May 27 (Memorial Day) - No ClassesJun 19 (Juneteenth) -No ClassesJul 4 (4th of July) - No ClassesSep 2 (Labor Day) - No ClassesNov 11 (Veteran's Day) - No Classes
In The Know
In The Know is published each month on the Wednesday following the Board of Trustees Meeting. In each issue, we will update you on the Board of Trustees meeting, happenings in HR, Institutional Research updates including survey results, Construction updates, Athletics, Academic Affairs, Student Services, Business Services, upcoming events and announcements, and recap of news around campus.
Message From the President
As we near the end of the spring semester, I am filled with pride and gratitude for all we have accomplished during this academic year. Everyone’s work to achieve our goals and tactics and think outside the box to develop innovative methods of instruction, recruitment, and student support has been marketed by resilience, determination, and a commitment to excellence here at JALC.
Throughout April, our innovative approach to our mission of enriching lives through learning and community engagement has been on full display. We have had several events that have brought hundreds of people to campus. World Music and Food Day was celebrated this past week. Labor History Society Vice President Mike Matejka, songwriter, performer, and historian Bucky Halker, presented Dark as a Dungeon Illinois Cole Mining in Story and Song. We also held our new student orientation for all our in-district high schools in April.
All our spring sports teams will begin post-season play in May. The softball team is 43-7 overall and 31-3 in conference play. Baseball is 39-7 overall and 19-5 in conference play. Both teams have one more home series before they begin postseason play next week. Men’s and Women’s golf recently competed in the Region 24 Tournament and are preparing for the District Tournament.
We have much to anticipate and look forward to in the coming months as we plan for the start of the fall semester. I know the College’s health insurance plan has been on everyone’s mind, and I am pleased to announce that we have chosen a health insurance broker. I want to thank the insurance committee members for their hard work and commitment. We will begin creating a contract with the broker, providing us with several healthcare packages. I anticipate they will start meeting with faculty and staff in the next month to explain the options and coverage one-on-one and in groups. They are the experts and will be able to answer any questions and concerns you might have.
Dr. Susan LaPanne and her team have done an outstanding job guiding us through the new budgeting process. The Cabinet met and reviewed each of the “new” initiatives submitted, and we are now establishing a timeline for each based on the budget. Moving forward, our goal is to begin the budget process in the fall and have it ready for Board approval by early spring to allow adequate time for planning.
Several faculty and staff members attended conferences in March and April, including AACC and HLC. I am particularly proud of Cathrine Hoekstra, Kaylee Smith, and Emily Monti for their outstanding presentation on building morale at the AACC Conference. They did an exceptional job and spoke to a standing-room-only crowd.
At each conference, one theme was on everyone’s minds: student retention. This past week, Cabinet and extended cabinet members met to plan our goals and tactics for the upcoming academic year. The group consensus is to focus on retention as a central theme in 2025. As your departments meet to discuss your goals and tactics, I ask you to consider your tactics and goals for retention through the lens of enriching lives and uplifting the community. As we strive to provide a transformative educational experience for our students, we must recognize and prioritize the importance of retaining them throughout their academic journey.
I extend my best wishes to all this year’s retirees. Thank you, Teri Campbell, Paul Crawford, Catherine Hagler, Robin Humphries, Rick Layne, Christy Marrs, Christy Stewart, Debra Russell, Karla Tabing, Cheryl Thomas, and Gary Tendick. You will all be greatly missed, but we hope you enjoy your retirement. A retirement celebration will be held in the Conference Center on Wednesday, May 15, at 2 p.m.
In closing, I congratulate our graduating students as they embark on their next adventure. May you continue to pursue your dreams with passion, courage, and integrity, knowing that you carry the spirit of John A. Logan College wherever you go.
Regards, Kirk Overstreet, PhD. President, John A. Logan College
Retirement Reception May 15th
News Around Campus
College Announces Graduation Week Activities
John A. Logan College will hold the Fifty-Fifth Commencement on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the Donald L. Brewer Gymnasium and Convocation Center on the John A. Logan College Campus in Carterville.
Due to limited seating, the College will hold two ceremonies. The Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in Engineering Science, and Associate in Fine Arts degrees ceremony will be held at 5:00 p.m. The Associate in Applied Science and certificate ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. Seating is based on a first-come-first-serve basis. Additional seating with a live video stream will be available in the O’Neil Auditorium.
Doors will open for the 5:00 p.m. ceremony at 4:00 p.m. After the first ceremony, the Gymnasium will be cleared, and doors will reopen at 6:45 p.m. Students graduating should report to the gymnasium no later than 4:15 p.m. for the 5:00 p.m. ceremony and 6:45 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. ceremony.
Award-winning Nashville, TN-based realtor Nichole Holmes will be recognized as the distinguished alumnus and featured speaker at both ceremonies. In addition to her career in real estate, Holmes is an accomplished model, actress, and host of the Netflix show Marriage or Mortgage.
Chay-Chen Hartman will be the student speaker at the 5 PM ceremony, and Betty Adams will be the student speaker at the 7:30 PM ceremony. Dr. Heather Hampson has been selected as the Faculty of the Year, and Cornelius Fair as the Adjunct Faculty of the Year. Both will be recognized at the graduation ceremonies.
The John A. Logan College Nursing Department will hold the Nurse Pinning Ceremonies on Thursday, May 16, in the Donald L. Brewer Gymnasium and Convocation Center. The LPN ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. and the ADN ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
Mary Logan High School’s Graduation will be held on Thursday, May 16, at 6:30 p.m. in the O’Neil Auditorium. Doors will open for the graduation at 6:00 p.m.
John A. Logan College Launches Innovative Hospitality Management Program to Meet Regional Workforce Demand
John A. Logan College proudly announces its establishment of a groundbreaking hospitality management program poised to revolutionize the regional workforce landscape and foster economic prosperity in southern Illinois.
With the region’s tourism, recreation, and hospitality industries flourishing, there’s a pressing need for skilled professionals to fill the current vacancies and anticipated future roles. Recognizing this demand, John A. Logan College is committed to providing top-tier education and training through its newly developed Hospitality Management program.
“We aim to equip individuals with the expertise and skills necessary to excel in the dynamic field of hospitality,” said Dr. Stephanie Chaney Hartford, Provost of John A. Logan College. “By offering this program, we are not only meeting the needs of our community but also contributing to the continued growth and development of southern Illinois.”
The program comes at a pivotal time, as the projections of the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate a significant surge in job opportunities within the leisure and hospitality sector. Over the next decade, the U.S. economy is expected to add 1.9 million jobs in this field, constituting 23.1 percent of all new job additions. With an annual growth rate of 1.3 percent, the hospitality industry emerges as the fastest-growing sector, underscoring the importance of initiatives like John A. Logan College’s Hospitality Management program.
Enrollment in the program has begun, and classes will begin in August 2024. Students can choose between a degree in Hospitality Management or a certificate in Hospitality Management Operations. The program promises a comprehensive curriculum to nurture the next generation of hospitality leaders.
“We are excited to embark on this journey with our students, empowering them to thrive in diverse hospitality environments,” remarked Dr. Nathan Arnett, Assistant Provost of Academic Affairs. “Through hands-on training, industry insights, and experiential learning opportunities, we are shaping future professionals who will drive innovation and excellence in hospitality.”
The Hospitality Management program at John A. Logan College exemplifies the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, workforce development, and community enrichment. Southern Illinois continues to emerge as a hub for tourism and hospitality, and John A. Logan College is committed to helping grow tourism in southern Illinois.
For more information about the Hospitality Management program at John A. Logan College, visit www.jalc.edu/program-guides or contact Mr. Scott Wernsman, Dean of Career & Technical Education and Workforce Training at scottwernsman@jalc.edu (618) 985-2828 x8403.
Around Campus
In The Know Links and Updated Information
Institutional Effectiveness and Research
IER SharePoint The office of institutional effectiveness and research has a newly updated SharePoint site. This new site is broken into the following areas: Dashboards, Enrollment Data, Survey Results, and Student Assessment. Additional information will be updated on this new site over the coming months. The easiest way to access the new SharePoint site is clicking on the “IER SharePoint” link on the left-hand side of the JALC website for Institutional Effectiveness and Research. Or click this link to access the page directly: https://jalcollege.sharepoint.com/sites/InstitutionalEffectivenessandResearch
