Mount Carmel, IL — Wabash Valley College will celebrate the achievements of its graduates during its 64th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 15, at 7:00 p.m.

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges mourns the death of former Chief Executive Officer Terry L. Bruce, who passed away on April 17, 2026. Mr. Bruce’s decades of leadership and public service left a lasting mark on the institution, the region, and the Illinois community college system.  

The Olney Central College Music Department will present its Spring Concert at 7 p.m. on April 22 in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center. The evening will feature performances by the OCC Community Concert Band and Jazz Combo, under the direction of OCC Interim Director of Bands Jena Combs. Joining them as a special guest will be the Flora High School Band, directed by OCC alumnus Ethan Steber. Combs is excited to include the high school students in the event, an idea that grew out of a conversation with Steber. 

Mount Carmel, IL — Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) is excited to announce the release of its 2026 Summer Camps and 2026–2027 Community Education Catalog, offering engaging learning opportunities for students of all ages across the district.

Mount Carmel, IL — Wabash Valley College is proud to recognize three instructors who were selected by students to receive this year’s Student Senate instructor awards. The honors are based on student nominations and reflect the strong connections instructors build with students inside and outside the classroom.

High school seniors across southeastern Illinois who have already taken college classes or explored entrepreneurship while still in school will soon have another opportunity waiting for them after graduation. Through Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ new Running Start program, eligible students who participated in dual credit courses or the CEO entrepreneurship program will receive a three-credit tuition waiver they can use for a class at IECC after graduating from high school.

Lincoln Trail College will soon offer agriculture courses on its campus, creating a new pathway for students interested in careers in one of the region’s most important industries. Beginning this fall, Lincoln Trail College will offer agriculture courses designed to introduce students to the field and prepare them to continue their studies through Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ agriculture programs. LTC President Tona Ambrose said the launch reflects years of interest from students, schools and community members.

Written by: Delaney Williams MOUNT CARMEL, Ill. - Nine students from Wabash Valley College recently traveled to Branson, Missouri, to compete in the 2026 National Professional Agriculture Students (PAS) Conference, earning multiple top finishes in both team and individual events.

The Olney Central College Music Department has vocal and instrumental scholarships available for the 2026-2027 academic year. Any student who plays a band instrument or sings is eligible for consideration, regardless of major. To schedule an audition and interview, contact Dr. Andrew Pittman at pittmana@iecc.edu or Jena Combs at combsj3@iecc.edu.

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges will host its first-ever coordinated Day of Giving on March 31, inviting alumni, businesses, and community members to support student success across its four campuses. The 24-hour event will feature fundraising efforts led by the foundations of Frontier Community College, Lincoln Trail College, Olney Central College, and Wabash Valley College. Each campus will focus on raising support for scholarships, programs, and initiatives that benefit students.