April 2026
April is supposed to bring showers, but it's going out like a lion instead. 🌪️
Highlights
Outstanding in Their Field(s)
Springtime is honors and awards time at Heartland Community College, and boy do we have some to share with you! Let’s dive in. Starting off strong, the 2025-2026 Outstanding Faculty have been selected. Industrial Technology instructor Chris Miller has been named the Outstanding Full Time Faculty member. Miller, a nationally-recognized expert in electrical systems, battery technology, and renewable energy, teaches with humor, enthusiasm, and some of the best storytelling on campus. Students consistently provide highly positive feedback about Chris’s courses, and many actively seek out additional classes with him.
Sonja Workman has been selected as the Part Time Outstanding Faculty member. Workman, an instructor in the Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) program, has been instrumental in advancing the RSS program, the first of its kind at an Illinois community college. Students say she makes them feel seen and supported, while giving them insight into the subject matter. Workman is a respected leader in the regional behavioral health community and a powerful advocate for recovery support.
Congratulations to these two faculty members we are lucky to call our colleagues!
Speaking For His Class
This year’s commencement Student Speaker will be David Helms. Helms, a non-traditional student, came to Heartland after his active service in the Navy concluded. It didn’t take him long to get involved. In his time at HCC, he has been involved in the Student Government, worked in the Heartland Veterans Center, was nominated and attended the Heartland Emerging Leaders program, and headed the Student Veterans Association as Chapter President. His next venture will take him down the street to ISU to study cyber security.
Artfully Speaking
Heartland art students have been making a splash this spring. More than 20 current and former HCC art students had their work selected for the juried Annual Regional Emerging Artist Exhibition (AREA) at the McLean County Art Center. Emily Broadfield won Most Promising Artist with a painting they did last semester. And Heartland alum Stan Winterroth won Best in Show and 1st place in adult graphics for a piece completed in the Heartland Drawing 1 class. An added point of pride – one of these artists showing their work is Tianna Bond, the daughter of our very own Terrance Bond! Not to be outdone by their 2D art friends, the ceramicists came to play as well. Gianna Glass even sold their piece at the show. Congratulations to these talented artists!
Representing Her Fellow Students
Summer Barone will be the 2026-2027 Heartland Student Trustee. Barone is a pre-nursing student and a student ambassador in Lincoln. She has experience engaging with both the Lincoln Regional Center and the main campus. Her focus is making sure all students feel seen and heard. And rumor has it, she makes a mean TikTok.
From One Windy City to Another
You never know what kind of news is going to blow into town any given spring, but this year we have some that’s pretty exciting. Former Heartland Hawk baseball infielder Sam Antonacci has been called up to the Big Leagues. The Chicago White Sox called up Antonacci earlier this month. First the Pope, now Sam Antonacci. Maybe things are starting to look up for the Sox.
Invest In the Nest
April is National Community College Month so it’s the perfect time to take a moment to appreciate all that community colleges do for the communities they serve. For example, did you know that the net impact of HCC’s former students currently employed in the regional workforce amounted to $74.2 million in added income in FY 2023-24*? So given all that HCC has given to our community, isn’t it time to give back? (Are you cents-ing a theme here?) What better way to do that than to make a gift to this year’s Invest in the Nest campaign? We can’t think of one!
*The most recent year for which statistics are available.
Celebrating Our Students
We’re all about celebrating our students and this time of year there are lots of opportunities to do just that. If you have a special student or two you’d like to support at end of the year celebrations, check this schedule:
- April 22
- Student Athlete Award Ceremony
- 6-8 pm
- ACEC Auditorium
- April 23
- Project RISE Celebration
- 4-7 pm
- ACEC Auditorium
- May 6
- Heartland Hawk Film Festival
- 6-8:30 pm
- Normal Theatre
- Lavender Celebration
- 5-7 pm
- WDC Atrium
- EMS Celebration
- 6-8 pm
- ACEC 2400
- Heartland Hawk Film Festival
- May 7
- Donning of the Kente
- 4-7:00 pm
- Ag Complex
- Heartland Hawk Film Festival
- 6-9 pm
- Normal Theatre
- Donning of the Kente
- May 8
- Student Leadership Celebration
- 5-7 pm
- CCB 1406-1407
- Physical Therapist Assistant Pinning
- 6:30-8:30 pm
- ACEC Auditorium
- Student Leadership Celebration
- May 13
- Radiography Pinning
- 6-8 pm
- ACEC Auditorium
- Radiography Pinning
- May 14
- Medical Assistant Pinning
- 3-5 pm
- ACEC Auditorium
- Nursing Pinning
- 5-8 pm
- ACEC Auditorium
- Medical Assistant Pinning
Still to come...
Employee Picnic
- May 7, 11:30-1:00
- CCB 1406-1407 & Quad
Commencement
- May 15, 5:00 pm
- Grossinger Motors Arena
Random Knowledge to Make You Just a Little Smarter
According to a 2015 study, sarcasm can promote creative thinking. See - Hawkfeed IS good for you!
**Bonus ‘Feed Fact in celebration of Earth Day (April 22)** According to the 2026 trash audit conducted by the EASC 111 (Environment Earth) classes, approximately 30% of the main campus’ trash could have been recycled. Keep that in mind next time you’re ready to throw something away!
Recommended Reading from Hawkfeed
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. The book tells the story of septuagenarian Sybil’s life through a series of letters she writes to the people in her life, some of whom she’s never met. This read will give you A Man Called Ove (or for theater-goers, A Man Called Otto) vibes.
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.