Banterra Student of the Month: Tabbitha Geary
INA, Ill. (January 27, 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 January Student of the Month is Tabbitha Geary (Benton).
Geary is sophomore on track to graduate with an associate degree in welding from RLC, and she was on the President's list in the Fall 2024 semester for earning a perfect, 4.0 GPA. She was nominated for the student of the month honor for her outstanding work within the welding program. Ridgeway has maintained working part-time while being a full-time student throughout college.
"When Tabbitha started school she had no prior welding experience. I could tell that she was determined and willing to do whatever it took to succeed," said Mike Meinert, RLC Welding Instructor. “Her attitude and commitment is what every instructor wants in a student. We all know [students like Tabbitha] are far and few between. She was my student worker until I found her a job in a local shop where she continues to work 30-plus hours a week and go to school. Her attendance has been perfect, and I know she has the drive to succeed in the welding industry."
RLC is delighted to see Tabbitha recognized for her 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.
