The family of Olney Central College nursing graduate Juanita Harris chose to honor her legacy by presenting a scholarship in her memory to a second-year Associate Degree Nursing student. Julie Harrolle, of Olney, is the recipient of the $1,200 monetary award, which can be used for tuition, fees, books, travel or other college-related expenses.

OLNEY, Ill. — Frontier Community, Lincoln Trail, Olney Central and Wabash Valley colleges are encouraging high school seniors to apply before the October 28 Priority Deadline to ensure they are first in line for scholarship dollars.  Last year, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges awarded more than $272,000 in Success Scholarships to 408 area students.  

Olney Central College Director of Choral Activities Dr. Andrew Pittman is excited to announce that the OCC Community Choir will start its 12th season with rehearsals at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 23. The first rehearsal will be very informal: some light singing, dates and registration, followed quickly by a pizza dinner. After a fantastic performance of the Many Moods of Christmas last year with full orchestra at Richland County High School, the OCC Community Choir will return to its own charming little theater with some lighter fare of Holiday Pop tunes and traditional favorites.

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Roger Eddy is serving as the Interim President at Olney Central College following his appointment by the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Board of Trustees. A longtime educator, administrator and five-term state representative, Eddy served as Interim President at Lincoln Trail College during the 2020-21 academic year, and most recently worked on special projects for the IECC District.

The Anderson Library is reorganizing Olney Central College’s Historical Archives to make items more accessible and easier to locate. Library Assistant Kaitlyn Weger started the project in early June. The collection ranges from photographs and negatives to old board minutes and video tapes of past productions by the OCC Theater. “We really wanted to get the items organized so people could find what they are interested in,” Weger said. “We’re trying to identify and arrange the photographs by departments like Allied Health and Music and Theater.”

Students in Olney Central College’s Unmanned Aerial Technology Program will gain hands-on experience working with a new ag-specific drone this fall. The DJI Agras T30 is the largest unmanned aerial vehicle acquired to date, weighing 55 pounds, and spanning 8 feet by 7 feet, with the arms fully extended.

Olney Central College will offer beginning and advanced woodworking courses during the fall semester. TRA 1604 Woodworking I and TRA 1605 Woodworking II will meet from 5 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at the West Richland Center in Noble, beginning Aug. 24.  Instructor Kyle Kuenstler will assist students in completing a project of their choice.

Curtis Miller is looking forward to connecting with students and supporting them in the admissions process as Olney Central College’s Admissions Representative. Miller joined Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, in the newly created position, in late May. He worked in the banking industry for five years and had previously been employed at Audibel Hearing Aids in Effingham.

Olney Central College student Camden Cowger, of Albion, has been named to the All-USA Illinois Academic Team by Phi Theta Kappa, the international two-year college honor society. Cowger was recognized for his accomplishment, receiving a medallion and certificate at the annual Phi Theta Kappa All-USA Illinois awards banquet at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield. Cowger was selected from among community college students across the state on the basis of academic achievement, volunteer work, campus activities, honors and awards.