You're From Where?

1/29/10
Shannon Woodworth & Sharon Felker - Shawnee News Service

ULLIN - Students come from far and wide to attend Shawnee Community College, enhancing the institution's diversity and campus experience.

A record spring enrollment brought students to SCC from 78 different communities or Zip Codes. Students like Austin Jackson of Kennett, Mo., the hometown of rock music sensation Sheryl Crow.

Jackson is at SCC on a baseball scholarship - and while he is a member of the team - he believes that he speaks fairly when he says, "SCC has a great baseball program."

Nash McVay is from Carmi, the hometown of SIUC President Glenn Poshard. And while there is about a 90-mile difference between Carmi and the college, McVay says that "SCC was his first choice."

Distance is not a factor for Kaydee Burke either. Burke drives about 40 miles each way from Murphysboro, the home of 17th Street Barbecue.

"Why did I choose SCC?" asks Burke. "The college's cosmetology program has an excellent reputation."

Not every student drives a long distance, of course. Many students take advantage of an institution that has generated so many success stories and sits practically in their own backyard.

James Baker of Perks says he is happy that SCC is so close to home. "And it is just what I need to prepare me to transfer to a four-year university. My goal is to obtain a zoology degree and work in this area as a field biologist.

Darcy Powers lives just across the river in Paducah, Kentucky. She says she is "having the time of her life" at SCC. Samantha Brewer makes the trek from Golconda to be in the college's nursing program.

"The new allied health facilities are unbelievable," Brewer said. "The program is tough, but good." Jerrod Turner is from Anna and is studying music education.

"Both my parents went to Shawnee Community College. It was the right choice for me, too," Turner said.

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