Connections Connections Con nnec ctio s ons Volume 5 • Number 5 • Winter 2014 Alumni are those who earned a degree, certificate or completed 24 credit hours. Inside: Letter from the President . . . . . . Cover Meet Us in St. Louis! . . . . . . . Page 2 $50 for 50 Can Change a Life . . . Page 2 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year . . . . . Page 3 Scholarship Spotlight . . . . . . Page 3 Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . Page 3 Give the Gift of Education 173 IL Route 2 Dixon, IL 61021 www.svcc.edu/alumni Dear SVCC Alumni & Friends, Our 50th anniversary is underway and I’m proud to share that our celebration events have been very successful. Our Business After Business Open House in July kicked off events with a joint effort between the Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce, Rock Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. Community business professionals from throughout the Sauk Valley took part in this unique networking opportunity at SVCC. In August, our events continued with a special Retiree & Staff Breakfast. More than 250 past and present faculty and staff gathered on the SVCC campus to reconnect and reminisce about 50 amazing years at the College. As summer transitioned into fall, we celebrated on Sauk’s South lawn along the beautiful Rock River for the Rockin’ on the River Concert. The crowd couldn’t have asked for better weather that evening, and the music provided by the Dixon and Sterling Municipal Bands, and the Rock River Jazz Band was spectacular. Our next upcoming event is the Youth Basketball & Alumni Classic, December 30 and 31. SVCC’s past will again meet the present with this two-day basketball tournament taking place at Newman High School and the newly renovated Sauk gymnasium. As with all 50th anniversary events, you can find out more by visiting svcc.edu/50. Our year of celebration is in full swing and there’s no time like the present to be a part of this historic year at Sauk. If it’s been awhile since your last campus visit, I invite you to come back and see the amazing growth that has occurred over the years. After half a century of service to the Sauk Valley community, we’re just getting started! Sincerely, Dr. George Mihel President
Transcript
ConnectionsConnectionsConnnecctio sonsVolume 5 • Number 5 • Winter 2014
Alumni are those who earned a degree, certificate or completed 24 credit hours.
Inside:Letter from the President . . . . . . Cover
Meet Us in St. Louis! . . . . . . . Page 2
$50 for 50 Can Change a Life . . . Page 2
Outstanding Alumnus of the Year . . . . . Page 3
Scholarship Spotlight . . . . . . Page 3
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . Page 3
Give the Gift of Education
173 IL Route 2Dixon, IL 61021
www.svcc.edu/alumni
Dear SVCC Alumni & Friends,Our 50th anniversary is underway and I’m proud to share that our celebration events have been very successful. Our Business After Business Open Housein July kicked off events with a joint effort betweenthe Dixon Area Chamber of Commerce, Rock FallsArea Chamber of Commerce, and the Sauk ValleyArea Chamber of Commerce. Community business professionals from throughout the Sauk Valley tookpart in this unique networking opportunity at SVCC.
In August, our events continued with a special Retiree & Staff Breakfast.More than 250 past and present faculty and staff gathered on the SVCC campus to reconnect and reminisce about 50 amazing years at the College.
As summer transitioned into fall, we celebrated on Sauk’s South lawnalong the beautiful Rock River for the Rockin’ on the River Concert. Thecrowd couldn’t have asked for better weather that evening, and the musicprovided by the Dixon and Sterling Municipal Bands, and the RockRiver Jazz Band was spectacular.
Our next upcoming event is the Youth Basketball & Alumni Classic, December 30 and 31. SVCC’s past will again meet the present with this two-day basketball tournament taking place at Newman High School andthe newly renovated Sauk gymnasium. As with all 50th anniversaryevents, you can find out more by visiting svcc.edu/50.
Our year of celebration is in full swing and there’s no time like the presentto be a part of this historic year at Sauk. If it’s been awhile since your lastcampus visit, I invite you to come back and see the amazing growth thathas occurred over the years. After half a century of service to the SaukValley community, we’re just getting started!
Sincerely,
Dr. George MihelPresident
$50 for 50 Can Change a LifeFounded in 1965, Sauk Valley Community College has endeavored for 50 years to bring exceptional academic, athletic, and personal enrichmentopportunities to the Sauk Valley area. We couldn’t have done this withoutthe generosity and commitment of people like you.
During this golden anniversary, we have created a special opportunity foryou, our alumni and friends, to demonstrate your continuing support ofSauk’s students, programs, and capital developments. Your gift of $50 or more will help sustain and drive present and future initiatives at the College. The first fifty for 50 donors to respond to this mailing will receive a special commemorative 50th Anniversary shirt. All donors will be recognized for their generosity on the Sauk Valley College Foundation Donor Honor Role, unless specified as anonymous.
Please consider making a special gift to the 50 for 50 Anniversary Campaign Fund with a check or credit card. Remember to write 50 for 50 on the memo line. Gifts to the fund will go to support those areas of greatest need at the College, unless otherwise specified by you. To designate your gift, please indicate which area(s) you prefer to support: General Scholarship, Career Program Scholarships, Capital Improvements, Art Gallery, Theatre, or aNamed Endowed Fund. Donors may dedicate their gift in honor or in memory of a family member of friend. Learn more about how you can give by contacting Sharri Miller at 815.835.6345 • [email protected].
Songs by Hugh Martin & Ralph Blane • Book by Hugh Wheelern Songs by Hu ugh M tin Blane • Book by Hugh Wheeler ugh Martin & Ralph B ne • by Hugh Wheeler eler eler
Join the SVCC Department of Theatre for a heartwarmingholiday performance of the beloved musical, Meet Me in St.Louis. Coming to the Centennial Auditorium in Sterling, IL,this rare treasure is a perfect accompaniment to the holidayseason and will have you leaving the theatre singing.
Meet Me in St. Louiswill introduce you to the Smith family asthey prepare for the 1904 World’s Fair. Watch as the Smithfamily gathers at Shrinker Swamp to watch the groundbreaking ceremony for the Fair. Mr. Smith is worried abouthis finances and announces that they will all have to move toNew York. Their whole lives will change, worst of all, theywill miss the World’s Fair!
Memorable musical numbers include The Boy Next Door, A Raving Beauty, The Trolley Song, Have Yourself a Merry LittleChristmas, Whenever I’m with You, and A Day in New York.
Performances for Meet Me in St. Louis run December 4-6 at 7:00 p.m., and December 7 at 2 p.m. that will include aspecial pre-matinee event, “Holidays Around the World”.Take your passport around the world on a holiday adventure! Experience the holiday traditions of 5 countries,make holiday inspired crafts, play games, and eat treats!Geared toward ages 7-11, tickets are limited for this eventand are $5 each (in addition to regular ticket purchase).
Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, 65 and over, $5 for Sauk students with ID and all 17 and under (does not include special holiday event). To purchase tickets or reservea seat for the special holiday event, call the Centennial Auditorium Box Office, Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. at815.622.3248. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
Meet me in St. Louis is the stage version of the 1944 MGM motionpicture. It played for 252 performances on Broadway at the GeorgeGershwin Theatre. Songs by Martin & Blane published by EMI FeistCatalog, Inc., produced for the Broadway stage by Brickhill – BurkeProductions, Christopher Seabrooke and EPI Products™, adaptedfrom the book by Hugh Wheeler and based on “The Kensington Stories” by Sally Benson and the MGM motion picture “Meet Me in St. Louis”.
he SVCC Alumni Association and Sauk Valley College Foundation announced Robert Atherton as the recipient of the Sauk Valley Community College 2014 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. Athertonwas honored at the May Commencement Ceremony for his extraordinary contributions as an educator, mentor, and public servant.
Atherton received his Associates of Science, with an emphasis in criminal justice, from Sauk in 1986.After graduating from SVCC, Atherton transferred
to Western Illinois University-Macomb where heearned his Bachelor’s of Science in Law Enforcement
Administration. He began his career as a patrol officer inPolo, Illinois with an eye toward becoming a member of the
Illinois State Police. In 1990 he realized his dream and for the next 23 years, worked to create a distinguished career that included earning the rank of Captain in 2013.
Atherton is a strong believer in giving his time to his work, community,family, and church. He is currently the Chairman of the Illinois StatePolice Command Council and Treasurer of the Quad Cities Council of Police Chiefs. Atherton has also assisted in fundraising efforts forMuscular Dystrophy and the Illinois Special Olympics as a PolarPlunge participant.
When asked about the role that Sauk played in his personal and professional development, Atherton shared, “For me, Sauk ValleyCommunity College delivered the prefect transition from high school to the university level. While enrolled at Sauk, I received exceptional instruction, which raised my personal and academic confidence. My degree at Sauk really prepared me for future success.”
Alumnus of the Year Robert E. Atherton ’86
The SVC Foundation is proud to announce the creation of the Alan Pfeifer Natural Science Scholarship. Pfeifer scholars will exemplify the commitment, dedication, and academic curiosity Mr. Pfeifer has exhibited during his many yearsof service. For inquires about requirements, criteria, and how you can give to thescholarship, contact Sharri Miller, 815.835.6345 • [email protected].
T
SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT
UPCOMING EVENTS:
December 4-7Meet Me in St. LouisSpecial Holidays Around theWorld event before December 7 matineeCentennial AuditoriumSterling, IL
December 30 & 3150th Anniversary EventYouth Basketball Tournament & Alumni ClassicSVCC Gymnasium & NewmanHigh School, Sterling, IL
January 14Tristan Bushman ConcertSVCC East Mall
February 9Blood DriveSVCC East Mall
February 12ComedianAdam GrabowskiSVCC Mathis Theatre
April 1150th Anniversary Events:• Spring & Stroll 5.0K• Sauk Family SafariSVCC Campus
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAIDPermit No. 243
Dixon, Illinois 61021
173 IL Route 2 • Dixon, IL 61021 • 815.288.5511, ext 345svcc.edu/alumni
If you do not want to receive this publication, please notify us at [email protected] or call 815.835.6345.
If you’re looking for a way to volunteer your time andtalents, we invite you to look toward Sauk Valley Community College. During this special 50th Anniversary year, we have numerous upcoming opportunities for energetic alumni and friends to contribute to Sauk’s success. Whether for concerts,alumni sporting events, or other occasions, your gift of time makes our College a stronger, more vibrant institution. To make a difference contact Sharri Miller at 815.835.6345 • [email protected] or go tosvcc.edu/50.
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