February is Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. Olney Central College along with community colleges across the nation will be celebrating and recognizing their CTE programs that successfully prepare students to enter the workforce.  CTE programs often differentiate themselves from others by providing a more hands-on opportunity for students as they learn and gain experience before joining their respective industries. 

OLNEY, Ill. — Outstanding students at Olney Central College have received academic honors for the Fall 2023 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: Albion: Emma Gill and Isabel Shepherd Bellmont: Greta Claywell Bridgeport: HL Hager

Olney Central College dual-credit student Weston Miller finished the fall semester having earned every plate certification the Welding Program offers. “While most dual-credit students leave with some qualifications, Weston is the first to leave with them all,” said Instructor Maverick Fisher. “He has put in significant extra time outside of class to make this happen.” Now a senior at Clay City High School, Miller was preparing for the second semester of his junior year, when his guidance counselor suggested he enroll in dual-credit welding courses at OCC.

Students in Olney Central College’s Welding Program are gaining real-world experience through projects that are benefiting not only the college, but the community. Instructor Curtis Marshall said students spent numerous hours this semester on the fabrication of two new batting cages for the OCC Baseball team. Baseball Coach Phil Britton received an OCC Foundation mini grant to help fund the updates and requested Marshall’s assistance with the project.

Olney Central College is expanding opportunities for young musicians through its new Children’s Choir directed by Keegan Tucker. An elementary music teacher in Robinson, Tucker has been active for many years in the Olney Central College Theater and helps facilitate its Summer Children’s Theatre Workshop, which is held in conjunction with the Olney Arts Council.

The Olney Central College Community Choir will present its Holiday Pops Concert at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center. Director of Choral Activities Dr. Andrew Pittman said this year’s event will feature a lighter fare of holiday favorites including Winter Wonderland, All I Want for Christmas is You, You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch and Christmas Time is Here from the 1965 animated television special, A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Olney Central College Professor David Denton will explore the most recent developments in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy during a presentation at 6 p.m. on November 21 in the Dr. John D. Stull Performing Arts Center at OCC.

The Aspen Institute has named Olney Central College as one of the 150 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The institutions selected for this honor stand out among more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide as having high and improving levels of student success as well as equitable outcomes for Black and Hispanic students and those from lower-income backgrounds.

Olney Central College will host its annual Meet the Knights event at 6 p.m. on Monday, October 23. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Blue and Lady Knights as they prepare to kick off the 2023-2024 basketball season. The evening includes player introductions and court time for both the Blue and Lady Knights. An autograph session with the players will follow. Admission will be a Gatorade, Powerade, or any sports drink.

Spring registration is now open at Olney Central College. Call 618-395-7777 to schedule an appointment with an advisor. New students can apply online for free at www.iecc.edu/apply. The Spring 2024 schedule is available at www.iecc.edu/schedules.