The independent audit reported no negative findings related to the management of the College’s funds or of its administration of large federal grant programs.  This confirms that the college has effectively accounted for and utilized funds entrusted to it by federal, state, and local governmental bodies.

The audit, which evaluates financial statements and internal controls, determined that 51�Թ� A. Logan College maintains strong financial reporting practices and compliance procedures. The findings verify that the college’s management of public funds is both accurate and responsible.

Finance Committee Chair and Trustee Dr. Glenn Poshard praised the results, calling the report one of the strongest in his tenure.

“In my time on the Board of Trustees, we have had outstanding audit reports, but this is by far the best report we have received,” Poshard said. “This is outstanding news for our community’s residents.”

The report also highlighted the college’s commitment to maintaining robust internal financial controls, including systems designed to ensure accuracy and reduce the risk of error.

JALC Vice President for Business Services and Chief Financial Officer Dr. Susan LaPanne credited multiple campus teams for their role in the successful audit.

“The key to this and other clean audits we’ve received is the comprehensive system of controls we have in place, from daily operations to monthly and yearly reviews,” said LaPanne. “This is not only reflective of our finances, but also of the record-keeping in business services, student affairs, financial aid, and the bursar’s office.

The 51�Թ� A. Logan College Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2025 audit report during its monthly meeting on March 25.

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51�Թ� A. Logan College has announced a $300,000 gift from the FDC Foundation and longtime supporter Frank Cluck to establish the Frank and Dorothy Cluck Endowed Scholarship, a fund designed to provide ongoing financial support and emergency assistance for students.

College officials said the endowment, created through the 51�Թ� A. Logan College Foundation, reflects a continued commitment to student success and expanded educational opportunities in Southern Illinois.

The Frank and Dorothy Cluck Endowed Scholarship will support multiple initiatives, including the Mama & Papa C. Scholarships, which assist two incoming freshmen from Carterville High School and two returning sophomores. The endowment will also fund the Frank D. Cluck Senior Technology Scholarships for students pursuing careers in technology or trade programs, as well as the 51�Թ� A. Logan College Student Emergency Fund, which helps students facing unexpected financial hardships remain enrolled.

Frank Cluck and the FDC Foundation have been long-time supporters of 51�Թ� A. Logan College, providing sustained funding for the Mama & Papa C. Scholarships and the Frank D. Cluck Senior Scholarship. The foundation has also made consistent annual contributions to the student emergency fund, aiding students during times of financial difficulty.

“This generous commitment from the FDC Foundation reflects a strong belief in the mission of 51�Թ� A. Logan College and the success of its students,” said Dr. Kirk Overstreet, JALC President. “This endowment will create lasting opportunities and provide meaningful support for students for generations to come.”

Representatives from the FDC Foundation visited the college on March 25 to present a check and celebrate the partnership alongside members of the 51�Թ� A. Logan College Foundation and College leadership.

College officials said the establishment of the endowed scholarship ensures the Cluck family’s legacy of supporting students will continue well into the future.

“This gift represents more than financial support; it represents opportunity, stability, and hope for our students,” said Staci Shafer, Assistant Vice President of Advancement and Executive Director of the JALC Foundation. “The Cluck family and the FDC Foundation have demonstrated an incredible commitment to student success at 51�Թ� A. Logan College, and this endowment ensures their impact will continue to change lives for years to come.”

The 51�Թ� A. Logan College Foundation supports student success by providing scholarships, enhancing educational opportunities, and funding initiatives that benefit students and the college community.

The FDC Foundation, a nonprofit established in 2008 by members of the Cluck family, supports charitable initiatives across the United States, with a focus on health, education, and housing.

Frank Cluck hopes the endowment will benefit generations of 51�Թ� A. Logan College students. “It is my hope that our endowment will bring joy and happiness to future generations,” said Cluck. “Giving courage and support to those students also gives us hope for the future.”

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Three 51�Թ� A. Logan College staff members were recognized this week for their quick thinking and decisive action that helped save a life at Logan Fitness.

On the evening of Friday, January 9, a patron collapsed while exercising inside the Logan Fitness facility. Other patrons immediately alerted staff, and Logan Fitness employees Corene Sizemore, Madison Calvin, and Kassie Teal responded without hesitation.

Sizemore was first on the scene and conducted a rapid assessment of the individual’s condition. Calvin promptly contacted 911 while Teal retrieved a portable automated external defibrillator (AED). Teal then began providing rescue breaths, and the individual soon regained consciousness and resumed normal breathing.

Emergency medical services arrived shortly afterward and transported the individual to a local hospital. The patron is now recovering and listed in stable condition.

In recognition of their actions, 51�Թ� A. Logan College President Dr. Kirk Overstreet presented Sizemore, Calvin, and Teal with Merit Service Awards during the February 4 meeting of the 51�Թ� A. Logan College Board of Trustees.

Logan Fitness Director Dr. Bradley Griffith thanked the Board and President Overstreet for honoring the staff members, noting that their response reflected the importance of preparation and training.

“We constantly train for 51�Թ�s like this at Logan Fitness,” Griffith said. “On that night, these ladies did not panic. They relied on their training, worked as a team, and saved a life.”

College officials praised the employees for their professionalism and composure, emphasizing that their actions exemplify the College’s commitment to safety and care for the campus community.

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The ceremony will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque inside Logan Fitness, attended by College officials and members of the Bechtel family. Additional tributes, including exterior building lettering and a bench donated by the Bechtel family, will be installed later. The public is invited to attend.

Jerry Bechtel joined 51�Թ� A. Logan College in 1969 as Chair of the Physical Education Department and became the College’s first Men’s Basketball Coach. He played a pivotal role in the creation of the original 51�Թ� A. Logan College Fitness Center, and as interest and usage grew, his leadership helped pave the way for a larger, more advanced facility.

Funded by a state grant, the Community Health Education Complex opened in 2004 and underwent two expansions in 2010 and 2014. Bechtel served as the facility’s Director until his retirement in 2015, leaving a legacy of dedication to student health, fitness, and athletic excellence.

Jerry Bechtel passed away on January 5, 2025, and later that month, the 51�Թ� A. Logan College Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the facility in his honor.

“We are proud to recognize the tremendous impact Jerry Bechtel had on this institution and our community,” said JALC President Dr. Kirk Overstreet.  “His vision and commitment helped shape the health and wellness resources we offer today.”

For more information about the 51�Թ�, please contact Dr. Steve O’Keefe, Assistant Vice President for Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications at 618-985-2828, ext. 8569 or steve.okeefe@jalc.edu.

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The adopted budget outlines estimated revenues of $32.1 million and projected expenditures of just over $32 million, resulting in a modest surplus. College Chief Financial Officer Dr. Susan LaPanne presented the financial plan, which aligns with the institution’s strategic goals and reflects its commitment to maintaining a solid financial foundation while continuing to serve students and the surrounding community.

“We are pleased to announce the unanimous approval of our balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year,” said 51�Թ� A. Logan College President, Dr. Kirk Overstreet. “This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainability, ensuring we continue to serve our students and community effectively.”

The approval of a balanced budget signifies the college’s commitment to responsible resource management and strategic planning. Leaders emphasized that financial stability will allow the college to maintain and enhance its role as a key educational institution in the region.

Board Chair Aaron Smith praised the approval, noting that this achievement was the result of transparency, discipline, and collaboration among Board members. “Passing a second consecutive balanced budget is a reflection of the discipline, transparency, and collaboration this Board has prioritized,” Smith said. “We are not just managing dollars; we are stewarding trust.”

Smith also stressed that the decision reaffirms the board’s ongoing commitment to responsible leadership and ensuring the institution’s stability for students, staff, and the broader community.

The approved budget also underscores the college’s continued focus on its mission: to enrich lives through learning and community engagement. College leaders expressed confidence that the balanced budget would enable them to build on the college’s successes, offering students a quality education while maintaining financial stability.

The 51�Թ� A. Logan College Board of Trustees has demonstrated a firm commitment to the institution’s fiscal well-being, with this balanced budget reinforcing its dedication to long-term sustainability and its mission of accessible, high-quality education for the region.

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The new contract covers the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.  President Overstreet’s current contract remains in effect until December 31, 2025.

Overstreet has served as president of the College since January 2021, overseeing initiatives focused on student success, retention, campus improvements, and institutional growth.

In other Board news, Aaron R. Smith and Bill Kilquist were re-elected to six-year terms on April 1. In addition to Smith and Kilquist, Zoren Anako Mohamad Ali was seated as the Student Trustee for a one-year term. The Board held an organizational meeting before the regular session and named Smith Chair, Jake Rendleman Vice Chair, and Becky Borgsmiller Secretary.

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The audit, which evaluates the College’s financial statements and internal controls, found that 51�Թ� A. Logan College demonstrated strong financial reporting and compliance procedures. The College’s management of public funds has been verified as both accurate and responsible.

Finance Committee Chair and Trustee Dr. Glenn Poshard expressed pride in the positive findings. “We are proud to relay these findings to the community we serve because, in part, their tax dollars help run the College,” said Poshard. “With this audit report, they can be assured that the College and its officers are being fiscally responsible and providing for the education and training of our community’s residents.”

The audit report also highlights the College’s commitment to maintaining robust internal financial controls. Kara Bevis, the College’s Assistant Vice President for Business Services and Controller, noted that the report reflects the College’s diligent attention to financial oversight. “We have a system of segregation of duties, meaning no one person handles all aspects of financial tasks, which helps ensure accuracy and pr51�Թ� errors,” Bevis explained. Bevis also emphasized the importance of internal controls at every level, from daily operations to monthly and yearly checks. “The key to this and other clean audits we’ve received is the comprehensive system of controls we have in place,” she added.

The College’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2024 Audit Report. During the meeting, Vice President and CFO Dr. Susan LaPanne expressed gratitude for the efforts of the entire campus community. “This is an incredible team, and the work of everyone on campus throughout the budget process, management, and reporting has been outstanding.”

For more information about 51�Թ� A. Logan College, please visit 

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The approved budget, with estimated expenditures of $33.4 million and estimated revenues of $33.5 million, represents a comprehensive financial plan to sustain excellence in education while ensuring responsible resource stewardship.

“This is a historic day because often you cannot present a balanced budget in education based on estimation of revenue and expenditures for the coming year,” said Board Chair Bill Kilquist. “Budgets are just that, an estimate, and our administration has always done a good job of being conservative in both their estimates of revenue and while underspending on their projected expenditures.”

Kilquist thanked CFO Dr. Susan LaPanne, President Overstreet, and the entire campus community for their efforts to present the board with a balanced budget.

JALC President Dr. Kirk Overstreet expressed his appreciation for the collaborative efforts of CFO Dr. LaPanne, college administration, staff, and faculty. Their joint work in developing a budget that aligns with the institution’s strategic goals is a testament to the college’s unified approach, making everyone feel included in its financial decisions.

“We are pleased to announce the unanimous approval of our balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year,” said President Overstreet. “This achievement reflects our ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainability, ensuring we continue to serve our students and community effectively.”

51�Թ� A. Logan College’s mission is to enrich lives through learning and community engagement. Approval of the balanced budget reaffirms the college’s position as a regional higher education leader, inspiring our stakeholders with our mission-driven approach.

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The College will host two book signings this week. The first will feature Board of Trustees Member Dr. Glenn Poshard on Wednesday, September 13, at 2 p.m. in the Administration Board Room.  Dr. Poshard will read from his recently published biography Son of Southern Illinois: Glenn Poshard’s Life in Politics and Education. The 51�Թ� is free and open to the public. Copies of the book in paperback and hardback will be available at the 51�Թ� for purchase.  Journalist Carl Walworth wrote the book with the participation of Poshard. The book traces his remarkable life from poverty and tragedy, military service, and his time as a state senator, congressman, candidate for governor, President of Southern Illinois University, and as the founder, with his wife Jo, of the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children.

On Friday, September 15 at 11 a.m. in the Ivey Room, author Rachel Cochran will read from her debut novel, The Gulf. The Washington Post says, “The Gulf is Cochran’s debut, and it’s a beauty. Cochran’s novel is rich in story and setting, with the mournful backdrop of a natural disaster, war, and forbidden love gone wrong.”

Cochran grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast and in southern Illinois. She is a JALC alum and a graduate of Herrin High School.

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Journalist Carl Walworth wrote the book with the participation of Poshard. The book traces his remarkable life from poverty and tragedy, military service, and his time as a state senator, congressman, candidate for governor, President of Southern Illinois University, and as the founder, with his wife Jo, of the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children. 

Political and educational leaders have praised the book published by the SIU Press. 

“More than any person I know, Glenn Poshard has given a life of commitment to the families of southern Illinois. Even when they disagreed with him, the voters knew he was an honest, caring man in a world desperately searching for public servants to believe in,” said United States Senator Dick Durbin. 

Political Scientist 51�Թ� Jackson describes Poshard as the quintessential American success story and praised the author Walworth for his candid portrait. 

“This book reveals, in unprecedented detail for a prominent political leader, the price public officials sometimes pay to provide leadership and service. Very few, if any, biographies of prominent politicians are this candid, resulting in a unique and important political biography.” 

The book is also available as an eBook, paperback, and hardcover through online retailers Amazon and Barnes and Noble and can also be ordered through siupress.com. 

Contact Dr. Steve O’Keefe at 618-925-0710, ext. 8569, or steveokeefe@jalc.edu for more information. 

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