If you have interesting news to share and would like it to be included in our "Alumni Spotlight" section, please send information to Joanie Caselton at joanie.caselton@llcc.edu.

Thirteen LLCC students graduated in 2008 from the Radiography Program.  All have passed the credentialing exam administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists.  The program's pass rate of 100% compares to the national pass rate of 90%.  The mean scaled score of the LLCC grads exceeded the national mean by over 4 points at 88.

This level of performance continues a long tradition of 100% pass rates and results exceeding national standards.  All of the 2008 graduates are working in various capacities in imaging departments throughout the area.

Congratulations to our new registered radiographers!

Bill Ames was truly the first at LLCC. After one try at college, then full-time work, then four years in the Navy, it was 1968 and Bill had a plan in mind and was ready to go to college. So he got up, went out to the new community college in Springfield and signed up for classes.  And, his student identification number?  Well, it was #1.

Fast forward 30 years, and Bill was again in LLCC's hallways helping his grandson, Kyle, sign up for classes.  Talking with LLCC staff, it came to light that he was a member of LLCC's first class, and better yet, our very first student!

So just how did he get to be #1?  "You know, I was ready and really wanted to go to college.  I guess it was just my Navy training to get up early and go do what I had to do." At LLCC, he study accounting and after graduation moved on to Sangamon State University (now the University of Illinois at Springfield) where he graduated with a degree in economics.  It was during one of his classes at SSU that he signed on with the Internal Revenue Service as a co-op student, which turned into a 28 year career.

Bill has very 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 favorite.  "He did an excellent job."

Now 65 and retired, Bill keeps busy with exercise, gardening and church activities.  He also taught LLCC adult education classes in accounting and bookkeeping. 

His impressions of today's campus?  "Very nice," Bill says.  And, while he jokes with his kids about being "the #1 student at Lincoln Land," he concludes, "You know I'm very proud of that fact and that I went to Lincoln Land Community College."  So are we, Bill!  So are we!