INA, Ill. (February 2, 2023) —Julie Oxford, a dedicated and long-serving employee at Rend Lake College, holds a top spot among her peers. Being a part of RLC for 38 years, she has played a crucial role in the development and growth of the college’s athletic department and beyond. From student, to student worker, to full-time employee, Julie sets the bar high in her commitment to delivering excellence for our students.
A native of Mcleansboro, she attended RLC as a student from 1985 to 1987. “The proximity of the college to my hometown was a major factor in my decision to attend. I fondly remember carpooling to school with my friends, it was a truly enjoyable experience,” she reminisced.
As a student, she held a job in the athletic office where she discovered a deep love for sports and athletics. She recalls, “I sought out the job for extra spending money, but soon found myself working alongside Coach Mitch Haskins for two years, and my passion for athletics grew during that time.”
After graduating, Julie pursued a career at the Mt. Vernon Kidney Dialysis Center. However, she quickly realized it wasn’t her calling and said, “I missed the work I did in college and realized that athletics was my true passion.”
After graduating, fate intervened when a full-time job opportunity arose at RLC’s athletic office. Julie applied and has been working there ever since, starting as an administrative assistant and eventually becoming a full-time employee.
Throughout her time at the college, she has witnessed significant growth and changes, including an increase in student enrollment and new building developments.
Additionally, the college has expanded the programs it offers and advanced technology has become integrated into operations and communication. Despite these changes, Julie has adapted and leveraged technology to enhance her role and improve relations with students, staff, and the community.
In her early days at the college, phone calls were the main means of communication. She spent a lot of time making friends and sharing athletic information with colleagues across the campus. However, it was a serious health challenge her family faced in the early 90’s that truly solidified the sense of community at the college.
“It was a very difficult time for us,” she said while choking back tears. “But the staff and administration at the college recognized how rough it was, and they were there for me. We spent months in a St. Louis hospital, and I don’t recall a day going by without an RLC employee calling or coming in to check on my family. I know the people around here really care for each other.”
The sense of community and family extended beyond just her time of need, as she shared memories of attending co-workers’ weddings, baby showers, parties, and more. “This is the real deal. RLC is family,” she said.
She also recollected the exceptional student-athletes who passed through the school’s halls. Many went on to become accomplished professionals, such as doctors and CEO’s. But one student stood out in her mind: Boaz Lalang. “His academic and athletic work ethic was unparalleled,” she said. “He would arrive early to study and devoured every book. He had an insatiable desire to learn.” It was no surprise to Julie that Boaz later competed for a spot in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
Her dedication and commitment to RLC and its athletic department have not gone unnoticed.
In 1995, she received the RLC Outstanding Office Support Staff Award. She was also named Employee of the Month in May 2018, with colleagues praising her as a ‘very conscientious and dedicated employee.’ In addition to her role at the college, Julie has also been a long-time supporter of the Rend Lake College Foundation.
Reflecting on her time at the college, she said, “I’ve had the opportunity to work with great people and make a difference in the lives of our students. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the college community for so long.”
Rend Lake College is grateful to have Julie as a dedicated employee and looks forward to her continued service.