INA, Ill. (Dec. 12, 2023)—The Rend Lake College Foundation (RLCF) hosted its 44th annual dinner on December 8 at the Rend Lake Event Center in Ina, Illinois. The evening honored many, including alumni, students, and community members.
The event recognized the 2023 Alumnus of the Year, Glenn Box. Box thanked his family, RLC Athletic Director Tim Wills, and the community at RLC for their support throughout his journey as a student-athlete and a coach. He shared with those in attendance his story and some of the financial hardships he faced while he was attending RLC, and that is what inspired him to give back by donating a scholarship to the Foundation that will go towards students who are unable to afford basic necessities needed to succeed academically.
Box gives his thanks to friends, family, and community at RLC in Alumnus of the Year acceptance speech.
Glenn Box accepting the 2023 Alumnus of the Year award.
FROM LEFT; RLCF Chairman Tony Wielt, Box, RLC Athletic Director Tim Wills, and RLC President Terry Wilkerson.
The Presidential Award was given to RLCF Board Member William Davis.
William Davis accepting the Presidential Award from Wilkerson.
Special Recognition went out to long-time RLCF Board Member Mark Ballard. He has served six consecutive terms on the Board and at this time he will stay on the Board as Emeritus. He was highlighted at the Annual Dinner for his contributions towards the Foundation, college, and students.
Ballard receives special recognition. FROM LEFT; Wilkerson, Ballard, and Wielt.
This year's Student Spotlight went to Treya Fassett, who spoke positively of her experience at RLC.
Fassett is from Waltonville and is currently a sophomore at Rend Lake College where she is pursuing an associate degree. She is the 2023 recipient of the Pat Kern Scholarship. Treya is an active member of the RLC community who enjoys volunteering her time to help others. She is a RLC Student Ambassador, serves with AmeriCorps, and is a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society’s Rho Xi Chapter at RLC. She said she chose to attend RLC because it is a comfortable, familiar environment close to home. After graduating, she wants to transfer to Southern Illinois University Carbondale to earn a degree in Elementary Education. She has a passion for working with children and hopes to teach in either a second - or third - grade classroom.
Fassett (Waltonville) gives her Student Spotlight speech.
BACKGROUND, FROM LEFT; Wielt and RLC Foundation Assistant Director of Development Amy Newell.
Further progress was also made on The Game Plan with special honors that went towards three Major Gift donors: Banterra Bank President & CEO Jeff May, '84 alumnus Dean Merder, and '94 alumnus Warren Stark.
Stark was unable to attend but in a video on The Game Plan told audiences his contributions would go towards renovating the men's locker room in the new Banterra Sports Complex.
Merder, the 2022 Alumnus of the Year, contributions will go towards the Hall of Fame corridor.
Merder (LEFT) accepts honor from Wilkerson for his contribution to The Game Plan.
May, representing Banterra Bank, accepted an award as the biggest contributor to The Game Plan.
May (LEFT) accepts honor from Wilkerson for Banterra Bank's contribution towards The Game Plan.
RLC and the Foundation would like to extend their deepest thanks and gratitude towards our Alumnus of the Year, honorees, students, faculty & staff, and everyone who showed up in support of RLC and The Game Plan.
Wielt makes his closing remarks at the Annual Dinner.
To learn more about The Game Plan and the ways you can make a difference, visit rlc.edu/gameplan.