Recently Fired FBI Director James Comey (FBI image)
Thompsonville sends 18 to RLC for College Signing Day
May 9, 2017 By Leave a Comment
ReAnne Palmer – Rend Lake College Public Information
Pictured is, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, Jessica Palmer, Katie Ramsey, Maddie Miller, Mckenzie Nolen, and Samantha Walden; MIDDLE ROW, Kassidy Rizor, Katie Linsley, Kenzie Rizor, Maggie Householder, and Macie Jones; BACK ROW, Jared Emberton, Jared Payne, Cory Wilce, Alexis Williams, Noah Summers, Austin Kessler, Montanna Roberts, and Coleman Bundy.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)
Registration for Summer 2017 is going on now for all students with classes starting the week of June 5-9. Fall 2017 registration for sophomores began Monday, April 3 by appointment. For incoming students, Fall 2017 enrollment appointments began Monday, April 17. The Fall semester begins the week of August 14-18. To get an appointment, contact Academic Advising at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1266.
According to the U. S. Department of Education, college graduates typically earn more and are less likely to face unemployment than those with a high school diploma. Over the course of a lifetime, the average worker with a postsecondary degree will earn approximately $1 million more than a worker without a postsecondary education. In fact, by 2020, an estimated two-thirds of job openings will require postsecondary education or training.
RLC is a comprehensive community college located in Ina in Southern Illinois. Rend Lake College offers more than 100 associate degree and occupational certificate programs, preparing students for transfer to a four-year university or direct entry into the workforce. In addition, RLC offers personal interest classes, continuing education, business & industry training, computer workshops and much more. To learn more about RLC, visit www.rlc.edu/journey
50 influencers of Rend Lake College: Marvin Scott
May 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Reece Rutland – Rend Lake College Public Information
Marvin Scott – All photos provided by Rend Lake College
INA, IL – The man that holds the distinction of being the longest-serving Board of Trustees member has a pretty firm grip on the honor considering his 35 years of service outpace his nearest competition by an astounding 12-year gap.
Marvin Scott, a famer and small businessman out of Belle Rive has seen a thing or two during his three-and-a-half decades as an RLC Trustee. Originally appointed in 1978 to replace Dr. Clyde Funkhouser (Mt. Vernon), Scott now boasts a longevity that only a handful of Trustees statewide can equal.
Following his appointment in 78, Scott won his first seat on the board the following year, and then proceeded to get re-elected five more times until he decided not to run again in 2013, at the age of 82.
Longevity aside, Scott might be best known for his willingness to be involved with the campus as much as possible. He was known to attend almost every board meeting and made a concentrated effort to be present at many other college functions.
“I don’t think very many have received an award that I haven’t been there,” Scott said. “If our instructors or someone at the college has put in the time and work to get an award, then I’m going to put in the time to be there. I just want to be there.”
For his service to the college, Scott another of the exclusive crowd to have a piece of campus named for them. In 2013, then Board Chairman Bryan Drew unveiled a plaque designating the “Marvin W. Scott Executive Board Room” on the second floor of the Student Center.
Scott modestly said, “I appreciate this, but that’s not what I’ve been here 33 years for.”
Marvin Scott at the unveiling of the plaque for the “Marvin W. Scott Executive Board Room.” Click on the image for a larger view.
His mission was simple, to help people go to college and get an education.
“I think we’ve improved our options over the years,” he said. “Things have changed for the better. Education is changing for the better.”
“We’ve got some dedicated people. I see some real hard dedication in our teachers who do the job over and above. Just look at our maintenance [department]. I tell people, you go [on campus] and just stand still for a while. One or more of them will end up going by you. If they are going to give their time and extra effort, so am I. A good Board has to do its job.”
RLC wasn’t the only place Scott made an impact on the Illinois community college community. He was one of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s (ICCTA) most dedicated and decorated members, acting as the eyes and ears of RLC at the state level.
In 2013, Scott received the recognition from the ICCTA with a 35-year Trustee Award. He is also a five-time recipient of the ICCTA Trustee Education Award (2012, 2009, 2005, 2002 and 2001), and in 2013, he was also presented with the organization’s Certification of Merit Award, and honor “presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to ICCTA, the Illinois System or a member college. He was nominated for the Harstein Trustee Achievement Award in 2006.
“In this world there are never too many gentlemen and it’s always a pleasure to meet a gentleman. That’s Marvin,” past ICCTA President Warfel said. “It’s been a real pleasure and honor to sit at the table with a real gentleman.”
Scott acted as RLC’s proxy to the ICCTA for almost two decades. He took over as the college’s rep in 1997. He credited his open schedule for longevity with the organization, saying that he had the time to make it work and be involved. But, he always made a point to get fellow board members or college officials involved when possible.
His mission was simple, to help people go to college and get an education.
“I think we’ve improved our options over the years,” he said. “Things have changed for the better. Education is changing for the better.”
“We’ve got some dedicated people. I see some real hard dedication in our teachers who do the job over and above. Just look at our maintenance [department]. I tell people, you go [on campus] and just stand still for a while. One or more of them will end up going by you. If they are going to give their time and extra effort, so am I. A good Board has to do its job.”
RLC wasn’t the only place Scott made an impact on the Illinois community college community. He was one of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association’s (ICCTA) most dedicated and decorated members, acting as the eyes and ears of RLC at the state level.
In 2013, Scott received the recognition from the ICCTA with a 35-year Trustee Award. He is also a five-time recipient of the ICCTA Trustee Education Award (2012, 2009, 2005, 2002 and 2001), and in 2013, he was also presented with the organization’s Certification of Merit Award, and honor “presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to ICCTA, the Illinois System or a member college. He was nominated for the Harstein Trustee Achievement Award in 2006.
“In this world there are never too many gentlemen and it’s always a pleasure to meet a gentleman. That’s Marvin,” past ICCTA President Warfel said. “It’s been a real pleasure and honor to sit at the table with a real gentleman.”
Scott acted as RLC’s proxy to the ICCTA for almost two decades. He took over as the college’s rep in 1997. He credited his open schedule for longevity with the organization, saying that he had the time to make it work and be involved. But, he always made a point to get fellow board members or college officials involved when possible.
As RLC’s ICCTA Representative, Scott went to meetings and seminars on the regional, state and national levels throughout the year and reported back to the full board about what he learned.
Scott, left, stands with RLC President Terry Wilkerson during his teaching years.
“Marvin valued the importance of the people at the college and those that it serves. It didn’t matter if you were in the President’s Office of the Physical Plant, Marvin knew who you were and what you did,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson.
As RLC’s ICCTA Representative, Scott went to meetings and seminars on the regional, state and national levels throughout the year and reported back to the full board about what he learned.
“Marvin valued the importance of the people at the college and those that it serves. It didn’t matter if you were in the President’s Office of the Physical Plant, Marvin knew who you were and what you did,” said RLC President Terry Wilkerson.
Scott has been a part of giving the gift of education to thousands. But he never went to college himself. He married his wife Vivian when he was 19 and she was just two weeks out of high school. They worked together at a factory in Rockford for a while and he served two years in the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division, spending 18 months as a personnel office clerk in Germany. They bought her father’s part of the Hamson Feed Store after Marvin was discharged.
In addition to representing RLC on the ICCTA Executive Committee, Scott formerly served several terms on the Belle Rive Village Board, 15 years on the Hamilton County Telephone Cooperative Board and multiple terms on the Jefferson County Board. He is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce and served many years on the Belle Rive School Board. He also served on the Belle Rive Saddle Club Board, Mt. Vernon Township High School Agriculture Advisory Board and is a former USDA Farm Service Director.
Competitive Gaming Coming to RLC
May 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment
by Reece Rutland – Rend Lake College Public Informaton
Ultimate Gaming Championship’s $200,000 Gears of War Pro Circuit Atlantic City Open final.
INA, IL – With the explosion in popularity of competitive video gaming, Rend Lake College is excited to announce plans to host what everyone involved hopes is one of the largest e-sporting events Southern Illinois has ever seen in conjunction with Southern Illinois start-up Ultimate Gaming Championship (UGC).
UGC, fresh off their $200,000 Gears of War Pro Circuit Atlantic City Open, is excited to bring all the bells and whistles of the professional gaming scene to Ina to give local gamers the chance to compete like the pros for a day.
“UGC is very excited to bring competitive gaming to Rend Lake College. We are seeing more and more colleges nation-wide embrace competitive gaming. This is our chance to not only give those students a chance to compete, but also reach into a younger generation who has a lot of excitement and passion of e-sports,” UGC CEO Matt Jackson explained.
Slated for June 24th, the RLC E-Sports Open will feature $5,000 in total prizes with 2v2 tournaments in Halo 5 and Call of Duty Modern Warfare Remastered and head-to-head matchups for Super Smash Brothers Melee, Super Smash Wii U, Madden 17, NBA 2k17 and Hearthstone. Participants in Hearthstone are asked to bring their own mobile device and application of the game.
Taking place in the James E. “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium the event will kick off at 10 a.m. Entry to the event is free with in-district student identification. Admission for other participants and observers is $10. Concessions and merchandise will be available on site.
With roots in Du Quoin, UGC is a premiere e-sports tournament organizer with experience on the Halo, Gears of War and Smash Bros. professional circuits.
For more information on the event, visit UGC’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UGCevents/.
Camping World CEO press release on the Gander Mountain acquisition
May 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Even though the going out of business sign remains, the Marion Gander Mountain location will remain open as 70 stores nationwide are slated to remain open. Regionally, the one in Evansville, IN will as well. The other stores in the region’s fate is not final as the list will expand daily. (Southern Illinoisan photo)
LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– On May 1, 2017, Camping World Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CWH) (“Camping World”), the nation’s largest network of RV-centric retail locations and only provider of a comprehensive portfolio of services, protection plans, products and resources for the outdoor enthusiast, announced the planned acquisition of certain assets of Gander Mountain Company(“Gander Mountain”) and its Overton’s, Inc. (“Overton’s”) boating business, following Camping World’s successful bid for certain assets of Gander Mountain and Overton’s in a bankruptcy auction on April 27, 2017 and April 28, 2017. On May 4, 2017, the transaction was approved by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota (the “Bankruptcy Court”).
On May 5, 2017, CWI, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Camping World, entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Agreement”) with Gander Mountain. As part of the Agreement, Camping World obtained the right to designate any real estate leases for assignment to Camping World or other third parties and initially plans to operate stores that it believes have a clear path to profitability. Marcus Lemonis, Chairman and CEO of Camping World, stated “after reviewing the stores in more detail since our successel bid in the bankruptcy process, our current goal is operate seventy or more, locations subject to, among other things, our ability to negotiate lease terms with landlords on terms acceptable to us and approval of the Bankruptcy Court. The current liquidation of the existing Gander Mountain inventory will allow us to start with a clean slate of what we consider the appropriate mix and level of inventory, including the addition of Camping World and Overton’s offerings where appropriate.”
About Camping World Holdings, Inc.
Camping World Holdings Inc. (NYSE: CWH) is the only provider of a comprehensive portfolio of services, protection plans, products and resources for recreational vehicle (“RV”) enthusiasts. Through its two iconic brands, Camping World and Good Sam, the company offers new and used RVs for sale, vehicle service and maintenance along with more than 10,000 products and services through its retail locations and membership clubs. Good Sam branded offerings provide the industry’s broadest and deepest range of services, protection plans, products and resources while the Camping World brand operates the largest national network of RV-centric retail locations in the United States through over 125 retail locations in 36 states and an e-commerce platform. With both brands founded in 1966, product and service offerings are based on 50 years of experience and customer feedback from RV enthusiasts.
For more information, visit www.CampingWorld.com.
Benton/West City Fire Departments perform water rescue
May 8, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Press release from the Benton Fire Department
On Saturday May 6, 2017 at 3:50 pm The Benton Fire Dept. Dive-Rescue team was requested mutual aid to the West City Fire Dept. for a male subject on the roof of a vehicle submerged in water on Yellowbanks Rd.
Upon arrival of Benton Engine 801, Utility 809 and Boat, the decision was made to deploy the boat due to 5 ft. deep water over the roadway where the subjects vehicle had been swept off. The subject was subsequently rescued from the water and care transferred to Abbott EMS where he was treated for exposure to the elements and a previous medical condition. Franklin County Sheriff’s Dept. assisted.
News 3’s Darren Kinnard involved in wreck
May 6, 2017 By Leave a Comment
CARTERVILLE, IL (WSIL-TV. Please Click link to read the full story. Here is an excerpt) News 3 Sports Director Darren Kinnard is recovering from injuries he received in a wreck Friday evening. It occurred on Crenshaw Road east of Energy. The driver who struck Darren’s vehicle was identified as 27-year old Jason Stacy of Energy. Police arrested Stacy.
