OLNEY, Ill. — Olney Central College Associate Professor of Life Sciences Dr. Sarah Bergbower’s commitment to excellence in clinical laboratory science is earning national recognition, including the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science’s prestigious 2026 Scientific Research Award.  Dr. Bergbower received the honors during the Joint Annual Meeting of the ASCLS, the Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT) and the Society of American Federal Medical Laboratory Scientists (SAFMLS). 

OLNEY, Ill. — Olney Central College Associate Professor of Speech and Communication Jessica McDonald was one of just 14 educators selected from colleges and universities across the United States to participate in the Alan Cornell U.S. Campus Faculty Seminar at Yad Vashem, Israel’s World Holocaust Remembrance Center. 

OLNEY, Ill. — For 16 seasons, the Olney Central College Community Choir has brought together singers from across Southeastern Illinois to share their voices, build friendships and experience the joy of making music together. OCC Director of Choral Activities Dr. Andrew Pittman invites new and returning singers to become part of the tradition when rehearsals begin at 6 p.m. on September 8.

Olney Central College student Brandy Cochran earned national recognition at the Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate National Leadership Conference in Las Vegas. The Olney resident placed ninth in the nation in the Customer Service event, competing against top students from colleges and universities across the United States.

For Tanara Ryden, fused glass making started as a creative experiment. Armed with YouTube tutorials, determination and a willingness to learn through trial and error, she taught herself the craft and eventually turned a hobby into The Glassy Nut, a cottage business featuring her handcrafted glass art. This fall, Ryden will share her passion for glass with others through a series of community education classes at Olney Central College.

The Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Nursing Program has earned statewide recognition for excellence in nursing education. PracticalNursing.org ranked Olney Central College and Wabash Valley College No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in its 2026 list of the Top Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) programs in Illinois. A trusted source for nursing education information, licensure guidance and career resources, PracticalNursing.org provides data-driven rankings to help prospective students identify quality nursing programs.

Olney Central College’s Massage Therapy Program is accepting appointments for Summer clinicals. The clinics are open to the public and will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 23, July 11 and July 24 at the Terry L. Bruce West Richland Center in Noble. The cost for a relaxing massage is $45 for an hour and $30 for half an hour. A 20-minute chair massage is $20.

OLNEY, Ill. — Olney Central College’s Massage Therapy Program is accepting new students for Fall 2026. Designed with busy adults in mind, the program offers convenient evening classes that allow students to pursue a rewarding new career without putting life on hold. Best of all, the certificate can be completed in just one year.

OLNEY, Ill. — Outstanding students at Olney Central College have received academic honors for the Spring 2026 Semester. Students named to the Chancellor’s List have attained a grade point average of 3.90 or higher, on a 4.0 scale. Those on the President’s List have achieved a grade point average between 3.75 and 3.89, while those students named to the Dean’s List have earned a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.74. Chancellor’s List: Albion: Isaiah Henson, Zachary Leavens, Travis Roosevelt and Kamryn Trowbridge Alma: Kyra Swift

Olney Central College invites area students to explore new interests, develop hands-on skills and make lasting summer memories through the Ignite Curiosity Summer Camps. Registration is now underway for the camps, which offer engaging learning experiences designed to spark creativity, encourage exploration and introduce students to potential career pathways in a fun and interactive environment. The camps are designed for a variety of age groups and provide students with activities that blend education with creativity and teamwork.