A taste of late March weather this afternoon

February 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment

While there will be a chance for showers on today along with much warmer weather, better chances of showers and thunderstorms will arrive late today into tonight and early Friday. Rainfall totals of one half to one inch are expected through Friday.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight A few thunderstorms are possible late this afternoon into early this evening along and north of a line from Greenville Missouri to Cape Girardeau to Evansville Indiana. Severe storms are not expected, but brief heavy rainfall is possible. .

DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday Light snow, possibly mixed with a little sleet and freezing rain, is expected Saturday morning. A dusting to a couple of tenths of an inch of snow is possible mainly in southeast Missouri and southern Illinois, but any accumulations should melt by early afternoon. A prolonged period of wet weather is forecast to set up over the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys next week. As such, the potential for flooding will need to be monitored in the coming days as we gain a better idea of where and exactly how much rainfall may occur. There is a chance of thunderstorms from Monday night into Tuesday night. Severe weather is not anticipated. .

SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT… Spotter activation will not be needed.

Seven Day Forecast

Today
A chance of showers before 3pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 3pm and 5pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 70. South southwest wind 10 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Tonight
Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then rain likely. Low around 36. South southwest wind 11 to 15 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Friday
A chance of rain, mixing with snow after 11am, then gradually ending. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 41. North northwest wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. North wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable in the evening.
Saturday
A slight chance of snow before 9am, then a chance of rain and snow between 9am and 10am, then a chance of rain after 10am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 7 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Saturday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 28. West southwest wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.
Sunday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 52. Light southeast wind becoming south southeast 5 to 9 mph in the morning.
Sunday Night
Showers likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46. South wind 9 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Washington’s Birthday
Showers, mainly before noon. Cloudy, with a high near 65. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Monday Night
Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 55. South southwest wind 14 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Tuesday
Showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Southwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Tuesday Night
Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 42. South southwest wind 10 to 13 mph.
Wednesday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50. West wind 9 to 13 mph becoming north in the morning.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News

Saluki Men’s Basketball wins OT thriller over Missouri State, 81-80

February 15, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Tom Weber – Associate AD/Communications, SIUC

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Aaron Cook made two free throws with 4.1 seconds left in overtime to lift Southern Illinois to a dramatic, come-from-behind win over Missouri State, 81-80, on Wednesday night at SIU Arena.

The Salukis (18-10, 10-5) stayed a game ahead of Drake for second place in the Missouri Valley Conference standings and remained two games back of league-leading Loyola with three games left to play in the regular season.

“Our goal is to win a Missouri Valley championship — that’s number one — we’re hanging in there by a thread, but we’re still in it,” said SIU head coach Barry Hinson. “Our second goal is to go to postseason. When I say postseason, there’s only two tournaments that I’m referring to, whether it be the NCAA or the NIT.”

The game was another classic between two teams that traded big shots and big runs, just as they did two weeks ago in Springfield, where the Salukis won, 79-77. The hard-luck Bears (17-11, 7-8) led by 11 points early, trailed by two at halftime, rallied from five down in the final three minutes, were up by four with 2:26 to go in OT, but lost another heartbreaker.

“They kept the heat on us,” Hinson acknowledged. “We had to score every time down the floor. We didn’t have a chance where we could miss a bucket.”

Sean Lloyd had 20 second half points in SIU’s overtime win over Missouri State Wednesday night at the Arena. (Madison Case-SIU Salukis photo)

Southern was led by junior guards Armon Fletcher and Sean Lloyd, who scored 22 and 21 points, respectively. Lloyd was a beast in the second half, when he flat-out carried his team by scoring 20 of its 35 points.

“We ran a lot of sets for him, posted him up, and boy did he deliver,” Hinson said.

Fletcher came up big in OT, scoring four points in the final minute, including a driving layup with 34 seconds left that put Southern up, 79-78.

Missouri State countered, though, with an eight-foot floater by Jarred Dixon with nine seconds left and that set up the late-game heroics for Cook, who pushed the ball the length of the floor and was fouled in the lane by freshman guard Mustafa Lawrence. He calmly made both ends of a one-and-one — redeeming himself for missing four free throws in overtime a week ago in a loss at Illinois State.

“When we got back from Illinois State, he stayed in this gym until four o’clock in the morning shooting free throws,” Hinson said. “I saw the look in his eye and never doubted him once.”

A crowd of 4,285 had to hold its breath twice as SIU dodged a pair of bullets that could have cost it the game. In regulation, the score was tied, 70-70, when MSU’s Jarrid Rhodes missed a wide-open 3-pointer at the buzzer.

“Jarrid Rhodes gets a clean look to win the game — you need those to go,” said Missouri State head coach Paul Lusk. “It’s a different narrative if the shot goes in that Rhodes takes at the end of regulation.”

Again in overtime the Bears had a chance to win it at the buzzer. After Cook’s free throws, Dixon drove the length of the floor and put up a runner that fell short. Teammate Obediah Church tipped in the miss at the buzzer, but after a review, the officials determined his shot came after the clock hit 0:00.

After starting the conference season 3-4, the Salukis have won eight of their last nine.

“If we were at a high-major, this would be a national story for what they’ve done, what they’ve accomplished,” Hinson said. “I’m just a proud peacock right now. They’re giving me every ounce of energy they’ve got.”

Box Score

http://siusalukis.com/boxscore.aspx?id=8039&path=mbball

Filed Under: College Sports, Sports

Former Zeigler Treasurer Ryan Thorpe to plead guilty to Federal charges

February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

The FBI raiding Ziegler City Treasurer Ryan Thorpe’s home in August. Photo Taken by William McPerson of the West Frankfort Gazette.

BENTON – WSIL-TV reports that former Zeigler City treasurer Ryan Thorpe will entertain a guilty plea tomorrow in Federal Court in Benton.

Thorpe is being charged with three counts of wire fraud and two counts of embezzlement after stealing $315,000 from the city.

The court date is set for March 1st.

Here is the story from WSIL-TV this evening.

http://www.wsiltv.com/story/37510019/former-zeigler-treasurer-to-plea-guilty-to-federal-charges

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Area high schools prepare for competitions at SIU Engineering Day

February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

CARBONDALE, Ill. – High school students from throughout the area will descend on Southern Illinois University Carbondale this month to learn more about engineering and how it impacts daily life.

The College of Engineering’s annual Engineering Day is set for Thursday, Feb. 22. About a dozen high schools and an estimated 200 students are expected to take part in the event, which includes various engineering-related activities.

The event will start with registration at 8:30 a.m. in the breezeway at the Engineering Building on the SIU campus. Design competitions and hands-on activities and demonstrations will run 9 a.m. to noon at various locations throughout the building, culminating with an awards ceremony at noon at the Student Center.

Responding to high schools

Dean John Warwick said this year’s activities are a response to area high school teachers, who asked to include several projects that students would design, build, report on and then enter into the competition.

The college’s Registered Student Organizations came up with the projects and sent out the rules and construction guidelines to the high schools before Thanksgiving to get the students thinking about and working on their projects.

“All high school project teams will bring their machines and structures to Engineering Day, where they will be evaluated,” Warwick said.

Other events, such as a robotics demonstration, also will interspersed throughout the day, keeping the students occupied and engaged for the duration.

Challenging projects

The machines and structures the students are building include:

A counterbalance trebuchet: A scaled-down version of a war machine from the Middle Ages, the apparatus uses a counter weight drop to swing an arm and launch a projectile. It differs notably from a catapult, which uses tension to store the mechanical energy needed to launch.

Truss design: Trusses are used to support spans, such as roofs and bridges. In this competition, the students will design and build the strongest, most efficient truss to span a distance of 12 inches. The truss design will then be destructively tested.

Bottle rocket design: In this challenge, students will compete for the longest flight time for rockets built using a 2-liter soda bottle. Each bottle rocket will be filled with 1 liter of water and air-pressurized to 40 pounds per square inch.

Speed boat race: Students will design and build their own 6- to 12-inch speedboats using only foam, popsicle sticks, tape, a battery, wires and a propeller. The boats will then square off against each other in races, with the fastest boats winning the competition.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Jennifer Langin, office administrator, at 618/453-4321 or jlangin@siu.edu.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News, State News

SIU’s College of Business incorporates a focus on advanced analytics and artificial intelligence

February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Kristi Mathis – SIU News Service 

SIU Media Services photo

CARBONDALE, Ill. – A College of Business research facility at Southern Illinois University has taken on a new, cutting-edge role and name: The Pontikes Center for Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence.

It’s the first such university-affiliated center and it allows the business college to partner with corporations and businesses to offer a program that fulfills the need within various industries for big data and analytics while also providing a unique training ground and research facility for students.

In conjunction with this big change, SIU is also now offering for the first time an optional MBA concentration in analytics for managers.

A unique “think tank”

The Pontikes Center was originally established in 1989 by Kenneth Pontikes, a 1963 marketing alumnus, as an information management research center. But, the center now has a new and different focus to address current corporate and business student needs.

Jim Nelson, associate professor of management, said he’s thrilled to serve as the new director of the center which is essentially a “think tank” wherein faculty, staff and students will partner with industries to research, collect and analyze specialized data.

“There are universities with analytics programs but we are different because we combine analytics with artificial intelligence,” Nelson said. “Artificial intelligence is extremely important in making sure the analytics works well. It can recognize change in the playing field and adjust to keep the data relevant,” Nelson said.

Focus on Artificial Intelligence as an important part of data collection

In a highly competitive marketplace, companies are always looking for that extra edge to assure their longevity, productivity and profitability, and that’s why analytics is so important, college officials said.

Adding the artificial intelligence component enables researchers to collect the very specialized data industries need to make wise choices while saving time and money that might otherwise be spent wading through large pools of data to hone in on the information that is most applicable to their business needs.

“Our programs will focus on providing executives a working knowledge of analytics. Business leaders of today need to know how to work with analytics experts and interpret the data,” Nelson said. “I am excited to be part of a program that will prepare our students to work in some of businesses’ fastest growing fields.”

Board includes analytics experts from major players in the field

Nelson’s first goal has been establishing an advisory board, networking extensively with potential corporate partners to bring on board analytic experts from eight target industries: engineering, finance, health care, human resources, insurance, manufacturing, logistics and retail.

The inaugural board for the center includes:

  • Niki Allen, director of the office of the CIO and chief of staff to Ted Colbert, The Boeing Company chief information officer and senior vice president of information and analytics
  • Andy Greenberg, analytics principal at Edwards Jones
  • Ian Stewart, senior vice president of revenue cycle at Presence Health
  • Jim Boudreault, executive director and global head of data science and intelligence for CME Group
  • Alex Perez, director of data science at NIKE Inc.
  • Dan Organ of Caterpillar Inc.

The board also includes Terry Clark, dean of the College of Business; Kristen Kordecki, director of corporate and foundation relations for the SIU Foundation; and Nelson.

The board will help shape the courses students take through the center to assure they acquire the knowledge and training to positively impact businesses. Board members will also speak to classes and interact with students online via videos.

New MBA concentration in analytics for managers

In addition, preparations are underway for the college’s new MBA concentration in analytics for managers, a program that will prepare graduates for careers in one of the world’s fastest-growing fields.

SIU will continue to offer the traditional MBA degree as well as an option for a concentration in agribusiness economics. But, beginning this spring, the college is offering a completely online MBA program with a focus on analytics, assuring graduates are trained to identify, sort and understand what is important within the endless streams of information available in the world today.

Improving technology offers vast potential for business

According to Nelson, the world’s computer power doubles about every 18 months, meaning we have about 100 times the computer capacity available today for the same cost as what was available in 2007.

That means the potential to store 100 times more data and process it 100 times faster than just a decade ago. Companies can find additional data storage in the cloud. But, sifting, analyzing and interpreting all of this data is what really matters and that’s what the new Pontikes Center and MBA analytics concentration are all about.

Students will learn to decipher big data

Students will develop an understanding of all of the tools available for analyzing big data, including analytics techniques and artificial intelligence, which has increased productivity and the quality and complexity of analytical models.

“Corporate executives and managers make strategic decisions based on data so company marketing efforts reach the customers most likely to respond,” Nelson said. “Business finance and accounting officials need to know where to invest and how to analyze the results. Analytics is critical to success in every phase. That’s where SIU’s analytics program comes in. We’re addressing the human side of analytics.”

More information

For more information about the Pontikes Center for Advanced Analytics and Artificial Intelligence or the new analytics courses, contact the SIU College of Business at 618/453-3328 or by email at info@business.siu.edu. Or, find details about the center and the MBA analytics concentration online.

Filed Under: Featured, Franklin Co. News

SIU’s online MBA program earns national recognition

February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

By Chirsti Mathis – SIU News Sercice 

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Once again, Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s online MBA program has earned national recognition, claiming the No. 24 spot on the inaugural Poets & Quants Online MBA Ranking list.

Just 25 programs across the U.S. were ranked. According to the list, which was released today, SIU has the top program in Illinois.

Significant ranking

“This is a wonderful external endorsement proving the quality of our program,” Terry Clark, dean of the College of Business, said. “It is a validation of our product from someone who sets the standards.”

SIU News Service photo

Clark noted that Poets & Quants founder/editor John Byrne is the former editor of “Business Week” and the originator of the concept of ranking business schools. He said Byrne, who recently chaired a session on rankings at a major conference, is highly regarded in the world of business schools and rankings. So, earning this ranking from Byrne’s publication is a significant honor for SIU.

“This is a very impressive ranking to get,” Clark said. “Just look at the field of schools we are in. We have great company there. We benchmark to see what other schools are doing and work hard to differentiate ourselves and our program and this proves we are doing that well.”

Repeat recognition

This is the second time in as many months that SIU’s online MBA program has garnered national attention.

The university tied for the No. 54 spot in the country on the U.S. News and World Report Best Online MBA Programs rankings released in January. On that list, SIU was also given the top spot in the state and was the only Illinois program in the top 60.

What sets SIU apart

Poets and Quants used three factors in determining its rankings: the quality of the incoming students, an assessment by graduates of the academic and extra-curricular MBA experience, and the career outcomes for graduates.

Clark said one of the ways SIU sets itself apart from other schools is when choosing students to admit to the online MBA program.

At Carbondale, the professional and personal experience of prospective students as well as grades and other factors are taken into account. Doing so affects the university’s admission selectivity data; SIU would have ranked even higher otherwise. But, the career success of program graduates has been proof that admissions decisions have been wise, Clark said.

The U.S. News and World Report’s Best Online Programs rankings are based on program student engagement, faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, peer reputation and admissions selectivity.

New MBA concentration in analytics for managers

SIU’s online program is just a few years old, but has continued to grow and evolve, all the while racking up numerous national rankings.

Recently, the university added a new option to the online MBA program – a concentration in analytics for managers. This new concentration, offered for the first time in summer 2018, prepares graduates for careers involving the analyzation of data. It’s a growing and exciting field, Clark said.

In addition, in partnership with the College of Agricultural Sciences, the College of Business launched an optional agribusiness economics concentration online MBA in 2016 for professionals who are interested in career advancement in the growing field of agribusiness.

Few institutions of higher learning in the country offer either concentration. But, at

SIU students can choose three paths for their online MBA: a traditional MBA, an MBA with concentration in analytics for managers, or an MBA with concentration in agribusiness economics.

Completely online

The online MBA program at SIU is exactly that – completely and totally online. The program takes 23 months to complete and students participate in courses together via an interactive format.

A new online MBA cohort begins each summer and applications are now being accepted for the summer 2018 class.

Filed Under: Franklin Co. News, State News

One Case of Legionnaires’ Disease at Chester Mental Health Center

February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Illinois Department of Human Services photo

CHESTER – The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is reporting that one patient at Chester Mental Health Center has tested positive for Legionnaires’ Disease. IDHS received the confirmation of the positive test on Tuesday, February 13th. The patient is being treated and is currently in stable condition.

Out of an abundance of caution, IDHS has informed staff, residents and community stakeholders.

IDHS is working with the Illinois Department of Public Health to determine the potential source of the bacteria. Environmental engineers will be on grounds this week to gather data and begin collecting water samples. IDHS will continue to be vigilant for respiratory illness. Staff are actively monitoring patients to quickly identify any residents with respiratory illness to make sure they receive immediate medical care.

Legionella bacteria occur naturally in the environment. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports there has been a rise in the number of cases of Legionnaires’ disease over the past 15 years, with 6,000 cases reported nationwide in 2015. Approximately 300 cases are reported each year across Illinois. Legionnaires’ disease cannot be transmitted person-to-person.  Common water sources include decorative fountains, hot tubs, shower areas, and cooling towers.

The Chester Mental Health Center is the state’s only maximum security forensic mental health facility. The facility is operated by the Illinois Department of Human Services and located in Chester, Illinois.

Filed Under: Breaking News, State News

Terry Williams – Benton

February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

Terry Ray Williams, age 70, of Benton IL; passed away at 10:35 p.m. Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at his home surrounded by family.

Memorial Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 17, 2018 at the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton, with Pastor Preston House officiating. Burial with military rites will be conducted by the Benton V.F.W. Post 2671, Benton American Legion Post 280, and the Army National Guard, will be in the Elder S.M. Williams Cemetery near Ewing.

Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Terry was born on December 30, 1947 in Providence, KY, the son of Ora Stanford Williams and Mary Catherine (Woodring) “Woody” Williams. He married the former Mary Irene Shasteen on July 28, 2006, and she survives.

Terry served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

He was a retired truck driver having formerly worked for Henderson Trucking Company, and last worked for Jim Conner Enterprises.

Terry was a member of the VFW Post 2671 of Benton, B.P.O.E 1234 of Benton, and the Steel City Missionary Baptist Church.  He loved to ride motorcycles, watching John Wayne movies, watching Gunsmoke, and his pets. Most of all he enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.

Mr. Williams is survived by his loving wife Mary Williams of Benton; a daughter Stacey Stricklin and husband Michael of Marion; grandchildren Tristan Stricklin of Marion, Maxwell DeNeal of Ava, Taven and Sebastian Klingaman both of Marion; his siblings: Jim Fones and wife Edith of Temecula, CA, Guy Williams of Benton, R. David Williams and wife Debbie of Benton, Stanley R. Williams and wife Jean Ann of Benton, Jeanita Spillman and husband Merv of Springfield, TN, Rita E. Arcieri and husband Kevin of Conroe, TX; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father (March 26, 1999), his mother (February 1, 2018), and a brother Andy Williams (February 23, 2016).

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Terry Williams, in care of Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Terry, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com.

Filed Under: Obituaries

Kevin Smith named new Thompsonville Postmaster

February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

PJCSSR Image

THOMPSONVILLE – A familiar face will be the head of the operations at the Thompsonville Post Office beginning  March 3rd,

Life-long resident Kevin Smith, has been named as the new Postmaster. He has been with the US postal service for nearly a quarter of a century, spending the last 15 years as a city carrier in West Frankfort.

Smith also serves as President of the Thompsonville Community Unit District #174 Board of Education, is the scorekeeper and PA announcer for Thompsonville High School Basketball, and teaches a young adult Sunday School class at Thompsonville First Baptist Church.

He also spent a decade coaching junior high basketball in Thompsonville.

Filed Under: Breaking News, Featured, Franklin Co. News

RLC tuition remains stable…President Terry Wilkerson commended by the Board

February 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment

INA –  Here are the highlights of the February 13, 2018, meeting of the Rend Lake College Board of Trustees.

Tuition remains flat for coming academic year

The board set the in-district tuition rate at $110 per credit hour for the Summer 2018, Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 terms, representing no increase from the current rate. There also was no increase in student universal fees. The out-of-district tuition rate will be set at a later date. At this time, college officials believe the institution will be able to maintain a strong financial position and meet its forecasted budget needs without a tuition increase. Maintaining the current rate allows RLC to remain competitive with its peer group schools.

President Wilkerson’s contract renewal receives first-reading approval

The board approved renewing the contract of President Terry Wilkerson (first reading). The contract is for a four-year term from June 30, 2018, through June 30, 2022, and per President Wilkerson’s request, represents no increase in salary or benefits.

“President Wilkerson has done a fine job of leading the college through some tough economic times in Illinois,” said Randy Rubenacker, chair of the RLC Board of Trustees. “We appreciate his leadership and his commitment to the college, and we look forward to the next four years.”

“It’s an honor to be in this position. I am a product of Rend Lake College,” said Wilkerson. “This college has been good to me, from my time as a student here through time as a faculty and an administrator, and I hope I am returning the favor. Leading the institution that you consider home is a privilege.”

Entrepreneurship Director, Facilitator stipends receive approval

The board approved stipends and accompanying job descriptions for Director of Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship Facilitator. Both of these stipend positions are needed to support the expansion of entrepreneurship programs throughout the district. The Director of Entrepreneurship will help county facilitators create curriculum, assess student outcomes and foster high school student entrepreneurial projects. The entrepreneurship facilitators, where necessary, will coordinate and oversee county-wide entrepreneurial programs for district high school students.

Tenure for three

Based upon recommendations from their supervisors, three instructors will receive tenure and the title of Associate Professor.

  • Dr. Nina Goloubeva, Medical Assistant Program Director, effective July 1. She continues to teach all Medical Assistant courses as well as some Healthcare Terminology sections. She has worked closely with students to encourage critical situation analysis and continues to contribute significantly to moving the program forward, reported Kim Wilkerson, Dean of Allied Health.
  • Charlotte Henry, Health Information Technology Instructor, effective April 21. She is a knowledgable instructor who continues to keep up to date on changes in the field. Henry has been instrumental in the HIT program accreditation process and in online curriculum development, according to Dean Wilkerson.
  • Dr. Richard Holland, Physical Science Instructor, effective Aug. 17. According to comments from Andrea Banach, Dean of Math and Sciences, Holland has assumed responsibility for instruction, curriculum, revision and assessment of numerous physical science courses, has been instrumental in the repair and update to lab equipment and has developed online formats for some of the college’s physical science courses.

Clark, McBride moving on

The board accepted with regret two resignations Tuesday.

  • Brian Clark, Coordinator of Data Information Systems, effective Feb. 16. He had been with RLC full-time since August 2008. “In the past 10 years, I have grown personally and professionally at Rend Lake College, and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities provided to me at this institution,” Clark wrote in his resignation letter. “I hope that I have had as positive an impact on the institution as it has had on me.”
  • Don McBride, Mining Technology Associate Professor, effective Dec. 28, 2018. He has been with RLC on a full-time basis since April 2013. “I have enjoyed my time here and feel that Rend Lake College has accomplished much in assisting the mining industry over the past decade,” McBride wrote in his resignation letter. “I am proud to have been a member of your group.”

Accreditation update

The board heard a report on the college’s reaffirmation of accreditation activities. The college is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is due for an evaluation by the HLC in September 2018. The board was presented with an early rough draft of the assurance argument, which is designed to prove the college meets HLC’s five Criteria for Accreditation.

In other business, the board …

  • Heard a report from Dr. Elizabeth Bailey-Smith of the Academic Council covering the curriculum matters taken up by the board Tuesday and reporting on additional meetings and activities.
  • Ratified payment of college expenses including travel reimbursements.
  • Approved withdrawal of the Green Facilities Management and Sustainable Design curricula, approved withdrawal of eight related courses, approved changes to eight classes and approved a change in credit hours for the Mine Operations certificate curriculum. The board authorized submission of these changes to the Illinois Community College Board for action.
  • Approved the notice of election of the student member of the Board of Trustees.
  • Approved creation of policy and procedure concerning the review and publication of Student Right to Know information, campus security disclosures, student policies and recruitment materials (second reading).
  • Approved revision to college policy and procedure concerning social media (first reading).
  • Approved revision of college procedures concerning fees, stipends, and performance evaluation and tenure of faculty members.
  • Ratified approval of the 2018-2019 Emergency Medical Technician Handbook.
  • Approved submission of the statement of final construction compliance for the Protection, Health and Safety Project involving the South Oasis roof replacement and campus sidewalk replacement.

Mark your calendars …

  • Visiting Artist: Erica Burton, Jan. 15-March 2, Theatre lobby.
  • Warrior Superfan Shoot-Out, 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, Waugh Gymnasium.
  • Faculty / Staff In-Service, 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, RLC campus.
  • RLC Basketball Homecoming Games vs. Lincoln Trail College, women’s game at 5:30 p.m., men’s game at 7:30 p.m.; Waugh Gymnasium.
  • Career Fair, Friday, March 2, RLC Campus.
  • Spoken Word and Open Mic Night, 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 5, King City Books, Mt. Vernon.
  • Glo Bingo, 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 9, The Rec on campus.
  • Transition Summit, Tuesday, March 20, RLC campus.
  • Kickstart Your Journey, Thursday-Friday, March 22-23, RLC campus.
  • Spring Musical: The Addams Family, 7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 5-7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, April 8, RLC Theatre.
  • Higher Learning Commission Annual Conference, Thursday-Monday, April 5-9, Hyatt Regency Chicago.
  • Job Search Party, 3-6 p.m. Thursday, April 12, Mt. Vernon Hotel and Event Center.
  • Trivia Night, Thursday, April 12, The Rec on campus.
  • Phi Theta Kappa Induction, 2 p.m. Thursday, April 19, RLC Theatre.
  • Lake Reception, 5 p.m. Thursday, April 19, King City Books, Mt. Vernon. Lake is RLC’s fine arts publication.
  • Children’s Health Fair, Thursday, April 26, The Rec on campus.
  • Flummoxed Fairy Tales, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Thursday-Friday, April 26-27, RLC Theatre.
Filed Under: Breaking News, Franklin Co. News
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