INA, Ill. (March 11, 2025) — Join Rend Lake College in celebrating one of their students each month, sponsored by Banterra Bank. These students are selected based on their GPA, as well as their campus and community involvement. The February Student of the Month is Adam Hawk (Sesser).
Hawk is a returning student and freshman in the culinary arts program. He was nominated for the student of the month honor for his outstanding work within the culinary arts program. Hawk is actively involved with the Culinary Arts Club, and he is an outstanding student and peer.
"Adam is a very inquisitive student, always wanting to know everything about the subjects in detail," said Chef Jeff Fairbanks, Culinary Arts Associate Professor. “He soaks up as much knowledge as you can give him. He is always early for class and the last student to leave. I know that Adam will be a great chef somewhere when he finishes the culinary arts program!"
"He is such an outstanding student, all while he is trying to find a new job after his seasonal job shut down," said Chef Daniel Brock, Food Services Director. "He picks our brains constantly, as he is trying to learn everything we know. He is a great student, a friend to other students and all-together a great human."
RLC is delighted to see Adam recognized for his upstanding character – not only by our faculty and staff, but also by members of our community, such as CEO of Banterra Bank Jeff May.
“Banterra was happy to partner with Rend Lake College for the naming rights of an upcoming renovated sports facility, the Banterra Sports Complex, because we are two organizations that are committed to supporting Southern Illinois and our youth,” said May. “As part of that partnership, we are honored to sponsor a Student of the Month program which recognizes an outstanding RLC student each month for their achievements.”
The Game Plan is an opportunity to renovate and expand the facilities within the Waugh Gymnasium on the RLC campus. Banterra Bank acquired naming rights of the gym and will hence forth be known as The Banterra Sports Complex, which is RLC’s largest corporate naming rights agreement to date. Renovations of the Banterra Sports Complex began in fall 2024 and are expected to be completed by fall of 2025.
About the Banterra Sports Complex
The planned Banterra Sports Complex at Rend Lake College will include the existing James “Hummer” Waugh Gymnasium as well as a new addition to the space. Waugh Gymnasium is one of the original buildings on the college’s campus and in 1995 was named after Waugh, a long-time coach and educator with nearly 50 combined athletic seasons to his credit when he retired. In addition to the gym, it includes athletic offices and locker rooms.