Lincoln Trail College will host a Welding Open House on January 8 from 4 to 6 p.m., giving prospective students and community members an opportunity to meet the program’s new instructors and learn more about welding education and career pathways. The open house will feature LTC’s new welding faculty members Will Bookhout and Kenneth Pearson. Dennis York, a current LTC faculty member who is the lead instructor for the college’s Broadband Telecom program, will teach a course this spring on welding blueprints. 

Wabash Valley College will host a new Gas Utility Construction Bootcamp, a hands-on training program designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in the natural gas utility and pipeline construction industry. The bootcamp runs Saturdays, Jan. 10–March 14, 2026.  The intensive 10-week course will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the WVC campus in Mt. Carmel, offering 90 hours of expert training in gas main and service installation, safety protocols, and readiness for Department of Transportation Operator Qualifications (OQ). 

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges (IECC) Business & Industry, in partnership with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at IECC, will host Blueprints for Growth: Tools for Economic Development on January 15, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center in Noble, Illinois.

Lincoln Trail College will bring two popular productions to the stage in summer 2026 as part of its Children’s Summer Theater and Young Adults Theater programs. This year’s lineup features Magic Tree House: The Knight at Dawn KIDS for elementary-aged performers and Beetlejuice JR. for teens, offering students opportunities to learn performance skills, build confidence, and collaborate in a creative environment. Registration for the program will open in spring 2026. The cost is $150 per student, and enrollment will be limited.

Olney – Olney Central College, the Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB), and local and state officials will celebrate the completion of the new Health Professions Center with an Open House and Dedication Ceremony on December 11. The public is invited to explore the 8,500-square-foot addition to Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall from 3 to 7 p.m., with a formal dedication ceremony at 4 p.m.

Lincoln Trail College is expanding support for students preparing to enter the workforce with the opening of its Professional Clothing Closet, a free resource offering work-appropriate attire for job interviews, internships, and new employment.

Three Lincoln Trail College students are stepping into leadership roles on campus this year as part of the Student Ambassador program, a service-oriented team that represents the college during tours, events and outreach efforts. Emily Miller, Landry Price and Bella Nottger each bring unique strengths, backgrounds and future goals to their roles — and all share a commitment to helping others feel connected at LTC.

The Olney Central College Community Choir will present its annual Christmas Concert at 7 p.m. on December 12 in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center. Director of Choral Activities Dr. Andrew Pittman said this year’s event will feature a variety of selections that reflect the joy and spirit of the holiday season.

Olney Central College Radiography students will now have access to a C-arm machine on campus after the Carle Richland Memorial Hospital Radiology Department donated the previously used equipment. In medical settings, the advanced imaging device uses X-ray technology and a characteristic C-shaped arm to provide real-time, high-resolution images during surgical and interventional procedures.

The buzzers were back at Lincoln Trail College as 12 high school teams competed in the Tip Off at the Trail Scholastic Bowl tournament on November 15. The event marked the return of a long-standing LTC tradition, bringing together students from across southeastern Illinois for a day of fast-paced academic competition. Cumberland High School took top honors, earning first place in the tournament. Marshall High School finished second, followed by Robinson High School in third and Edwards County High School in fourth.