Mackenzie Trader seated as new Student Trustee, replaces Grace Pytlinski

INA, Ill. – Rend Lake College freshman Mackenzie Trader was seated as the 2018-19 Student Trustee tonight during the board’s monthly meeting. Trader replaces outgoing Student Trustee Grace Pytlinski of Waltonville.

Trader, a native of Scheller and graduate of Waltonville High School, is a double major in RLC’s Agriculture Business and Agriculture Production and Management programs. She is active on campus as the reporter for the Collegiate FFA (Future Farmers of America) where she runs the club’s social media account and helps with activities and events on campus.

Mackenzie Trader of Scheller, CENTER, was seated tonight as the 2018-19 Student Trustee during the April Board meeting. She is pictured with President Terry Wilkerson, LEFT, and Board of Trustees Chair Randy Rubenacker, RIGHT.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

After her graduation from RLC in May of 2019, she plans to transfer to Murray State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in agronomy, and eventually, a master’s degree in a similar field. Trader said her dream job is to work as a crop and soil consultant.

“I would advise farmers on fertilizer and chemicals, seed varieties, and anything that will help their farm grow to its greatest potential. It’s something flexible so I can farm with my family and also bring back that knowledge,” said Trader.

In Scheller, Trader lives and works on her family’s farm – one that has been in her family for five generations. There, she helps raise corn, soy beans, wheat, Angus cattle, and pigs. She also works part-time at McNeil Consulting in Mt. Vernon.

Trader said she first heard about the Student Trustee position when it was advertised in February for students to fill out an application to have their names on the voting ballot. Voting was held in late March for all RLC students.

“I thought about it early on, but pushed it aside when things got busy, but then Grace and Kathy (Craig, Agriculture Professor) started encouraging me to do it. They said it would be really good for me to do this and that I’d really like it,” said Trader. “I’ve always loved Rend Lake College and everything about it. This position is a great way for me to be involved on a personal and professional level. I’m going to take it all in and hopefully learn a lot.”

Trader will serve on the Board of Trustees as an advisory vote representing the student body. Her one-year term will end April of 2019.

Grace Pytlinski of Waltonville, CENTER, received a plaque for her work as the 2017-18 Student Trustee during the April Board meeting. She is pictured with Wilkerson, LEFT, and Rubenacker, RIGHT.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)