Where Credit is Due

EAST PEORIA — ICC has held their 2014 Student Recognition Evening, and it was an evening where Illinois Central College students, staff and advisors could all take a moment to reflect on the past year and give each other pats on the back.

This event Wednesday was when the college officially announced the student organization, club advisor and students of the year for 2013-2014. Among the approximately 100 attendees were people ranging from ICC President Dr. John Erwin to siblings of students — all there to show their support for those being recognized.

Most, if not all, of the students present were there because they had been in student organizations during the past year. After some opening remarks by Angie Dreessen, director of enrollment services and student life, Erwin spoke to these students.

“It takes courage sometimes to step up to the plate and lead the way, and as students who have been involved with these various groups and activities, you’ve shown courage in you all, and I am very appreciative of that fact,” said Erwin. “So ICC thanks you, sincerely, for your leadership, your continued encouragement to your fellow students and your courage for getting involved.”

Numerous student leaders had the opportunity to speak about what the past year had entailed for their positions and student organizations.

 After members of the student organizations Alpha Delta Nu, the American Institute of Architecture Students, Campus Activities Board, CONNECT, Cougar Karate Club, ICC Harbinger, Phi Beta Lambda, Phi Theta Kappa, Sigma Kappa Delta and Student Government Association informed the audience of their recent achievements, Abbie Alsene, manager of student leadership and engagement, announced this year’s award winners.

The Students of the Year awards for the past academic year went to Trevor Mileur and Marques Brown, both of whom are graduating in May.

Brown has been captain of the ICC speech team and a resident assistant at WoodView Commons. Mileur is currently serving his third term as ICC’s student trustee and has served in local and state positions within the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. Both Mileur and Brown also have had other leadership roles in the local communities around ICC. Brown will be transferring to Northern Illinois University in the fall while Mileur will be returning to ICC for further study.

Advisor of the Year went to Joseph Chianakas, advisor to the recently created Cougar Karate Club. Chianakas is a communications professor at ICC and also teaches karate to members of the club.

ICC’s chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) had a very active year, which included going on large group educational trips and receiving national awards. For their success and level of activeness, AIAS was awarded Organization of the Year.

Dreessen and Dr. Tracey Morris, vice president of student services, closed the event by thanking the students for all of their efforts and encouraging them to never stop leading, reinforcing an earlier statement from Erwin.

“American author John C. Maxwell described a leader as ‘one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way for others.’ So I challenge you to continue to step forward and lead even when the path isn’t as brightly lit as you might of first imagined,” said Erwin. “And just taking that first step in courage and perhaps even blazing the trail for the first time for those who will follow you will be an inspiration, an inspiration to the other students, the students who will come after you and, again, our community will benefit.”