Pamela Harrison, Director of Disability Services at MacMurray College, was named the 2016 Meritorious Service Award winner by the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children at their 2016 Fall Convention on Nov. 5.

She was awarded this statewide honor for her lifelong dedication to improving services and opportunities for people with disabilities. A graduate of Iowa State University in Ames, IA, Harrison studied sociology and later earned her Illinois Teacher Certification from Sangamon State University, now University of Illinois at Springfield, in Middle School Science Education. She then began her extensive career servicing those with disabilities.

For the past eight years Pamela has worked at MacMurray College, where she undertook the expansion of the Disability Services Program and streamlined processes for students and faculty to ensure their needs were supported. She has since served as the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance consultant and has been instrumental in many accessibility improvements that benefit not only the MacMurray family, but the greater community as well. Prior to coming to MacMurray, Pamela coordinated Pathway Services’ group homes for 17 years and for six years taught students with intellectual disabilities in a classroom setting.

She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for West Central Mass Transit District and is a member of the Jacksonville Rotary Club. Her colleagues say her passion is contagious and goes above and beyond what is expected.

Picture left to right: Pamela Harrison, Philip Harrison (spouse), Bev Johns (MacMurray College alumna, recipient of the Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Award)

MacMurray College sport management students gained valuable career advice on Wednesday, Nov. 30, during a roundtable discussion with local professionals.

Each participant was given questions in regards to their career and had the opportunity to deliver advice to students. Throughout the discussion, topics ranged from how to best prepare for an interview to advice on how to stand out to potential employers.

The panel included MacMurray alumnae Katie Carls, director of campus events at Illinois College; alumnus Chris Flaggs, teachers' retirement system of the State of Illinois; Jim Kent, director of community relations for the Springfield Sliders; Rachel Rohn, owner of Fitness World; and Ed Schumer, chief executive officer of the Midwest Professional Basketball Association.

Photo: Rachel Rohn, owner of Fitness World, talks with MacMurray students (from right to left) Derek Bourke, Ryan Meddows, and Seth Galloway.

Following discussion students were able to engage and network with the guest speakers.

MacMurray College’s annual Advent worship, Lessons & Carols, will be Thursday, Dec. 8, at 7:15 p.m. in Annie Merner Chapel, located on the northeast corner of College Avenue and Clay Street on the MacMurray campus.

The celebration of Christmas will include the congregation singing traditional Christmas carols along with scripture readings from the Christmas story.

The program will be led by College Chaplain Todd Sweatman and Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church Associate Pastor John Hume.

The event is free and open to the public. Request interpreting services 72 hours prior to event at dss@mac.edu or call 217.479.7123.

Carissa L. Vaughn, of Normal, IL, was named the November Student of the Month at MacMurray College.

The 2013 graduate of Normal Community West High School in Normal is the daughter of Paul and Mindy Vaughn of Normal.

Vaughn, a senior majoring in nursing, has been very active in the soccer program this fall, is a resident assistant in Norris House on campus, and volunteers at the hospital. She was nominated for her ability to handle all of her various responsibilities and excelling at each one.

This recognition places her as a nominee for the annual John Austin Van Hook Outstanding Leadership Award, presented during Commencement weekend in May.

Evan Thomas has joined MacMurray College as the Assistant Professor of Biology.

Thomas comes to MacMurray with experience teaching at University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO and Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH. He has experience in research from the University of Colorado Museum in Boulder and the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, CA where he was involved with projects such as Southern California Coastal Water Research Project Bight Monitoring, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Lakes Assessment, and Surface Water Resource Control Board Regional Studies.

Thomas received a Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from University of Colorado Boulder. He earned a master’s degree in Biological Sciences from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Justice from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI.

MacMurray College President Mark Tierno made the sad announcement this morning that Katherine Starks-Lawrence, assistant professor of marketing and business, passed away on December 24, 2016. She was 60.

Katherine valued education and thoroughly loved teaching students. Her husband, Larry Lawrence, said she truly enjoyed teaching at MacMurray. “When she came home she couldn’t wait to tell us about her students and how her classes were going.”

As a lifelong resident of Springfield, Katherine played an active role in the community. She has held many board positions within the area including president of the Board of Trustees at Lincoln Library in Springfield, served on the Reader Advisory Board of the State Journal-Register, the Campus Alumni Advisory Board at the University of Illinois Springfield, the Lincoln Land Community College Foundation Board, as well as president and founding board member of the LLCC Alumni Association.

Katherine is survived by her husband Larry, daughter Nicole; mother and father Charles and Betty Starks; brother Charles Starks Jr. (Claudia) of Atlanta, Ga.; cousins Charles Day, Monica Turner, and a host of nieces, nephews, special cousins, and friends. Katherine was preceded in death by her sister Wanda Louise Alvis.

Her husband thanked the staff and students at MacMurray for making Katherine’s last months on earth a blessing.

Read Katherine’s obituary at www.legacy.com/obituaries/sj-r/obituary.aspx?n=katherine-starks-lawrence&pid=183258279

MacMurray College President Mark Tierno has announced the appointment of Beverly Rodgers as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Life following a national search this past fall. Rodgers will assume the role on Feb. 20.

Rodgers comes to MacMurray from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas, where she serves as dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, and professor of anthropology.  She previously served as vice president at Leech Lake Tribal College in Cass Lake, Minnesota and was a professor and chair of the Arthur Morgan Fellows at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Dr. Rodgers to MacMurray,” Tierno said, “Her knowledge and experience in higher education will greatly benefit MacMurray College and help advance the College’s values that are rooted in the liberal arts.”

The Provost serves as chief academic officer and has the responsibility for providing strategic leadership to MacMurray College, and to ensure the College’s faculty and academic programs are of the highest quality – promoting a culture of student success.

Rodgers, who holds a Ph.D. and an M.A. in anthropology from Ohio State University, said that during the interview process she came to understand the strength of the MacMurray community. “The faculty, staff, administration and students exemplified a caring and motivated community dedicated to having MacMurray College present the best educational opportunities possible,” Rodgers said. “Quite simply, I want to be part of that team.”

John Cox, who has served as interim provost, will stay on until Rodgers assumes the role on Feb. 20.

“I want to thank John Cox for providing MacMurray with excellent leadership,” Tierno said. “The work he was able to accomplish at the College made the position of provost highly attractive.”

The following students were named to the dean’s list for the fall 2016 semester at MacMurray College. To be named to the Dean’s List, a student must have a 3.5 grade point average and be enrolled full time for at least 12 credit hours.

Deovoni Ahmed - Springfield, IL

Brooklynn Allen - Harristown, IL

Missi Allinger - Mahomet, IL

Brianna Altmix - Quincy, IL

Andrew Alvarez - Belleville, IL

Dominic Anders - Quincy, IL

Kacy Rhea Anderson - Washington, IL

Collin Antoine - Lincoln, IL

Kody Appel - Manville, IL

Sarah Bailey - Hettick, IL

Maranda Baker - Hedrick, IA

Dylan Barnett - Carrollton, IL

Storme Barton - Alpha, IL

Alex Becerra - Blue Island, IL

Janelle Benson - St. Peters, MO

Robert E. Bentley - Jacksonville, IL

Ross Blakeman - Beardstown, IL

Jillian Blanchard - Arlington, TX

Alyssa Blumenberg - Greenfield, IL

Cassandra Borcky - Greenfield, IL

Jennifer Boucher - Waverly, IL

Derek Bourke - Oconee, IL

Chance Bowen - Braidwood, IL

Tobi Marie Brackett - Jacksonville, IL 

Charles Brauch - St. Charles, MO

Kaitlyn Brown - Chatham, IL

Jillian Burgett - Springfield, IL

Megan Burtle - Auburn, IL

Jayne A. Burton - Springfield, IL

Michael Cameron - Springfield, IL

Anthony Carpenter - Cuba, IL

Brittany Chambers - Meredosia, IL

Tanya Cheesman - Danville, IL

Alanah Chelf - Mount Vernon, IL

Charmaine Clark - Moline, IL

Harrison Clark - Quincy, IL

Marshall Corbin - Louisiana, MO

Dryden Craven - Griggsville, IL

Drake Curry - Rochester, IL

Emma Deaton - Coatesville, IN

Rebecca Elyse Delaney - Aurora, IL

Hannah DeSpain - Carlinville, IL

Erin Detter - Munford, TN

Laura Dudley - Taylorville, IL

Gloria Duduit - Pana, IL

Brenden Eades - Greenfield, IL

Jania Eddington - Kokomo, IN

Kendall P. Elliott - Enumclaw, WA

Jacob Farr - Quincy, IL

Hunter Flesner - Payson, IL

Kaydee Fletcher - Havana, IL

Brittany Foldes - Chicago, IL

Wade Fox - Milford, IL

Nathan Franklin - Bourbonnais, IL

Beth Friedrich - Havana, IL

Jordan Gill - Jacksonville, IL

Amanda Gorell - Streamwood, IL

Sara Gross - Clifton, IL

Lauren Gunia - Peru, IL

Alex Lee Hafliger - Riverton, IL

Joshua W. Hamlin - Petersburg, IL

Kasey Harris - Virginia, IL

Haley Hart - Roodhouse, IL

Brooklyn Hatalla - Thayer, IL

Austin Hatfield - Chatham, IL

Tiffany Hazelwonder - Troy, MO

Morgan Heinz - Forreston, IL

Matthew Heren - Auburn, IL

Klay Hickey - Virden, IL

Jacob Hierlmeier - Glenwood City, WI

Daniel Hirstein - Springfield, IL

Caitlyn Hoene - Teutopolis, IL

Collin Hopkins - Decatur, IL

Kayla Horlacher - Tinley Park, IL

Alexa Horton - Chatham, IL

Hannah Howard - Roodhouse, IL

Shelly Huckabay - Jacksonville, IL

Huels, Ashley Huels - Carlyle, IL

Lauren Irvin - Normal, IL

MaKendra Jennings - White Hall, IL

Amanda Johnson - Moline, IL

Mackenzie Kelly - Springfield, IL

Rachel Kerr - Modesto, IL

Haley Kesler - Petersburg, IL

Abigail King - Jacksonville, IL

Trevor Knipe - Nauvoo, IL

Emily Kolo - Edwardsville, IL

Tyler Konecki - St. Charles, IL

Cody Koprowitz - Carlinville, IL

Calynn LaGesse - Bradley, IL

Stephen Lancia - Davie, FL

Madeline Langellier - Girard, IL

Emily Lascody - Springfield, IL

Luke Lavin - Springfield, IL

Michael Lavin - Springfield, IL

Jacob Lee - Waukee, IA

Logan Link - Fairview, IL

Brett Litwiller - Berne, IN

Fred Lomprez III - Springfield, IL

Anastacia Maio - Rockford, IL

Omar Martines - Arthur, IL

Trisha Maruszak - Darien, IL

Nicole Maul - Jacksonville, IL

Brittonia McKenzie - Chicago, IL

Emily McKibben - Fairfield, IL

Brooksana McKinney - Park Hills, MO

Clint Meadows - Greenville, IL

Ryan Meddows - Trenton, IL

Sara Mentel - Port Washington, WI

Darin Michael - Jacksonville, IL

Charles Miller - Quantico, VA

Mikaela Milligan - Lockport, IL

Brady Milnes - Manchester, IL

Samantha Milnes - Manchester, IL

Alexis Mitchell - Springfield, IL

Brianna Moore - Mount Sterling, IL

Kayla Moore - Winchester, IL

Ali Morton - Chambersburg, IL

Gabriel Mullink - White Hall, IL

Nick Newton - Sherman, IL

Jade Oros - Greenfield, IL

CJ O’Rourke - Pana, IL

Chelsie Marie Owen - Concord, IL

CJ Pakeltis - New Lenox, IL

Jezebel Pardo - Lewisville, TX

Courtney Pearson - Pittsfield, IL

Karyssa Pedersen - Abingdon, IL

Amanda Peterson - Highland, IL

Lauren Peterson - Ashland, IL

Zoey Pickerill - Harvel, IL

Taylor Platt - Ellisville, IL

Codi Poe - White Hall, IL

Brandon Pollard - Roodhouse, IL

Nicholas Poole - Jacksonville, IL

Abbigayle Pruitt - Carlinville, IL

Nathan Randall - White Hall, IL

Madison Reeves - Macomb, IL

Judah Renfro - Blue Mound, IL

Brittany Reynolds - Pawnee, IL

Leah Rhead - Evergreen Park, IL

Emily Riddle - Beardstown, IL

Crystal Roman - Chicago, IL

Ryan Roscetti - Riverton, IL

Clayton Ruckman - Altamont, IL

Juliana Marie Russotto - Jacksonville, IL

Lyndi Saccaro - Springfield, IL

Nau’jah-lek Sanders - Springfield, IL

Cydny Saxer - Jacksonville, IL 

Trevor Schubert - Mount Vernon, IL

Kelly Genevieve Scullans - St. Charles, IL

Lucaas Secrist - Hillsboro, IL

Kayla Shepherd - Springfield, IL

Nora Slater - St. Joseph, IL

Jacob Smith - Carrollton, IL

Riley Spencer - Paris, IL

Brittany Spicer - Danville, IL

Peyton Spitzner - Clay City, IL

Cory Steinhart - Clifton, IL

Haley Stewart - Taylorville, IL

Nathan William Stewart - Standard City, IL

Tierra Stiverson - St. Joseph, IL

Sarah Strader - Jacksonville, IL

Chancey Sturgeon - Alsey, IL

Georgia Suau - Peoria, IL

Brianna Sutton - Springfield, IL

Bailee Taylor - Fonda, IA

Victoria Trujillo - Red Bud, IL

Cory Volz - Cooksville, IL

Jake Voss - Quincy, IL

Jeslynn Walker - Geneva, IL

Jordan Wall - Kimberly, ID

Jasmine L. Warren - Springfield, IL

Emma Weller - Palmyra, IL

Brennen Wells - Clay City, IL

Gino Wendes - Kankakee, IL

Kacie Whalen - Franklin, IL

Jasmine White - Jacksonville, IL

Daniel Williams - Carrollton, IL

Jade Elizabeth Williams - Braceville, IL

Rebecca Williamson - Williamsville, IL

Antwon Willis II - Alton, IL

Reagan Witherell - Havana, IL

Abigail Yemm - Virden, IL

Jessica Yost - Virginia, IL

Brady Young - Ashton, IL

Abigail Youngblood - Charleston, IL

Cody Zulkowski - Decatur, IL

MacMurray College will host a poetry celebration to honor Black History Month on Thursday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. in the Marian Chase Schaeffer Studio Theatre, second floor of the Jenkins Education Complex.

MacMurray students, faculty and staff, and members of the community are invited to perform and attend the event.

The celebration will include presentations of poetry, rap, spoken word, and/or ASL interpreted works written or influenced by poets of color or on issues of diversity.

Performances are limited to five minutes per poem. Participants should sign up 15 minutes before the performance. There will be a maximum of 15 performers for the evening.

Prizes will be awarded to the poetry presenters, and the audience can win prizes for correct answers to quiz questions about cultural diversity and African American culture and history.                                             

If you have any questions, please contact Professor of English Jeannie Zeck, jeannie.zeck@mac.edu.

Deaf amateur wrestler and mixed martial artist Matt “The Hammer” Hamill will speak at MacMurray College on Thursday, February 16, at 7 p.m. in Annie Merner Chapel.

Hamill, the first-ever deaf UFC fighter, will talk about how he climbed to the top – beating the odds. The event is free and open to the public, and an Interpreter will be provided.

Born in Loveland, Ohio, Hamill has been deaf since birth but he never let that hold him back.  He won three NCAA Division III National Championships at Rochester Institute of Technology and won the gold and silver medals for wrestling in the 1997 Deaflympics. Hamill competed in the Light Heavyweight division of the UFC and was also on Spike TV’s “Ultimate Fighter 3.”

As an advocate for deaf and hard-of-hearing groups, Hamill was the subject of the 2010 movie “The Hammer,” about his early life and wrestling career.

For more information about Hamill’s presentation, contact Pamela Harrison, director of disability services, at 217-479-7176 or at pamela.harrison@mac.edu. 

The Humanities Film Series continues in February with the movie “Snowden” on Thursday, February 16, at 6:30 p.m. at the Jacksonville Public Library.

The film is the fourth installment of the Humanities Film Series that began this past September. The event is free and open to the public.

“Snowden,” a 2016 film directed by Oliver Stone, offers a sincere portrait of the man deemed as “America’s Most Wanted,” Edward Joseph Snowden. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays the former CIA computer analyst and former NSA contractor who lives in exile after releasing classified documents proving the existence of a covert surveillance program that illegally monitors not only its own citizens but also global allies and enemies. This film, however, strives to do more than reimagine the life of Snowden and recreate the events that led to his exile. Stone restores the image of a man demonized by the media and recasts him, instead, as a moral hero.  

The screening and discussion of this film will be led by Ashley Green, assistant professor of English at Lincoln Land Community College. 

MacMurray College Business Division is sponsoring the showing of the film “The Big Short” on Wednesday, February 22, at 6:15 p.m. in Thoresen Recital Hall, located in Putnam/Springer Center. The event is free and open to the public.

A student lead discussion along with a question and answer session will follow the movie.  “The Big Short,” starring Steve Carrel, Brad Pitt, Christian Bale and Ryan Gosling provides a realistic portrayal of the people and events surrounding the 2008 “Housing Bubble” and ensuing worldwide financial market collapse. (This film is rated R for pervasive language and brief nudity.)  

The movie is being offered as a supplement in conjunction with the Econ 305 – Money and Banking course, but will appeal to anyone who is interested in learning more about financial markets and recent housing crisis.

For more information, contact Steven Oberg, assistant professor of business, at 217-479-7184 or at steve.oberg@mac.edu. 

The MacMurray College family and the Jacksonville community lost a dear friend Wednesday evening. Dr. Ernest Chester “Chet” Bone, lifetime trustee, honorary degree recipient and friend of the College, passed away on March 15 at his residence. He was 102.  Dr. Bone is survived by his wife, Louise K. Bone, a 1956 MacMurray College graduate.

Dr. Bone will be remembered for his passion for education. He served over 25 years on the MacMurray College Board of Trustees and nine years on the Jacksonville School District 117 Board of Directors. He served as president of the Illinois College Alumni Association and for 10 years as alumni representative on the Illinois College Board of Trustees. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree by Illinois College in 1989 and an honorary Doctor of Public Service degree from MacMurray College in 1990. As team physician, Dr. Bone was elected to the MacMurray College and Illinois College athletic halls of fame.

Many will also remember Dr. Bone for his years of service in clinical medicine and surgery at the Bone-Scott Clinic on West State Street that he and his colleague, Dr. Harvey Scott opened in 1955. Over the years, Dr. Bone delivered over 4,500 babies.

Dr. Bone graduated from Illinois College in 1936 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and then earned his Bachelor of Science in Medicine degree in 1944 and his M.D. degree in 1946 from the University of Illinois School of Medicine while serving as a volunteer in the United States Navy V12 Program during World War II.

A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville. The family will meet friends from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Williamson Funeral Home.

Read Dr. Bone’s full obituary

MacMurray College presented running back Chazz Middlebrook with the NCAA Division III Statistical Champion award for having the highest rushing yard average in the nation last season.  
 
During an award ceremony in Bill Wall Gymnasium on Thursday, April 6, President Mark Tierno, Athletic Director Justin Fuhler, Jacksonville High School Head Football Coach Mark Grounds, MacMurray Head Football Coach Chris Douglas and Jacksonville Mayor Andy Ezard all spoke and congratulated Middlebrook for his outstanding performance on and off the field.
 
"I am so proud of Chazz and his accomplishment this season, but even more proud of how he recognizes the fact that it was a team effort," Coach Douglas said. "Without great blocking, without a strong passing game, without the defense playing the way they did this season, an accomplishment of this significance could not have happened. Chazz put this team on his back, but his teammates had his back as well."
 
Middlebrook averaged 170.3 yards per game and led the nation during regular season with a grand total of 1,703 yards. "This isn't just my award," he said during the ceremony. "I share this with all of you guys," as he pointed to his teammates.
 
At the end of the ceremony, Mayor Ezard surprised Middlebrook by declaring that April 6, 2017, is "Chazz Middlebrook Day" in the City of Jacksonville.

See additional photos here.

The MacMurray chapter of the Mortar Board National Honor Society inducted its new members for 2017-18 at a ceremony on April 9 in Thoresen Recital Hall.

Mortar Board is a national honor society recognizing college seniors who display exemplary scholarship, leadership and service. To be inducted, a student must have a 3.25 GPA and exhibit leadership qualities. Mortar Board students conduct service projects on campus and in the community, and the chapter serves as a social organization for its members.

Pictured, left to right: Darin Michael, of Jacksonville, Ill., is a junior majoring in social work; Kaydee Fletcher, of Havana, Ill., is a junior double-majoring in social work and psychology; Courtney Pearson, of Pearl, Ill., is a junior double-majoring in social work and psychology; Samantha Milnes, of Manchester, Ill., is a junior majoring in criminal justice; Jacob Lee, of Waukee, Iowa, is a junior majoring in accounting; Haley Stewart, of Taylorville, Ill., is a junior majoring in biology; Kalyn Murre, of Ashton, Ill., is a junior majoring in biology; Kayla Moore, of Winchester, Ill., is a junior majoring in nursing; Jenna Wisneski, of Freeburg, Ill., is a junior majoring in nursing; Emma Weller, of Palmyra, Ill., is a junior double-majoring in nursing and psychology; Colton Pettyjohn, of Jacksonville, Ill., is a junior double-majoring in American Sign Language and Interpreting, and psychology; Brooksana McKinney, of Park Hills, Mo., is a junior majoring in sport management; Brooklyn Hatalla, of Thayer, Ill., is a senior majoring in nursing; Ashley Broaddus, of Springfield, Ill., is a senior majoring in nursing; Kelly Scullans, of St. Charles, Ill., is a senior majoring in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Teach Education; Charmaine Clark, of Moline, Ill., is a junior majoring in sport management; Brittany Reynolds, of Pawnee, Ill., is a junior in exploring education; Brittany Foldes, of Chicago, Ill., is a junior majoring in American Sign Language and Interpreting.

Not pictured: Matthew Burkhart, of Chatham, Ill., is a junior majoring in homeland security; Collin Hopkins, of Decatur, Ill., is a junior triple-majoring in sport management, business administration and accounting; Nathan Luft, of Clifton, Ind., is a junior majoring in business administration; Chancey Sturgeon, of Alsey, Ill., is a junior majoring in social work; Victoria Trujillo, of Red Bud, Ill., is a junior majoring in biology.

The final installment of this year’s Humanities Film Series will feature the movie The Great Debaters, directed by Elia Kazan. 

The film will be shown Thursday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the Jacksonville Public Library, 201 W. College Avenue. The event is free and open to the public.        

In 1935, Professor Melvin B. Tolson (played by Denzel Washington) formed a debate team at Wiley College, a predominantly black school in Texas. At this point in American history, racism was ferocious, and black debate teams were rare. Yet, Tolson trains his smart, young team who is supported by a strong black community. Education, they understand, is a path toward equality and justice and eventually the Wiley College team challenges Harvard University’s elite debaters.

This installment of the Humanities Film Series will be moderated by Dr. Jeannie Zeck, Professor of English at MacMurray College.

Twelve MacMurray College students were inducted into the Order of the Sword and Shield Honor Society.

To join this Society, MacMurray students majoring in criminal justice or homeland security must maintain a 3.25 grade point average, be in the top 20 percent of their class standing and have completed one half of the total credits for the program.

The following students were inducted into the Order of the Sword and Shield: Matthew Burkhart, of Chatham, Ill.; Jayne Burton, of Springfield, Ill.; Dryden Craven, of Griggsville, Ill.; Drake Curry, of Rochester, Ill.; Shelly Huckabay, of Jacksonville, Ill.; Clint Meadows, of Greenville, Ill.; Brady Milnes, of Manchester, Ill.; Samantha Milnes, of Manchester; Amanda Petersen, of Highland, Ill.; Cydny Saxer, of Jacksonville; Nathan Stewart, of Standard City, Ill.; and Jasmine White, of Jacksonville, Ill.

The Order of the Sword and Shield is the first and only academic and professional honor society dedicated exclusively to homeland security, intelligence, emergency management and all protective security disciplines. The mission of the Society shall be to promote critical thinking, high scholarship and professional development; to further enhance the ethical standards of the protective security professions; and to cultivate a high order of personal living.

Pictured from left to right: Clint Meadows, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice John Bolinger, Drake Curry, Samantha Milnes, Chair of the Division of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Bruce Liebe, Jayne Burton, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice and Homeland Security Robert Elliot, Cydny Saxer, Brady Milnes, Shelly Huckabay, Jasmine White

Six MacMurray College social work students were inducted into the national Phi Alpha Social Work Honor Society.

The following students were inducted: Kacy Anderson of Jacksonville, Hannah DeSpain of Carlinville, Ill., Rachel Elledge of Jacksonville, Kayla Horlacher of Tinley Park, Ill., Darin Michael of Jacksonville and Crystal Román of Jacksonville.

This membership is presented to students achieving a 3.25 GPA in social work courses. The purpose of Phi Alpha Honor Society is to provide a closer bond among students of social work and promote humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement in social work.

Pictured from top to bottom: Crystal Román, Kayla Horlacher, Rachel Elledge, Darin Michael, Hannah DeSpain and Kacy Anderson.

MacMurray College nursing students will be on hand to present information and answer questions at the Jacksonville Area Senior Center Health Fair on Thursday, April 20, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at Community Park Center in Community Park. The event is free and open to the public.

The health fair is specifically tailored for people 50 and older and their caregivers. Twenty-one students from the MacMurray College Nursing Program will discuss with seniors, family members and other interested members of the public a variety of health-related issues and will have useful information to help keep older adults safe and healthy.

MacMurray students will have information booths for:

• Digestive Health
• Stroke Awareness
• Heart Health
• Immunizations
• Medication Safety
• Fall Prevention
• Physical Activity
• Depression Awareness

The senior population is the fastest growing demographic in the country, and there are numerous health strategies to help this group of older Americans stay active and healthy. This fair is designed to give seniors and their caregivers information seniors need to remain vibrant well into old age.

MacMurray College senior Michael Cameron was given a little piece of history on April 20. The Chicago Cubs organization distributed 1,908 World Series rings to players, staff members, team employees, hall of famers and, in Cameron’s case, interns.

Last summer, Cameron spent his days at historic Wrigley Field interning as a ballpark employee assisting with game day and event set up. Cameron has been a fan of the Chicago Cubs since he was a child, so the experience to work for the team was unforgettable.

“This is something I can cherish forever and even pass down to my children one day. It just has so much meaning to it,” Cameron said.

The Springfield, Ill. native is currently working towards a degree in Sport Management and Business Administration.