Illinois Eastern Community Colleges Chancellor Ryan Gower is urging prospective students to apply before the October 29 priority deadline to be the first in line for Student Success Scholarships.

Olney native David Spitz recently donated a copy of his novel, Lincoln’s Agent: On the Trail of a Killer, to the Olney Central College Anderson Library. Set amid the rising tensions of mid-18th century America, Spitz’s work of historical fiction follows the struggles of U.S. Marshal Arnett McCann who is called to Washington, D.C. as the nation teeters on the verge of civil war.

Olney Central College’s Massage Therapy Program is accepting appointments for clinicals. The clinics are open to the public and will be held from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 16, Oct. 30 and Nov. 13 at the West Richland Center in Noble. The cost for a relaxing, Swedish-style massage is $30 for an hour and $20 for half an hour. A 20-minute chair massage is $15.

Chad Groves has been named Olney Central College’s Director of Instructional Support Services, overseeing both the Academic Success Center and the Anderson Library. “I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I feel like this is where I want to be at this point in my career,” Groves added. “I’m excited about the job and excited to begin the next chapter here at OCC. We have a great staff with Kaitlyn (Weger) and Brianna (Simpson). They are vital to the success of the Library and the Academic Success Center. I look forward to being part of a great team.”

Students face many challenges as they begin their college careers. Olney Central College hopes to ease the transition with its new Peer Coach Program. Created by Title III Advising Specialist Ashley Bigard, the initiative connects incoming freshmen with a current student through OCC’s text platform, SignalVine. Sometimes students have a question, but they may be reluctant to contact their professor or even an advisor, Bigard explained. With a peer coach, the situation is less intimidating because they are asking a fellow student.

On Sept. 11, 2021, Tayna Smith, the Academic Counselor for the WVC TRIO Student Support Services program, noted several reflections on her students’ recent visit to the nation’s capital. As part of the trip in July, the group, along with the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges TRIO Student Support Services, went to the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial. It was a sobering experience. One of the first students who posted was Katelyn Wagner, a Peer Mentor of the TRIO SSS program at Wabash Valley College.  

Olney Central College’s Welding Technology Building underwent renovations this summer that not only improved its aesthetics, but created more usable space for the program. “This project has been a long time coming,” said Instructor Curtis Marshall. “Maverick (Fisher) came out over the summer and put a lot of time and effort into this. It has made for a cleaner shop and the logistics are much better.” The building’s extensive overhaul included power washing and sealing the original cement floors, painting the walls and reorganizing workspaces.

Olney Central College will celebrate Constitution Day on Friday, Sept. 17. A Constitution Day exhibit will be on display in the Anderson Library Gallery and free booklets of the Constitution will be available to students. The video “Creating the Constitution” will be played on monitors in the Library Gallery and the hallways of the campus. Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787.

The website Medical Assistant Advice ranked Lincoln Trail College’s Medical Assistant program among the top 15 offered in the state of Illinois. The website is designed to give students interested in a medical assisting career a place to find up-to-date information on education and careers. Of the 40 programs available in Illinois, Lincoln Trail College’s program ranked 15th. Medical Assistant Advice looked at colleges offering certificates, degrees, and diplomas. LTC offers both a certificate and an associate degree. 

The Olney Central College Theater will hold auditions for “Curious George and the Golden Meatball” at 7 p.m. on Sept. 27-28 in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center. Call backs, if necessary, will be at 7 p.m. on Sept. 30. Roles are available for high school freshmen through adults. Dialogue cuts, better known as sides, are available at www.iecc.edu/occtheater for the prepared readings. Adult and high school actors should also be prepared to sing 60 seconds from any song with sheet music for the accompanist.