RLC thanks giving: scholarship support over $350K this year

INA, Ill. - Rend Lake College and its Foundation are thankful for the tremendous scholarship support that continues to pour in from district residents, businesses and organizations who are passionate about providing education.
    This school year, the RLC Foundation is awarding more than $350,000 and 500 scholarships to students.

Speakers for the 2012 RLCF Scholarship Dinner included, FROM LEFT, Katelyn Lewis of Mount Vernon, Sam Penrice of New Zealand, Heather Zuber of Mount Vernon, and RLC Math Professor Cindy Caldwell of Christopher. FAR RIGHT, RLCF CEO Shawna Hall and RLC President Terry Wilkerson present Caldwell a Major Gift Award.
    â€œOur supporters have again rallied for Rend Lake College students with overwhelming generosity,” said RLCF CEO Shawna Hall. “We are now at $5.6 million in total scholarships over the years. That is a lot to be thankful for.”  
    Each year, annual and endowment scholarship contributors get an opportunity to join their recipients at a banquet hosted by the Foundation. The RLCF Scholarship Banquet was held Oct. 18 on the campus in Ina. Givers are able to learn more about their beneficiaries over a nice meal. They pose for a photo together and everyone hears about scholarship giving through the Foundation, including messages from contributors and recipients.
    â€œPersonally, the Scholarship Dinner is my favorite event that we host,” said Hall. “The Foundation is the connector that helps match the student and the scholarship donor, and as CEO I hear the stories and struggles students have. It warms my heart to watch someone’s need met by a person who was moved to give, and it’s wonderful to see them interacting at our dinner event.”    
    Speakers for the event this year included Katelyn Lewis of Mount Vernon, who is a recipient and contributor of the Craig V. Rudofski Scholarship in her brother’s memory; Sam Penrice of Hastings, New Zealand, who is a recipient and member of the men’s golf team at RLC; Heather Zuber, a 27-year-old recipient from Mount Vernon who has returned to school for a nursing degree; and RLC Math Professor Cindy Caldwell of Christopher, giver of the Clifton Caldwell Memorial Scholarship in honor of her father, and the daughter of Millie Caldwell, a Member Emeritus of the RLCF Board of Directors.
    Also at this year’s event, RLC President Terry Wilkerson joined Hall in awarding Cindy Caldwell an RLCF Major Gift Award.
    Those who would like to learn more about supporting RLC students with a scholarship, contact the RLCF at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1324, or send an e-mail to Foundation@rlc.edu.