Lake Land Holds Annual Club Recognition Banquet

Lake Land College recently held its annual Club Recognition Luncheon where several official student clubs were recognized. Awards for the 2018-2019 academic year include Outstanding Club Award, Outstanding Club Advisor Award, Collaboration Award, Community Impact Award, Laker Image Award and People’s Choice Award.

Phi Theta Kappa received the Outstanding Club Award after a successful year of reaching five-star chapter status for the first time in the history of Lake Land College.

To be eligible for outstanding club of the year and considered an active student club, each club must accomplish its objectives as stated in the club’s constitution and bylaws, maintain a high attendance and participation record of its members, maintain adequate minutes of its meeting and records of its activities, have an up-to-date roster of its members and officers, have complete and accurate financial records of its activities and be a solvent organization. The club must present this information to the Student Government Association (SGA).

Krista Burrell, academic counselor and Phi Theta Kappa advisor, received the Outstanding Club Advisor Award.

The Outstanding Club Advisor recipient must have strong educational role within the group and must demonstrate dedication, availability and energy toward club objectives and members.

“Krista is a motivated, energetic and a valuable source for the club, pushing Phi Theta Kappa to accomplish more than Lake Land has ever seen. She is truly the backbone of a club that is going above and beyond for Lake Land and its community,” Burrell’s nominee said.

Both Future Educators Association (FEA) and Early Childhood Education and Family Services (ECE) clubs received the newly added Collaboration Award.

The Collaboration Award recognizes a group of organizations that have successfully worked together to sponsor or host an event or program that has benefited the Lake Land campus and community.

Each semester FEA and ECE cooperatively create and organize events for children in the community. In Nov. FEA hosted a Polar Express Kid’s Nigh Out event that ECE and SGA helped coordinate. This semester, ECE will host a Peter Rabbit Kid’s Day Out event at FEA assists with on Saturday, April 13.

The Community Impact Award was given to Club I.T. which recognizes a club that has contributed time, support or money on a local level to better the Lake Land district, campus and community.

Club I.T. orchestrated and provided assistance to four community events on campus this year. These events include: assisting with Club I.T. Garden, Cans for Credit, Business Divisions Computer Contest, and work on the campus’ disc golf course. Recently, Club I.T. assisted with the LifeSpan Center’s Tech Savvy Saturday event where club members helped community members learn the nuances of technology devices.

The Laker Image Award was given to the International Club for demonstrating excellence in the fulfillment of its purpose, membership and leadership development, positive school spirit, campus life enhancement, community contributions and general involvement in Laker Nation.

The International Club focuses on sharing cultures through meetings, events, parties, trips and further Lake Land involvement. International Coffee Hour is hosted each Wednesday at 11 a.m. for international students and American students to chat and explore different cultures through English conversation. The International Club will host the annual International Food Festival Wednesday, April 3, 11 a.m. in the Field House, room 104.

The new People’s Choice Award was presented to the PRIDE Club after voting ballots were collected throughout the luncheon.

Clubs interested in being recognized with the People’s Choice Award were given three minutes to highlight their club accomplishments during the luncheon. Attendees then voted on the club that deserved special recognition. Criteria included: school spirit and enthusiasm, overcoming obstacles, innovative programming and quality of presentation.

The PRIDE Club provides a safe environment for LGBT+ students to engage and collaborate to spread awareness across the Lake Land College campus and community. The club raises money through bake sales and other fundraisers to donate to LGBT+ positive organizations and support groups. Recent proceeds were donated to the National LGBT Hotline, which is a helpline that provides both phone lines and online talk groups for those looking for support.

For more information about Lake Land’s clubs and organizations, visit lakelandcollege.edu and look for the “Student Life” drop-down menu.