Lincoln Trail College is inviting alumni, community members, and supporters to come together on March 31 for the college’s first-ever Day of Giving. The 24-hour event will bring attention to the ways community support helps students succeed while strengthening the programs and opportunities available on campus. The effort is part of a coordinated Day of Giving across Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, with each campus foundation focusing on supporting its local students and priorities.

OLNEY, IL — Olney Central College Theater’s production of the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat opens on March 20 at the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center. The production marks the return of the beloved musical to the OCC stage for the first time in 18 years. Known for its lively music and colorful storytelling, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat retells the familiar biblical story of Joseph, his famous coat of many colors, and his journey from hardship to triumph.

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.

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.