School News
Blackburn receives $10,000 grant for Emerging Leaders Development Program
CARLINVILLE, IL – Area State Farm agents recently presented a $10,000 donation to support Blackburn College’s “Leadership Development for Emerging Leaders” program. This program is designed to help create strong leaders who provide guidance, inspiration, and a level of excellence in their roles ensuring the smooth and effective operation of the college’s unique student-led Work Program.
Dr. Laura Wiedlocher, Professor of Leadership, Law and Public Service at Blackburn College, spoke about the importance of developing leadership skills and how it directly impacts the success of the college’s Work Program. “For over 100 years Blackburn College students have served the institution as leaders within the Work Program. We could not run this school without our student leadership team. To develop leadership skills at this caliber takes continuous investment and mentoring. This grant from State Farm will help us invest in the continued professional development of student leaders and provide additional mentorship throughout the school year.”
She continued, “We are very thankful to State Farm for believing in what we do here. This investment in our student leadership today is also an investment in the future as our students graduate and become leaders within their communities. We are very thankful to State Farm for believing in what we do.”
The “Leadership Development for Emerging Leaders” program was established with the goal of cultivating authentic student leaders by guiding them through a process of exploring their own leadership and how to effectively lead, not simply manage, the students working in their department. Through this training, students learn how to lead from a place of strength and practice how to approach difficult conversations in a way that will be productive. These skills are immediately applied in their new roles as student leaders guiding nearly 400 students in the 12 departments of the college’s Work Program.
Not only will this donation affect the college’s Work Program, but it also helps students in their academic careers. Dr. Karla McCain, Provost at Blackburn College, explained, “This grant from State Farm will enhance leadership development training for students grounded in academic leadership theories. Students in this program have a leadership position in the Work Program and leadership education will help them develop the skills to be successful in the Work Program and in their careers after graduation.”
State Farm agent Richard Oswald said, “State Farm has always been passionate and deliberate about developing that next generation of leaders. Linda, Jessica, Mark and I are proud to represent a company that gives back, in a real and meaningful way, to the folks of the local communities we serve.”
Sarah Koplinski ’95, Senior Director of Development & Foundation Relations for Blackburn College, helped secure this gift for the Emerging Leaders program.
Individuals from the college recently gathered to show appreciation to State Farm for their generous support of the “Leadership Development for Emerging Leaders” program. These funds will allow the College to maximize the impact and effectiveness of the program for current and future students. At the event, State Farm agents presented a check for $10,000 to Blackburn college administrators, Work Program coordinators and individuals involved in the leadership development program. Pictured are, standing from left, Dr. Mark Biermann, President of Blackburn; Dr. Laura Wiedlocher, Professor of Leadership, Law and Public Service; Courtney Ohlrogge, Student General Manager of Work Program; Miriam Wali-Uddin, Student Manager of Lumpkin Student Success Center; Jody Sturgeon, Dean of Work; Dr. Karla McCain, Provost; and Dr. Lauren Dodge, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Blackburn. Seated center is Mihkyelle Cooper, Student General Manager of Work Program; with State Farm representatives from left Linda Worlow, Virden; Jessica Ely, Gillespie; Richard Oswald, Carlinville; and Mark Stieren, Litchfield.
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Carlinville – The Macoupin County Agriculture Education (MCAE) Foundation is offering 6 – $1,000 scholarships for the upcoming 2025-26 school year to students wishing to pursue agriculture majors.
The MCAE Foundation offers scholarships to provide encouragement and financial assistance to Macoupin County residents and/or students of Macoupin County schools who display well-balanced attributes of good citizenship, commitment to activities and scholastic ability.
The applicant must be a graduating high school senior or a current college student who plans to attend or is attending an Illinois junior college, college, university or Career Technical Education (CTE) program, and majoring in agriculture.
Applications are available through your high school guidance counselor, high school agriculture instructor or the Macoupin County Farm Bureau® (MCFB®). An electronic copy of the application can be requested by contacting the MCFB® office by telephone or by email at: mcfb@gomadison.com
All applications must be submitted to the MCFB® office by March 27, 2025. Any questions can be directed to the MCFB® office at 217/854-2571.
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LITCHFIELD — Lincoln Land Community College Litchfield invites prospective students and their families to an evening of exploration on Jan. 22, 2025. This event will offer valuable resources, insights and support to help attendees take the next step in their educational journeys.
Event Highlights:
5-7 p.m. – Workforce Programs Showcase Take a look at the workforce programs that can lead to high-demand careers. LLCC’s Workforce Institute directors and dean will be onsite to discuss current programs and provide a special preview of the new industrial maintenance program available at LLCC-Litchfield this fall. Learn about tuition assistance for the industrial maintenance program, provided by Make It in Illinois. The showcase is open to everyone.
5:30 p.m. – College NOW Learn about how to get a jump start on college credit while still in high school. Benefits, student qualifications, course schedule and costs will be discussed. This presentation is for high school sophomores and juniors and their families.
Financial Aid Completion, all evening – Get the guidance you need to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students and parents can work with knowledgeable staff to ensure their FAFSA is submitted accurately and on time. There will also be information on LLCC Foundation scholarships. This portion of the event is open to high school seniors and new or returning LLCC students who have already graduated or obtained a high school equivalency (HSE) certificate.
Register for the event at www.llcc.edu/litchfield. LLCC-Litchfield is located at 1 Lincoln Land Drive in Litchfield. The center is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
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The Partnership for Educational Excellence is gearing up for an exciting trivia night on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
The lively evening is the education foundation’s one-and-only fund raiser. Proceeds will allow The Partnership to continue programs benefitting all CUSD7 students. Since 1992 the it has awarded more than $1 million to the improved and continuing educations of local students.
Since 1992 every student in every classroom in CUSD7 has benefitted from classroom mini-grants, school-wide academic grants, and – over the past three years – district-wide grants of $90,000 for improved and enhanced student computers.
In addition, The Partnership offers individual $2,000 academic tuition scholarships to GHS graduates enrolled in accredited state and private, academic and trade colleges and universities. In 2024, a record 40% of GHS graduating seniors received these awards.
The “For the Love of Education” Trivia Night will be held at the Gillespie Civic Center, 115 North Macoupin (behind City Hall). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the competition begins at 7:00 p.m.
Mulligans will be for sale; games and lightning rounds will keep the evening lively; and a variety of door prizes will be awarded. Contestants are invited to bring their own beverages and snacks. Alcoholic beverages are permitted with a photo I.D.
In addition, The Partnership’s annual Grand Raffle will kickoff. Two “early bird” winners will receive $100 each on February 15. Their tickets will remain eligible for the grand prize of $5,000 on Saturday 12 April 2025. The fee is only $100 per table, up to 10 people per team.
There are four ways to register:
- phone Director Mary Griffel at 217-556-5456;
- visit www.thepartnership7.org to register online or to print out a mail-in form;
- write to The Partnership, P.O. Box 125, Gillespie IL 62033.
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