Jaighda Swan will focus on nursing. President Wilkerson doubles down.
INA, Ill. (April 14, 2022) — Rend Lake College President Terry Wilkerson was quick to choose an Easter egg from the pile Friday during a live video broadcast on campus. Flanked by four of five giveaway finalists, the ag professor-turned-president was drawn to one color in particular.
"I'm going to pick a green one," Wilkerson said. He cracked open the plastic egg and read the name on the slip of paper inside.
Jaighda Swan has a new favorite color.
Jaighda Swan of West Frankfort smiles through tears Friday after winning Rend Lake College's 2022 "The Full Ride" giveaway. She's pictured above with RLC Director of Marketing & Communications Nathan Wheeler (LEFT) and RLC President Terry Wilkerson.
Swan, a 2021 graduate from West Frankfort High School, became this year's winner of RLC's contest "The Full Ride" where one future Warrior wins a year of cost-free college.
Wilkerson was just warming up.
"Everybody is winning today," he said and presented the remaining finalists with certificates for three credit hours of tuition to get started on their education and training at RLC.
"Hey, I need a marker," Wilkerson said, holding the oversized check for Swan. "Where I come from, Jaighda, a full ride is a full ride. So, we're going to make that two years."
"When President Wilkerson called my name I was in complete shock," Swan said. "I needed that more than everything right now. I am so thankful."
The Full Ride received nearly 370 entries since opening the new round on June 1. Five finalists were drawn on April 1. They are Swan, Maverick Morris (Mt. Vernon), Alexis Zemla (Scheller), Dominique Hill (Murphysboro), and Kirsten Cacia (Enfield). It's the second year RLC has held the giveaway. The 2021 winner, Miranda Simmons (McLeansboro), is now an honors student in the Early Childhood Education program at Rend Lake.
Rend Lake College is a nationally ranked college in southern Illinois with campuses located at Ina, Mt. Vernon and Pinckneyville. Founded in 1967 and nationally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1969, Rend Lake provides its district and the region with real world educational opportunities through more than 100 degree and certificate options. RLC’s mission is to provide open access to lifelong education across cultural and economic boundaries to the diverse student population we serve. We believe every employee has a part in serving our students and community, as we strive to be student-focused, authentic, and resourceful. Embedded in every program of study are RLC's four fundamental learning objectives: critical thinking, problem solving, oral communication, and written communication.
