Olney Central College is currently accepting applications for Fall 2021 entry into the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges/OCC Nursing Program. Applicants must attend one of four informational meetings scheduled for 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 20, Wednesday, Jan. 27, Thursday, Feb. 4 and Tuesday, Feb. 9. The meetings will be held in Wattleworth Hall Room 217.   Prospective students, who have already submitted their applications, should have received a letter regarding the mandatory meetings. Applicants who have not should contact Nursing Advisor Linda Horn.

As an associate professor at the University of Illinois, Dr. Paul Davidson is engaging students in projects that take them from Urbana-Champaign to the coast of South Africa, where the lessons gained in the classroom are put into practice.

Olney Central College Dean of Instruction Michael Conn has been appointed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to serve a four-year term on the Illinois Arts Council. “I am happy to be involved in the administration of the arts community on a larger, statewide scale,” Conn said. “It is an interesting opportunity and it is good to have representation from our area. I hope to provide a voice for Southern Illinois to the current state of arts in Illinois and add value to this long-standing council.”

Olney Central College’s Medical Office Assistant Program has been recognized as one of the country’s top online degrees. The health-career website BestHealthDegrees.com ranked OCC No. 9 in its List of the Best Online Medical Assistant Associate’s Programs for 2020. “We are excited to hear that our program has been chosen for this award,” said Instructor Shasta Bennett. “It is always an honor when the hard work of our faculty and students is recognized.”

Olney Central College’s Unmanned Aerial Technology Program is ready to welcome students with the completion of its classroom at the West Richland Center in Noble. Renovations to the former high school science room began last fall and include the installation of new flooring, ceiling tiles, LED lighting and countertops. Modern instructional equipment along with tables and chairs specifically designed to meet program needs complete the facility.

Olney Central College is ready for the startup of its new Welding and Fabrication Associate’s Degree next fall with the completion of a new state-of-the-art lab and classroom at the West Richland Center in Noble. The renovations are part of a Title III Grant initiative, which includes revamping OCC’s welding program to establish an Associate in Applied Science Degree. Work on the former high school welding shop began in June and wrapped up in August.

Lincoln Trail College’s Alpha Iota Epsilon Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society inducted its newest members at a ceremony on October 15. 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. 

Olney Central College alumnus Mary Correll, of Wakefield, was recently named a Nurse of the Year by Deaconess Health System, receiving the Florence Nightingale Award for Deaconess Midtown Hospital. As stated in the award, “Florence Nightingale set the example of compassion, commitment to patient care and diligent hospital administration. This award is given in recognition of meritorious service of the nursing profession and is characterized by devotion, sincerity, dedication and compassion.“

Olney Central College is excited to announce it will offer an evening Welding and Cutting Certificate starting in Spring 2021. “This is such a great opportunity,” said Welding Specialist Maverick Fisher. “It’s a chance for high school seniors to get a jump on college. And, it’s especially helpful for someone who is working full-time and would like to pursue a career in welding, but can’t afford to give up their day job to come to college.”

Lincoln Trail College Academic Success Center Director Rena Gower will be visiting local libraries to talk about the College’s High School Equivalency Program, which is known as the GED Program.  Gower will be answering questions people may have about the program and to evaluate if there is enough interest to start classes away from Lincoln Trail College. “I’m also inviting people to share any obstacles they may have that are keeping them from taking the HSE class, “says Gower. “We want to try to meet the needs of our community and this type of information will be helpful.”