Looking for a hobby or the opportunity to learn a new skill? Olney Central College is offering a variety of Community Education classes beginning January 10. Courses range from basic computer skills, community band and oil painting to quilting, woodworking and artistic welding. Visit www.iecc.edu/occ/communityed for a complete listing of Spring 2022 courses. For more information or to register, call 618-395-7777.    

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 2, 2021 — Today, the Aspen Institute named Lincoln Trail College one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges. The colleges selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.  

Lincoln Trail College announced that they will be joining thousands of theatrical organizations around the globe by producing their own local production of Music Theatre International’s All Together Now!: A Global Event Celebrating Local Theatre. Theatrical licensor Music Theatre International (MTI) created this revue for theatres across the globe to use as a local fundraising event performed over the same weekend of November 12, 2021.  Lincoln Trail College’s performances are scheduled for November 12 and 13 at 7:00 p.m. and November 14 at 2:00 p.m. 

Lincoln Trail College will hold a concert on November 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Zwermann Arts Center Theater. The concert will feature performances by the LTC Trumpet Choir, the Statesmen Singers, and the LTC Jazz Band. “Since this concert will be close to Veterans Day, we wanted to perform some music to pay tribute to our veterans and America,” says Dr. Michael Patilla. “The Trumpet Choir is performing The Star-Spangled Banner and the Statesmen Singers are performing The Pride of America.”

Olney Central College Theater is bringing the lovable childhood character of Curious George to town for two special events. Many people have enjoyed the books, TV shows, and movies featuring Curious George, but few know the fascinating history of how he came to life. Long before getting himself into all sorts of mischief, the famous monkey made an incredible journey when his creators escaped the Nazi invasion of France.

Jane McCormick is serving as Olney Central College’s new Information Systems Technology (IST) Instructor. An Olney native, McCormick possesses both technical and educational experience in the field. After graduating from college, she began her career with AT&T and later moved to its subsidiary Lucent Technologies in Naperville. McCormick served as a software engineer working at the telecommunications equipment firm before transitioning into technical management.

The website Online Schools Guide rated Lincoln Trail College as the sixth-best online community college in the nation for 2022. They rated community colleges offering online or hybrid degree programs. Their rankings are based on the number of programs offered followed by cost, student reviews, and salary.

Eric Badger came to Lincoln Trail College late in life. He found himself out of a job after the company he was working for was bought out by another company. He turned to Maureen Hays and the CEFS organization to begin a new career and enrolled in classes at LTC in September of 2019. “It was a lot of work at the beginning,” says Badger. “There was a lot of paperwork that I had to fill out, but it went quickly thanks to the help of Maureen.” 

Olney Central College is currently accepting applications for Fall 2022 entry into the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges/OCC Nursing Program. Applicants must attend an informational meeting which will be scheduled for some time in January and February. Please check with Nursing Advisor Linda Horn as to the dates.