Benld resident Geonnah Johnson has been named to the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) Dean’s Honor Roll for their work in the fall 2025 semester, a distinction given to those who achieve the university’s highest academic standards.

To be included on the President’s or Dean’s Honor Roll, a student must be enrolled full time. For the President’s Honor Roll, a student must record a “straight-A” or 4.0 GPA, while Dean’s Honor Roll must earn a 3.5 GPA or better for the semester and no grade lower than a B.

The university recognized 1,924 students on the President’s Honor Roll and 1,574 students were named to the Dean’s Honor Roll from throughout Oklahoma, the country and world.

UCO is a campus community in motion—leading, innovating and creating transformative learning opportunities that foster success for students. As Oklahoma’s largest metropolitan university, UCO provides high-quality, nationally recognized programs that are always evolving and adapting to the needs of students and the community. This commitment is rooted in its founding in 1890 as the state’s teacher’s college, training those who would educate the next generation of leaders and innovators.

Guided by the motto “ubi motus est” – which translates to “where movement is” – UCO continues to evolve and grow, offering 120 undergraduate and 79 graduate programs to our more than 12,000 students from its main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma, and facilities throughout the Oklahoma City metro. The university is governed by the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

For more information about UCO, visit www.uco.edu.

The estate of the late Lindell and Jean Loveless, longtime Macoupin County pork producers, has made generous equal gifts to The Partnership for Educational Excellence in Gillespie CUSD #7 and to the Carlinville CUSD #1 Education Foundation. The gifts come from the remainder of a family trust established to ensure high-quality end-of-life care and were divided upon Jean Loveless’s passing, with equal shares allocated to the education foundations in each district.

Tim Loveless, local businessman and son of Lindell and Jean, emphasized the family’s enduring commitment to education and practical life skills. “It was my parents’ desire to use these remaining funds to support and enhance career and technical education programs in our schools,” Loveless said. He recalled his family’s deep roots in hard work and the value of life skills, noting that “the spirit of this gift is to prepare students for life in general, and to prepare them to earn a living by learning a trade.”

“The bottom half of the class,” Tim continued, “needs financial education and practical skills. A person can learn and earn their way to success.” He described his parents’, grandparents’, and great-grandparents’ diverse ventures—from farming and cattle to turkey production, nursing homes, meat processing, swine production, and subdivisions—and underscored that high formal education is not the sole path to success, but motivation and skill are crucial. He expressed hope that the gift will help school districts boost opportunities for students who may doubt their ability to succeed.

John Fassero, Jr., president of The Partnership for Educational Excellence in CUSD7, welcomed the gift as a strong alignment with the Partnership’s mission. “This Loveless family gift is a perfect fit for the established goals and policies of The Partnership,” Fassero said.

Since its founding in 1992, The Partnership has awarded nearly 600 scholarships based on goals and hard work rather than GPA or class rank. Fassero noted that the organization has several scholarships targeted to the trades, and that nearly 20 scholars have pursued trade school education in the past four years alone. “In addition, two-thirds of The Partnership’s giving is directed to curriculum enhancement across all three schools and in all specialties, including shop and FFA,” Fassero added.

The Illinois Sheriffs’ Association announces that it will be awarding over $58,000 in college scholarships throughout the State of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2026-2027 academic year.

The scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books, and fees only. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning, full-time. Online learning is also acceptable.

Macoupin County Sheriff Shawn Kahl will be awarding one scholarship in the amount of $500.

There will be no restriction on any applicant by reason of race, age, creed, color, sex, or national origin. The only limitations are applicants must be a permanent Illinois resident and students must be enrolled as a full-time student during the 2026-2027 school year, excluding summer session.

Applications are available at the sheriff’s office located at 215 South East Street, Carlinville or on the ISA website. Students must complete the application, answer the essay question, and return all documentation to the sheriff’s office by March 13.