February 2026
Love is in the air, and so is all this good news.
Highlights
Art With Heart
If you want to see the intersection of heroes and art, stop by the Joe McCauley Art Gallery to check out this month’s show. The artwork on display was created by student veterans in Heartland’s first CreatiVets art class. CreatiVets is a non-profit program founded by Heartland alum Richard Casper which strives to “empower veterans through the arts.” A partnership between the program and HCC resulted in the Intro to Veteran Art (Art 120) course. The work currently on display in the McCauley Gallery is a result of that pilot class. Stop by for the art. Stay for the inspiration.
Mobile Health Clinic Hits Campus
You might say that community is our middle name. And you also might roll your eyes at that dad joke. Regardless, it seems perfectly fitting that Heartland Community College is now partnering with Carle to host mobile health clinics on our Normal campus. The McLean Mobile Health Clinic offers services including primary care needs, medication prescription evaluation and renewals, chronic illness management, wellness exams, school/sports physicals, and immunizations for all ages including Flu and COVID. The clinic also has full laboratory services and offers EKGs as needed. There are also social service supports available.
Where: Workforce Development Center
When: 1st Wednesday of Each Month, 9am-4pm (excluding holidays)
Buona Fortuna Antonacci!
A former Hawk baseball player is making a name for himself on the international stage. Sam Antonacci has been selected to represent Team Italy at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), taking place in March. The WBC is an international tournament organized in partnership with Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association and is held every four years. Think World Cup for baseball. The tournament features teams represented by professional players from top-level teams. “Playing in the WBC will be a huge honor,” says Antonacci. "Competing against some of the best players in the world will show me what it takes to perform at the highest level.” Italy’s first game will be against Brazil on March 7. Grab a cannoli and tune in!
A Big SCORE For the CDL
Who doesn’t love a win-win? That’s what the CDL, in partnership with Stevenson Elementary, got when we worked together recently on a grant. Ashley Giebelhausen, Associate Director in the Child Development Lab, teamed up with English Language Learners teacher Tina Thomas to apply for an IEA (Illinois Education Association) SCORE Grant. The grant they won helped benefit Stevenson’s drama club by providing funds to put on, and record, a play for a Stop and Shop event for the Night Hawks program at the CDL. The CDL used the funds to put on the Stop and Shop event for low-income students to have an opportunity to shop for, and purchase, holiday gifts for their families. The English Language Learners in Thomas’ class improved their language skills by putting on the play for our Night Hawks. The Night Hawks got the chance to spread some holiday joy. Now that’s a story everyone can feel good about.
Ag-cellent Advisor
Is it really a Hawkfeed issue if we aren’t celebrating someone winning an award? This month is not an exception. This time we’re sending our congratulations to agriculture faculty member Karen Corrigan. Corrigan was named the recipient of the 2026 Illinois Soybean Association Master Advisor award. The honor “recognizes an Illinois Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, expertise and commitment to advancing soybean production.” In addition to teaching future ag professionals, Corrigan is co-owner of McGillicuddy Corrigan Agronomics, and chairs the Community Outreach Committee of the McLean County Farm Bureau. Way to go Karen!
Can We Call Them Hawk-bots?
It’s happening folks – we're starting to live in the Jetsons age where robots are doing our work. One of the available forms of robot minion is the robotic lawn mower. And thanks to Reinhart Landscaping and Snow, as well as the Kress power equipment company, Heartland has their very own robotic lawn mowers to complement our students’ education. The companies donated the robotic mowers and other commercial landscape equipment to HCC so our students can learn about the products used in the commercial landscape space. So, we have robots to vacuum and mow. How long until we can get a robot that does our cooking? Asking for a friend.
True Blue and Delicious Too
Speaking of cooking, it was time for our resident bakers to dust off their cookbooks and don their aprons for what has become a beloved Heartland tradition – the True Blue Ribbon Bakeoff. Jessica Warren and her Opera Cake took home the top prize again this year - her third time taking ownership of the coveted rolling pin. Second place went to Trevor Hoberty for his Coconut Tortuga Cake, third place went to Ann Schick for her Reese's Dream Boats and the People's Choice winner was Stephanie Walden with her Chocolate Torte. Listen, I'm not saying they should bring a treat in for the Hawkfeed editor, but I'm not NOT saying that.
Heartland's Hybrid Leadership
We know Heartland is a leader in the state of Illinois, but now we have proof. The HCC Board of Trustees recently approved a new hybrid diesel program, and it is the first of its kind in the state. The Hybrid Diesel Equipment Technology certificate provides hands-on training and technical coursework focused on diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining medium and heavy-duty hybrid diesel vehicles and equipment. The program focuses on both diesel engines and electric power system technology, and will prepare students for careers in transportation, agriculture, trucking and logistics. Very nice of us to pave the road for our fellow community colleges.
Still to come...
Random Knowledge to Make You Just a Little Smarter
A group of pugs is called a grumble. Maybe they should be the official dog of January.
Recommended Reading from Hawkfeed
Just call us Oprah. We’re adding a new feature to Hawkfeed in 2026! Check out ‘Feed Reads for reading suggestions. This month’s pick is Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson. This debut novel by Wilkerson is a multigenerational family story that contains secrets, betrayals, and tough choices. Weaving together the present-day story of siblings Byron and Benny with the historical events in their mother’s life before and after leaving her Caribbean Island home forever, this is an extraordinary tale of what history a family can hold, as well as the importance of familial culture.
Let's Get Social
That's all for now. In the meantime, check out our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn for the latest happenings. Spread the love and share our stuff on your own pages.