The pond was originally named in honor of Dwight Hoffard, a member of the Illinois Conservation Foundation Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame, who also served as the College鈥檚 longtime director of Buildings and Grounds and helped organize the annual hunting and fishing celebration, in recognition of his contributions to the event.

Hoffard, who helped bring the celebration to 麻豆直播 and played a key role in its growth, died in March.

鈥淣ow that the dredging project is complete, we wanted to rededicate Hoffard Pond, which was originally named after Dwight Hoffard in 2016 during Hunting and Fishing Days,鈥� said 麻豆直播 President Dr. Kirk Overstreet. 鈥淒wight was instrumental in bringing the event to our campus and helped make it one of the biggest celebrations in the country. He particularly enjoyed seeing youth experience the outdoors through the Kids Fishing Hole at the event.鈥�

The pond was recently dredged and will be filled to capacity for this year鈥檚 celebration, where it will again serve as the Kids Fishing Hole.

The rededication will give college officials, community members, and event participants an opportunity to honor Hoffard鈥檚 contributions to the celebration and his commitment to introducing young people to outdoor activities.

The Southern Illinois Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Days brings families and outdoor enthusiasts to the 麻豆直播 campus for activities highlighting hunting, fishing, conservation, and other outdoor pursuits. The event is scheduled for September 26 and 27. Details and a schedule of events is available at聽.

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Beginning Sunday, Sept. 20, the Blue Parking Lot north of the Bell Tower will close to accommodate setup and preparation for the event. The Gold Parking Lot will close after the women’s volleyball game on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

Both parking lots will remain closed through Monday, Sept. 28.

The closures are necessary to allow event organizers to set up vendor tents, displays, and other equipment in preparation for the celebration.

鈥淲e apologize for the inconvenience, but it is necessary to set up vendor tents and other displays before the event on Sept. 26 and 27,鈥� 麻豆直播 President Dr. Kirk Overstreet said.

Students and staff who need assistance traveling from a parking lot to a campus building may contact 麻豆直播 Campus Police at 618-985-5550.

Parking Lot Locations Map (PDF)

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鈥淲e are excited to again host one of the premier events in southern Illinois,鈥� said 麻豆直播 President Dr. Kirk Overstreet. 鈥淥rganizers have put together a great weekend of vendors and activities that are entertaining and educational.鈥�

More than 70 vendors are expected to participate, offering outdoor merchandise, equipment, and information. Hunting and fishing seminars, live music, and other entertainment will take place throughout the weekend. Popular returning attractions include Splash Dogs, the Kids鈥� Fishing Hole, and a BB Gun Range. The event will also feature hunting and fishing seminars.

Due to ongoing construction, the event will have minor changes. Vendor tents will remain in the Blue Parking Lot but will be condensed. All vendors and activities that were previously held in the Brewer Gymnasium will now be held in the Conference Center.

On Saturday, September 26, at 9 a.m. College officials will rededicate Dwight Hoffard Pond. The Pond was officially named in honor of Hoffard in 2014. Dwight Hoffard, the long-time Director of Buildings and Grounds and organizer of the Celebration of Hunting and Fishing Days on the campus, passed away in March. The pond was recently dredged and will be at full capacity as the Kids Fishing Hole during the event.

Admission is $5 per vehicle. Local Boy Scouts will collect food donations and distribute them to local food banks.

The event is supported by sponsors including Title Sponsor Oasis Outdoors. Can-Am, Comfort Inn & Suites, LeafFilter, Banterra Bank, and Timberline are also sponsors. For vendor or event information, contact 麻豆直播 at 618-985-2828, extension 8541.

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The concert, which is open to the public, will feature musical selections highlighting the rich history and diversity of American music as the nation commemorates its 250th anniversary.

In addition to the Community Band performance, 麻豆直播 has announced an upcoming opportunity for community members to participate in the college鈥檚 theatre program. Auditions for Neil Simon鈥檚 comedy Fools, directed by Ryan Patrick, will be held Aug. 26 and 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the O鈥橬eil Auditorium.

The college will also host a faculty and staff recital on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. in the O鈥橬eil Auditorium. The free event will feature vocal and instrumental performances by 麻豆直播 faculty and staff members.

For more information about upcoming arts events at 麻豆直播, visit .

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The Fall semester payment is due on July 15. Students are encouraged to complete their financial arrangements before the deadline to ensure a smooth registration and course access.

New Student Orientation (NSO) sessions will be offered on the following dates:

• Wednesday, July 22 鈥� 12:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., New Student Orientation 
• Saturday, August 8 鈥� 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Saturday Sign-Up Registration Event 

In addition, the College will host a Saturday Sign-Up Event on August 8, providing students and families the opportunity to complete multiple enrollment-related tasks, including admissions, financial aid assistance, payments, bookstore visits, and course registration. Late registration support will also be available.

A special聽Coffee and College Event聽will take place on聽Saturday, August 8, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.聽The session is designed for high school students in grades 9鈥�12 and their families and will highlight admissions, financial aid, dual credit, and early college opportunities. Walk-ins are welcome, and no pre-registration is required.

Students are also invited to attend the聽Fall Kickoff Event听辞苍听Friday, August 14, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.聽The event is designed to help students prepare for the semester through campus engagement activities and support services. Additional information is available here:聽/logan-launch-welcome-week-activities/

Walk-in registration will be available from聽August 10 through August 21, with extended evening hours until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Key academic calendar dates include:

• August 17 鈥� First day of 16-week, 8-week, and 4-week A courses; last day to register for 4-week A courses 
• August 18 鈥� Last day to register for 1st 8-week courses 
• August 19 鈥� Last day to drop 4-week A courses with 100% refund 
• August 21 鈥� Last day to register for 16-week courses 
• August 23 鈥� Last day to drop 1st 8-week courses with 100% refund 
• August 30 鈥� Last day to drop 16-week courses with 100% refund 

The Fall semester officially begins on August 17, marking the start of classes across multiple course formats.

For more information, students are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office or visit the College鈥檚 website.

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The celebration will feature a keynote address by Dr. Paul Frazier, Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Attendees will also enjoy live music from The J Sound Band.

Food will be provided by Smokin K’s BBQ and Cajun Cuisine and Pepsi MidAmerica. In addition to entertainment and refreshments, guests can participate in a variety of activities, including poetry and historical readings, Human Bingo, local vendor displays, games, and other family-oriented attractions.

鈥淛uneteenth is an opportunity to celebrate freedom, reflect on our nation鈥檚 history, and come together as a community,鈥� said 麻豆直播 President Dr. Kirk Overstreet. 鈥淲e invite everyone to join us for an evening of education, entertainment, and fellowship.鈥�

Attendees are encouraged to bring donations and school supplies to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Southern Illinois and Mary Logan High School. The collection effort is intended to support local youth and families throughout the region.
Service Project Collection Drive flyer (PDF)

Due to ongoing construction projects on the 麻豆直播 campus, visitors attending the event are asked to park in the Gold and Blue parking lots and follow posted signage to the Conference Center.

Juneteenth commemorates June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned of their freedom more than two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. The holiday celebrates freedom, resilience, culture, and progress.

For more information about the event, contact 麻豆直播 at (618) 985-2828 or visit the College鈥檚 Juneteenth webpage.

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Last year, Roberts signed up for the 麻豆直播 Tri-Festa at Logan Fitness almost on a dare after friends laughed at the idea of him completing a triathlon. At the time, he described himself as living a sedentary lifestyle at nearly 300 pounds. Roberts said he arrived at the event unprepared, borrowing a helmet and carrying a gym bag because he did not realize triathletes typically transition without changing clothes. Despite the odds, he finished.

This year, Roberts is returning to Tri-Festa on Saturday, May 23, with a different mindset and a new personal goal: finishing the race in under two hours after completing last year鈥檚 event in just over three hours.

For Roberts, the biggest moment from last year鈥檚 race happened after most participants had already crossed the finish line.

After completing the running portion of the race, Roberts later learned that much of the event had already been taken down by the time he reached the end. But instead of letting him finish alone, Logan Fitness staff member Mady Calvin started running beside him. Soon, other participants joined in.

When Roberts made his way toward the finish, the arch had been put back up. People were waiting. Cheering him on. Crossing that finish line, Roberts said, became more than just completing a race. It was a moment of triumph over doubt and fear.

鈥淚 honestly think it was probably the best thing I ever did,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淥nce I knew I could do that, it made me feel like I could do other stuff.鈥�

That one race sparked a complete lifestyle change.

Now, nearly a year later, Roberts has lost more than 100 pounds and says he feels better than he ever has in his adult life.

鈥淚 feel the best I鈥檝e ever felt my whole adult life,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 affected my confidence, my mood, everything.鈥�

Roberts now swims regularly at Logan Fitness, lifts weights several evenings a week and has inspired several others to sign up for their first triathlon this year.

He credits Logan Fitness for helping support his journey, from access to the pool and equipment to encouragement from staff along the way. Living nearby, he said the facility became part of his routine and a place where he felt comfortable learning and improving.

鈥淥h yeah, you guys (Logan Fitness staff) are absolutely fabulous,鈥� Roberts said. 鈥淲hat a great resource for Southern Illinois.鈥�

If this year鈥檚 Tri-Festa goes well, Roberts said he hopes it will just be the beginning. He would like to continue competing in more triathlons in the future.

For others who may feel discouraged or unsure where to begin, Roberts said the most important thing is simply taking the first step and not giving up.

鈥淛ust try different things and see what works best,鈥� he said. 鈥淒on鈥檛 quit.鈥�

While he jokes about still feeling like the 鈥減rofessional wrestler guy who always loses鈥� in his triathlon suit, Roberts said the experience taught him something much bigger than competition.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not about what other people think,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about what makes you feel better about yourself.鈥�

For Roberts, crossing the finish line last year was just the start. This year, he hopes that moment will come full circle again, not just as a race completed, but as a celebration of how far he鈥檚 come and the possibilities still ahead.

Ready to take on the challenge yourself?

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But like many non-traditional students, life happened first. Bills needed to be paid. Work became routine. Days turned into years.

Like many adults who step away from education, Beals said it became easy to convince himself school could wait another semester, then another year.

鈥淚 was just kind of going through the motions,鈥� Beals said. 鈥淚 had a pretty good job. It was stable, but it wasn鈥檛 something I was passionate about.鈥�

Now 30, Beals has become one of the most recognizable student leaders at 麻豆直播. A student ambassador, former president of the Black Student Association, employee at Logan Fitness and active presence on campus, Beals completed his time at 麻豆直播 in December. However, the impact he left on campus did not end there.

College leaders asked him to return to deliver this year鈥檚 student commencement address, a reflection of the impact he made during his time at 麻豆直播. He will take the stage during 麻豆直播鈥檚 commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Mtn Dew Park.

His journey back to school began when a coworker encouraged him to enroll alongside him at 麻豆直播, believing the two could take the leap together.

At the time, however, Beals was preparing to tell his friend he had decided not to enroll in college after all. Before he could send the message, his phone died.

That unexpected pause changed everything.

鈥淚 sat there and really thought about when exactly I decided it was too late for me,鈥� Beals said. 鈥淲hen did I let my ambition die?鈥�

In that quiet moment, Beals said he realized the biggest thing holding him back was no longer time, money or responsibility, but fear of starting over.

Instead of backing out, he charged his phone, texted his friend back and registered for classes at 麻豆直播.

鈥淭he rest is history,鈥� he added.

Since stepping onto campus, Beals has immersed himself fully into college life.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 like to do things halfway. If I do something, it has to be worthwhile,鈥� he said.

That mindset helped him quickly become a leader among his peers. Whether organizing events through the Black Student Association, helping lead campus initiatives or encouraging fellow students and community members through his work at Logan Fitness, Beals said the supportive environment at 麻豆直播 helped him thrive.

鈥淚 feel like the staff and administration here are some of the most supportive people they could ever be,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nything I went to them about, they always gave me the tools that I needed.鈥�

For Beals, returning to school became about far more than earning a degree. More than anything, he said becoming a father changed the way he viewed responsibility and leadership.

He said his son, Dion III, became one of his biggest motivations to keep pushing forward. 鈥淜ids don鈥檛 do what you tell them to do. They do what you do,鈥� Beals said. 鈥淵ou have to set an example.鈥�

That example now extends far beyond his own family.

Beals is currently continuing his education at Southern Illinois University Carbondale through an accelerated master鈥檚 program in criminology. His long-term goal is to attend law school and become a juvenile criminal defense attorney.

Growing up in Chicago shaped that dream. 鈥淚 realized if you really want to help people, you have to help them at a younger age,鈥� he said.

Beals hopes to one day mentor and advocate for young people before they become trapped in cycles that are difficult to escape.

As commencement approaches, Beals said being selected as the student speaker is both humbling and meaningful because of how many different types of students he feels he represents.

鈥淚 feel like I鈥檓 a mixture of every type of student here at 麻豆直播. Logan,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 non-traditional, but I was involved on campus. I did a lot of different things.鈥�

Looking back, Beals said choosing 麻豆直播 changed his life in ways he never expected. 鈥淚鈥檓 definitely glad I came to 麻豆直播.,鈥� he said. 鈥淗ere, you build connections with people. It鈥檚 more personable.鈥�

What began as a simple decision to give college another chance ultimately changed the trajectory of Beals鈥� life, transforming him from someone simply going through the motions into a leader determined to make a difference.

And for students who may feel like it is too late to start over, Beals hopes his story proves otherwise. 鈥淭he time is going to pass anyway,鈥� he added. 鈥淵ou might as well do it.鈥�

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According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the College鈥檚 Practical Nursing (PN) program achieved a 100% licensure examination pass rate in 2025, while the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program recorded a 98% pass rate. Both scores exceeded state and national averages.

College officials said the results reflect the Nursing Program鈥檚 commitment to academic excellence, hands-on clinical training, and student-centered support services.

鈥淭he success of our nursing students is a direct reflection of the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our curriculum, and the determination of our students,鈥� said Kristin Yosanovich, Dean of Health Science and the Director of Nursing. 鈥淲e are incredibly proud of these outcomes and the role our graduates play in strengthening the regional healthcare workforce.鈥�

The College is also highlighting the success of Makayla Collins, whose educational journey demonstrates the structured nursing pathway available through the institution.

Collins began her healthcare education while still in high school, earning her Certified Nursing Assistant certification, before enrolling full-time at 麻豆直播. After completing her general education coursework, she advanced into the Licensed Practical Nursing program.

While enrolled, Collins gained hands-on healthcare experience working as a CNA at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. She will participate in the College鈥檚 LPN pinning ceremony this May and plans to continue into the ADN program this fall.

Following successful completion of the NCLEX-PN examination, Collins plans to begin working as an LPN while continuing her education. She also intends to transfer to Southern Illinois University Carbondale to pursue an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

鈥淪tarting out as a CNA and completing my general education courses first gave me hands-on experience, confidence, and helped my transition from high school to college, preparing me better for the LPN and ADN programs,鈥� Collins said.

College officials said Collins鈥� experience highlights the career-focused opportunities available through the Nursing Program, allowing students to enter the healthcare workforce quickly while continuing to advance their credentials.

For more information about the Nursing Program at 麻豆直播, prospective students may contact Susan Phillips at (618) 985-2828, ext. 8497, or by email at susanphillips@jalc.edu.

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Co-Curricular Awards

Instructional Awards

Applied Technologies Department

Business, Computer Science, and Mathematics Department

Communication, Humanities, and Social Science Department

Life and Physical Science Department

Dual Credit and Partnerships Office

President’s Awards

Presidential Citation Awards

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