John Wood Community College will hold its forty-third annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Activity Center on the Quincy Campus at 48thand Harrison. This year’s ceremony is will feature a new tradition as the first Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Bob Rhea will deliver the alumni investiture.

JWCC will confer 375 associate degrees and 173 certificates. Michael Elbe, JWCC president, will confer degrees and certificates and Larry Fischer, chair of the JWCC Board of Trustees, will accept candidates as graduates. 

Kelly Obert of Quincy, Illinois, will represent the graduating Class of 2018 by delivering the invocation. She will receive an Associate in Art Degree in communication and will transfer to Illinois State University to complete her bachelor’s degree. She was a member of JWCC’s Student Government Association and cheerleading squad.  

Madelyn Heinecke of Camp Point, Illinois, and Monica Taft of Quincy, Illinois will provide the student address. Heinecke served as president of the Student Government Association and was a member of the AG Club and TRiO.  She will receive an Associate of Science in agriculture and will transfer to Southern Illinois University at Carbondale to pursue a degree in agricultural systems technology management. Taft was vice president and president of JWCC’s Alpha Tau Gamma chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and is a member of the Gay Straight Alliance.  She plans to transfer to Roanoke College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English literature.

Lyndsy Deming of Monroe City, Missouri, will offer the student response to the alumni investiture.  A United States Veteran, Deming will receive an Associate in Science degree in agriculture and plans to transfer to Hannibal-LaGrange University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Dylan Mast of Liberty, Illinois will provide closing remarks. He was a Presidential Scholarship recipient, a TRiO student and a member of the Student Government Association. He will receive an Associate in Applied Science degree in supply chain management and will transfer to Western Illinois University to complete his bachelor’s degree. 

Macebearer for JWCC’s Commencement will be Mary Hass, JWCC’s 2017 Co-Faculty Member of the Year and assistant professor of nursing education.  

Processional marshal will be Dennis Bingheim, JWCC’s 2017 Associate Faculty Member of the Year and law enforcement instructor. 

Dr. Steven Soebbing, JWCC instructor of music and theatre, and 2017 co-faculty member of the year will play processional and recessional selections. The College’s choir will perform the National Anthem arranged by Letha Cole Crouch and a musical selection by Christopher Tin.   

John Wood Community College’s JDub Academy will offer classes for students during the month of June. The hands-on educational enrichment program is offered to children in grades kindergarten through 12th. Experts in a range of professions from art and foreign language to engineering and science will instruct classes.

Area youth may choose from more than a dozen classes during three different sessions of JDub Academy in Quincy offered Monday through Friday: June 11-15, June 18-22 and June 25-29. Each week will have an 8 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. session and a 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. session. Children may choose to attend one or both sessions.

Classes will also be held at JWCC’s Mt. Sterling Education Center and the Southeast Education Center, located 2 miles north of Pittsfield. To learn more about these classes, visit www.jwcc.edu/jdubacademy.

Among the classes offered during this year’s JDub Academy include the following: Criminal Agent in Training, Design with Disney and Fairytales, Books and Art, Ahoy Matrosen, Trash to Treasure/Recycled Art, Become a World Traveler, Let’s Build It, Creative Dramatics, 4^th of July Art, The World of Minis, Bring Out the Nature in You, Mad Science, Gardner Camp’s Explore Archery and Outdoor Adventures, Vet for a Week, Fun with Geometry and many others.

JWCC has been providing learning opportunities for area youth for more than 25 years. This unique program offers children hands-on academic and enrichment workshops on a college campus.  All courses are designed to teach new and meaningful skills, excite students about learning and discover ways to explore future careers.

Local service organizations help make JDub Academy possible by providing support for supplies and scholarships. Such organizations include Breakfast, Noon and Golden Kiwanis, Samantha Otte Foundation and the Community Foundation. The Quincy Service League is providing funds to cover transportation to and from Gardener Camp classes.

Cost per class varies. For more information, call 217.641.4941. 

High School Students Seeking More College Credit at JWCC

Planning for Fall Semester Includes College Courses for Increasing Number of High School Students

As demand for college credit offerings for high school students continues to grow, John Wood Community College is offering varying ways to help students jumpstart their college career.

 “Now is the time that many students plan for the following year, and more often than not, that includes college classes for seniors and even juniors in high school,” Melanie Lechtenberg, dean of enrollment services, said. “Today’s high school students are so busy that fitting in college classes into their regular school day can be tough.  That’s why we’ve been getting creative in terms of how we deliver courses to students, and we are starting to see an increase in enrollment as a result.”

 From 2015 to 2017, the number of high school students taking college credit at JWCC increased by more than 20 percent. In 2015, 403 high school students enrolled in 2,573 credit hours at JWCC.  In 2017, the numbers jumped to 492 students taking 3,099 credit hours.

 The most recent Illinois Community College Board data from 2015-16 show that a total of 10,740 dual credit courses were offered by Illinois community colleges, which marks a 7 percent increase from the prior year. Courses taken to transfer to four-year universities made up 63 percent of dual credit offerings while career and technical courses accounted for the remaining 37 percent. More than 100,000 students enrolled in courses across the state that year.  JWCC received a dual credit enhancement grant from the Illinois Community College Board to help promote opportunities to high schools in the college’s district.

 “Families are thinking ahead at the time and money they can save by having their sons and daughters take one, two, and sometimes multiple college classes in their last two years of high school,” Lechtenberg shared. “It’s important that they understand the extra time and expectations involved in college classes, so it is important for any high school student to talk with their guidance counselor to make sure they are successful.”

 High school students can complete college credit in a number of different ways through JWCC. Students can earn dual credit, where they receive both high school and college credit for one course.  Dual credit classes are typically delivered by an instructor at their high school who meets both secondary and JWCC’s credentialing requirements.

Dual enrollment is another option for high school students to obtain college credits.  In this case, students enroll in a college course while also enrolled at their high school, but only receive college credit. These classes are normally taught by a JWCC instructor at one of the College’s centers or on-site at high schools. 

 Online classes are also considered dual enrollment.  JWCC’s new Smart Start 2x2 online program is an accelerated option designed for high-achieving students to complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree online. Students who enter the program as juniors may complete the first two years of a bachelor’s degree by the time they graduate high school. Students can transfer courses from the Smart Start 2x2 program to four-year colleges and universities across the country.

 More details are available at www.jwcc.edu/smartstart, or by contacting Lechtenberg at 217.641.4310 or mlechtenberg@jwcc.edu

Trustees Receive Update on Summer Enrollment of Students from Four-Year Universities

The John Wood Community College Board of Trustees, meeting in Quincy Wednesday evening May 16, heard an update on summer enrollment and new ways faculty are delivering courses to accommodate the schedules of JWCC students and a growing number of college students returning to the area from universities across the country.

 In the last three years, the number of students from other universities taking summer classes at JWCC has nearly doubled.  In 2015, 63 students from other colleges enrolled in summer courses compared to 119 in 2017.

 Part of the reason for the jump is the options students have to complete courses to accommodate summer schedules, jobs and family vacations. JWCC offers three and eight-week summer terms using classroom, online, hybrid and open learning settings.

 JWCC faculty offer a popular three-week intersession from May 21 to June 8 during which students attend class from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday. English, speech, psychology and western civilization are offered in the accelerated format. This year new hybrid courses in developmental and social psychology will be introduced in the intersession, allowing students to attend fewer class days and complete the remaining coursework online.  Hybrid, online, open learning and classroom options in a wide range of subjects are offered in the eight-week session starting June 11.  

 The affordable tuition and transferability of classes is also attractive for students. Tuition for a summer classroom-based course at JWCC costs approximately $480 for an in-district resident, compared to $1,125 at an Illinois four-year public university or $2,594 at a private university.  Classes taken at JWCC transfer to hundreds of colleges and universities nationwide.

 In other business, the Board:

 Heard a report from Barb Lieber, director of JWCC’s learning resource center, regarding memorabilia and a scrapbook to be placed in a time capsule to be hidden on campus and opened in 2045. It will include letters written by current JWCC students to students of the future.  The capsule is part of JWCC’s One Book, One College activity held this year.  Students, faculty and staff read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, which is a story of a futuristic society set in 2045.

 Approved submission of a $111,176 application to the Illinois Community College Board for the Carl D. Perkins Postsecondary Career and Technical Education grant. In previous years the grant provided direct student assistance and tutoring to 58 students and also provided instructional equipment and supplies for machining, truck driver training, agriculture, welding, nursing programs and JWCC’s Workforce Development Center classrooms.  

Recognized 2018-19 incoming Student Government Association (SGA) officers. SGA President, Cole Thompson of Mendon; Vice President, Tyler Streeter of Payson; Secretary, Autumn Buckley of Liberty; and Treasurer, Rachel Wolter of Quincy.

The next regular meeting of the Board is Wednesday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at the JWCC campus in Quincy. 

Click below to watch JWCC commencement live, thanks to our friends at WGEM.  

NOTE: The link will go live shortly after the 6p WGEM newscast is over at approximately 6:30p.

http://ftpcontent6.worldnow.com/wgem/JWCCWGEMvideo.html

John Wood Community College has extended its GED and adult literacy classes through June at the Southeast Education Center. The classes are offered through the JWCC Adult Education program, which helps students prepare for the high school equivalency GED test. The program also provides assistance with career planning and job skills.

Classes meet in Pittsfield from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the SEC, located at 39637 260^th Street, 2 miles north of Pittsfield on Highway 54.

Classes are free but students are required to attend an orientation session prior to beginning class. Financial assistance with testing fees may be available. To register, contact Monica Foster, manager of adult education, at 217.641.4962.  More information is available at www.jwcc.edu/ged.

Thinking about a new career can seem intimidating. With the help of JWCC, it doesn’t have to be. Adults can “Try On a New Career” Tuesday, May 22^nd from 6-8pm at the JWCC Workforce Development Center at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy. Free and open to the public. 

Learn about careers that are in-demand, with employers ready to hire here in the tri-states. Many are unaware of the opportunity in careers such as healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, logistics, welding, electrical, industrial maintenance and emergency services. 

Attendees can match their interests and skills with possible careers, find out how long training will take and financial assistance available. Those who attend will also learn how classes can fit into their schedule as well as what salary they can expect to make upon graduation. 

Refreshments will be served and attendees can register to win a laptop or a free class from JWCC. Those who register in advance will double their chances to win. Individuals must be present to win.

To register go to:  http://jwcc.edu/trycareers. For more information contact 217.641.4957.

John Wood Community College’s nursing program recently held its pinning and recognition ceremony for graduating Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) recipients. Eighteen LPNs and 26 ADN graduates were honored during the program.

Laura Routh, administrative chair for health sciences, gave the welcoming introduction and Michael Elbe, president of JWCC, provided remarks to the students. The invocation was given by graduate Ashley McCaughey, and the address was provided by graduate Jennifer Benavidez. Mary Hass and Laura Mathews, health sciences instructors, pinned the graduates. Graduate Francesca Weathers presented a poem entitled “A Nurse’s Prayer,” and the closing and benediction was given by graduate Sidney Sutton.

The following graduates received their LPN pin:

Jennifer Cassens of Camp Point

Tanner Crisp of Quincy

Jennifer Dennis of Pittsfield

Kristina Fessler of Liberty

Rosemary Hatfield of Quincy

Matthew Hayden of Quincy

Kaitlyn Hocking of Plainville

Lindsay Hoebing of Mendon

Harley Huether of Bluffs

Joshua Moore of Rushville

Laura Moyer of Ottumwa, Ia.

Lauren Mueller of Quincy

Jena Schaffer of Quincy

Emily Schwedes of Quincy

Carley Simmons of Mendon

Tracey Smith of Quincy

Kelsey Stephens of Liberty

McKenna Uplinger of Quincy

The following received their ADN pin:

Jennifer Benavidez of Quincy

Tiffany Brooks of Pittsfield

Evan Colston of Barry

Donna Cramsey of Quincy

Leigh Crane of Nebo

Kendra Davis of Clayton

Leah Drebenstedt of Maywood, Mo.

Diana Harris of Barry

Ranesiah Hinojosa of Hannibal, Mo.

Mary Hopkins of Naples

Meagen Hufford of Quincy

Ashley McCaughey of Quincy

Madelyn Meyers of Palmyra, Mo.

Emily Mitchell of Hannibal, Mo.

Faith Pettit of Palmyra, Mo.

Desirae Reimers of Pittsfield

Joshua Sherman of Hannibal, Mo.

Samantha Smith of Quincy

Taylor Steffen of Quincy

Olivia Sullivan of Quincy

Sidney Sutton of Canton, Mo.

Kaylee Ussery of Augusta

Francesca Weathers of Hannibal, Mo.

Lacey White of Hannibal, Mo.

Michelle Wortman of Quincy

Courtney Zimmerman of Bluffs

For information on JWCC’s nursing program, contact Hollie Perry, administrative specialist in the health sciences office, at 217.641.4551 or email hperry@jwcc.edu.

John Wood Community College’s Agriculture Alumni Association will host its 20^th  annual golf outing Friday, July 13, at Arrowhead Heights Golf Course in Camp Point IL. 

The 18-hole, four person scramble, flighted-competition will begin with registration from 11 to 11:45 a.m. followed by a shotgun start at noon.  The cost is $240 per team, with option to participate in skins as a team at an additional $40 cost. The registration fee includes golf with 2 mulligans per person, green fees, cart and a pork chop meal. 

Tournament and hole sponsors are also welcomed to assist with the fundraising activity. Tournament sponsors could provide supplies for goody bags. Hole sponsorship is $100.00 donation for a sign with company or sponsor logo.

The event is both a social gathering and the primary fundraiser for the association. The funds from the event are used to help support the JWCC Agricultural Sciences program by hosting the Invitational Livestock Judging Contest and Ag Sciences Open House. The alumni also provide direct support to students by providing scholarship awards, sponsoring Ag Club events, PAS Team and Livestock Judging Team and Women Changing the Face of Agriculture activities.

To join the fun and/or support the event, contact the JWCC Agricultural Education Center at 217.236.4711, 217.641.4558 or ag@jwcc.edu by June 29th.

John Wood Community College will host a community yard sale on Saturday, May 26, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. The sale will take place at the JWCC Student Activity Center, located at 1301 South 48^th Street in Quincy.

The sale will feature JWCC surplus items plus more than 25 individual public booths. A few booth spaces are still available for purchase by the public.

The community yard sale is open to the public and is free of charge, and will take place rain or shine. To reserve your space or for more information, call 217.641.4104 or emailbholthaus@jwcc.edu.

John Wood Community College’s 43rd annual commencement exercises were held Friday, May 18, 2018 in the College’s Student Activity Center on the campus in Quincy.  The ceremony honored 375 students earning associate degrees and 174 students earning career/technical certificates.

Graduates, listed by degree or certificate received and current city, include the following:

Associate in Arts

Ankney, Ia.          David Fuqua

Augusta                Jordan Ringenberger, Meagan Root

Barry                     Weston Billings, Ethan Hart, Natalie Powell

Belleville               Robert Palmer

Camp Point          Madison McLennan, Rylan Scheiter, Laine Tournear

Canton, Mo.       Althea Stroud

Castaic, Calif.       Christopher Kozlowski

Clayton                 Dakota Kalb, John Phillips, Brittney Shaffer

Coatsburg            Logan Keppner

Dahlonega, Ga.  Karen Battles

Eolia, Mo.            Jaime Denslow

Fowler                   Zoe Elder, Alyson Genenbacher, Brooke Gooding

Hannibal, Mo.    Rachel Niffen

Hardin                   Zachary Smith

Hull                        Donovan Schwanke

Keokuk, Iowa     Jonathan Dahl

La Belle, Mo.       Felicia Flores

Lewistown, Mo. Kalynne Olson, Michael Whan

Liberty                 Benjamin Deming, Tyler Kasparie, Dylan Mast, Logan Peter, Reed Wolfmeyer

Loraine                 Darien Bugh, Jarod Coyle, Dawson Moore

Louisiana, Mo.   Carmen Ford, Daniel Guthrie

Mendon               Adam Donley, Thomas Winsted

Meredosia           Vicky Barnett

Milton                   Macey Sargent

Mt Sterling          Sarah Allen, Kyle Felten, Jessica Geisler, Jack Hulvey, Blake Law, Chrisadella Weaver

Nauvoo                 Sarah DiPrima

New Canton        Christopher Dolbeare

New London, Mo.             Marcus Montague

New Salem           Breanna Kelley

Olathe, Kan.        Sabryn Sandstrom

Palmyra, Mo.      Kathryn Felde, Carley Lovelace, Cory Vaughn

Paloma                  Rebecca Hibbert

Payson                  Rachel Cooper, Dakota Epley, Brekken Flesner, Neal Sherwood, Jordan Snow

Pittsfield               Jessica Bogue, Adam Borrowman, Jason Bryant Jr., Mikayla Carter, Abigail Cash, Korbyn Cox, Brenlee Damon, Lewis Daniels, Kara DeJaynes, Gretchen Goewey, David Hecox, Kathryn  Osment, Jorie Reed, Nathan Smith, Melanie Woods, Cristy Wyatt

Plainville               Brandon Adkins, Jenna Uppinghouse

Pleasant Hill        Camron Little, Delaynie Robinson

Quincy  Dustin Acevedo, William Adrian, Brock Alexander, Alec Askey, Kaley Augspurg, Brett Baird, Heather Baker, Austin Bargen, Joey Barnes, Kayla Blair, Amy Bordewick, Carson Bowen, Tyler Brown, Elijah Brunier, Clayton Buhrmester, Connor Buss, Cameron Cain, Andrew Casula, Taylor Clark-Stotts, Darian Cobb, Brandon Collins, Shelby Connell, Zachery Cookson, Gabriel Coultas, Thomas Damon II, Quinton DeBoer, Emily Diaz, Marlisa Douglas, Dain Duffy, Lonnie Dunn, Andrew Ellerman, Jamie Evans, Aziz Fadika, Chloe Fanshier, Collin Farmer, Alexis Fletcher, Whitney Fountain, Andrew Fuller, Amber Garner, Collin Garner, Blake Geise, Gabrielle Gengenbacher, Lindsay Gilbert, James Goodwin, James Griffin, Ryon Gudgel-Coonrod, Madeline Hall, Abigail Hedberg, Emily Hedberg, Evita Helm, Margaret Hess, Danielle Holley, Kira Houghton, Cole Howerton, Emma Hoyt, Earl Hughes, Sydney Hultz, Nicholas Hun, Madelyn Hyer, Shawn Kaufman, Abigail Kemp, Hannah Kemp, Katelyn Kimber, Mattieu Koetters, Jordan Lenz, Jade Leonard, Logan Leonard, Joshua Logsdon, Krisann Loos, Brandon Lopez, Trista Malone, Ricky Mason, Blake Massner, Joyce Mayfield, David McGough, Devin McKiernan, Nevin McNally, Masen Melton, Josiah Mikkelson, Brigita Miller, Emily Moore, William Moyers, Joshua Musolino, Corbin Myers, Blaine Neumann, Kelly Obert, Chima Oduocha, Samantha Overton, Madeline Paradise, Tanner Parrish, Judith Percy, Kyra Percy, Madison Plumer, Chris Reynolds, Austin Ridder, Madison Robb, Skylar Roberts, Brenda Rolsing, Audrey Roman, Cassy Roth, Riley Roth, Tracy Sailem, Mason Schlotzhauer, Lydia Schrand, Jackson Schulte, Paul Schumm, Andrew Schutte, Christopher Scoville, Krista Shear, Cody Shelton, Ian Sherman, Bailey Smith Erika Smith, Wesley Smith, Mary Soebbing, Jamie Sowell, Nicole Sparks, Cristen Spilker, Kara Stotts, Torrence Sullivan, Monica Taft, Brady Taylor, Tracy Terwelp, Nicholas Veile, Alex Venvertloh, Autumn Voigt, Hannah Ward, Ian Warning, Mason Warning, Emma Waterkotte, Lexus Wedding, Benjamin Welper, Parker Westerman, Jordan White, Nicolas Wietholder, Gavin Williamson

St. Charles, Mo. Haley Huneke

Timewell               Leah Rohrer

Ursa                       Darian Brown, Bernardo Chavez Resendiz, McKenna East, Sumer Howell

West Point          Mackenzie Patrick

Associate in Fine Arts

Augusta                Jessica Abrego

Mt. Sterling         Robert Tynan

Palmyra, Mo.      Rachel Reinbeck

Associate in Science

Augusta                Michael Bruns

Barry                     Danielle Wells

Fowler                   Madelyn Heinecke

Golden                  Eli Gronewold

Mendon               Jackson King

Mentone, Ind.   Karis Tucker

Monroe City, Mo.             Lindsy Deming, Vanita Patel

Pleasant Hill        Noah Lippincott

Quincy                  Zechariah Akins, Schaeffer Aschemann, Ethan Banks, Diane Beroiza, Erika Brown, Jonathan Calvo, Riley Cameron, Tyler Chandler, Alexis Conner, Evan Curran, Lewis Denckla, Sam Douglas, Matthew Finlay, Chinü Hultz, Sean McClean, Elizabeth Ohnemus, Madison Orr, Bryce Rupp, Jordan Smith, Makenzie Stark, Katie Tipton, Kara Vahle, Nasiha Wehrheim, Makayla Wesley

Slidell, La.             Tysheka Williams

Warsaw                Samantha Buckert

Associate in Engineering Science

Mendon               Clayton Thompson

Quincy                  Lamor Hickman, Daniel Mast, Jared Wiemelt

Associate in Applied Science

Accounting

Augusta                Kathy Bruns

Camp Point          Michael Keller

Quincy                  Chad Fuller, Lisa Gamble

Agriculture Business Management

Augusta                Alyssa Kerker, Kaitlyn Roberts        

Barry                     Joseph Hamilton

Baylis                     Emily Brinkmann

Bluffs                     Zachary Dahman               

Camp Point          Blake Kirlin          

Carthage              Taylor Boston, Jonathon Dorothy  

Franklin                 Quentin Reynolds              

Kane                      Benjamin DeWitt               

Liberty                  Reagan Neisen   

Quincy                  Jacob Brown       

Shelbina, Mo.     Jared Wilt            

Ursa                       Parker Fuller       

Versailles              Laken Wiese        

Winchester         Cole Parker          

Animal Science

Augusta                Kaitlyn Roberts   

Baylis                     Jamie Broeker, Jordan Broeker, Elizabeth Spaunhorst             

Monroe City, Mo.    Lindsy Deming    

Business-Management

Quincy                  Heather Johnson, Nathan Obert, Aaron Sill 

Computer-Aided Design

Hannibal, Mo.    Caleb Land           

Quincy                  Dustin Fowler, Kristopher Hamner

Early Childhood Education

Bowen                  Melissa  Bell

La Grange, Mo.  Katlyn Grimsley

Payson                  Aaron Rogers

Pittsfield               Shelby Dolbeare

Electrical Technology

Augusta                Loren Stout         

Palmyra, Mo.      Aron Pollard         

Payson                  Carter Epperson

Quincy                  Michael Blackwell, Evan Lish, Shawn Walker              

Saverton, Mo.    Steven Foster

Fire Science

Brimfield               James Bachman 

Golden                  Kurt Schuster      

Granite City         Thomas Beck Jr.

Mt Sterling          Jacob Kunkel      

Palmyra, Mo.      Trevor Wheeler  

Quincy                  Dalton Buckley, Lee Carpenter      

Graphic Design

Quincy                  Michelle Greusel , Erin Heiden, Brendan Nelson, Beth Pendergraff

Law Enforcement

Quincy                  Elijah Kurfman

Logistics & Operations Management

Hull                        Kody Meyer

Quincy                  Chad Barry, Brenda Eldridge, Andrew Maas

Manufacturing Technology

Fowler                   Nicholas Weiman

La Grange, Mo.  Garrett Bringer

Loraine                 Mason Moore

Maywood, Mo.  John O’Brien        

Pittsfield               Alec Hubbard

Sutter                    Landon Smith

Medical Laboratory Technician

Quincy                  Amber Leonard  

Nursing

Augusta                Kaylee Ussery

Barry                     Evan Colston, Diana Harris

Bluffs                     Courtney Zimmerman

Canton, Mo.       Sidney Sutton

Clayton                 Kendra Davis

Hannibal, Mo.    Ranesiah Hinojosa, Emily Mitchell, Joshua Sherman, Francesca Weathers          , Lacey White      

Liberty                  Katherine Zbornak

Maywood, Mo.  Leah Drebenstedt             

Naples                   Mary Hopkins     

Nebo                     Leigh Crane         

Palmyra, Mo.      Madelyn Meyers, Faith Pettitt       

Pittsfield               Tiffany Brooks, Desirae Reimers    

Plainville               Lincoln Smith      

Quincy                  Jennifer Benavidez, Donna Cramsey, Brittany Galbraith, Meagen Hufford, Ashley McCaughey, Samantha Smith, Taylor Steffen, Olivia Sullivan, Michelle Wortman         

Office Technology

Bowen                  Chesney Homan 

Mt Sterling          Jessica Ham         

Ursa                       Hayleigh Hamm 

Office Technology-Medical

Quincy                  Anita Johnson

Radiologic Technology

Golden                  Shelby Davis        

Kinderhook         Ellie Weir             

Meredosia           Megan Burns      

Mt Sterling          Cheyenne Grainger           

Quincy                  Carrie Kimbrell, Kiersten Powell, Cassandra Reilly     

Shelbina               Amanda Perrigo 

Surgical Technology

Pleasant Hill        Marisa Duda       

Quincy                  Holly Wells

Certificates

Agriculture Applications

Augusta                Ross Myers

Beef Specialist

Augusta                Kaitlyn Roberts

Baylis                     Jamie Broeker, Jordan Broeker, Elizabeth Spaunhorst

Monroe City, Mo.      Lindsy Deming

Certified Production Technician

Quincy                  Sidney Ballenger, Colby Barnett, Christopher Gravitt, Michelle Reeves, Ryan Waters    

Computer Network Support

Quincy                  Lewis Denckla, Ray Pence

Desktop Publishing

Quincy                  Kirsten Davis, Sarah Mason             

Diesel Technology

Bowen                  Ryan Kost, Ryan Perry

Electrician

Augusta                Loren Stout

Liberty                  Joshua Potter

Quincy                  Trevor Bowen, Levi Cook, Konnor Glasgow, Dakota Hatfield, Eric Mating, Tyler McLennan

Rushville              Randy Robbins, Ryan Wade

Engineering Design-SolidWorks

La Grange, Mo.  Garrett Bringer

Loraine                 Mason Moore

Quincy                  Alexander Bravo, Tanner Kennedy, Adrian Rivera

Health Care Assistant

Barry                     Tama Silman       

Camp Point          Lindsey Reed

Griggsville            Cynthia Rezba, Ashley Scranton

Mendon               Brooke Valentine

Mt Sterling          Tracy Alsup          

Quincy                  Carla Kaelber, Margaret Tarr, Ruth Wigfall

Versailles              Ashleigh Carson  

Industrial Maintenance Technology

Sutter                    Landon Smith

Industrial Technician-Electrical

Hamilton              Logan Gray

Mt Sterling          Damon Flynn       

Pittsfield               Lucas Waters      

Quincy                  Stacy Gallamore, Brett Tipton

Sutter                    Landon Smith

Ursa                       Michael Casley

Industrial Technician-Mechanical

Golden                  Gavin Ideus

Mt Sterling          Damon Flynn

Quincy                  Stacy Gallamore, Brett Tipton, Nicholas Webster

Industrial Welding

Barry                     Noah Lynch

Griggsville            Cody Ervin

Kahoka, Mo.       Tristan Harper

Pearl                      Ryan McDaniles, Tanner Still

Pittsfield               Isaac Smithers

Plainville               Timothy Peters

Quincy                  Colin Melvin, Kevin Owen, Jamone Riggins, Lohgan Walker

Logistics

Quincy                  Matthew Futhey

Nursing Assistant

Canton, Mo.       Amber Hudnut

Fowler                   Jessica Walker    

Griggsville            Cynthia Rezba    

La Grange, Mo.  Ashli Webster     

Macomb               Heidi McMurren

Mendon               Dezaree Guthrie, Brooke Valentine

Milton                   Hillary Pennock

Mt Sterling          Tracy Alsup

New Canton        Lacey Longo

Palmyra, Mo.      Avery Lochman

Payson                  Christopher Hartsock

Pearl                      Staci Allen

Pittsfield               Payton Baker, Haley Howard, Sarah Littlefield          

Quincy                  Stefanie Allen, Lyndsey Austin, Bethany Booher, Stephanie Brown, Madalyn Cain, Kristen Clifford, Crawley, Evans, Kellea Franzen, Desiree Jones, Carla Kaelber, Kayla Layton, Ariel Mehochko, Elizabeth Mewes, Marisa Niemeier, Olsen, Brianna Otten, Heather Russell, Cheri Ryan, Bobbi Smith, Stephanie Steffen, Tierra Stover, Margaret Tarr, Ruth Wigfall   

Ursa                       Stephanie McKinney

Office Technology

Pittsfield               Lisa Boren

Quincy                  Breann Thevil

Office Technology-Medical

Camp Point          Danielle Turner

Quincy                  Kelly Buettner, Amie Harness, Tamara Kinard, Natasha Lewis, Tracy McGee, Karen McIntosh, Andrea Miller, Rachel Stephens, Holly Weiss, Denetta Wise

Versailles              Sheena Funke, Nicholas Mulverhill

Paramedicine

Nebo                     Robert Jones

Practical Nurse

Bluffs                     Harley Huether

Camp Point          Jennifer Cassens 

Durham, Mo.      Laura Moyer

Liberty                  Kristina Fessler, Kelsey Stephens    

Mendon               Lindsay Hoebing, Carley Simmons

Pittsfield               Jennifer Dennis, Tracey Smith

Plainville               Kaitlyn Hocking

Quincy                  Tanner Crisp, Rosemary Hatfield, Matthew Hayden, Alimatou Moussa, Lauren Mueller, Jena Schaffer, Emily Schwedes, McKenna Uplinger

Rushville              Joshua Moore

Precision Machining Machinist

Hannibal, Mo.    John Craven

La Grange, Mo.  Garrett Bringer

Quincy                  Kimberly Schwener

Professional Nursing Assistant

Milton                   Hillary Pennock  

Payson                  Christopher Hartsock        

Quincy                  Stefanie Allen, Lyndsey Austin, Desiree Jones, Ariel Mehochko, Marisa Niemeier

Surgical Technology

Golden                  Beth Eilers

Loraine                 Kassondra Blanchett

Quincy                  Chelsea Bruce

Truck Driver Training

Hannibal, Mo.    Shane Reed

Liberty                  Gary McDowell

Quincy                  Donald Petry, Richard Sparks

Web Design

Hamilton              Amy Hensley-Sullivan

Welding

Barry                     Noah Lynch         

Fowler                   Chad Davis           

Kahoka, Mo.          Tristan Harper    

Pearl                      Ryan McDaniles, Tanner Still          

Pittsfield               Isaac Smithers    

Plainville               Timothy Peters   

Quincy                  David Gibson, Colin Melvin, Kevin Owen, Jamone Riggins, Lohgan Walker         

Sutter                    Landon Smith

Works by John Wood Community College’s visual arts students were recently judged by Ann Miller Titus, president of the Quincy Art Center Board and fiber artist. The pieces are part of the seventh annual student “Show and Sell” spring exhibit, which is available for viewing at JWCC’s Heath Center Art Gallery through May 25. The gallery is open during the College’s normal operating hours.

Titus remarked on the works, “I began by looking for story. I am interested in how we communicate visually and the pieces that stood out to me suggested narratives, messages, and points of view. I found myself wishing that I could speak to each artist to discover the context for the work and to compare my perceptions with what the artists intended to communicate. I also found myself drawn to works that included a bit of surprise and a touch of the unexpected.” 

Presentations were made to the following:

Honorable Mention, Abigail Stickling of Taylor, Mo., for Patacsil

Honorable Mention, Jamie Sowell of Quincy, for Portrait

Honorable Mention, Jill Thomas of Quincy, for City Life

Honorable Mention, Emily Hedberg of Quincy, for c2

Honorable Mention, Michelle Greusel of Quincy, for Jill

Honor Award, Emily Hedberg, Serenity  

Honor Award, Nevin McNally of Quincy, Benny Eating a Flower  

Honor Award, Jill Thomas, City Flip  

Honor Award, Aislynn Sommers of Quincy, Noah  

Best of Show, Nevin McNally, Lordy Nordy

The JWCC Advancement Office receives 20 percent of the proceeds from the sale to enhance the arts education program at JWCC.  The individual students receive the remainder of the proceeds. 

The exhibit is located in the lower level of the Heath Fine Arts and Community Education Center located on the Quincy campus at 48^th and Harrison.

John Wood Community College is sponsoring an event to benefit the College for Life (CFL) program. Paint the Town will be held on Friday, June 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Town & Country Suites in Quincy. 

The painting party will give participants a chance to paint a personalized canvas with Cheryl Schutte, instructor from the Paint Pad. Appetizers will be offered in addition to a cash bar. Participants may paint or choose to socialize based on their preference. 

JWCC created the CFL program last summer to provide opportunities to students 18 years and older with developmental and learning disabilities to go to college. The program’s mission is to help students with developmental and intellectual disabilities gain skills, knowledge and confidence for increased contribution to the greater community as coworkers, friends and neighbors.

Cost to attend is $50 per person, and all proceeds from the event will benefit the CFL. The event venue is sponsored by Blessing Health System. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information or to make reservations, contact Barb Woodyard, administrative assistant to the JWCC Community Foundation, at 217.641.4105 or email woodyard@jwcc.edu.

An information session about the Truck Driver Training Program at John Wood Community College will be held Monday, June 11, at 6:30 p.m. at the Workforce Development Center, 4220 Kochs Lane, Quincy.

The next class starts Monday, July 2. Classes meet Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., for seven weeks plus a one week pre-session. 

Representatives from the Truck Driver Training Program will give a brief presentation reviewing admission requirements, registration, and career opportunities in the trucking industry. Attendees will also learn about a 16-credit hour, financial-aid eligible, Logistics/Truck Driver Training certificate, as well as a new online 8-week class. 

The JWCC Truck Driver Training Program offers the latest technology to educate students including an up-to-date computer lab. Industry standard equipment is used as teaching tools and courses are certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute. Area truck driving firms are hiring now. Some employers may fund tuition costs.       

For information, contact the Truck Driver Training program, 217.224.5362 or 217.641.4914.

Testing services to be located at JWCC’s Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield

John Wood Community College and the Regional Office of Education #1 (ROE) will share resources to provide a new Pearson VUE Testing Center located at JWCC’s Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield. 

The center will allow greater access to educational testing for the GED and additional professional testing for students and residents in the southeast area of the John Wood Community College district and ROE service areas of Pike, Scott, Morgan and Cass counties.  

“Our goal is to have as many residents in this region attain a high school credential, and this center will remove an obstacle that could stand in the way of completing a GED, “Jill Reis, Regional Superintendent of Schools said.  “We also want to provide local access to testing to help professionals obtain and maintain credentials for continuing education and careers.”

All four sections of the GED test will now be available through the JWCC Southeast Education center, where before students may have to take as many as four trips to Quincy or Jacksonville to complete the test to earn the high school equivalency credential. 

Pearson is a worldwide learning company with products and services used by millions of teachers and students. Pearson’s VUE offers innovative computer-based testing for more than 450 credentials across the globe through secure, electronic test delivery.  Pearson offers tests for the GED, academic and admissions programs as well as industry-based testing in areas such as healthcare, government, financial services, information technology, military and U.S. licensing and global regulatory requirements.   

“Opening this center with the Regional Office of Education (ROE) is about helping more students and residents gain greater access to education and testing in the southeast portion of the John Wood district, ” Mike Elbe, JWCC president said.  “We are always striving to find more ways to work with our educational partners to add value and respond to our communities’ needs, and having a Pearson testing site at the Southeast Education Center accomplishes both of those goals.  This center will help students save time and travel costs when working toward educational credentials.” 

In the future, JWCC and the ROE hope to offer professional testing based on needs within nearby communities. Specific areas under consideration are insurance and real estate testing.

For more information contact the JWCC Southeast Education Center at 217.285.5319 or pittsfield@jwcc.edu.

John Wood Community College’s Foundation and Agricultural Sciences Department has awarded 20 Ag scholarships to local students pursuing degrees in agriculture. 

Each year members of the JWCC Ag Alumni, Ag Advisory Council and JWCC Agricultural Sciences Department select students based upon their involvement with agriculture through organizations such as FFA, high school leadership roles and achievement both academically and within the agriculture community.  This year’s recipients of spring scholarships are as follows: 

• Entering Agriculture Scholarship: Lauren Markey of Tennessee, Ill. and Kailyn Mast of Fowler.
• DuPont Pioneer, Inc. Agriculture Scholarship: Kelsey Post of Golden.
• Ronald Moore Memorial Agriculture Scholarship: Alexandria Post of Golden.
• JWCC Ag Alumni Agriculture Scholarship: Cody Bowen of Rockport, Kaylee Harrison of Pittsfield, and Adrian Miller of New London, Mo.
• Cargill Incorporated Agriculture Scholarship: Dane Gordley of Ursa, Dalton Hildebrand of Camp Point, Kaylee Smith of Pearl, and Gabrielle Tupper of Roodhouse, Ill. 
• Damian Vogel Memorial Agriculture Scholarship: Caleb Hart of Barry.
• Pike County Beef Association Agriculture Scholarship: Reagan Hoskin of Pittsfield.
• Ralph J. and Mary Ellen Orr Memorial Agriculture Scholarship: Landon Moore of Camp Point.
• Compeer Financial Agriculture Scholarship: Mary Perry of Camp Point.
• Cass Morgan Farm Bureau Foundation Agriculture Scholarship: Hanah Pullon and Dillon White, both of Jacksonville.
• RJR Nabisco Agriculture Scholarship: Hanah Pullon and Dillon White.
• Larsson Agriculture Scholarship: Gabrielle Tupper.

John Wood Community College and Quincy University are partnering to provide high school students an occasion to explore the higher education opportunities available in the local area. Camp College will be held on Friday, July 27, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is open to 9^th through 11^th graders. The event is free and parents are welcome to attend.

Camp College will offer students tours of both the QU and JWCC campuses, where they will explore different majors and campus life. Presentations will also be given on the admissions process and financial aid from both schools. Lunch will be provided.

For more information or to register, contact Tammy Duesterhaus, QU admissions visit coordinator, at 217.228.5301 or email duestta@quincy.edu. Online registration is available at www.quincy.edu/visit-qu/.

John Wood Community College will offer a recorded presentation of Jack Uldrich, global futurist, during a Lunch and Learn Seminar at its Workforce Development Center (WDC) on Wednesday, July 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The WDC is located at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy. 

Uldrich is a well-recognized global futurist, speaker and author of eleven books, including a number of award-winning best sellers. He is a frequent speaker on technology, change, management and leadership and has addressed hundreds of corporations, associations and not-for-profit organizations on five continents. He regularly makes television appearances on the Science Channel’s FutureScape program and the Discovery Channel program Inside Out, and is a frequent guest on major media outlets, including CNN, CNBC and National Public Radio. This presentation was recorded during Uldrich’s keynote address at the Business and Industry Innovation Summit, held earlier this year at JWCC.

The cost to attend the presentation is $20, with lunch provided. For more information or to register, call 217-641-4971 or email wdc@jwcc.edu.

Budget Includes Funds for New Enrollment Initiatives and Academic Programs

John Wood Community College Board of Trustees approved a tentative $14,988,282 balanced budget for the next fiscal year during its regular meeting Wednesday, June 13.  

Tuition and fees account for 54 percent of JWCC’s total budgeted revenue, corporate and personal property taxes make up 35 percent, state funding 6 percent and 5 percent is from grant, facilities rentals and other sources.

The budget is $771,315 higher than the previous year and follows a trend of decreasing budgets, the last of which was the lowest since 2009.

“In the previous six years, the College decreased its budget by $1.4 million dollars through a concerted effort to operate more efficiently and effectively,” Mike Elbe, JWCC president said. “While we remain fiscally conservative, this year we are investing more dollars in larger strategic recruitment initiatives, knowing enrollment is more than half of our revenue. We believe our new initiatives and programs will result in more students in the years to come.”

Enrollment initiatives include the expansion of athletic programs to include women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s soccer and a Missouri  Plus Scholarship to attract students from across the river to enter career and technical programs connected to local workforce needs. JWCC will also expand academic offerings to include a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) program, approved by Trustees during the meeting, and a Certified Medical Assistant program.  Both programs were created in conjunction with business advisory councils to respond to industrial and healthcare needs in the community.

The HVAC program will enroll students in the fall of 2019.  Several HVAC businesses will support the program and serve on an advisory council.  A new Certified Medical Assistant program begins this fall. CMAs are employed in outpatient, convenient care and rural clinic settings. They interact with nurses, physicians and administration and perform a mixture of administrative and patient care tasks

Increased revenues are based on a projected 42,150 credit hours, a $191,625 increase in state funding and a $3 increase in the Institutional Student Support Fee which funds all student life, student travel, club and organization, Student Government Association, intramurals and athletic activities in addition to the Student Activity Center.  Base tuition will remain flat at $142 per credit hour.

The 2019 budget will remain on display for 30 days for public review.  The budget will be formally adopted during the July Board meeting.

In other business, the Board:

Approved a four-year collective bargaining agreement with the JWCC Faculty Association.

Adopted a resolution to comply with the Prevailing Wage Act for public works construction projects at the College.

Approved renewal of the United Way of Adams County Partner Agreement for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) hosted by JWCC.

Approved a Resource Allocation Management Plan (RAMP) document submission to the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) to expand JWCC’s Workforce Development Center (WDC). A RAMP document must be filed annually for JWCC capital projects to be considered for State of Illinois matching funds.  Trustees originally filed the WDC RAMP document in 2014.

Approved $6 million level for the School Treasurer’s Bond with The Hartford through the Illinois Community College Risk Management Consortium.

Approved $48,593.43 in tuition and fees, bookstore and miscellaneous write-offs from the prior 18 months to two-year period. The amount is $9,819.12 less than the previous year due to retention efforts instituted by personnel in the College’s financial aid and business offices. JWCC will continue to seek payment on write-offs through a collection service.

Accepted the lone bid from Gerber Tours for four days of travel, tours and accommodations in Washington, D.C. for the federally funded TRiO grant program.  JWCC solicited bids from qualified vendors and advertised in the Herald-Whig.  

Authorized implementation of revised staff compensation document.

Approved a change in the surgical technology program fee range.

Accepted a $132,243 grant from the Illinois Community College Board for Perkins funding for direct student aid and tutoring assistance for students in career and technical programs as well as purchase of instructional supplies. 

Accepted a $51,575 grant from the Illinois Department on Aging to support the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program activities in Adams, Brown and Pike counties.

Approved payment of $4,028 for the first half of Illinois Community College Trustee Association dues.

The next regular meeting of the JWCC Board of Trustees is July 18 in Quincy.