INA, Ill. (Oct. 30, 2017) - Hundreds of Rend Lake College students and scholarship donors met and shared an evening of festivities on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the Benton Civic Center for the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner. During the evening, guest speakers Eric Black, Dr. Sue Tomlin, and scholarship recipient Heath Ramsey of Valier shared their experiences of receiving or giving to a scholarship, and students had the chance to thank their donors first hand.
Kay Zibby-Damron, RLC Foundation CEO, said the event is a great way to highlight donor charity and student success, but also focus on the need for more scholarships.
“Our scholarship dinner is always a special evening. It’s a time of gratitude and appreciation for our donors who generously provide scholarship opportunities to our students. It’s also a time of encouragement for our students, to work hard, and do their best," said Zibby-Damron. "As the cost of community college goes up, there are more and more students who need help with their tuition, books and supplies. We are working to increase the number of scholarships available to students."
During the 2017-18 academic year, the RLC Foundation has awarded nearly $200,000 in scholarships to Rend Lake College students. Those who would like to learn more about supporting RLC students with a scholarship, contact the RLCF at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1214, or send an e-mail foundation@rlc.edu.
The event was sponsored by Eggemeyer Associates Architects and The Medicine Shoppe in Mt. Vernon.
To view all photos from the dinner, see below or visit RLC's Flickr page. Click on the images below for a larger view.
Allen Trucking LLC Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Chad Barnard (McLeansboro), RIGHT, is pictured with scholarship donor Marci Allen, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
AMVETS Sadsacks 10 Scholarship
Scholarship recipients Crystal Knisley (Thompsonville), SECOND FROM LEFT; Billie Jo Cox (Ewing), CENTER; and Hannah Karrar (Whittington), SECOND FROM RIGHT, are pictured with scholarship donors Joe Norris, LEFT, and Art Holloway, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Ann Santoro Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Zion McMillan (Mt. Vernon), RIGHT, is pictured with scholarship donor and retired RLC faculty member Dr. Sue Tomlin, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Arnistine Tolbert Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Phillip Smith (Christopher), CENTER, is pictured with scholarship donors Johanna Tolbert, LEFT, and Denver Tolbert, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Austin-Welch Nursing Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Phillip Smith (Christopher), RIGHT, is pictured with RLC Foundation Assistant Director Liz Oliver, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Bank of Illinois Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Nate Neal (McLeansboro), LEFT, is pictured with RLC Foundation Assistant Director Liz Oliver, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Benton BPW Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Kaycey Webb (Ewing), LEFT, is pictured with RLC Foundation Board Member Mary Ellen Aiken, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Benton Lions Club Scholarship
Scholarship recipients, SECOND FROM LEFT, Riddhi Rangoonwala (Benton), Kaycey Webb (Benton), Gavin Richardson (Benton), and Amy Cocke (Benton), are pictured with Benton community member Aaron Lewis, LEFT, and RLC Foundation CEO Kay Zibby-Damron, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Betty Jo Herbert Nursing Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Carl Gaebe (Dix), RIGHT, is pictured with scholarship donor Betty Jo Herbert, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Black Diamond Harley Davidson Scholarship
Scholarship recipients, FRONT ROW, FROM LEFT, Anthony Welling (Mt. Vernon), Tylar Hanson (Bluford), Mary Linsley (West Frankfort), and Alesse Strumpher (McLeansboro); BACK ROW, Jonathan Lee (Pinckneyville), Dakota Miller (Sesser), Dalton Banach (Waltonville), and Nolan Domineck (Royalton), are pictured with RLC Foundation Board Member Mary Ellen Aiken, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Blake & Julie Trout Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipients Jaxon Helm (Mt. Vernon), SECOND FROM LEFT, and Rebekah Cramer (Opdyke), CENTER, are pictured with scholarship donors Rickey Trout, LEFT; Alexia Trout, SECOND FROM RIGHT, and Vickie Trout, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Brad & Brian Evilsizer Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Derek Mueller (Christopher), RIGHT, is pictured with RLC Foundation Board Member Mary Pericolosi, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Brandon Dame Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Chelsea Krominga (Sesser), LEFT, is pictured with scholarship donor Cindy Dame-Van Horn, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Brenda Scarber Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Angela Watkins (Tamaroa), CENTER, is pictured with scholarship donors Eric Black, LEFT, and Linda Black, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Brian C. Fleri Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Jordan Hoppa (Whittington), CENTER, is pictured with scholarship donors Bill Fleri, LEFT, and Teresa Fleri, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Busby Family Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Alesse Strumpher (McLeansboro), CENTER, is pictured with RLC President Terry Wilkerson, LEFT, and RLC Upward Bound Student Advisor Deidra Traylor, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Carlos & Bonnie Tolbert Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Victoria Greer (Coulterville), CENTER, is pictured with scholarship representatives Johanna Tolbert, LEFT, and Denver Tolbert, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Christian Chapel Church Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Elizabeth Isaacs (McLeansboro), RIGHT, is pictured with scholarship representative Dan Van Abbema, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
C. H. Reed Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipients Emily Timmons (Mt. Vernon), LEFT, and Clayton Tubbs (Wayne City), RIGHT, are pictured with scholarship representative Jan Wood, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Clayton Charles Ragland Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Braelyn Walker (Waltonville), LEFT, is pictured with scholarship donor and RLC Vice President of Instruction Lori Ragland, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Clifford A. & Mary E. Gunter Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Falisha Biggerstaff (McLeansboro), RIGHT, is pictured with scholarship donor John Gunter, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Clifton Caldwell Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Philip Beaman (Sesser), RIGHT, is pictured with scholarship donor and RLC Mathematics Professor Cindy Caldwell, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Community First Bank Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Fisher Overstreet (Mt. Vernon), LEFT, is pictured with RLC Vice President of Instruction Lori Ragland, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Community First Bank & US Bank scholarships
Scholarship recipient Isaac McPhail (Waltonville), RIGHT, is pictured with RLC Foundation Board Member Mary Ellen Aiken, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Continental Tire the Americas Scholarship
Scholarship recipients, FROM LEFT, Aaron Summers (Sesser), William Holyfield (Pinckneyville), Devon Grimes (Fairfield), and Thorin Palmer (Mt. Vernon), are pictured with Continental Tire the Americas representative Jan Schulze, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Craig V. Rudofski Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipients Jaxon Helm (Bluford), LEFT, and Suzanna LeFebvre (Mt. Vernon), CENTER, are pictured with RLC Foundation Development Coordinator Britt Fullerton, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Crossroads Community Hospital Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Cassidy Howell (Benton), LEFT, is pictured with RLC Foundation Assistant Director Liz Oliver, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
David E. Hill M.D. Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Olivia Massie (Waltonville), LEFT, is pictured with scholarship donor Dell Hill, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Doris Welch Nursing Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Elisabeth Jones (Mt. Vernon), RIGHT, is pictured with RLC Vice President of Instruction Lori Ragland, LEFT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Douglas S. Carlson Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Emily Bulla (Sesser), THIRD FROM LEFT, is pictured with scholarship donors, FROM LEFT, Beverly Carlson, John Carlson, Scott Carlson, Fischer Carlson, Klein Carlson, and Kelty Carlson at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 19, 2017, at the Benton Civic Center. Numerous scholarship donors met and dined with RLC student recipients at the event, which honors the financial support from donors as well as the students who receive that support.
(Reece Rutland / RLC Public Information)
Doug Leeck Memorial Scholarship
Scholarship recipient Kelby Burns (Coulterville), LEFT, is pictured with scholarship donor and RLC Dean of Liberal Arts Henry "Buster" Leeck, RIGHT, at the 28th Annual Rend Lake College Foundation Scholarship Dinner, held Oct. 1
