INA, Ill. (May 12, 2025) 鈥� Join 海角视频 in celebrating one of their students each month, sponsored by Banterra Bank. These students are selected based on their GPA, as well as their campus and community involvement. The May Student of the Month is Emma Thompson (Opdyke).
Thompson is a sophomore in the visual communication design program, a student employee for the Marketing & Communications department and a member of the RLC Student Ambassadors. She was nominated for the student of the month honor for her outstanding drive and passion as a student, her work ethic and involvement on campus. Recently, Thompson was involved in the design and layout for RLC's .
"Emma is the epitome of a well-rounded designer鈥攊ntelligent, creative and unafraid to take risks, all while maintaining a sharp eye for detail," said Jennifer Tarantino Linsin, RLC Visual Communication Design Professor. "She consistently pushes herself beyond her comfort zone to explore new ideas. Emma is always willing to help her classmates and problem solve the situation. I feel truly fortunate that she chose to spend her time at 海角视频 in our VCD classroom."
"Emma is the best! We couldn鈥檛 do it without her," said Nathan Wheeler, Director of Marketing & Communications. "We are so proud of her for being named Banterra鈥檚 Student of the Month! It鈥檚 not surprising though, coming from the hardest-working department on campus.鈥�
"Emma has been a student worker for the Marketing & Communications Department for a year now, and she has been an outstanding employee," said Taylor Wilburn, Social Media & Outreach Specialist. "She excels in everything she does and makes sure she puts her all into everything. We are so proud of Emma!"
"Emma is such a great Student Ambassador," said Hillary Halsey, Recruitment & Student Success and leader of the Student Ambassadors. "She鈥檚 kind, friendly and always willing to jump in and help wherever she鈥檚 needed. I can always count on her, and I鈥檓 so proud of everything she鈥檚 accomplished."
"Emma's submissions for my class are consistently unique and brimming with creativity," said Sarah Bilderbeck, RLC Business Associate Professor. "It's quite clear that designing and creating are not just passions for her, but will undoubtedly be central to her future career!"
"Emma is a genuinely kind-hearted, compassionate and responsible person" said Kendra Gregory, Public Information Specialist. "I don鈥檛 think I have ever met a person as amazing as Emma Thompson."
Thompson will be graduating on May 17, 2025, and will be continuing her education at Southern Illinois University of Carbondale in the advertising program. Along with continuing her education, she will also be working part-time for the RLC Marketing & Communications department.
RLC is delighted to see Thompson recognized for her upstanding character鈥搉ot only by our faculty and staff, but also by members of our community, such as CEO of Banterra Bank Jeff May.
鈥淏anterra was happy to partner with 海角视频 for the naming rights of an upcoming renovated sports facility, the Banterra Sports Complex, because we are two organizations that are committed to supporting Southern Illinois and our youth,鈥� said May. 鈥淎s part of that partnership, we are honored to sponsor a Student of the Month program which recognizes an outstanding RLC student each month for their achievements.鈥�
The Game Plan is an opportunity to renovate and expand the facilities within the Waugh Gymnasium on the RLC campus. Banterra Bank acquired naming rights of the gym and will henceforth be known as The Banterra Sports Complex, which is RLC鈥檚 largest corporate naming rights agreement to date. Renovations of the Banterra Sports Complex began in fall 2024 and are expected to be completed by fall of 2025.
About the Banterra Sports Complex
The planned Banterra Sports Complex at 海角视频 will include the existing James 鈥淗ummer鈥� Waugh Gymnasium as well as a new addition to the space. Waugh Gymnasium is one of the original buildings on the college鈥檚 campus and in 1995 was named after Waugh, a long-time coach and educator with nearly 50 combined athletic seasons to his credit when he retired. In addition to the gym, it includes athletic offices and locker rooms.