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SWIC student wins Head of the Class award for HVAR skills

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Hard work and dedication have paid off for a Southwestern Illinois College Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration student.

Isaac Sinn of Coulterville was chosen by the college’s HVAR program for the Head of Class award. Presented by tool supplier, Malco, the award recognizes perfect attendance, class participation and a willingness to learn. Sinn was recommended for the award by instructors.

“This is a great program with great instructors,” Sinn said. “I’m gaining a lot of knowledge in the program and earning a degree will be beneficial in starting my career.”

Sinn is pursuing his Associate in Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

“He’s a really dedicated student,” said HVAR Program Coordinator Keith Otten. “We’re very proud of the work he’s doing in the program and he’s a great example for other students.”

SWIC offers a two-year, 72-semester-credit Associate in Applied Science degree and a one-year, 45-semester-credit certificate in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration.

 For more information on the SWIC HVAR program, call Otten at 618-931-0600, ext. 5175 or visit https://www.swic.edu/academics/career-degrees/hvacr/.

Save lives, donate blood at SWIC Belleville and Sam Wolf Granite City campuses

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Save the lives of up to three people by donating blood during the upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drive Thursday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southwestern Illinois College Belleville Campus, Varsity Gym, 2500 Carlyle Ave; and April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, History Room, 4950 Maryville Road.  

“We need every donation we can get in order to maintain the supply in our region,” said College Activities and Student Life Director Amy Brockman. “Your donation truly will make a difference. We hope to see you!”

All types of blood are needed, especially O Positive. If you do not know your blood type, you can find out when you donate.

To donate you must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old. If you are 16 years old and wish to donate in Illinois, you need a permission form signed by your parent or guardian. New donors should bring proper identification, such as a driver’s license or a state ID.

Individuals are encouraged to set an appointment time, but walk-ins are welcome and will be accommodated as quickly as possible.

All presenting donors will receive light refreshments and a place to rest briefly following their donation.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 618-235-2700, ext. 5561, or toll free at 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5561. 

Celebrate Spring with the SWIC Plant Sale in April

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Dig out your gardening tools – it’s spring! The SWIC Horticulture program is selling reasonably priced water and vegetable plants, tropicals, perennials, annuals, and herbs grown by SWIC students over the winter.

You can get your green thumbs (and fingers) on these plants at the annual Plant Sale April 21-23 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the SWIC Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Ave. The sale will be held in the greenhouse, located on the southeast corner of campus behind the baseball fields.

“Horticulture students play a major role in growing and nurturing these healthy, hardy plants throughout the semester,” said SWIC Horticulture Program Coordinator Kurt Range. “They get to see their hard work pay off by selling these beautiful, hardy plants.”

Only cash and check payments will be accepted. Proceeds benefit the Horticulture program.

Face masks and social distancing are recommended. For more information about the plant sale contact Kurt Range at 618-235-2700, ext. 5135 or kurt.range@swic.edu.

SIUC & SWIC ink agreement to improve access for students

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Southern Illinois University Carbondale strengthened its commitment to students in the city and Metro East this week with agreements to bring the expertise of a doctoral research university to qualified community college students by providing the option to earn their bachelor’s degrees remotely and at a lower cost in six academic programs.

SIU Chancellor Austin A. Lane today (March 4) signed an agreement with St. Louis Community  College and on Wednesday (March 2) with Southwestern Illinois College to participate in the Saluki Step Ahead program, which covers the accounting, business administration, criminology and criminal justice, health care management, psychology and radiologic sciences programs.

“Our agreements with SWIC and STLCC fit well with our Imagine 2030 strategic plan, which includes pillars for student success and partnerships,” Lane said. “We are proud of our beautiful campus and the first-rate education and unique opportunities we provide. But we understand not all students can move to Carbondale to complete their education, so we will bring SIU Carbondale to them. We are excited to welcome these students to the Saluki family.”

The signings now make 11 community colleges participating with SIU in the Saluki Step Ahead program, with more anticipated this spring. The pact with St. Louis Community College is the first Saluki Step Ahead agreement outside of Illinois.

St. Louis Community College Chancellor Jeff L. Pittman said the Saluki Step Ahead program is a “great opportunity” for its students.

“We are pleased that SIU is partnering with us to help more students advance their education, and especially being able to earn a degree online to meet the realities of the times. The SIU Saluki Step Ahead program is a great opportunity for STLCC graduates to earn a bachelor’s degree at an affordable cost, making it a win for all students,” Pittman said.

Nick Mance, Southwestern Illinois College president said SWIC is excited about the agreement.

“This program, allowing our students to transfer seamlessly to SIU’s online accounting, business and administration, criminology and criminal justice, psychology, health care management and radiologic sciences programs, is a fantastic opportunity for our students and the community.” Mance said. “It has long been our goal to prepare students to enter the workforce as highly qualified members of their chosen professions, and this program helps further our objectives.”

Following graduation with an associate degree from St. Louis Community College or Southwestern Illinois College, students can go on to complete their SIU bachelor’s degrees online without leaving their hometowns. Students in the program pay the community college rate for their first two years. In the third and fourth years, they receive an annual $4,000 scholarship. The goal is to allow students to earn their degrees for $25,000 or less.

For more information, contact SWIC Dean of Business, Health Sciences, and Homeland Security Ashley Becker, Ph.D., at ashley.becker@swic.edu or SWIC Associate Director of Student Services Annjanee Jones at annjanee.Jones@swic.edu. 

SWIC Releases Fall Semester 2021 Dean’s List

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The following is a list of full- and part-time students on the Southwestern Illinois College Dean’s List for the Fall 2021 Semester.

This list includes full-time students who completed 12 or more semester credits during the semester and part-time students who completed six or more semester credits during the semester while maintaining a 3.5 or higher grade point average.

The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown:

SWIC Fall 2021 Deans List

For more information, contact SWIC Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700, ext. 5455 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5455.

SWIC Releases Fall 2021 Semester Graduate List

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The following is a list of Southwestern Illinois College students who graduated at the conclusion of the Fall 2021 Semester. The students’ names are listed alphabetically according to hometown.

The list also denotes students who graduated with honors (a 3.5 grade point average or higher) and with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

SWIC Fall 2021 Graduate List.

For more information, contact SWIC Enrollment Services at 618-235-2700,
ext. 5455 or 866-942-SWIC (7942), ext. 5455.

SWIC Assistant Professor Shows Art in Solo Exhibit in St. Louis Gallery

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Southwestern Illinois College Assistant Professor of Art Cory Sellers is letting the world see his immediate family and their development – at least in a symbolic way – through his paintings on display at the Houska Gallery in St. Louis now through Feb. 25.

An opening reception for the show, titled “Foundation Jump,” has been rescheduled for Friday, Feb. 11 from 5-8 p.m. at the gallery, 4728 McPherson Ave., in St. Louis’ Central West End.

Sellers has taught painting, printmaking, drawing and art history at SWIC since 2012. Also, he has taught as an adjunct instructor at many other St. Louis area colleges and universities.

He has exhibited his work throughout southern Illinois, St. Louis, Chicago, and New York City. His works are in private and public collections nationally and internationally.

Sellers earned his Master of Fine Arts Degree in Painting and Drawing from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, in 2011 and his Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois in 2007.

In “Foundation Jump,” Sellers says he has been thinking about his immediate family and their development. The painted forms are symbolic in their placement, color, and usage. Certain features get manipulated or exaggerated using a variety of preliminary drawings both digital and traditional. This process continues until Sellers feels the composition has developed its own characteristics, reminding him that the finished product does not have to look like the initial intention.

The Houska Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A virtual tour of the show will be available soon. Visit houskagallery.com for details.

For more information about the SWIC Art program, visit swic.edu/art.

SWIC offers Respiratory Care degree – profession ranked 16th in the nation

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Southwestern Illinois College Respiratory Care Program Coordinator Diane Dodd could have told you what a great profession Respiratory Care is even before U.S. News and World Report named it the 6th Best Health Care Job and the 16th Best Job in the country for 2022.

“Respiratory Therapists are essential frontline workers who help patients with a variety of respiratory and cardiac issues get better and get back to their healthy lifestyle,” Dodd said. “They play a vital role in hospitals and patient care.”

The magazine ranked the profession high on its list based on the combination of factors such as salary, job market, job satisfaction and stress level.

SWIC offers a two-year, 71-semester-credit Associate in Applied Science degree in Respiratory Care. The program prepares students for entry-level practitioner positions in the profession. Respiratory therapists have a high level of patient contact.

RTs, under the supervision of a physician, see patients of all ages to assist in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of pulmonary problems. The practice of respiratory care entails: monitoring, evaluating and reporting patients’ cardiopulmonary status, providing treatments and ventilatory support to keep the airway open. In addition, RT’s perform sleep studies, metabolic studies, patient, community and family education, home care, discharge planning and follow up, as well as pulmonary rehabilitation.

Applications for the SWIC program are accepted Sept. 1 through May 1 for the following fall semester.

Averaged over a three-year period, 98 percent of SWIC graduates passed the national certification examination required for licensure.

SWIC graduate survey results, also averaged over a three-year period, indicate 94.7 percent of graduates are employed in the profession within 12 months after completing the program.

“RTs are in high demand,” Dodd said. “There is a nationwide shortage and hospitals are looking for new graduates.”

According to the U.S. News and World Report article, the profession is expected to grow by 23 percent between 2020 and 2030, with an estimated 31,100 jobs opening in that time.

In addition, the median salary for Respiratory Therapists in the nation was $62,810 in 2020.

“The program is very hands on,” Dodd said. “Our students work in clinical facilities as part of their education and most students receive multiple job offers from their clinical sites before they even graduate.” 

For more information about the SWIC Respiratory Care program, visit swic.edu/respiratory-care or contact Dodd at 618-235-2700, ext. 5907 or diane.dodd@swic.edu.

SWIC recently graduated largest Police Academy class with Session 145

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The Southwestern Illinois College Police Academy recently celebrated the graduation of Session 145. The SWIC Police Academy is an intensive academic and physical training program designed to prepare recruits to enter a career in law enforcement. It is one of only seven police academies in Illinois.

Graduates in alphabetical order include:
 

  • Benjamin M. Abney of the Johnston City Police Department
  • Sarah A. Alvarez of the Fairview Heights Police Department
  • Joshua T. Anderson of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Johnathan W. Ashlock of the Sandoval Police Department, winner of the Jeremy Chambers Top Gun Firearms Award
  • Allen J. Averbeck of the Alton Police Department
  • Blake M. Bachmann of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, winner of the Academic Award
  • Justin D. Benton of the Edwardsville Police Department
  • Paul M. Blankley of the Granite City Police Department
  • Andrew C. Bode of the Edwardsville Police Department
  • Marshal T. Brooks of the SWIC Public Safety Department
  • Tyler E. Bucco of the Creve Coeur Police Department
  • Aleksandr M. Budnik of the Hebron Police Department
  • Chase J. Burk of the Winchester Police Department
  • Brandon L. Burkett of the Flora Police Department
  • James N. Capeheart of the Shawneetown Police Department, class president and winner of the Southern Illinois Police Chiefs Association Most Outstanding Officer Award.
  • Christian M. Cepeda of the Metropolis Police Department
  • Corey R. Cline of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, winner of the Defense Tactics Award
  • Tyler R. Coffey of the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office
  • Allen J. Cooley of the Chenoa Police Department
  • Allie E. Cooper of the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Police Department
  • Caren L. Cyvas of the McKendree Public Safety Department
  • Joshua L. DeHeve of the University of Illinois Springfield Police Department
  • Jordan A. Felax of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Mark S. Fenske III of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Kelly M. Fischer of the Edwardsville Police Department
  • Zachary D. Fitzgerald of the Mount Vernon Police Department
  • Jake R. Freeman of the Greenville Police Department
  • Trenton S. Gonzalez of the Richland County Sheriff’s Office
  • Chase E. Harrison of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office
  • Kaylan M. Hendrickson of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, winner of the Most Improved Over All in Physical Fitness Award
  • Jordan E. Hernandez of the Sesser Police Department
  • Leonardo M. Hernandez of the Nokomis Police Department, winner of the Best Over All in Physical Fitness Award
  • Evan M. Hillier of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office
  • Joseph M. Howell of the Venice Police Department
  • Joshua M. Hyman of the Collinsville Police Department
  • Samuel A. Jackson of the Coles County Sheriff’s Office
  • Dylan D. Jeffords of the West Frankfort Police Department
  • Anthony R. Jellison of the North Pekin Police Department
  • Jay L. Joiner of the Metropolis Police Department
  • Taylor G. Kalous of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Police Department
  • Kurtis L. Kimbro of the SWIC Public Safety Department
  • Taylor L. Kirchhofer of the Waverly Police Department
  • Matthew W. Long of the Carmi Police Department
  • Ryan M. Lutes of the Spring Valley Police Department
  • Anthony E. Matthews of the Alton Police Department
  • Adam T. Miller of the Alton Police Department
  • James L. Minton Jr. of the Washington Police Department
  • Austin L. Mulkey of the Albion Police Department
  • Logan T. Murray of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office
  • Tyler D. Norris of the Mount Vernon Police Department
  • Chralene A. O’Dell of the SWIC Public Safety Department
  • Remington G. Paris of the Mount Vernon Police Department
  • Christopher A. Parks of the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Hunter S. Parks of the South Jacksonville Police Department
  • Brennan C. Poland of the Effingham Police Department
  • Gavin D. Prater of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Dreyton Z. Ruholl of the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office
  • Isaac J. Smith of the Vandalia Police Department
  • Bobby L. Smith Jr. of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office
  • Blake M. Starkweather of the Herrin Police Department 
  • Jason J. Stimeling of the North Pekin Police Department
  • Lucas J. Tobin of the Carbondale Police Department
  • Corey A. Waide of the McLeansboro Police Department
  • Mack W. Waldman of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Donald W. Watkins Jr. of the Grayville Police Department
  • Taylor D. White of the Tuscola Police Department
  • Joshua R. Whitecotton of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office
  • Thomas M. Wicker of the White County Sheriff’s Office

SWIC Art student displaying work in Art Saint Louis invitational show

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Congratulations to Southwestern Illinois College Art student Madeline Field, 24, of Highland, who will exhibit one of her paintings in the Varsity Art XXVI Exhibition at Art Saint Louis March 4-31.

Field, who is seeking her Associate in Fine Arts – Art at SWIC, will be among 44 students from 23 regional colleges and universities in Missouri and Illinois in the 26th annual invitational exhibition.   

Art Saint Louis is a nonprofit community art organization and gallery dedicated to enriching lives through the creative activity of the region’s contemporary visual artists. Varsity Art XXVI is a multi-media exhibit including ceramics, digital media, drawing, mixed media, painting, paper, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

The gallery, located at 1223 Pine St. in St. Louis, is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Saturday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to presenting this exhibition in-person in the Art Saint Louis Gallery, the show will be presented as a virtual gallery online. Visit artstlouis.org for details.

A closing reception for the exhibition is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, March 31, 5-7 p.m.

The Art Saint Louis Gallery is free & open to the public. No appointment required. Masks are required.

One artist’s work from the exhibit will be selected for an Award of Excellence as an Outstanding artwork. The award-winning artist will be eligible to submit work for Art Saint Louis’ Honor Awards 2024 curated exhibit, a special 10-artist show only open to the Award-winning artists who receive Awards of Excellence in our 2022 exhibits.

For more information about the SWIC Art program, visit swic.edu/art.