Five Inducted Into LLC Alumni Association This Weekend

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Published on September 27 2016 3:52 pm
Last Updated on September 27 2016 3:52 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

The Lake Land College Alumni Association will induct five new members into the Distinguished Alumni Society and Laker Athletics will honor two new members to the Athletics Hall of Fame during the inaugural Laker Homecoming weekend.

The Distinguished Alumni Society (DAS) Class of 2016 inductees are Matthew Cekander, Effingham; Renee Fonner, Hindsboro; Kerry J. (Lawson) Fearn, Charleston, formerly of Neoga; Craig Greeson, Hanover Park, Ill., formerly of Neoga; and Kristopher Van Sickle, Woodstock, Ga., formerly of Newman. The Distinguished Alumni Society recognizes alumni who have utilized the Lake Land experience to make an imprint on their profession or community.

“We’re extremely proud of the newest members of the Distinguished Alumni Society. They exemplify the values we all share at Lake Land College. Not only are they accomplished in their careers, they are very dedicated to giving back to their communities and improving the world around them,” Dave Cox, director of alumni relations and annual giving, said.

The newest members of the Lake Land College Athletics Hall of Fame are Jenna Bradley Hilligoss, Mattoon and Jessica Daugherty, Casey. The Athletics Hall of Fame recognizes athletes, coaches and friends who have excelled in their careers or brought recognition and support to the program.

The honors will take place during the Alumni Recognition Banquet on Oct. 1 at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club. Kassidy Bonebrake, Crawfordsville, Ind., sophomore member of the Lady Lakers basketball team, chairperson of the Lake Land College Student Athletic Council and NJCAA Academic All-American, will give the welcome at the banquet. The banquet is just one of the many events scheduled during the college’s first ever Laker Homecoming.

Matthew Cekander, Laker Nation Class of 1999

Cekander is a CPA and firm partner with Doehring, Winders & Co. LLP. He has an associate degree in business administration from Lake Land College and a bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University. He is a certified public accountant.

Prior to being named partner, Cekander was the accounting and audit manager at Doehring, Winders & Co. LLP. Previously he served as the director of operations at Samuel Music Co., manager at Doehring, Winders & Co. LLP and audit supervisor Miller, Cooper & Co., Ltd.

In 2015 he was named as one of the Top 20 Community Leaders Under 40 from the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce. He serves on the board of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and actively supports the Family Life Center in Effingham.

“As a young alumnus, Matt is very accomplished in his profession. I’ve been impressed with his career path and what he has achieved in a short period of time rising to the ranks of partner with his local accounting firm, Doehring, Winders & Co. LLP,” nominator Cox said.

Cekander credits Cindy Phipps, business instructor/program coordinator accounting, for making a difference in his time at Lake Land. “During my second year at Lake Land, Mrs. Phipps encouraged all of us to do our best, regardless of where we take our classes (whether two-year community college or four-year university.) She was right, that content covered was much the same; like other life lessons, it is what we put into it and our attitude that takes us to the next level.”

“Upon transferring into Illinois State University, I recall feeling well-prepared and was urged to send a note of thanks to Cindy Phipps (and probably should have to the other Lake Land faculty as well) for helping us to be prepared, an ethic also taken to the workplace” Cekander said.

Renee Fonner, Laker Nation Class of 1990

Fonner is the on air talent/promotions director for the Cromwell Group of Mattoon. She has an associate degree in radio/TV broadcasting from Lake Land College.

Fonner is a familiar voice to those who tune into WMCI’s Morning Show. She previously worked in radio stations throughout the country before returning to her hometown and home station.

She said her time at Lake Land College allowed her to find her love of radio. “Within weeks of starting the program I found myself in the booth gaining experience. I have worked in small, medium and large markets around the country and it all started with Lake Land College. I’m forever grateful.”

Fonner serves on the advisory board for Country Cares for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, is the co-coordinator for the Mattoon to Peoria St. Jude Run and a co-coordinator for One Stop Community Christmas.

“Renee’s selfless dedication to the community in which she lives and works has created an enormous positive impact. She is the positive we see within our community,” nominator Luci Englum wrote.

Kerry (Lawson) Fearn, Laker Nation Class of 1989

Fearn is the president and CEO for the Area Educational Credit Union. She has an associate degree in mathematics education from Lake Land College, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s degree in educational psychology from Eastern Illinois University.

The Area Educational Credit Union covers Coles, Effingham and Crawford counties. She has previously served the Boyle chapter of the Illinois Credit Union League as the secretary for two years and as the chairperson for three years. In addition, she has served on numerous committees for 16 years. She also serves as the chairwoman of the legislative committee for the Illinois Credit Union League. She has served on the board of directors for this organization in the past.

She has been an active member and leader at the state and served as a chairwoman and board member for the Illinois Youth Involvement Council. She has served as an elder for her church and has taught Sunday school and vacation bible school. She has volunteered at PADS in Mattoon and also at Heartland Christian Village in Neoga.

Max Jaeger, Lake Land College retiree, nominated Fearn for this award. “Kerry truly loves her job. She will tell you, ‘every day, I get to help our members live better lives—not many people can say that about their jobs.’ Lake Land used to have a saying, ‘Lake Land Cares.’ That describes Kerry.”

Both of Fearn’s parents worked at Lake Land College so she felt Lake Land College was the perfect choice for her, she said.

“Lake Land College has been a part of my life as long as I can remember. My father, Duane Lawson, taught English at Lake Land since the college began back in the 60s through his retirement. My mother, Nancy Lawson, worked in the Tutoring Center and was an adjunct instructor for many years. After I graduated from high school, Lake Land College was the natural choice for me.

“During my freshman year, I decided that I wanted to ‘get involved’ so I ran for Student Activity Board. Through this role, I gained experience in leadership and service.  Looking back, this moment was when I realized that I do much better digging-in and getting involved rather than being a participant. This philosophy has served me well throughout my career as I have attained leadership roles within my industry,” Fearn said.

Fearn said several people influenced her during her time at Lake Land. “If I have to limit it to a few, I would say Benny Ragle who was a very light-hearted faculty advisor for Student Activity Board and Wayne Weaver who had a no-nonsense teaching style.”

Craig Greeson, Laker Nation Class of 1988

Greeson is a product manager–industrial business unit for Littelfuse, Inc. He has an associate degree in pre-engineering from Lake Land College and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of Illinois.

Greeson started his career as a product foreman at Littelfuse, Inc. in Arcola and has advanced as the company has grown throughout the years. He has held positions of quality manager and logistics manager for Littelfuse’s Electrical Fuse Division. In 2007, he accepted a leadership role in the newly created Global Quality Management group, acting as the regional quality manager for North American and European Littelfuse operations. In 2012 he moved into his current position.

“It was at Lake Land College where Craig became fully convinced to follow a career in engineering. His work has taken him to several countries in Europe and the far east,” nominator and Lake Land College retiree David Greeson said.

Greeson said Lake Land College was the perfect place for him to transition from a small-town high school to the University of Illinois.

“The instructors in Lake Land’s pre-engineering program were enthusiastic and fully focused on seeing their students succeed. There was a personal level of connection with several of them that I do not think is common to find at a large four year university. I always felt extremely well prepared for the challenges of my engineering program after transferring. The friendships I made while at Lake Land College were deep, and they have lasted well beyond my two years there.”

Greeson said his father was his person of influence while attending Lake Land.

“David Greeson, my father, was both an instructor and an administrator at Lake Land. I knew growing up he had always been extremely well respected by his students, and the reason why became apparent when I had the opportunity to take one of my calculus courses with him. The true degree of caring he had for students, and the obvious passion he had for Lake Land as an institution, was always apparent in everything he did.”   

Kristopher Van Sickle, Laker Member of 2007

Van Sickle is an administrative officer with the United States Secret Service, Carter Protective Division.

After high school, Van Sickle took a few classes at Lake Land College and then enlisted in the Coast Guard. He returned to school, completing bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Strayer University while stationed in Washington, D.C.

Following his graduation from the Coast Guard he spent a short time working for the U.S. Postal System. In 2010, he succeeded in securing a position with the U.S. Secret Service and eventually was assigned to protect former President Jimmy Carter.

“After retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard, my plans were to finish my degree. Lake Land College set the course academically for a smooth transition on to a four year university to complete my undergraduate and graduate degrees. I will forever be indebted to the faculty and staff at Lake Land College for their selfless actions and genuine interest in every student’s success.”

Jacqueline Joines, executive director for college advancement, nominated Van Sickle, saying he grew up in a small rural community where his family values encouraged him to conquer the world.

“Kristopher believes in serving as a role model for others that life can be full of challenges, but with hard work, focus and determination based in education, you can achieve goals that seem unattainable,” Joines wrote in the nomination. “He serves as a testament that you can start at Lake Land College and truly do great anywhere!”

This Class of 2016 will join 81 others who have been inducted into the Lake Land College Distinguished Alumni Society since its introduction in 2007.