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.

   OLNEY, Ill. — Outstanding students at Olney Central College have received academic honors for the Spring 2022 Semester. Students named to the Chancellor’s List have attained a grade point average of 3.90 or higher, on a 4.0 scale. Those on the President’s List have achieved a grade point average between 3.75 and 3.89, while those students named to the Dean’s List have earned a grade point average between 3.50 and 3.74.  Chancellor’s List:

The Anderson Library has opened its gallery this summer to feature works by local artists Bob Treece and Joe Gower. “I really hope people enjoy it and the space,” said Chad Groves, Director of Instructional Support Services. “It is something a little bit different and I hope people will stop in to see it.” Both artists are originally from Olney. Treece attended The Art Institute of Chicago and paints in both realist and surrealist styles. Galleries in Chicago and St. Louis exhibited his artwork while he was living in those cities.

Olney Central College student Tyler Dowty is one of 16 finalists selected to compete in the 2022 Project MFG National Welding Competition in Wichita, Kan. Dowty was among 78 competitors from 13 states who participated in the qualifying round. The Claremont resident received a $500 cash award for advancing with the chance to win $10,000 at nationals on June 28 at Wichita State University Tech.

Olney Central College’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter recently held its new member induction ceremony. PTK members include: Gabriell Weber of Albion, Madison Glover of Bone Gap, Katelyn Miller of Cisne, Samuel Hanson of Lawrenceville, Tice Smith of Louisville, Taylor Meritt of Noble, Heather McNary of Robinson, Destiny Davis-Legg of Sumner, Bonnie Allen of Xenia and Fred Christopher of Charlestown, Ind.

Olney Central College Theater is bringing the familiar and fun music of Disney to the Ruth Henry Stage at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 18.

Thirty-two Olney Central College athletes earned academic All-American status in 2021-2022. Baseball led the way with 18 total, followed by softball with eight and men’s and women’s basketball with three each. Overall, softball had a team GPA of 3.47, women’s basketball earned a team GPA of 3.40 and the baseball and men’s basketball teams finished the academic year with team GPAs of 3.36 and 3.34, respectively. As an athletic department, the overall GPA for all four sports was 3.38.

Jim Glash is back where his head coaching career began with Olney Central College men’s basketball. “This is very much like coming home,” said Glash, who coached the Blue Knights for nine years. “The community here is amazing. So many people care about Olney Central College and the men’s basketball program. It’s something I loved being a part of the first time I was here and something I’m looking forward to now. This is where I started as a head coach at the collegiate level and this is where I want to end my coaching career. I feel like I have come full circle.”

Olney Central College Professor Laurel Cutright is serving as the 48th president of the Illinois Mathematics Association of Community Colleges. Cutright was sworn into office in April, following a one-year term as the organization’s president-elect. A member of the association for 21 years, Cutright has served three terms on the IMACC Board of Directors. Cutright noted, “I am the third faculty member from OCC to serve as president, which is pretty awesome. Out of 48 community colleges in Illinois, to have three presidents from OCC — to me that is pretty impressive.”

A memorial grove of redbud and dogwood trees will once again bloom on the Olney Central College campus after being restored this spring. Erected at the entrance to the North Parking Lot, the site honors Frank C. Gibson, of Olney. The 24-year-old concrete worker was fatally injured in an accident on Sept. 7, 1972, during construction of Wattleworth Hall’s third floor. The memorial, which includes a stone monument, was established through the OCC Foundation’s Frank C. Gibson Fund.