Leigh Caldwell-  Morthland College Media Services

T he Morthland College Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to name Dr. Glenn Poshard president of Morthland College, effective Feb. 13, 2017.

“I’m very honored the Board and Dr. Morthland have offered me this position. I will do everything I can to live up to the vision and mission statement of the college,” Poshard said.

Former school teacher and administrator, State Senator, Congressman and SIU President and now Morthland College President Dr. Glenn Poshard

Dr. Tim Morthland, the founding president of the four-year, faith-based college in West Frankfort, has been named chairman of the Morthland College Board of Trustees. Morthland’s seven-year presidency saw the founding of the institution, the securing of degree-granting authority from the Illinois Board of Higher Education and full accreditation through the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools.

Morthland said that growth in the college’s related enterprises — a series of Guilds designed to support the school and rebuild the region’s economy including Morthland College Health Services and Da Vinci Beverages — is necessitating the change in leadership. Morthland will devote more of his time to his role as Chief Executive Officer of these Guilds.

“We weren’t supposed to sit still, ever,” Morthland said. “We were called to keep dreaming, to keep building, to keep casting vision forward.”

Poshard, the esteemed former U.S. Congressman and retired president of Southern Illinois University, joins the college in the middle of its sixth academic year. Poshard will lead the institution as it prepares to add five new degree programs.

“I look forward to trying to build on the foundation that Dr. Morthland has begun of offering classical, faith-based education to students in the region,” Poshard said.

Morthland said as the enterprises surrounding the college began their rapid growth, he started to seek a seasoned educational leader to succeed him as president. Poshard’s history of leadership with integrity and his faith-based stance, as well as a history of sound fiscal management and successful building projects, made him the perfect person for the job.

“No one more suitable could be selected as Morthland College’s next president,” Morthland said.

Dear Friend,

Welcome to the Weekly Newsletter for the week of February 10, 2017. This week I split my time between the district and Springfield. The first half of the week was spent in district where I was busy meeting with constituents, visiting with Tom Miller, and welcoming the Governor on his visit to the 117th district. The second half of the week I traveled up to Springfield, as the House reported for session. While we still lack a budget there were some big developments with other legislation. Here is the recap.

Rep. Severin at Educare facility at Chicago

Last Friday, I visited the Educare facility in West Chicago to learn more about the Ounce of Prevention Fund. The group believes that the first five years of a child’s life is the most important to the future of their education. As a result the Ounce has created teaching models to boost program quality across the state and at the national level. This ensures that more children have to the programs best suited for their future success. It is a great group of people, and I look forward to seeing the impact of their work in our district.

Visited with WJPF Tom Miller

Rep. Severin on the Miller in the Morning Show, on Newsradio WJPF

On Tuesday I sat down with Tom Miller of WJPF Radio to talk discuss some of the latest developments in Springfield.

Tom and I discussed my new committee assignments and how the committees are all in areas relevant to the district and Southern Illinois as a whole. We also touched on the Senate’s “Grand Bargain” budget plan, what to expect with taxes, and a recent proposal to make Illinois a sanctuary state.

Governor Rauner Visits Herrin Junior High

State Represenative Dave Severin with governor Bruce Rauner on a visit to Herrin Middle School

Also on Tuesday, the Governor came to visit Herrin Junior High School. He went on a tour of the school with the Principal and later addressed students and faculty in the gym. The Governor spoke about how education is the most important thing we do as a community because we are preparing the future generation and thus preparing for the future. He also thanked the teachers for all their work, as their job is one of the most difficult but also the most important to our community.

The Governor told me he was very impressed with the students, faculty, and facilities at Herrin Junior High. I let him know that it is simply one of many great public schools we have here in the 117th District.

House Bill 40

This week the House Committee on Human Services heard House Bill 40. The bill aims to expand benefits for Medicaid and the State Employee Insurance Act to cover all abortions, as opposed to just cases of rape, incest, or health of the mother as the law currently does.  This is a measure I strongly disapprove of because it contradicts our principles and values.

House Bill 1798

House Democrats are trying to rush through a bill to guarantee pay for state workers. This is a poorly written piecemeal deal that simply kicks the can down the road.  Instead, I am co-sponsoring House Bill 2803 that also secures pay for state workers, has bi-partisan support, and is a permanent solution to this issue.

House Bill 426

House Democrats are seeking to make Illinois a sanctuary state. This would put Illinois at odds with the federal government, and with the current financial situation this state is in, it is silly to be biting the hand that feeds us as this bill does.

Stay Connected

My office in Marion is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. You can email me directly through the Contact Form on my website www.repseverin.com. You can also sign up for the E-Newsletter which will send the weekly newsletter and more straight to your email! My staff and I are here to serve you! You can reach the District office at (618) 440-5090 and the Springfield office at (217) 782- 1051. Please feel free to reach out and share your opinions with us.