Lincoln Trail College’s Broadband Telecom program has received a significant equipment donation from Metro Communications, made possible through program alumnus Collin Alger, a 2025 graduate now employed by the company. The contribution provides critical Outside Plant Construction tools that will expand hands-on learning opportunities and strengthen workforce preparation for future students.

Dual credit courses at Lincoln Trail College continued to provide significant financial and academic benefits for area high school students during the Fall 2025 semester, with more than 170 students earning college credit and saving thousands of dollars in tuition and fees. Students from four Crawford County high schools enrolled in dual credit classes through Lincoln Trail College, allowing them to earn college credit while still in high school. In total, students completed 366 dual credit classes during the semester.

Lincoln Trail College will hold auditions for its spring production of Disney’s Newsies, the Tony Award-winning musical based on the 1992 Disney film, on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, and Friday, Jan. 30, 2026, both at 6 p.m. in the Zwermann Arts Center Theater.

Welding is back at Lincoln Trail College, and early momentum shows the program’s return is being met with enthusiasm from students, industry partners and the community. January 8’s Welding Open House at the college drew strong attendance, giving prospective students an opportunity to tour the welding lab, meet instructors, learn about career pathways and receive help enrolling for Spring Semester classes. The event marked an important step in rebuilding the program after welding courses were paused during the fall semester.

Lincoln Trail College has released its academic honor lists for the Fall 2025 Semester. Three lists have been established by Illinois Eastern Community Colleges to indicate students who have achieved academic excellence. They are the Chancellor’s Honors List, the President’s Academic Honors List, and the Dean’s Academic Honors List. To qualify for any of the honor lists, a student must be enrolled full-time (12 hours or more) and must be taking college-level classes.

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. 

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.

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 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.