Former Sheriff Part of Scholarship Event at Rend Lake College

(LEFT TO RIGHT: REND LAKE COLLEGE PRESIDENT TERRY WILKERSON, DONOR TAMMY AUSTIN, DONOR ROB AUSTIN, REND LAKE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSOR RON MEEK, DONOR BEVERLY HART-MEEK, AND REND LAKE DEAN OF APPLIED SCIENCE AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY GABRIELE FARNER)

Rend Lake College students and local leaders shared the stage at the Seventh Annual Criminal Justice Roundup for Scholarships event, held Monday night in the RLC Student Center’s Private Dining Area, for an evening of celebration and gratitude.

In a record-setting year, the Roundup brought in $4,000 for student scholarships. During this academic year, seven students received financial assistance for their enrollment in the program – more than any previous year. As part of their way to say thank you, the students met face-to-face with donors.

Former Effingham County Sheriff Ron Meek, RLC Criminal Justice Professor and event organizer, offered opening remarks and special words of thanks to three individuals who donated the full $500 scholarship for students to use during the 2019-20 academic year.

“At this point, we’ve given around 40 scholarships to Rend Lake College students, and we couldn’t do it if it wasn’t for the people in this room who donate and support the students. I really appreciate that,” said Meek. “There are a few people who donated the full scholarship, and I wanted to take a moment to recognize them, and thank them for their support. Rob and Tammy Austin; my wife, Beverly Hart-Meek; and J. Nelson Wood. Thank you all for that extraordinary donation to our program.”