Rauner makes university trustee appointments, two named at SIUC

February 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Governor Rauner announced today he has made appointments to the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University and Chicago State University.

Name: John Gilbert

Position: Board of Trustees – Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected John Gilbert, 65, of Carbondale to the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Gilbert is a life-long public servant and is currently a United States District Court Judge (senior status).

Gilbert was appointed to the federal bench in 1992, and currently presides over criminal and civil cases. Prior to that, he was a First Judicial Circuit Court Judge for nearly five years.

Gilbert has also served the people of Illinois as a member of the State Board of Elections, where he set policy matters for the board and presided over election challenges.

Gilbert holds a law degree from Loyola University Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.

Name: Joel Sambursky

Position: Board of Trustees – Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Joel Sambursky, 32, of Carbondale to serve on the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Sambursky is a graduate of SIU and is the president of Liberty Wealth Management, LLC.

Sambursky has worked at Liberty Wealth Management since 2012. Currently, he manages the day-to-day affairs of the firm including financial and investment planning, marketing and client recruitment. He also advises clients on retirement and college savings plans.

Prior to his work at Liberty Wealth Management, Sambursky worked for Forbes Financial Group in Carbondale as a financial adviser. He advised clients and helped determine if they had adequate retirement assets and insurance policies. Sambursky also worked for the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

Sambursky graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2005 with a degree in science finance and earned an MBA in 2007. He was also recognized for his athletic accomplishments during his four years on the SIU football team.

Name: Amy Sholar

Position: Board of Trustees – Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Amy Sholar, 43, of Alton to serve on the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Sholar is a graduate of SIU – Edwardsville and currently owns her own law firm.

Sholar has owned the Law Office of Amy Sholar, P.C. since 2004. Prior to owning her own law firm, Sholar worked for the City of Alton as a planning coordinator. She was responsible for community redevelopment, real estate acquisitions and zoning matters.
Sholar was also a recipient of the 2012 Women of Distinction award.

Sholar graduated from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in 1998 with a degree in business administration and holds a law degree from St. Louis University.

Name: Timothy Burke

Position: Board of Trustees – Eastern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Timothy Burke, 65, of Evanston to become a member of the Eastern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees. Burke is a graduate of EIU and is currently a member of the EIU Foundation Board of Trustees.

Burke is currently a project risk manager at William Blair & Company. In this role, he works on financial risk management and internal control matters. For ten years until 2012, he was the company’s CFO.

Prior to his work at William Blair & Company, Burke worked at Arthur Andersen & Company for more than 20 years. He became partner in 1987 in the audit practice of the financial services group. He also managed a World Bank project in Indonesia focused on reforming securities industry regulations.

Burke received his bachelor’s degree in math and master’s degree in counseling from EIU. While earning his MS, he also served the EIU community as a residence hall counselor.

Name: Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch

Position: Board of Trustees – Chicago State University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch to join the Chicago State University Board of Trustees. Hatch has spent years in the community and in public service to help others.

Since 1993, Hatch has been the pastor of the New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago’s west side. Prior to that, he served as the pastor of Commonwealth Baptist Church.

Throughout his work in the ministry, Hatch has created and developed a number of outreach programs. He is responsible for an interfaith affordable housing development project, which built more than 200 homes for Chicago families. He also established an annual mission trip for inner-city youth.

Hatch earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. He holds a master’s degree in government from Georgetown University. Hatch also earned a doctorate and masters degree in ministry and theological studies from McCormick Theological Seminary. He was also one of four Merrill Fellows at the Harvard Divinity School in 1998.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Second Mining in Society Merit Badge workshop returning to RLC

February 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. – Southern Illinois’ second Mining in Society workshop is again teaming up with the Rend Lake College Mining and Industrial Department to give local Boy Scouts the chance to earn a new merit badge and learn all about the coal mining industry at the same time.

The classroom aspect of the workshop will meet at the RLC Coal Mine Training Center from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, March 21. Local scouts will get some hands-on experience with coal mining, an effort aimed to teach the boys about different career opportunities. There will be several guest speakers and activities focusing on mining enterprises in the state or region, understanding the hazards a miner may encounter while in an active mine, reviewing dangers someone might encounter in an abandoned mine, and many other topics.

“I don’t know which, the adults or the Boy Scouts, were more excited about the workshop last year,” said Dr. Joseph Hirschi, member of the Boy Scouts Content Development team and creator of the merit badge. “I was personally gratified because I’ve been doing a lot with the Boy Scouts for many years. At the end, they were all saying it was the most fun merit badge they’d ever worked on.”

Boy Scouts will then travel to one of Knight Hawk Coal Company’s mines for a tour of the facility from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, March 28. There, they will get a hands-on look at coal mining and hear from professionals in the industry.

The workshop is a combined partnership between RLC, Knight Hawk Coal, and the Illinois Mining Institute. The Boy Scouts of America officially approved the merit badge in February of 2014, making last fall’s Mining in Society workshop the first of its kind in the area to encourage young boys to look into coal mining as a potential career path in the future.

“The Boy Scouts program is all about exposing boys to opportunities and potential careers,” said Hirschi. “The Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration wanted this merit badge for the Boy Scouts because we need more people going into mining as a career. The goal is to expose as many people as possible.”

Meals and transportation to the Knight Hawk Coal Mine will be provided. Troops with multiple scouts must provide adult leadership and participation is limited to 20 youths and five adults. All participants must make reservations in advance by Friday, March 13. To make reservations, call the Herrin Service Center at 888-942-4863 or 618-942-4863. For more information about the Mining in Society Merit Badge, contact Joseph Hirschi at 618-751-0364 or jhirschi77@hotmail.com.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Our Universities – Decimated Disbursements Demand Different Designs

February 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

According to the higher education leaders, many elected officials, faculty, students, staff and the general public, higher education budget cuts will send universities, and therefore their states, into decline. Wisconsin’s Governor Scott Walker’s budget proposal last week included a decrease of $300 million in state support for higher education. It amounts to 13% according to the New York Times.   Rebecca M Blank, leader of UW Madison, the flagship campus, said if she eliminated the Schools of Nursing, Law, Business, Pharmacy and Veterinary Medicine she’d still have to find other places to save money.

Walter V. Wendler

Walter V. Wendler

Things aren’t much better on the East Coast. Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy has proposed a budget that stipulates a $40 million hole in the University of Connecticut, the diamond in the necklace of higher education in the Constitution State. UCONN President Susan Herbst said that “managing a reduction of that size will necessitate deep and significant cuts throughout the University.”   Malloy left public education alone but did propose additional resources for special charter and magnet schools. Presumably these institutions are producing good results, but the jury is out.

In the desert Southwest, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey also brought out the hatchet, hacking $75 million, or 10% of state support to public higher education. Some say Ducey didn’t go far enough. Interestingly, Eileen Klein, President of the Arizona Board of Regents, is not sure about the cuts and their impact but does like the liberating potential of a stronger “public – private” approach to higher education. Michael Crow, at Arizona State University made international news with an inventive initiative to provide educational opportunity to Starbucks employees. The partnership offers reduced cost study through ASU to all Starbucks employees. Like it or not, it’s innovative and forward-looking.

Stringent financial times are driving many institutions into the ground. However, those same conditions prod other institutions to reflect diligently on what they do for whom, why, when, and how they do it, and to what effect. Leadership must ask legitimate questions of faculty and administrators in a shared governance, shared responsibility environment. It will advance a form of unparalleled academic freedom and ideation.

Governor Bobby Jindal’s seemingly merciless reductions in funding higher education are attributed to a potential presidential bid in 2016. This year, he’s trying to plug a $400 million shortfall. Both he and Governor Walker are being chided for appealing to the hardest right-leaning base of the Republican Party. Maybe, maybe not. The pension systems, ancillary costs, luxurious un-necessaries, and a multitude of other forces are driving the cost of education up while state revenues are disappearing in too many states in the nation.

And finally, Illinois freshman Governor Bruce Rauner proposed a budget with $6 billion in cuts to universities and other state enterprises. Rauner says this budget is “honest with the people of Illinois.” If that were the case it would be a refreshing change considering how many former state leaders served time, or are currently in state pens, for abject dishonesty.  For Illinois universities a reduction of over 30% in state support is called for. Not to trivialize the amount, but for some institutions in and out of Illinois, state support is less than15% of the total budget. Nonetheless a 30% drop in state funding requires that university leadership bring out the ax and chop off “business as usual” at the root. “Oh, I believe in yesterday” won’t work, no matter who’s running for what or which political party they represent.

If only one state were involved, these kinds of cuts could be blamed on a misguided state leader. But it’s not just one state. In fracking insulated North Dakota universities must change because mission is changing, even though the Peace Garden State has more resources than ever. Governor Jindal was a university president. Did he forget that?   Many in Wisconsin claim that Scott Walker has disdain for higher education. “He never even graduated from Marquette,” they say. And it’s true. However, holding a degree from a university proves no love, appreciation, understanding, or concern for higher education. University presidents have pilfered for personal profit at universities from which they have been given PhD’s while the institutional trajectory spiraled downward.

It is illuminating that reporting on higher education budget reductions occur in the “politics” sections of newspapers. In the “higher education” sections imagine headlines like these:

“New Tax Breaks Promote Record Private Giving To Higher Ed”

“Groundbreaking Liberal Arts Program Stipulates 50% of Degree Requirements Acquired off-shore”

“Coalition of University Presidents Proposes 401K Style Pensions for All Campus Employees”

“State Flagship Outsources Everything but Teaching and Research: Returns to Basics”

“Intercollegiate Athletics Programs Sold to Spectrum Sports Management, Inc.”

“New Pricing Structure Calibrates Costs to Combination of Student Ability to Pay and to Learn”

“Scholarships to Community College Graduates Equal Those for New Freshmen”

“Reduced State Oversight:  Faculty Say Academic Freedom Up while Student Cost is Down”

“University Degree Provides New Opportunity for 338,875 Toyota Employees Worldwide”

“Tuition and Fees Set At 237 Different Levels Depending on Student and Academic Program”

Just a few thoughts and I know: I am dreaming.

 

Filed Under: Columns, Opinion

Gilbert and Sambursky appointed to SIU Board of Trustees by Rauner

February 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Governor Rauner announced today he has made appointments to the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University, Eastern Illinois University and Chicago State University.

Name: John Gilbert

Position: Board of Trustees – Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected John Gilbert, 65, of Carbondale to the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Gilbert is a life-long public servant and is currently a United States District Court Judge (senior status).

Gilbert was appointed to the federal bench in 1992, and currently presides over criminal and civil cases. Prior to that, he was a First Judicial Circuit Court Judge for nearly five years.

Gilbert has also served the people of Illinois as a member of the State Board of Elections, where he set policy matters for the board and presided over election challenges.

Gilbert holds a law degree from Loyola University Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois.

Name: Joel Sambursky

Position: Board of Trustees – Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Joel Sambursky, 32, of Carbondale to serve on the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Sambursky is a graduate of SIU and is the president of Liberty Wealth Management, LLC.

Sambursky has worked at Liberty Wealth Management since 2012. Currently, he manages the day-to-day affairs of the firm including financial and investment planning, marketing and client recruitment. He also advises clients on retirement and college savings plans.

Prior to his work at Liberty Wealth Management, Sambursky worked for Forbes Financial Group in Carbondale as a financial adviser. He advised clients and helped determine if they had adequate retirement assets and insurance policies. Sambursky also worked for the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce.

Sambursky graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2005 with a degree in science finance and earned an MBA in 2007. He was also recognized for his athletic accomplishments during his four years on the SIU football team.

Name: Amy Sholar

Position: Board of Trustees – Southern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Amy Sholar, 43, of Alton to serve on the Board of Trustees at Southern Illinois University. Sholar is a graduate of SIU – Edwardsville and currently owns her own law firm.

Sholar has owned the Law Office of Amy Sholar, P.C. since 2004. Prior to owning her own law firm, Sholar worked for the City of Alton as a planning coordinator. She was responsible for community redevelopment, real estate acquisitions and zoning matters.
Sholar was also a recipient of the 2012 Women of Distinction award.

Sholar graduated from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in 1998 with a degree in business administration and holds a law degree from St. Louis University.

Name: Timothy Burke

Position: Board of Trustees – Eastern Illinois University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Timothy Burke, 65, of Evanston to become a member of the Eastern Illinois University’s Board of Trustees. Burke is a graduate of EIU and is currently a member of the EIU Foundation Board of Trustees.

Burke is currently a project risk manager at William Blair & Company. In this role, he works on financial risk management and internal control matters. For ten years until 2012, he was the company’s CFO.

Prior to his work at William Blair & Company, Burke worked at Arthur Andersen & Company for more than 20 years. He became partner in 1987 in the audit practice of the financial services group. He also managed a World Bank project in Indonesia focused on reforming securities industry regulations.

Burke received his bachelor’s degree in math and master’s degree in counseling from EIU. While earning his MS, he also served the EIU community as a residence hall counselor.

Name: Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch

Position: Board of Trustees – Chicago State University

Governor Bruce Rauner has selected Rev. Dr. Marshall Hatch to join the Chicago State University Board of Trustees. Hatch has spent years in the community and in public service to help others.

Since 1993, Hatch has been the pastor of the New Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago’s west side. Prior to that, he served as the pastor of Commonwealth Baptist Church.

Throughout his work in the ministry, Hatch has created and developed a number of outreach programs. He is responsible for an interfaith affordable housing development project, which built more than 200 homes for Chicago families. He also established an annual mission trip for inner-city youth.

Hatch earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Illinois University. He holds a master’s degree in government from Georgetown University. Hatch also earned a doctorate and masters degree in ministry and theological studies from McCormick Theological Seminary. He was also one of four Merrill Fellows at the Harvard Divinity School in 1998.

Filed Under: Featured

Benton police make arrests

February 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Benton police reported two arrests on February 26.

* On February 26, 2015 Benton Police arrested Charles Schram, age 47, of Benton for criminal trespass to real property.

Schram was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for  further processing.

 

* On February 26, 2015 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the 100 block of Martin Street.

Through investigation, police arrested Brandon W. Williford, age 31, of Orient and Lindsey B. Walters, age 29, of West Frankfort.

Williford was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

Walters was charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the life of a child.

Both were charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

 

Filed Under: Featured

Obituary – Walter Underwood

February 27, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Walter Underwood 72, passed away into the hands of our Lord on Thursday February 26, 2015 at 4:30 A.M. from stomach cancer.

underwood picHe was born December 23, 1942 in Derby, OH to the late William B. and Minnie E. (Fast) Underwood.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 23 years Wanda (Behm) Underwood, five children John Harold Underwood, David Allen Underwood, and Teresa Jett all of Ohio, Jacob Walter Underwood of Christopher, and Joshua Lee Underwood of Christopher.

Grandchildren Nicole, Danny, Bradley, and Bethany.

Also one loyal sister Sue “Virginia” Jahn and her husband Lester of Harrisburg, OH, and two sisters-in-law Ella Underwood and Linda Underwood of Ohio. Father-in-law John Behm of Valier, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. And special friends Jerry and Betty of Christopher.

Walter was a Vietnam veteran of the Marine Corp. He was retired from the Grove City Ohio Police Department. He was also a member of the Valier United Methodist Church.

Walter will be remembered as a devoted and loving father and husband.

He was preceded in death by five brothers Emery, Carl, Harry, Bill, and Jim, and one sister Betty.

Funeral services will be on Sunday March 1, 2015 at 1:00 P.M. with Brother Bert Mitchell officiating. Visitation will be on Sunday March 1, 2015 from 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service at 1:00 P.M. Burial will be in the Zeigler City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the funeral home.

For more information go to our website www.gilbertfuneralhomes.com

Filed Under: Obituaries, Uncategorized

Food Sanitation course rescheduled for Feb. 28, March 7

February 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. (Feb. 24, 2015) – Due to winter weather last week, one Food Sanitation course has been rescheduled to start this weekend, Saturday, Feb. 28, and finish up next Saturday, March 7.

Students will meet from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. both days at the Rend Lake College MarketPlace, Room 338, in Mt. Vernon, to learn all about food sanitation in preparation for the ServSafe exam for Management and Sanitation Training.

Students can also enroll now in the last Food Sanitation course of the Spring semester, set for Saturdays, March 21 and 28. This course will also meet from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Advanced Technology Center, Room 118, on the Ina campus.

In Food Sanitation, participants will learn to identify the causes of food-borne illness; identify and apply correct procedures for cleaning and sanitizing; recognize problems and potential solutions associated with facility, equipment, and layout; and understand the Illinois code related to food service establishments. The ServSafe Essentials textbook is required and is available in the RLC Bookstore or online.

Those who successfully complete the class can sit for the ServSafe exam at the end of the second session. The exam requires a $40 online voucher and photo identification. The cost of the course is $100.

For more information about Food Sanitation, contact Stephanie Smith in RLC’s Community and Corporate Education Department at smithst@rlc.edu or 618-437-5321, Ext. 1714.

Filed Under: Breaking News

Introducing the cast of “Les Misérables,” tickets for Spring Musical on sale March 9

February 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

INA, Ill. – Be prepared to experience life in 19th century France with the cast and crew of the Rend Lake College Spring Musical “Les Misérables.” Tickets for the show go on sale Monday, March 9, with opening night set for 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the RLC Theatre.

Victor Hugo first published “Les Misérables” in 1862. The novel follows the struggles of several main characters between the years 1815 and 1832 – including Jean Valjean, the ex-convict; Javert, the police inspector; Fantine, a working-class woman; Cosette, the child of Fantine; Marius Pontmercy, a young law student; Monsieur and Madame Thénardier, a criminal husband and wife duo; Éponine, the eldest daughter of the Thénardiers; and Enjolras, the leader of the 1832 June Rebellion in Paris. The novel has been adapted many times in film and television, including the award-winning film of the same title in 2012.

Sara Alstat, RLC Associate Professor of Music, is the director of the spring musical. She said with a young, large cast and crew this year, she’s looking forward to showing off each student’s talents.

“We have many students this year who haven’t performed in a musical before, but I’m ecstatic to see them getting ready for opening night. The cast and crew this year is very large, but I’m already impressed by their dedication,” said Alstat. “‘Les Misérables’ can be a difficult show to perform, but I’m very happy to say it’s coming along nicely. We’re all enjoying working together to put on a great show, and we can’t wait to see the public in April.”

In addition to RLC music students, Thespians, and local community members, the musical will also feature children under the age of 16 as members of Gavroche’s gang. Gavroche will be portrayed by Ava Barker of Mt. Vernon.

“This show requires a huge ensemble with each cast member playing several characters, some as many as 10 or more,” added Alstat. “And there is no spoken dialogue in this show, which will be very challenging with such a large cast. Every character has to tell their story using their singing voice and that’s a huge challenge for any actor, especially actors at this age. This show is the first completely sung-through musical RLC has produced.”

Taking to the RLC stage for the first time will be Olivia Bailey of Mt. Vernon playing Fantine. Bailey said “Les Misérables” isn’t her first musical, having been a part of several at Mt. Vernon Township High School, but it is her first big role.

“I’m very humbled to have been chosen for the part of Fantine and honestly I am very excited for the whole show to come together. I’m very thankful for this experience,” said Bailey. “I wanted to play Fantine because she is one of my favorite characters in the show and I love all of her songs. This is going to be a great production. There are so many talented actors and singers in this show who have already put in so much hard work. You won’t want to miss it.”

Fantine’s child, Cosette, will be portrayed by Sierra Harrell of Opdyke. An RLC veteran, Harrell will make her third appearance in a musical on the RLC stage. In the past, she’s played Rapunzel in “Into the Woods” and Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors,” as well as roles in the annual fall plays “Tom Sawyer” and “Treasure Island.”

Harrell said she’s looking forward to her role as Cosette as both a challenge and learning opportunity.

“The role is a bit of a challenge for me vocally. I’m definitely viewing this as a chance to learn and grow as both a singer and an actor,” said Harrell. “We have assembled a fantastic cast with a lot of talent and great voices. I don’t think there has been a single rehearsal where I haven’t gotten goose bumps after hearing some of these people sing. I can’t wait to share the stage with these awesome people and pour our hearts out to the audience in this tragic, inspiring, and captivating story. ‘Les Misérables’ is one of the world’s longest running musicals. This show will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love. This is not one you want to miss.”

The storyline also follows the young life of Marius Pontmercy who marries Cosette toward the end of the novel. Marius will be portrayed by Mt. Vernon’s Dalton Miller. This will be Miller’s second time on the RLC stage, having been cast as “Death” in the fall play “Hunchback of Notre Dame.” He is also looking forward to the opening show in April.

“I’m really excited to play the role of Marius and I’m really looking forward to getting into the emotion that this character brings to the stage. Not only does he fall in love, but he also goes through some pretty tough things throughout the musical,” said Miller. “I’m so happy Sara [Alstat] believes in me enough to make me a lead role. I would encourage the community to come because I’ve been in a lot of shows in my life, but I can honestly say that this show is going to be the best one I’ve ever been in. They will be missing out big time if they don’t see this one.

In addition to Bailey, Harrell, and Miller, there are 36 actors, all of whom are expected to help build the set in addition to learning songs and dances:

  • Jackson Adams (Mt. Vernon) – ensemble
  • Gage Austin (Mt. Vernon) as Gavroche’s Gang Member
  • Vincent Bailey (Woodlawn) – ensemble
  • Ava Barker (Mt. Vernon) as Gavroche
  • Alison Blair (Benton) – ensemble
  • Alayna Boese (Carterville) as Eponine
  • Tyler Bourland (Ina) – ensemble
  • Bethaney Brown (Mt. Vernon) as Madame Thenardier
  • Ben Chapman (Ava) – ensemble
  • Barretta Chullen (Thompsonville) – ensemble
  • Brendan Clark (Thompsonville) – ensemble
  • Steven Crawford (West Frankfort) – ensemble
  • Isabella Crites (Benton) as Gavroche’s Gang Member
  • Jonathon Dauby (Springerton) – ensemble
  • Keryn Fitzpatrick (McLeansboro) – ensemble
  • Adam Floro (Marion) – ensemble
  • John Hunsell (Woodlawn) – ensemble
  • Brandon Isom (Christopher) – ensemble
  • Kaleb Johnson (Mt. Vernon) as Gavroche’s Gang Member
  • Andrew Lampley (Benton) as Jean Valjean
  • Matthew Loucks (Sesser) as Enjolras
  • Koral McBride (Murphysboro) – ensemble
  • Brook Mohr-Bell (Pinckneyville) – ensemble
  • Cheyenne Needham (Benton) – ensemble
  • Stacie Pinkham (Christopher) – ensemble
  • Seyah Schernekau (Mt. Vernon) as Gavroche’s Gang Member
  • Krystal Schuch (Mt.Vernon) – ensemble
  • Sam Smith (Mt. Vernon) – ensemble
  • Emma Spence (Sesser) as Little Cosette / Little Eponine
  • Maggie Stacey (Sesser) as Little Cosette / Little Eponine
  • Lauryn Strom (Sesser) – ensemble
  • Kaleb Triplett (Herrin) as Javert
  • Falyn VanDyke (Mt. Vernon) – ensemble
  • Jamin Walker (Benton) as Monsieur Thenardier
  • Laci Zeidler (Pinckneyville) – ensemble
  • Yuting Zhang (Dahlgren) – ensemble

“Les Misérables” will be on the RLC Theatre stage at 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 9 – 11 and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 12. Tickets go on sale Monday, March 9, for $12 each. They can be purchased by calling the RLC Box Office at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1467. Some tickets may also be available at the door on show night, if not sold out. For more information, visit www.rlc.edu/springmusical.

Filed Under: Featured

SIU women’s golf seeking volunteers for the Saluki Invitational

February 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

SIUSalukis.com

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Saluki women’s golf team is seeking volunteers to assist with the team’s upcoming Saluki Invitational beginning on Sunday, March 29. Volunteers will work shifts throughout the tournament to assist in providing hospitality and adhering to the needs of visiting teams.

A shotgun start at 9 a.m. will begin the Saluki Invitational on March 29 and 30. The first shift will run from 8:30 a.m. to noon, followed by the second shift from noon to 3:30, or the end of the tournament. Volunteers should plan to arrive to Hickory Ridge Golf Course at least 30 minutes prior to the start of their shift in order to be transported to their station on the course.

Volunteer positions have been designed according to the needs of the tournament. Most positions require little or no training.

Each volunteer will receive a short-sleeved T-shirt, which can be picked up at Hickory Ridge on Saturday, March 28 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Those interested in volunteering for the Saluki Invitational should contact SIU head coach Alexis Mihelichto request a date and time. Mihelich will then make assignments that best suit the needs of the tournament. A response from Mihelich indicates that volunteers will receive an assignment.

Potential volunteers should contact Mihelich no later than Friday, March 20.

Mihelich can be contacted at alexis.mihelich@siu.edu or at 815-210-6902.

Filed Under: Sports

Comcast SportsNet to carry IHSA girls’ state tournament

February 25, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Network to televise LIVE HD coverage of the Class 1A-4A IHSA Girls Basketball State Championships from Redbird Arena in Normal, IL over the next two weekends

 

CSNChicago.com to air highlight packages of all games throughout the weekend;

CSNChicago.com & IHSA.tv to live stream every post-game press conference

 

Chicago, IL — Comcast SportsNet, the television home of the IHSA Championships, will be airing LIVE coverage of the 2015 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls Basketball State Championships on Friday, February 27 & Saturday, February 28 (Class 1A & 2A) and Friday, March 6 & Saturday, March 7 (Class 3A & 4A) from Illinois State University’s Redbird Arena in Normal, IL.  Over the next two weekends, Illinois preps hoops fans can look forward to seeing every action-packed semifinal, consolation and championship battle starting Friday at 12 NOON CT featuring four, live semifinal match-ups, along with a pair of consolation and two huge state championship title games on Saturday.  Plus – EVERY game will be telecast in a high-definition (HD) format.  The 2015 IHSA Girls Basketball State Championships will be produced by the IHSA & PlayOn! Sports.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Several IHSA Girls Basketball State Championship telecasts will air on CSN+ (in high-definition on Comcast ch. 201 in the Chicago area & South Bend, IN…ch. 285 in Comcast’s Peoria, Springfield, Rockford and Champaign markets…along with AT&T U-verse homes among others); viewers are urged to visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER or IHSA.org for complete channel location details for ALL games throughout the state.
  • For the Class 4A semifinal games on Friday, March 6 (6:30 PM & 8:15 PM), viewers in the Chicago market can watch the games on Comcast/Xfinity channel 114; for viewers outside the Chicago market, fans can visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER or IHSA.org for channel locations of these two games.
  • Fans are also strongly urged to interact via Twitter throughout the entire weekend by utilizing the hashtag #IHSA to share their comments and showcase their school spirit for their favorite teams.

 

CSNChicago.com & IHSA.tv will also be providing fans with a live stream of every IHSA Girls Basketball State Championship post-game press conference.  In addition, CSNChicago.com’s IHSA Preps section (csnchicago.com/preps) will feature highlight packages from all games over the next two weekends, plus – Comcast SportsNet viewers can look forward to a special championship editions of High School Lites on Friday, February 27 & Friday, March 6 (both nights live at 11:00 PM) for a complete rundown of every girls championship game, including expanded highlights and player/coaches interviews, along with the latest highlights and playoff scenarios for the upcoming IHSA Boys Basketball State Championships, taking place the weekends of March 13-14 & March 20-21 at Carver Arena in Peoria, IL.  (NOTE: Full schedule details regarding Comcast SportsNet’s live coverage of the 2015 Boys Basketball State Championships will be announced the week of March 9.)

 

The following schedule details Comcast SportsNet’s coverage of the 2015 IHSA Girls Basketball State Championships over the next two weekends (all times Central Time) (play-by-play/color analyst/sideline reporting teams are in parentheses):

 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

12:00 PM –      Class 1A Semifinal #1: PROPHETSTOWN vs. CENTRAL A&M (Moweaqua) (Lee Hall/Kelly Burke/Matt Rodewald)

2:00 PM –        Class 1A Semifinal #2: CALHOUN (Hardin) vs. IROQUOIS WEST (Gilman) (Lee Hall/Kelly Burke/Matt Rodewald)

6:30 PM –        Class 2A Semifinal #1: CENTRAL CATHOLIC (Bloomington) vs. MCNAMARA (Kankakee) (Dave Bernhard/Patricia Babcock-McGraw/Matt Rodewald) (NOTE: This game will air on CSN+HD; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

8:15 PM –        Class 2A Semifinal #2: IC CATHOLIC (Elmhurst) vs. CENTRAL (Breese) (Dave Bernhard/Patricia Babcock-McGraw/Matt Rodewald) (NOTE: This game will air on CSN+HD; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

 

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

12:00 PM –      Class 1A: CONSOLATION GAME (Teams TBD) (Lee Hall/Kelly Burke/Matt Rodewald) (NOTE: This game will air on CSN+HD; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

2:00 PM –        Class 1A: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Teams TBD) (Lee Hall/Kelly Burke/Matt Rodewald) (NOTE: This game will air on CSN+HD; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

6:30 PM –        Class 2A: CONSOLATION GAME (Teams TBD) (Dave Bernhard/Patricia Babcock-McGraw/Matt Rodewald)

8:15 PM –        Class 2A: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Teams TBD) (Dave Bernhard/Patricia Babcock-McGraw/Matt Rodewald)

 

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

12:00 PM –      Class 3A: SEMIFINAL #1 (Teams TBD) (Dave Bernhard/Patricia Babcock-McGraw/Lee Hall) (NOTE: This game will air on CSN+HD; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

2:00 PM –        Class 3A: SEMIFINAL #2 (Teams TBD) (Dave Bernhard/Patricia Babcock-McGraw/Lee Hall) (NOTE: This game will air on CSN+HD; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

6:30 PM –        Class 4A: SEMIFINAL #1 (Teams TBD) (Matt Rodewald/Chloe Barnes/Lee Hall) (NOTE: This game will air on Comcast/Xfinity channel 114 in the Chicago market; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

8:15 PM –        Class 4A: SEMIFINAL #2 (Teams TBD) (Matt Rodewald/Chloe Barnes/Lee Hall) (NOTE: This game will air on Comcast/Xfinity channel 114 in the Chicago market; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

 

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

12:00 PM –      Class 3A: CONSOLATION GAME (Teams TBD) (Lee Hall/Kristi Faulkner/Elise Menaker) (NOTE: This game will air on CSN+HD; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

2:00 PM –        Class 3A: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Teams TBD) (Lee Hall/ Kristi Faulkner/Elise Menaker) (NOTE: This game will air on CSN+HD; please visit CSNChicago.com’s CHANNEL FINDER for the exact channel location in your area)

6:30 PM –        Class 4A: CONSOLATION GAME (Teams TBD) (Matt Rodewald/Chloe Barnes/Elise Menaker)

8:15 PM –        Class 4A: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (Teams TBD) (Matt Rodewald/Chloe Barnes/Elise Menaker)

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