Lincoln Trail College welcomed high school students from across the region to campus for its annual Celebrate Art! Day, an event designed to showcase student artwork while providing an educational experience in the arts. Students in grades 9-12 from area schools, including Robinson, Oblong, Palestine, Hutsonville, Marshall, Lawrenceville, Red Hill and Richland County, participated in the event by submitting artwork for display and competition.

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.

Lincoln Trail College hosted the Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science (ACES) Competition on March 2, welcoming more than 125 students from nine area high schools to campus. The ACES Competition provides high school students the opportunity to test their knowledge in subjects related to engineering and science, including mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics. Students select subject areas and complete exams designed to challenge their understanding and problem-solving abilities.

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.

The Learning Commons at Lincoln Trail College was filled with creativity and community earlier this month as the college hosted its annual Children’s Art Show, featuring artwork from students across the region. The exhibit included 103 pieces of art created by students ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade. Participating schools were Hutsonville Junior High, New Hebron Christian School, Nuttall Middle School, Oblong Grade School and Junior High, and Palestine Grade School and Junior High.

High school musicians from across the region will gather at Lincoln Trail College on Feb. 10 for the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Jazz Festival, a one-day immersive event designed to give students a collegiate-style jazz experience.

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.