Lake Land College Foundation & Alumni

09/04/2026

New Album: Grateful Lakers 📸 🖤❤️

09/03/2026

Introducing an exciting new opportunity: become our very first Foundation Student Board Member!

Help shape the student experience, gain leadership skills, and earn a $2,000 scholarship.

Applications are open now on AwardSpring in your LakerHub through October 5!

09/02/2026

Helping others be heard can start with simply sharing your own story. For Lake Land College alumna Avery, her personal experiences helped shape a passion for advocacy and a career focused on helping others.

As we celebrate 60 years of Lake Land College, we’re highlighting the many paths our alumni have taken and the ways their experiences continue to make an impact. We’re also proud to have Avery back at Lake Land, where she works part-time in the Foundation & Alumni Center and continues to be part of the Laker community.

Read more about Avery’s journey and how she turned personal experience into professional purpose!

"Lake Land is a great option that introduces you to college... I've felt like I can do whatever I want to do. I've met great teachers and great friends, and you really get to make it your own experience" - Avery Gill.

Born partially deaf in her left ear, Avery is now leveraging years of personal experience to study audiology and give back to others in a rewarding career.

Read Avery's story and more at https://bit.ly/4hwfavq.

Lake Land College Foundation & Alumni

09/02/2026

Alumni Highlight: Bonnie Moore

“I came to Lake Land College because money was tight growing up, I was from a small school, and honestly a little afraid of getting overwhelmed at a four-year university right away. I also wasn't sure what I wanted to study yet, so Lake Land was the easier choice for me, both emotionally and financially.

I earned my Associate in Applied Science in General Studies at Lake Land, then transferred to Eastern Illinois University for my Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Biology. From there, I spent several years working in K-12 education, long-term care, and manufacturing before I found my way back to Lake Land. Once I landed here, I went back to school again, this time to McKendree University for my MBA, which better positioned me to serve the industry partners I now work with every day.

My experience as a student was amazing. I was involved in campus life as a member of Laker Cheer and Student Senate, now SGA, but what I remember most is the small class sizes and the individual support I got from my instructors. They truly set me up for success, and they showed me, as a first-generation student, that it was okay to ask questions and figure things out as I went.

Today, I serve as Director of the Center for Business & Industry at Lake Land College, where I oversee corporate and customized training, our Technical Training Lab, the CDL program, Community Education and Professional Development, Traffic Safety, and registered apprenticeships. I also serve as President of the Illinois Council for Continuing Education and Training (ICCET) and as a member of the ICCB Apprenticeship Work Group, advocating for and helping shape workforce development across Illinois.

Being a first-generation student shaped how I lead today. I'm passionate about expanding access to opportunity, making sure students who are the first in their family to walk through Lake Land's doors, like I was, have someone in their corner. Coming back to lead this work at the college that gave me my start has been one of the most meaningful parts of my career.”

We're proud to celebrate alumni like Bonnie who are making an impact in their careers and communities. Thank you, Bonnie, for sharing your story with the Lake Land College family!

Interested in being featured as a Lake Land College Alumni Highlight? We'd love to share your story! Complete the form here:
https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/alumni/share-your-story/

09/01/2026

THE WAIT IS OVER!

We have our two $1,000 scholarship giveaway winners! 💰

Congratulations to Ava Hollinshead and Jacey Hayes! We’re so excited to invest in your future and support you on your Lake Land College journey!

Thank you to everyone who followed along and participated in our giveaway! Be sure to keep following us for more scholarship opportunities, student stories, and ways to stay connected. ❤️

Congratulations, Ava & Jacey! 🎉

08/31/2026

Today is the last day of National Make-A-Will Month!

Have you thought about the difference you could make for future generations of students?

A will is an important part of planning for the future, but it can also be an opportunity to support the people and causes that matter most to you.

Randy Adkins made that kind of lasting investment through a $1.2 million gift to the Lake Land College Foundation, establishing the Randy Adkins Endowed Scholarship for Mattoon High School students.

This year marks the first group of students receiving the scholarship, which will benefit more than 60 students annually. Randy’s generosity is opening doors for students today and for years to come.

As National Make-A-Will Month comes to a close, consider how your estate plans could help create opportunities for future Lake Land College students. ❤️🖤

Learn more about planned giving: https://lakelandcollege.giftlegacy.com/

08/28/2026

Thank you to our amazing 2026 Community Partners!

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for a tour of the Effingham Technology Center! It was a great opportunity to showcase the incredible facilities and programs helping prepare our students for successful careers right here in our community.

We truly appreciate all that our Community Partners do to support Lake Land College students and help strengthen the connection between education and our local workforce. Your partnership makes a difference!

❤️🖤Interested in becoming a community partner for 2027? Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement with more information on how your business can get involved!

08/28/2026

Creativity can lead you in unexpected directions. For Lake Land College alumna Megan Nelson, it helped shape a career right here at her alma mater.

As we celebrate 60 years of Lake Land College, we’re highlighting the many paths our alumni have taken and the ways their experiences continue to make an impact.

Read more about Megan’s journey and how she turned her creative talents into a successful career!

"The best feeling is when you take an idea someone has, whether it's vague or robust, and you put it into a design that uniquely gets their message across. I love... how excited they get when they see what they imagined brought to life" - Megan Nelson.

When Megan enrolled at Lake Land College, she found much more than a career path: she found a home. Today, she works as the College's Senior Designer and Brand Coordinator, helping to build the visual identity of Lake Land with her creativity and eye for design.

Read Megan's story and more at https://bit.ly/4gawZOn.

Lake Land College Foundation & Alumni

08/27/2026

🚨 FINAL DAY TO WIN FREE MONEY, LAKERS! 🚨

We’re giving away $2,000 in scholarships — that’s TWO $1,000 scholarships! 💰❤️🤍

Want a chance at some FREE MONEY for college?! 👀

Make sure you:
✅ Complete the Foundation Scholarship Application
📘 Follow us on Facebook
📸 Follow us on Instagram
💼 Follow us on LinkedIn

Today, August 27, is the FINAL DAY to enter!

Don’t miss your chance to turn a follow into $1,000 in FREE MONEY! 🎉

Good luck, Lakers! ❤️🤍

08/25/2026

The stories of our alumni are part of what makes Lake Land College special. As we celebrate 60 years, we’re proud to share stories like Bryan Burrell’s and the lasting impact he has made through his dedication to helping students succeed.

"There's nothing better than knowing someone years later is successful and happy, and I hope I've played a small part in it" - Bryan Burrell.

Across more than 30 years as an academic counselor, Bryan served as a coach beyond the court, helping thousands of student athletes complete their goals and achieve their dream careers.

Read Bryan's story and more at https://bit.ly/4qgypvp.

Lake Land College Foundation & Alumni