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Alumni at LLCC
Previous Honorees
 LLCC's 2011 Honored Alumnus Bruce Compton

After receiving his Associate in Science degree from Lincoln Land Community College in May of 1990, Bruce went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Business from Eastern Illinois University. After completing his studies, Bruce acquired his brokerage and insurance licenses and worked for four years at First of America Bank (now PNC).  In 1996, Bruce went to work for the Catholic diocese of Springfield and began traveling to Haiti on a regular basis. From late 1996 through 2000, he made 13 trips to Haiti. In October of 2000, he accepted a position with an organization in Haiti and moved there two months later to be the Director of Administration and Finance for the Haitian Health Foundation.

 

In November of 2002, Bruce returned from Haiti with a dream of providing medical supplies and equipment to people in need in Haiti and throughout the world.   He approached the Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) with the idea and they began to develop what is today Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (HSMO). Bruce was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

 

For the first six months Bruce researched how best to engage hospitals in the effort to recycle and reuse medical surplus. In March of 2003, the 13 HSHS hospital CEO’s responded to his plan, and the mission was up and running. Statistics show that the U.S. healthcare system discards an estimated $6.5 billion of medical supplies and equipment each year. A large percentage of these items are still usable and capable of saving lives yet many of them end up in landfills.

 

Today HSMO has warehouses in Springfield and Chicago. The employees and hundreds of volunteers are making an enormous impact on the environment while saving lives around the globe. Since 2006, HSMO has taken in three million pounds of recycled medical supplies and processed them through their responsible redistribution system. The value of these materials exceeds $16,000,000.


Bruce says, “After traveling to Haiti in the 90s, my view of the world changed.  I knew I had to do more to assist people in need.  My time at Lincoln Land Community College had, in many ways, prepared me for this transition. As a student at LLCC, I became aware of the global community through interactions with teachers, staff and students. LLCC provided a great transition from high school to college, and helped prepare me for the many challenges I face today as I work to identify opportunities to assist those in need around the world.”

 

Bruce Compton is a selfless humanitarian. He truly thinks of others all the time, especially those that need our nation’s compassion and assistance. With his drive and passion for helping others, the sky is the limit. LLCC is certainly proud to count him among its exceptional alums. 

After receiving his Associate in Science degree from Lincoln Land Community College in May of 1990, Bruce went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in Business from Eastern Illinois University. After completing his studies, Bruce acquired his brokerage and insurance licenses and worked for four years at First of America Bank (now PNC).  In 1996, Bruce went to work for the Catholic diocese of Springfield and began traveling to Haiti on a regular basis. From late 1996 through 2000, he made 13 trips to Haiti. In October of 2000, he accepted a position with an organization in Haiti and moved there two months later to be the Director of Administration and Finance for the Haitian Health Foundation.

 

In November of 2002, Bruce returned from Haiti with a dream of providing medical supplies and equipment to people in need in Haiti and throughout the world.   He approached the Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) with the idea and they began to develop what is today Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach (HSMO). Bruce was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

 

For the first six months Bruce researched how best to engage hospitals in the effort to recycle and reuse medical surplus. In March of 2003, the 13 HSHS hospital CEO’s responded to his plan, and the mission was up and running. Statistics show that the U.S. healthcare system discards an estimated $6.5 billion of medical supplies and equipment each year. A large percentage of these items are still usable and capable of saving lives yet many of them end up in landfills.

 

Today HSMO has warehouses in Springfield and Chicago. The employees and hundreds of volunteers are making an enormous impact on the environment while saving lives around the globe. Since 2006, HSMO has taken in three million pounds of recycled medical supplies and processed them through their responsible redistribution system. The value of these materials exceeds $16,000,000.


Bruce says, “After traveling to Haiti in the 90s, my view of the world changed.  I knew I had to do more to assist people in need.  My time at Lincoln Land Community College had, in many ways, prepared me for this transition. As a student at LLCC, I became aware of the global community through interactions with teachers, staff and students. LLCC provided a great transition from high school to college, and helped prepare me for the many challenges I face today as I work to identify opportunities to assist those in need around the world.”

 

Bruce Compton is a selfless humanitarian. He truly thinks of others all the time, especially those that need our nation’s compassion and assistance. With his drive and passion for helping others, the sky is the limit. LLCC is certainly proud to count him among its exceptional alums. 

 LLCC's 2010 Honored Alum, Michelle Tjelmeland

The amazing story of Lincoln Land alum Michelle Tjelmeland was one of the highlights at the college's commencement ceremonies held May 14.

Michelle is a successful entrepreneur, founder of a national non-profit organization, accomplished public speaker, recipient of Microsoft Corporation's prestigious "Start Something Amazing Award," and a dedicated wife and mother.  What most people do not realize is that Michelle has accomplished all this while being profoundly deaf.

Michelle began to experience hearing loss while in high school. She went profoundly deaf at 23 while pregnant with her first child. After Ellie was born, Michelle began to suspect that something was wrong with her daughter’s hearing as well.  “Even though nine doctors told me Ellie could hear, I just knew that she was deaf.”  Ellie’s deafness motivated Michelle to seek help for both of them.  Now, they “hear” through the miraculous technology of cochlear implants.

Michelle also holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master's degree from the University of Illinois.  LLCC is proud to count Michelle Tjelmeland among its honored alums!

The amazing story of Lincoln Land alum Michelle Tjelmeland was one of the highlights at the college's commencement ceremonies held May 14.

Michelle is a successful entrepreneur, founder of a national non-profit organization, accomplished public speaker, recipient of Microsoft Corporation's prestigious "Start Something Amazing Award," and a dedicated wife and mother.  What most people do not realize is that Michelle has accomplished all this while being profoundly deaf.

Michelle began to experience hearing loss while in high school. She went profoundly deaf at 23 while pregnant with her first child. After Ellie was born, Michelle began to suspect that something was wrong with her daughter’s hearing as well.  “Even though nine doctors told me Ellie could hear, I just knew that she was deaf.”  Ellie’s deafness motivated Michelle to seek help for both of them.  Now, they “hear” through the miraculous technology of cochlear implants.

Michelle also holds a bachelor's degree from Eastern Illinois University and a master's degree from the University of Illinois.  LLCC is proud to count Michelle Tjelmeland among its honored alums!

 2009 Honored Alumnus Bill Ames

Lincoln Land's first student received the 2009 Honored Alumnus Award during Commencement on May 15.  After four years in the Navy, Bill had a plan in mind and was ready to go to college.  He got up one morning and went out to the new community college in Springfield to sign up for classes.  And his student identification number?  Well, it was #1.

Just how did he get to be #1?  "You know, I was ready and really wanted to go to college.  I guess it was my Navy training to get up early and go do what I had to do."  At LLCC, he study accounting, moved on to Sangamon State University, then worked 28 years with the Internal Revenue Service.

Bill has fond memories of his time at LLCC saying, "It was perfect for me.  There were a lot of Vets there and I just felt comfortable."  He says founding faculty member and accounting instructor Fred Speece was a particular favority.  "He did an excellent job."

Congratulations, Bill!  We are honored to have you as our #1 student!

 

 

Lincoln Land's first student received the 2009 Honored Alumnus Award during Commencement on May 15.  After four years in the Navy, Bill had a plan in mind and was ready to go to college.  He got up one morning and went out to the new community college in Springfield to sign up for classes.  And his student identification number?  Well, it was #1.

Just how did he get to be #1?  "You know, I was ready and really wanted to go to college.  I guess it was my Navy training to get up early and go do what I had to do."  At LLCC, he study accounting, moved on to Sangamon State University, then worked 28 years with the Internal Revenue Service.

Bill has fond memories of his time at LLCC saying, "It was perfect for me.  There were a lot of Vets there and I just felt comfortable."  He says founding faculty member and accounting instructor Fred Speece was a particular favority.  "He did an excellent job."

Congratulations, Bill!  We are honored to have you as our #1 student!

 

 

Lincoln Land Community College