Board chair Drew steps down, former trustee Crocker returns to board
The Rend Lake College Board of Trustees saw a change Tuesday night, with an eight-year veteran stepping down and a familiar face returning to the board.
Board Chair Bryan Drew, a Benton attorney, stepped down Tuesday, citing family and work obligations. "I have been honored to have served the people of the Rend Lake College district," he said. "Rend Lake College holds a special place for me as both a graduate and a member of the Board of Trustees."
"We certainly appreciate everything Bryan has done for Rend Lake College in his time on the board," said RLC President Terry Wilkerson. "He has a true love of this college and he enjoys seeing it continue to grow and succeed. It's been a real benefit to have him on our board." Drew was presented with a plaque in honor of his years of service on the RLC Board.
Drew's history with RLC began long before his service on the board. The Class of 1995 grad was elected to the RLC Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the 1994-95 National Junior College Athletic Association Division II Runner-Up Men’s Golf Team. After Rend Lake College, Drew transferred to Saint Louis University, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in History, and then went on to the Saint Louis University School of Law. He received his license to practice law in the State of Illinois in 2000.
In addition to playing two seasons for the Warriors, Drew also played golf for Saint Louis University from 1995-97. Prior to that, he was a member of the Benton Ranger basketball squad that finished third in the 1993 IHSA Class “A†State Finals.
"I have enjoyed helping the college during my term on the board, through what have been trying economic times in Illinois," Drew said. "The president and administration have done an excellent job and I believe the board has placed an excellent group of individuals in charge of the college. It has been my pleasure to work alongside President Wilkerson and my fellow board members, and I look forward to seeing Rend Lake College continue to grow and provide a great education to the people of Southern Illinois."
Drew's replacement on the board is returning veteran Randall Crocker (Sesser), who previously served on the board from 1997-2009. Crocker is a long-time member and chair of the Franklin County Board, and owns and operates Crocker Insurance Agency in Sesser with his son Brett.
“I’m very pleased with the way the college is being run. I don’t have any specific goals in mind, but I want to support the administration, because I think they’re doing a great job,†said Crocker.
"We are glad to welcome Randall back to our board," said Wilkerson of Crocker's appointment. "He brings plenty of experience from his earlier service, and he continues to be a strong supporter of Rend Lake College."
Crocker will fill the seat until the next Rend Lake College Board of Trustees election, which will be held in 2015.
With Drew leaving the board, board member Eric Black was appointed the new chair.
For a photo of Drew receiving his plaque, click here.
Title III work begins: three new positions created, bids to go out for new lab
The board authorized actions related to the Title III Pathways to Success in Health Careers grant Tuesday evening, including the creation of new positions and the authorization to proceed with lab renovations.
The board granted permission to create three positions and advertise to fill them, and approved the accompanying job descriptions. The positions sought are:
- Coordinator of Title III Health Studies Support
- Title III Activity Director / Curriculum Specialist
- Title III Project Assistant
The Coordinator and Activity Director positions will have start dates in January 2014. The project assistant position will be hired and ratified at the Dec. 10 board meeting.
The board granted permission to advertise for bids for a new Anatomy / Physiology / Cadaver lab to be constructed inside the existing Science Building. The new lab will better serve the needs of students and will help alleviate the current overcrowding of the existing labs in the building. The new facility also will help meet the demands of pre-Allied Health students, and will meet objectives contained in the Title III grant. The estimated budget is $246,891.98 and will be paid with Title III grant funds.
The Title III Pathways to Success in Health Careers Grant is worth up to $2.25 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Education over a five-year period. By the end of the grant, RLC expects to see an increase in the number of Health Studies degrees and certificates awarded, as well as an increase in overall enrollment and enrollment-based revenue.
Plans include the above-noted establishment of a new Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) lab and revision of A&P I and II curricula, revisions to the Practical Nursing program curricula to incorporate educational simulation and web-based interactive instructional modules, development of a new Health Studies advising and tutoring system, and the establishment of a new Health Studies Success Center.
Agreement approved between Army Corps of Engineers, RLC
Approved a memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District and Rend Lake College. This agreement establishes a general framework of cooperation to plan and implement mutually beneficial programs, projects and activities which educate, maintain and enhance the natural resource management program.
Capps joins Children's Center staff
Employed Erica Capps as temporary full-time Lead Child Care Provider for the preschool classroom at the RLC Foundation Children's Center. She currently serves as a part-time substitute teacher at the center, and will move to temporary full-time to accommodate a staff member on maternity leave.
In other business, the board ...
- Granted in-district resident status for tuition purposes to those students using Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance beginning with the 2013-2014 academic year, per Public Act 098-0306.
- Accepted the Fiscal Year 2013 audit as presented.
- Approved revisions to the job description and salary of the Coordinator of Special Projects to account for changes in the reporting structure.
- Approved an amended retirement resignation date for Curt Mowrer, Director of the Small Business Development Center at Rend Lake College. The date was changed from Dec. 31, 2014, to Dec. 31, 2015, to coincide with the expiration of the current Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity grant.
- Approved revisions to board procedure concerning job descriptions and stipends, and revisions to board policy concerning nepotism (first reading).
- Approved revisions to board policy and procedure concerning campus security (first reading) and created board policy and procedure concerning use of force (first reading).
- Accepted the resignation of Caroline Smith, Subsidized Child Care Specialist at Project CHILD.
Mark your calendars …
- RLC Art Auction, Thursday, Nov. 14, Rend Lake Resort Great Room, 4 p.m. preview, 5 p.m. auction.
- RLC Men's Basketball Alumni Dinner, Saturday, Nov. 16, Rend Lake Resort, 5 p.m. social, 6:30 p.m. dinner.
- RLC Men's Basketball Alumni Game, 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, Waugh Gymnasium.
- Orchestra Concert, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, RLC Theatre.
- Rend Lake College Foundation Annual Dinner, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, Mt. Vernon Holiday Inn.
- Rend Lake College Board of Trustees Mini-Retreat, 3-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, RLC Student Center.
- Rend Lake College Annual Faculty / Staff Holiday Dinner, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, Waugh Gymnasium.
