Millie Caldwell named member Emeritus by Rend Lake College Foundation Board

INA, Ill. - The Rend Lake College Foundation Board of Directors recognized one of its most ardent supporters recently by including her among those in a select group of members Emeritus.

Millie Caldwell was enthusiastically and unanimously approved for Emeritus status by RLCF Board members at their August meeting. She has earned it. Her support of the college through Foundation efforts is significant. And her length of service to the organization is nearly unmatched. Two other members hold Emeritus status on the board - Howard Payne and Mark S. Kern.

Rend Lake College President Terry Wilkerson and RLC Foundation CEO Shawna Hall are pictured above with Millie Caldwell at a recent event. Click on the image for a larger version.

“This honor is reserved for members because of longevity and lasting contributions made to the RLCF Foundation,” explained Pat Kern, RLCF consultant and former CEO. “This status welcomes these selected board members to the RLCF meetings at any time they wish to attend.”

Caldwell has represented the Christopher locality on the RLCF board since 1980. For years, she operated one of the area’s most successful newspapers, “The Progress,” with her husband, Clifton Caldwell. With his passing in 2004, the family established the Clifton Caldwell Endowment Scholarship for Rend Lake students. The scholarship looks to help a journalism or math major in need. The math preference is in relationship to their daughter, RLC Mathematics Professor Cindy Caldwell, who continues the family tradition of contributing to the RLCF and her mother’s strong belief in education.

That tradition - a dedication to education - earned Millie Caldwell the coveted RLCF Presidential Award for a board member who displays exceptional service. Some past winners of this award include Dr. Gene Stotlar, Dr. Charles “Bill” Roe, Dr. Robert J. Parks, Dr. Warren Petty, Rich Yunkus, Jim Kelly and Ed Cunningham, who will take over for Kelly as the RLCF Board’s Chairman at its next meeting.

Caldwell has been active in three capital campaigns for RLC, spanning nearly two decades from 1980 to 1997 when she helped with a funding challenge to build the RLCF Children’s Center on the campus in Ina.  She has donated toward scholarships, the RLCF Children’s Center, and now, the newest campaign: The Music Addition. She also gives her time. Millie and Cliff Caldwell actively attended RLCF events throughout the years. He was a frequent player at annual RLCF Golf Tournaments and they regularly attended the RLCF Annual Dinner together. Millie Caldwell also attends the RLCF Women’s Luncheon and RLCF Scholarship Dinner. Many times Cindy would accompany her.