Lake Land College announces 2024 Foundation & Alumni Award recipients

For Immediate Release

The Lake Land College Foundation recognized the 2024 Foundation and Alumni Award recipients at a reception on Thursday, Oct. 24.

Individuals and organizations alike were recognized during the reception for going above and beyond in their support of the Lake Land College Foundation. The following 2024 Foundation Awards were presented during the event: the Outstanding Volunteer Organization Award, the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award and the Crystal Swan Award.

The Outstanding Volunteer Organization Award was presented to First Mid Bank & Trust in recognition of sustained financial support and dedication to the Lake Land College student experience.

Mike Sullivan, Mattoon, received the Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser Award for the generous sharing of time and talent to secure private funding on behalf of Lake Land College students.

Madge Shoot, Mattoon, received the Crystal Swan Award. The Crystal Swan Award is presented annually to a Lake Land College Foundation Board Member who has gone above and beyond in service to the College.

“We extend our congratulations to the 2024 Foundation Award recipients,” said Christina Donsbach, Executive Director for College Advancement. “It is an honor to recognize their generosity and commitment to impacting the future of the College and the lives of our students.”

During the reception, several additional awards were presented to Lake Land College Alumni and community members in recognition of their service and personal achievement. Justin Pals, Effingham, received The Distinguished Alumnus/Alumnus Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding professional accomplishments as a Lake Land College alumnus.

The Pacesetter Award was presented to Kiersten Edgar, Athens, for her accomplishments as a recent Illinois community college graduate.

Three Lake Land alumni were inducted into the Lake Land College Distinguished Alumni Society: Kristen Dolan, Mattoon; Valerie Lynch, Pana and Abigail Donaldson, Statesboro, Georgia. The Distinguished Alumni Society recognizes alumni who have utilized the Lake Land experience to make an imprint on their professions and communities.

Three former Lake Land employees were also inducted into the Lake Land College Retiree Wall of Fame for their outstanding achievements in service of the College. Randy Ervin and Lana Fuller of Mattoon were both honored during the ceremony as 2024 inductees, and Barbara Arthur was inducted posthumously.

Three board members, Denise Bence, Renee Huckstead and Blake Pierce, were also recognized during the reception, as their terms concluded in 2024.

“I would like to thank our outgoing board members for generously sharing their time and talents throughout their service,” Donsbach said. “The recent growth and success we’ve seen from the Foundation is due in no small part to their efforts and devotion to our mission.”

The 2025 Foundation Board slate of officers is comprised of President Larry Blackerby, Vice President Tom White and Secretary Amanda Martin.

For information on the Lake Land College Foundation, visit the Lake Land College Foundation website at LakeLandCollege.edu/foundation/.