 2021 Spring Concert at 7 p.m. April 30 in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts   Center.   “I’m looking forward to the concert and I know the students are too,” said Pittman. “It’s a way for the students to show what they have been working on.” Pittman’s students last performed in December 2019, just prior to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Olney Central College student Stephanie Blake is the recipient of a $1,000 Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship from Eastern Illinois University. “I was very surprised,” Blake said of her selection. “It is a very competitive scholarship and I was very excited to receive it.” The scholarship is awarded to students transferring from a community college with an associate’s degree and a GPA of 3.75 or higher. Applicants also must demonstrate leadership skills and submit two letters of recommendation. While attending OCC,

The West Richland Center in Noble will host an Open House from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 21, showcasing the Olney Central College programs located at the site. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the many programs and services offered to the community at the facility, located at 320 E. North Ave. Faculty and advisors will be available to answer questions and provide information about the programs.

Lincoln Trail College’s Alpha Iota Epsilon Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society inducted its newest members at a ceremony on March 31. Phi Theta Kappa recognizes and encourages scholarship among two-year college students. An invitation for membership is extended to full-time students achieving at least a 3.5-grade point average.