Rend Lake College

05/27/2026

Please join us in celebrating the Banterra Bank Student of the Month: Riley Ridgeway 📚🎉

Ridgeway is a pre-allied health sophomore aspiring to pursue a career in nuclear medicine technology.

"Despite a serious illness and an extended hospitalization during the fall semester, Riley demonstrated extraordinary resilience by completing a full load of demanding courses on time while diligently maintaining the physical therapy required for her recovery," said Carrie Ragan, Professor Biology and Anatomy & Physiology. "I am so impressed by her fortitude during a time when many would understandably withdraw or postpone their studies. She is considering a career in nuclear medicine, and I have no doubt she will be successful in that field—or in any path she ultimately chooses."

Along with being a full-time student, Ridgeway works part-time as a waitress and helps care for her family's horses.

"I am so thankful for being named student of the month!" exclaimed Ridgeway. "This shows the amount of determination and the amount of effort that I put towards school and other activities."

RLC is delighted to see Ridgeway recognized for her upstanding character – not only by faculty and staff, but also by members of the community, such as CEO of Banterra Bank Jeff May.

Congratulations, Riley! 🌟

For full article, please visit: https://hubs.la/Q04h_THG0

Rend Lake College Foundation
Banterra Bank

Please join us in celebrating the Student of the Month: Riley Ridgeway

05/26/2026

🩺 Big congratulations to our newest Medical Assistants! 🎉

On May 14, Rend Lake College hosted a special pinning ceremony to celebrate the incredible students who successfully completed the RLC Medical Assistant program. Your hard work and dedication have officially paid off, and we can’t wait to see the amazing impact you'll make in healthcare! 💙🏥

Drop a comment to congratulate the grads! 👇

For full article, please visit: https://hubs.la/Q04hYk5L0

Rend Lake College held a pinning ceremony on May 14 to celebrate the students who successfully completed the RLC Medical Assistant program.

05/26/2026

⭐️ Shining bright at RLC! ⭐️

Our campus was full of pride at the 2026 STARS Academic Celebration, where we got to spotlight the amazing achievements of our STARS students! 🎉🎓

From maintaining top-tier GPAs and showing incredible resilience, to walking across the stage with their degrees, these scholars have proven exactly what it means to be a Warrior.

Special thanks to TRiO Programs Director Dara Whaley and STARS Advisors Amy Cook and Dean Mandrell for presenting the certificates and supporting our students year-round! 📜👏

Congratulations to all of our award winners—your RLC family is cheering you on! 💙✨

For full article, please visit: https://hubs.la/Q04hT05w0

Students enrolled in RLC's STARS program were honored during the 2026 STARS Academic Celebration.

05/26/2026

College is an investment. Here’s the return: For every $1 students invest in Rend Lake College, they earn $7.50 back over their careers. That’s a 19.6% annual return. Affordable. Practical. Proven. With $210.3 million in annual added income and 3,140 jobs supported, Rend Lake College remains one of the most significant economic drivers in southern Illinois. 🌟

To learn more about how we’re making waves at The Lake, visit https://hubs.la/Q04hv1Fj0 🌊

05/26/2026

🎓 Celebrating excellence and bright futures! ✨

The energy was unmatched at our 2026 Upward Bound Banquet as we celebrated the incredible achievements of our students over the past academic year and summer program! 🌟

From straight A’s and perfect attendance to earning college credit right here at RLC, these students have put in some serious work. Big thanks to TRiO Programs Director Dara Whaley and Advisors Beth Hoffman and Emily Minor for presenting the awards and certificates! 🏆📜

A special shoutout goes to our high school seniors, who were presented with their official Upward Bound cords to wear proudly at graduation. We are so incredibly proud of your dedication and can't wait to see where you go next! 💙🎓

For full article, please visit: https://hubs.la/Q04hSZQV0

Rend Lake College’s Upward Bound program recently celebrated the achievements of its students during the 2026 Upward Bound Banquet.

05/25/2026

Rend Lake College will be closed today, Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day, as we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. 🇺🇸

All campus offices will be closed. We will reopen and resume regular hours on Tuesday, May 26.

05/23/2026

👟 The inaugural Lap the Lake 5K is officially in the books! ☀️💪

On Saturday, May 9, the Ina campus was buzzing for our first-ever Lap the Lake 5K and Wellness Festival!

We welcomed 60 runners, ranging from energetic 6-year-olds to inspiring senior citizens, who crushed the 5K course surrounding our beautiful campus. Huge shoutout to our overall champion, 26-year-old Declan Clause of Uvalde, TX, who crossed the finish line in a blazing time of under 18 minutes! 🏆⚡

After the race, the energy shifted to the RLC Event Center for our Wellness Festival. Attendees got to check out awesome local vendors and attend health seminars led by professional fitness instructors and our very own RLC Nursing faculty. 🩺🧘‍♀️

Thank you to everyone who came out to run, walk, learn, and support community wellness. Let's do it again next year! 💙

For full article, please visit: https://hubs.la/Q04hvF5s0

Rend Lake College welcomed community members to the Ina campus on Saturday, May 9, for the inaugural Lap the Lake 5K and Wellness Festival. 

05/22/2026

🚜 Safety first on the farm! 🌾

On May 12, the Terry Wilkerson Agronomy Innovation Center was buzzing with energy as RLC teamed up with local FFA chapters to host over 200 local fourth graders for our fourth annual Farm Safety Day!

Students from West Frankfort, Johnston City, and Ewing got to explore the innovation center while learning crucial safety lessons about ATVs, heavy equipment, lawnmowers, tractors, and working with animals. 🐾🚜

A huge shoutout to our RLC Nursing program for teaching vital first aid tips, and to Blake Patton (Agronomy Director) and Addison Page (Sustainable Agriculture Specialist) for leading the way on farm equipment safety!

We love helping the next generation stay safe while exploring the world of agriculture. 💚

For full article, please visit: https://hubs.ly/Q04htD7Y0

Over 200 local fourth grade students visited Rend Lake College's Terry Wilkerson Agronomy Innovation Center for the 4th Farm Safety Day on May 12.

05/21/2026

🩻 Introducing the RLC Radiologic Technology Class of 2026! 🎉✨

On May 14, we held a special pinning ceremony to celebrate 25 incredible students who successfully completed the Rad Tech program! 🎓💼

These graduates have put in countless hours of hard work, clinicals, and dedication to reach this milestone. We are so proud of them and can’t wait to see the impact they make in the healthcare field! 🩺💙

Join us in giving a massive congratulations to our newest Rad Tech professionals in the comments! 👇👏

For full article, please visit: https://hubs.ly/Q04htBhd0

Rend Lake College held a pinning ceremony on May 14 to celebrate 25 students who successfully completed the RLC Radiologic Technology program.

05/21/2026

The international honor society Phi Theta Kappa welcomed 44 new members into its Rho Xi Chapter last week at Rend Lake College. New members ceremoniously signed their names into the PTK book. 📚🌟

For full article, please visit: https://hubs.la/Q04htv6M0

Phi Theta Kappa welcomed 44 new members into its Rho Xi Chapter last week at RLC. New members ceremoniously signed their names into the PTK book.