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Lincoln Trail College recognized four outstanding students with special awards during its 55th Annual Commencement ceremony.
Kylee Hosman received the Bev L. Turkal Excellence in Leadership Award. The Bev L. Turkal Excellence in Leadership Award is presented to a full-time Lincoln Trail College student who has shown great Leadership qualities and skills. This award is given to honor Bev L. Turkal, a true Leader in Education, whose passion was to make a difference and change the lives of children, teens, adults and lifelong learners. Bev believed to be a strong Leader one must live life, care, and show empathy, must have high energy and be competitive to accomplish the goals set to make things happen!
Hosman was praised as a student who leads by example in the classroom, on the volleyball court, and in the workforce. Her nomination highlighted her proactive approach to student engagement and her deep commitment to Lincoln Trail College and the broader Illinois Eastern Community Colleges district. She was recognized as a passionate advocate for students, striving to build an inclusive campus community.
Sean Stone was honored with the J. Rod Harmon Excellence in Service Award. The J. Rod Harmon Excellence in Service Award is presented to a full-time Lincoln Trail College student who has demonstrated outstanding service to the college or the community. Rod Harmon served as a faculty member at Lincoln Trail College for 27 years and served as the Executive Director of the Lincoln Trail College Foundation for 20 years. He is well known for his rich sense of humor, dedication to his wife Diana, and commitment to creating opportunities for all residents of Crawford County to have access to a high-quality education.
Stone was nominated for his leadership in Phi Theta Kappa and the VITA Tax Program, where he played a key role in developing chapter projects and organizing induction ceremonies. Through the VITA program, he provided tax assistance to elderly, low-income, and disadvantaged individuals in the community. He was also commended for his strong academics, positive attitude, and respectful demeanor.
Two students received the Joseph C. Piland Excellence in Scholarship Award. The Joseph C. Piland Excellence in Scholarship Award is presented to a full-time Lincoln Trail College student who has demonstrated outstanding academic merit and sustained excellence in the classroom. The award is given to honor Joseph C. Piland, who was the first President of Lincoln Trail College. His vision and passion for education were instrumental in the development of a comprehensive community college for Crawford County.
Lucas Smith was named the recipient in the Career and Technical Education category. A Broadband Telecom student, Smith maintained a 4.0 GPA while working full-time at night. His instructors praised the quality of his work as exceeding that of many professionals in the field. Smith is also the first person in his family to earn a college degree.
Kelliann Clapp received the award in the Transfer Education category. She was described as a student with strong moral character and integrity who leads by example in the classroom. Clapp plans to continue her education at Eastern Illinois University, where she will major in Art Education. Her artwork was recognized for its excellence and for demonstrating a strong command of both technique and artistic expression.
