Lake Land Board Meets in Effingham; Honors Former Trustee

(MARILYN FUQUA THOMPSON AFTER RECEIVING THE CLEM PHIPPS EXEMPLARY TRUSTEE AWARD FROM LAKE LAND BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR GARY CADWELL ON BEHALF OF HER LATE SISTER, KAREN FUQUA)

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees held their monthly meeting in Effingham this week, something done on an annual basis.

As part of the meeting, trustees presented the 2016 Clem Phipps Exemplary Trustee Award to the late Karen Fuqua. Fuqua, a Mattoon attorney, was remembered for her "care of others." 

Fuqua's sister, retired Lake Land nursing program director Marilyn Fuqua Thompson, was present to accept the award along with her daughter and son-in-law, Nicole and Eric Zeller of Effingham. Thompson remembered a saying of her and Karen's father, "We've all had a drink from a well we didn't dig", implying that others have helped us, so we need to help others.

The Board heard from Lake Land Kluthe Center Director Karen Kull about activities at the Center, which will eventually be paired with the proposed Effingham Regional Career Academy to provide instruction for both high school students and adults in the workforce. The instruction will be directed toward providing a trained workforce for business and industry in the Lake Land district. Kull indicated that work should be in place as soon as next year to begin instruction even before funding is available to construct a building to house the Career Academy.

(LAKE LAND KLUTHE CENTER DIRECTOR KAREN KULL)

Kull also reported that enrollment trends are changing. Enrollment has been declining, but she said enrollment was flat last semester and is increasing as far as seat enrollment for Fall Semester. She also said a Cohort program is moving ahead, providing all classes needed for a two-year degree in certain programs at the Effingham campus.

Trustees heard of a request for a property tax abatement from Cadillac Products Packaging Company of Paris, including a 100% abatement the first five years, and then 80%, 60%, 40% and 20% in the following four years on any new construction to help fund an expansion of the business. The Board also was updated on changes to the policy concerning prevention and handling of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Trustees also designated Secretary to the President Jean Anne Grunloh as the person to receive nominating petition for seats on the Lake Land Board when the filing period opens later this year. The election is set for April 4, 2017. Seats up for grabs are now held by Dr. Robert Luther, Doris Reynolds and Mike Sullivan, all of Mattoon.

The Board named new Vice President for Business Services Bryan Gleckler as college treasurer; heard that contracts have been signed for instruction at correctional facilities; learned that Fall enrollment is flat, which some indicated is better than the declining enrollment that has been seen; and heard that classes for Fall Semester will begin August 22.

A review of the budget for the coming fiscal year shows revenue down $3.7 million, but expenses down $3.35 million, which officials said isn't bad considering the college received just 27% of what was projected from the State. 

Trustees approved naming seven roadways on campus in Mattoon for better directions and for safety for students; and heard that a $1.4 million grant was renewed for work on instruction in eight of the college district's public school districts.

The Lake Land Board also hired Jordan Rauch of Savoy as Agriculture instructor and Livestock Judging Team Coach. Rauch is a Lake Land graduate, has a Bachelor's degree from the U. of I., and is working on his Master's degree there. He previously worked as a Show Barn Manager and Assistant Herdsman at Kramer Angus in Farina, Outside Sales Representative for Ohio Valley Ag in Decatur, and as Owner of Rauch Angus in Montrose. He has been serving as Livestock Judging Team Assistant Coach at the U of I since Fall 2015 and as Illinois State 4-H Judging Team Coach during that same time period.

Rauch succeeds Ryan Orrick, who was promoted to Ag Division Chair and Agriculture Instructor when Jon Althaus was promoted to Vice President for Academic Services.