LLCC Board of Trustees accepts construction bids for new Taylorville classroom building

Media contact: Lynn Whalen, 217.786.2219, lynn.whalen@llcc.edu

The Lincoln Land Community College Board of Trustees last night approved bids submitted by O’Shea Builders of Springfield to construct a new classroom facility at LLCC-Taylorville. The base bid and alternate bids totaled $2.56-million for the 12,000 square foot building.

A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for noon, Wednesday, Dec. 2 at the site of the new facility, which will replace two modular structures. The building will provide instructional space for programs including nursing, criminal justice/law enforcement, teacher education and business, along with a student lounge and conference area. The LLCC-Taylorville classroom building is the college’s second major construction project to begin this year. The Connecting Link Student Center project began last month on the main campus, and contract documents are being prepared for a new Workforce Careers Center to be constructed on campus in early 2010.

LLCC is currently participating in the Foundations of Excellence program, an in-depth self-study process to review and enhance the “first-year experience” for LLCC students. Faye Fullerton, Ed.D., vice president of student services, and Eileen Tepatti, Ed.D., vice president of academic services, told the board that the two-year process involves all segments of the college, with over 100 faculty and staff members participating. The result will be a comprehensive plan for improving retention and academic success of first-year students.

LLCC Foundation Executive Director Karen Sanders announced that seven new scholarships have been established since July, and students are encouraged to apply for the numerous scholarships available. Applications may be obtained in the LLCC Foundation Office in Menard Hall on the main campus, by calling 786.4502, or online at www.llccfoundation.org . The first application deadline for scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year is Feb. 1, 2010.

And, the board approved articulation agreements with the University of Illinois Springfield to allow LLCC computer students to transfer seamlessly into the UIS bachelor of science program in computer science.