Lewis and Clark Community College student Abigail Johnes is building a future in architecture while balancing a full academic load, leadership roles and extensive community involvement in Calhoun County. A 2025 graduate and valedictorian of Brussels Community High School, Johnes is pursuing an associate degree in architecture at LC, with plans to graduate in 2027.…

  Alaaeldin Elsisi, Ph.D., Department of Civil Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is the 2026 recipient of the Vaughnie Lindsay New Investigator Award in acknowledgement of his outstanding research contributions and proven record. Elsisi is an assistant professor in the School of Engineering’s (SOE) teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in structural analysis and design. His scholarly interests focus on…

President and CEO Chris Klay of HSHS Southern Illinois Market and HSHS St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, and Chief Administrative Officer Teresa Cornelius of HSHS Holy Family Hospital in Greenville and HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, were recently recognized on Becker’s Hospital Review 2026 iteration of its “Rural hospital and health system presidents and…

Illinois American Water recently announced the appointment of John Killips as senior director of Engineering, strengthening the company’s leadership team and reinforcing its commitment to engineering excellence and infrastructure investments and improvements across the state. Killips joined the company effective May 4, 2026. In this role, Killips will oversee how Illinois American Water strategically and efficiently…

  Alton’s Workforce Training Hub, located at Lewis and Clark Community College’s Scott Bibb Center, recently awarded certificates to 62 students who completed clean-energy training through Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). The training equips participants with the technical skills and industry knowledge needed for entry-level positions in fields such as solar energy, efficient…

  The students of Lewis and Clark Community College have elected Emily Hoge as the school’s 2026-2027 student trustee, selecting an active campus leader with a background in service, workforce leadership and student advocacy. Hoge serves as a training lead at Chick-fil-A in Edwardsville and is a recipient of the company’s Remarkable Futures Scholarship. Before…

HSHS Medical Group recently welcomed two new providers bringing advanced specialty care to the O’Fallon area:   Brandy Holthaus, MSN, FNP-C – HSHS Medical Group Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Brandy Holthaus, MSN, FNP-C, has joined HSHS Medical Group Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, located at 670 Pierce Blvd. in O’Fallon. Holthaus is accepting new patients and…

  Carole Collier Frick, Ph.D., has been named a recipient of the 2026 Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Outstanding Faculty Award for Commitment to Student Success. The awards were established in 2023 by the Provosts from each OVC member institution to recognize outstanding faculty at each OVC member institution, who make a lasting impact on students both inside and outside the…

Wiegmann Associates has added Aaron Johnson as project manager as well as Jared Edwards and Will Boettcher as project engineers. As project manager, Johnson is responsible for providing detailed, cost-effective management of Wiegmann’s mechanical and HVAC system projects to meet client and company goals. Duties include managing subcontractors, coordinating RFI submittals and change orders, managing…

S. M. Wilson & Co. recently added Project Engineers Kaeleb Franken and Keishawn Baucom. In their roles, Franken and Baucom are responsible for working with a project’s design professionals, consultants and owners to establish and track the flow of information, approvals, meetings, reporting, shop drawings, submittals, material deliveries, LEED checklists and other support activities through…

FOCUS St. Louis to recognize Caritas’ Gary Huelsmann at 29th annual ‘What’s Right with the Region Awards’ for impactful leadership, community contributions Caritas Family Solutions recently announced that its CEO, Gary Huelsmann, has been nominated as a Community Changemaker for the 29th annual What’s Right with the Region Awards, led by FOCUS St. Louis. This…

Vice President of Finance and Operations Mary Schulte, of Jerseyville, retired April 30, 2026, after nearly 30 years of service to Lewis and Clark Community College. Schulte had served as vice president of Finance since 2012 but had been with the college since November 1997. Over the course of her LC career, she served in…

Following a national search, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Miriam Roccia has named Melinda (Mindy) Dilley, EdD, as Dean of Students. Dr. Dilley has served as Interim Dean of Students since Feb. 16, 2026, following her arrival at SIUE as Assistant Dean of Students in July 2024. Dilley brings more than…

Changes are part of a planned succession First Mid Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: FMBH) (“First Mid”) has announced a leadership transition as part of its long-term, board-led succession planning process. Effective July 1, 2026, Matthew K. Smith, president of the company, will become CEO and president of First Mid and its subsidiary, First Mid Bank &…

First Bankers Trust Company N.A., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Bankers Trustshares Inc., recently announced that Patty Williamson has joined the organization as vice president, Financial Planning & Analysis officer, effective April 20, 2026. In this role, Williamson will support enterprise-wide financial planning and analysis, including budgeting, forecasting, and executive decision support. She will partner…