INA, Ill.– Members of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce (JCCC) are making lasting impacts on their local community with the recent creation of a $10,500 scholarship to the Rend Lake College Foundation.

The announcement was made last week during the JCCC Annual Dinner by Board President Tony Wielt. The majority of the donation – $10,000 – will create an endowed scholarship that will begin awarding in the 2019-2020 academic year and will continue in perpetuity.

“We believe in Rend Lake College as a partner in education. We know we have the resources right now to be able to make an investment that will be able to help a student in Jefferson County to improve their education now and into the future,” said Wielt. “We may never be in a position like this again to be able to financially help a student. I’m honored to be able to do this: to serve as the Board President this year and make this announcement has been one of the best things the Chamber has allowed me to do. The decision this Chamber made will still be helping people 20 years from now, and that’s a great feeling.”

Tony Wielt, LEFT, Board President of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and Kay Zibby-Damron, RLC Foundation CEO, announce the creation of an endowed scholarship by the JCCC during the Chamber’s Annual Dinner last week. The endowment will provide scholarship funds for students in perpetuity. Click on the image for a larger view.
(Photo: Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce)

The JCCC was able to create the endowed scholarship thanks to a boom in the local business market. Wielt explained the increase in memberships has allowed the Chamber to invest both internally and externally.

“A couple of things have happened over the last three years with the Chamber. The first being that our membership has grown significantly and, as a result, we have been able to make two big investments with the resources we have generated in memberships and sponsorships,” said Wielt. “One of those investments is the endowment, and the second is the additional personnel we’ve added to support a membership of nearly 500 businesses. It’s fantastic. The business climate in Jefferson County is improving every year, and these investments are a direct reflection of that.”

The endowment itself is the result of the organization’s interest in providing more financial assistance to local students. Additionally, the donation amount places the JCCC on the Major Donors Wall, located in the RLC Student Center on the Ina campus.

“We have a lot of members in the Chamber who have a heart for education,” said Wielt. “When I was meeting with Kay Zibby-Damron (RLC Foundation CEO) last fall about my personal scholarship, I said, ‘wouldn’t it be nice for the Chamber to do something like this,’ and it evolved from there. We had more and more people involved and had everyone’s full support.”

“We truly appreciate what the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce has done and we value our partnership with them,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. “Helping a local student get a college education is a great way to invest in the community. Hopefully, those students will want to return to the area and contribute in their own way, whether that’s by joining the workforce or starting a business of their own.”

The remaining $500 of the donation will provide a scholarship for one deserving student in the 2018-2019 academic year. Because endowment investments take one year to mature, the JCCC would’ve had to sit out this upcoming year without the additional contribution.

“When we decided we wanted to make this investment for an endowed scholarship, we realized we wouldn’t be able to recognize a student until the fall of 2019, so we decided then to make an additional $500 investment so we could begin in the fall of 2018,” said Wielt.

The awarding criteria set by members of the JCCC is for any RLC student who resides in Jefferson County. Wielt said the members of many different committees decided not to limit students from applying.

“Members of the Chamber had lots of questions regarding choosing students and the parameters for the scholarship, but we landed on a broad opportunity. Applicants can be non-traditional or just out of high school, with no specific major. They just have to be a Jefferson County resident. It’s an equal opportunity for all who apply,” said Wielt.

In the end, the Chamber recognizes the importance of giving back to the community by giving back to those working hard for a new career, entrepreneurship, or advanced skills in their current workplace.  

“We truly believe in the community partnership of Rend Lake College. We have a common belief that it’s important to invest in your community. In fact, we speak about that among our membership. We want to help people as they complete or continue their education,” said Wielt. “To have students recognize it was local businesspeople and community leaders who helped support them, it’s fantastic.”

Kay Zibby-Damron, RLC Foundation CEO, echoed Wielt’s statement by saying the donation can be seen more as an investment in the local community.

“This generous investment is a testament that the Greater Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce values education and wants to change lives in our community for the better,” said Zibby-Damron. “This new scholarship will give life to dreams for many Jefferson County students for years to come. The RLC Foundation is very thankful to have the support of individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout our district who partner with us to provide more and more opportunities for our students to receive an affordable and quality education.”

Students can learn more about the scholarship by contacting the RLC Foundation at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1214.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale constituents erupted in applause Thursday as the SIU Board of Trustees voted down a proposal to shift $5.1 million in state appropriation funding to SIU Edwardsville.

Here’s a link to the story in the Southern Illinoisan.

SPRINGFIELD — Gov. Bruce Rauner issued the following statement on House Resolution 975, filed today to kill the progressive income tax legislation.

“I am proud to support Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, the House Republican Caucus and House Resolution 975. The Democrats’ progressive income tax is a calculated killer: it kills jobs and businesses and, ultimately, it will kill the middle class. It has been less than a year since Illinois families were forced to begin paying for the 32% income tax hike I opposed. We need to send a message that emptying our citizens’ pockets with new taxes is not the solution to our problems. Instead of forcing families to fork over more of their hard-earned money to the government through a progressive tax, let’s build our economy, grow jobs and put money into their pockets. Together, we’re saying ‘no’ to the proposed progressive income tax.”

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)

Victims requested to share their story
on social media using #MyDrunkDrivingStory

Dallas, Texas –  For Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 8 to 14, 2018) this year, MADD is releasing a new public service announcement highlighting the devastating impact that drunk driving has on its victims. It features an injured victim, Philip Ormston, who was hit by a drunk driver suffering a traumatic brain injury that has left him unable to speak, swallow, walk or talk. MADD is grateful to Dallas-based companies The Marketing Arm and ATK PLN for producing and donating the creative and informative PSA now available at https://www.madd.org/get-involved/mydrunkdrivingstory/.

“Not all victims of drunk driving are killed in the crash,” said MADD National President Colleen Sheehey-Church. “This PSA brings to light the life-altering pain that drunk driving inflicts on its victims and their families.”

MADD is also asking all drunk driving victims to tell their stories on their social media pages using #MyDrunkDrivingStory. The PSA honors Philip and all injured drunk driving victims, and sheds light on the life-changing impact on survivors of the violent and 100 percent preventable crime of drunk driving crashes.

MADD welcomes media outlets to use this PSA on their networks to help the organization get closer to its vision of No More VictimsÒ. We serve and honor injured victims on an on-going basis and would like the country to join us to do the same.

About Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Founded in 1980 by a mother whose daughter was killed by a drunk driver, Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) is the nation’s largest nonprofit working to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. MADD has helped to save more than 350,000 lives, reduce drunk driving deaths by more than 50 percent and promote designating a non-drinking driver. MADD’s Campaign to Eliminate Drunk Driving® calls for law enforcement support, ignition interlocks for all offenders and advanced vehicle technology. MADD has provided supportive services to nearly one million drunk and drugged driving victims and survivors at no charge through local victim advocates and the 24-Hour Victim Help Line 1-877-MADD-HELP. Visit www.madd.org or call 1-877-ASK-MADD.

INA, Ill. – Tonight, during the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees monthly meeting, two new articulation agreements were approved to help graduates of several RLC programs, including Industrial Technology and Criminal Justice. The agreements are effective immediately for those who meet program requirements at both institutions.

The Southern Illinois University (SIU) Carbondale agreement is the twelfth of its kind with the neighboring university. Students enrolled in RLC’s Associate of Science degree in Industrial Technology will have the opportunity to transfer into SIU Carbondale’s Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management and Applied Engineering in the College of Engineering.

The agreement helps to eliminate the duplication of instruction at both institutions, though RLC graduates will still be required to meet admission and program requirements at SIU Carbondale. Graduates will be able to transfer 64 credit hours, including specific courses required by SIU, and have to maintain a 2.0 grade point average (GPA). Students will then complete a minimum of 42 credit hours at SIU Carbondale.

According to the U. S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industrial technicians have a median wage of $53,330 with an associate’s degree – income that typically that increases with more education. Gabriele Farner, Dean of Applied Science and Technology, explained the industry is on the rise.

“Industrial Technology and Management is one of fastest growing occupations in the manufacturing field. The additional opportunities created with SIU Carbondale for our graduates make them even more marketable,” said Farner.

A second agreement with Missouri Baptist University (MBU) helps with the seamless transfer of many different RLC graduates into bachelor degree programs. RLC students who complete specific associate degrees in applied science, science, or arts, will have the chance to transfer into MBU’s Bachelor of Science or Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science or Arts in Behavioral Science, or Bachelor of Professional Studies in Applied Management.

Depending on the degree at RLC, students will have to meet program requirements at MBU while also maintaining a 2.0 GPA. On average, students will be required to complete 40 credit hours at MBU.

Farner said the agreement with MBU is unique in that students often don’t have to go further than the Ina campus to continue baccalaureate studies.

“Missouri Baptist offers classes on the RLC campus, which makes it even more appealing for RLC students to continue their education after completing their associate degree at RLC,” said Farner. “In certain programs, they can complete their bachelors without leaving their home district.”

Also during the Board of Trustees meeting tonight, Trustees approved changes to an existing articulation agreement between RLC and SIU Carbondale’s College of Applied Sciences and Arts, Department of Health Care Management. Due to curriculum changes at RLC, one program – Medical Assistant – replaced courses and adjusted credit hours for several graduation requirements. All provisions of the agreement, established in May of 2016, remain in full effect.

Each of these agreements will be reevaluated annually by RLC and the partnering university. A list of specific courses that will transfer to each institution was also provided at the Board meeting. This list can be found on RLC’s website or when speaking with an RLC Academic Advisor.

Students wishing to learn more about program specifics should contact their RLC Academic Advisor at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.