Latest news with #Millikin
Chicago Tribune
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
At home behind the plate, Robby Pursel provides pick-me-up at first base for Andrew. ‘Super exciting, actually.'
Robby Pursel is a catcher at heart. That's the position the senior was recruited to play at Millikin, the college he committed to back in January. But Andrew has depth behind the plate and talented junior Nolan Kendall typically starts there, so Pursel moved to first base. And he welcomed the switch. 'I think it's super exciting, actually,' Pursel said. 'It's fun to play a new position. Nolan's a dog. He's amazing back there. Whatever I have to do. I can play first base. I can hold my own.' Pursel has been solid in the field and strong at the plate all season. He had two hits for host Andrew in Wednesday's SouthWest Suburban Conference game against Lincoln-Way West. The game was suspended due to darkness in Tinley Park with the teams tied 1-1 through 11 innings. It was set to be completed Thursday. Caden Kendall was dominant on the mound for eight innings. After taking a no-hitter into the sixth for Andrew (16-6, 3-6), he allowed one earned run on three hits, struck out three and did not issue a walk. Ben Reilly followed with three innings of scoreless relief. 'Caden is just a dog,' Pursel said. 'He gets it done every time he's out there. It's amazing. Ben came in and threw great, too.' Notre Dame recruit Michael Pettit allowed one earned run over five innings for Lincoln-Way West (18-5, 7-4). He struck out five, working around five hits, two walks and three batters hit by a pitch. Ben Joynt and Rock Valley commit Tyler Bartley threw two and four scoreless innings, respectively, in relief. Jackson Mansker delivered an RBI double. Pursel, meanwhile, has been a steady force as the No. 3 hitter in Andrew's order. He's batting .429 with 12 runs, two homers and 19 RBIs. 'Robby's doing really good,' Caden Kendall said. 'First base is a big spot for him and he plays it well. He's been swinging the bat for us, too.' Pursel said adjusting to first base has been pretty smooth, but it's a tougher position to play than some people realize. 'The challenge is that you kind of have to be able to read everyone's arms,' he said. 'It's not as easy as people think, but it's fun.' Andrew coach Dave DeHaan appreciates Pursel buying in. He said the senior leader is an important part of the Thunderbolts' lineup. 'He's a team-first guy and he's done a great job,' DeHaan said. 'We're very fortunate that we have some really good catchers. He's been willing to play first and really helped us there. 'He's a senior who's been through it and it's huge to have him in the middle of the lineup for us. He had a great year last season and he's continuing to have success this year.' Andrew's lone run Wednesday came in the fourth inning, when Caden Kendall's single was followed by three batters being hit by a pitch. Caden Kendall did not allow a hit against the Warriors' talented offense until Pettit singled with two outs in the sixth inning and Mansker followed with the game-tying double. 'I just kept pounding the zone and my defense played really well,' Caden said. The game turned into an epic one. And it's to be continued. 'It was nuts,' Pursel said. 'The energy was great. The crowd was phenomenal. The pitching was phenomenal.' It was the kind of day that further enhances Pursel's love for a sport he started playing when he was 4 years old. Pursel's mother, Margaret, is a former softball player and one of Pursel's biggest motivators. 'My mom was huge for me,' Pursel said. 'She was always out in the backyard playing catch with me. My love for the game kind of started right there. 'Now I'll take her to the Bo (Jackson) Dome in Lockport and hit there. She'll flip balls to me or use the machine. It's awesome.'
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Millikin University pens partnership with Heartland Community College
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Two Central Illinois colleges are partnering up to allow an automatic pathway to get a bachelor's degree. Millikin University and Heartland Community College announced a partnership Wednesday. With the partnership, most graduates from Heartland will be able to enroll full time to complete a bachelor's degree at Millikin University. Decatur lawmaker urges Trump to relocate USDA from D.C. to the Midwest 'This partnership with Heartland Community College reflects Millikin's continued commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education for students across Illinois,' said Millikin Acting President Mary Black. 'By offering Heartland graduates a clear path to a Millikin degree and a seamless transfer experience, we're empowering students to reach their academic and professional goals with greater ease and confidence. We look forward to welcoming these talented students into our campus community.' Students need at least a 2.0 culmulative GPA in order to qualify. All University Studies requirements will be completed with the program. Millikin officials said around 40 programs can be completed by students in two years after the completion of an AA, AS or other relevant coursework from Heartland. 'This partnership minimizes credit loss, smooths out the transfer process, and helps keep college affordable for students seeking to continue their education at a premier university,' said Dr. Keith Cornille, President of Heartland Community College. 'We are continually looking to build upon the relationships we have to improve the transfer process for our students. We are fortunate to have university partners like Millikin who share our goal of moving students toward their academic and career goals.' Forsyth Park hosting inaugural Officer Chris Oberheim Baseball Memorial Tournament Additionally, any graduate of the Heartland Honors Program will get accepted into the James Millikin Honors Program. Graduates from Heartland Community College will also be able to receive financial aid with the Millikin Tuition Promise and Big Blue Pledge: Illinois Free Tuition Programs to partially and fully cover the cost of tuition. More information on program and course articulation can be found on Millikin's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
EIU hosting 2025 ACES State Competition
CHARLESTON, Ill. (WCIA) — Over 1,200 high schoolers from across the state are currently participating in a four-day engineering and science competition at Eastern Illinois University. Spanning from April 14-17, EIU is holding the 2025 Academic Challenge for Engineering and Science (ACES) State Competition in Charleston. This year's competition is highlighting the academic talents of students from almost 170 high schools across the state. Road construction to begin on Highway 32 in Coles Co. The university has organized this ACES competition since 2019. Previously, this event was known as the WYSE Outreach Program from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Now, the event is managed by EIU's School of Extended Learning in collaboration with partner institutions across Illinois and Missouri. Since the start of this academic year, close to 450 high schools have competed at the regional and sectional levels, both in-person and online, leading to this culminating competition across Illinois. Those participating are competing in one of four divisions, based on school size, and the competition schedule is as follows: April 14: Division 300 – 407 students, 61 coaches from 60 high schools April 15: Division 700 – 375 students, 50 coaches from 51 high schools April 16: Division 1500 – 327 students, 37 coaches from 37 high schools April 17: Division Unlimited – 159 students, 21 coaches from 21 high schools Millikin appoints new Vice President of University Advancement These events will all take place in the Grand and University Ballrooms of the MLK Jr. University Union at EIU. In the competition, students will choose two exams from subjects including Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Graphics, English, Math and Physics. The top-performing students placing first through fifth in each subject will earn individual medals, while the schools achieving top scores will be awarded team trophies. 'Eastern is honored to celebrate these remarkable young scholars and their academic achievements,' Josh Norman, vice president for Enrollment Management at EIU, said. 'The ACES competition brings some of Illinois' most promising future engineers, scientists, and thinkers to our campus, and we hope many will consider EIU as their first-choice University.' To learn more about the school's academic programs, visit or reach out to EIU Admissions. For more information on the university's academic and career readiness programs, visit their website or call EIU's public information office at 217-581-7400. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Millikin University, Illinois Central College streamline transfer process
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — Millikin University and Illinois Central College (ICC) are teaming up to provide a seamless transfer experience, making it easier for students to complete their four-year degree. The two institutions have a new partnership in which ICC graduates will automatically be accepted into Millikin, allowing them to complete their bachelor's degree in two years. The agreement will begin in the 2025-2026 school year. Three displaced by apartment fire in Decatur Millikin said that to qualify for the automatic transfer, ICC students must have completed an Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Science (AS), Associate in Fine Arts (AFA), Associate in Engineering Science (AES) or Associate in Applied Science (AAS) with a 2.0 cumulative GPA. 'This partnership with Illinois Central College creates a straightforward and accessible route for students to continue their education at Millikin University,' Millikin University Provost Mary Black said. 'By streamlining the often-complicated transfer process, ICC students can transition smoothly while also taking advantage of Millikin's distinctive opportunities, such as Performance Learning and exceptional graduate programs.' ICC transfer students can complete the following programs in two years at Millikin: Millikin University welcomes 17th President Accounting Agribusiness Applied Statistics Chemistry Computer Science Digital Marketing History Nursing (requires three semesters at ICC and five semesters at Millikin) Political Science A full list of programs can be found on Millikin's website. 'Illinois Central College is committed to providing students with clear and seamless pathways to further their education and achieve their goals. This partnership with Millikin University creates valuable opportunities for our students to continue their academic journey with confidence,' ICC President Dr. Sheila Quirk-Bailey said. 'We appreciate Millikin's commitment to supporting transfer students and look forward to seeing our graduates thrive as they take their next steps.' Students who have met the requirements of the ICC Honors Program will also receive automatic acceptance into the James Millikin Honors Scholars Program. ICC transfer students will also qualify for scholarships like Millikin Tuition Promise and Big Blue Pledge: Illinois Free Tuition Program. For more information on the programs available for ICC transfer students, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Decatur looking to end sweepstake kiosks, regulate massage parlors
DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The Decatur City Council will look to ban sweepstakes kiosks from operation as well as create licenses for massage businesses. At their meeting Monday evening, the council will discuss amending the city code to prohibit sweepstake machines. Officials say the kiosk advertise the ability to play for free, but that claim is misleading. Search for new Millikin leader underway after president steps down The ordinance would still allow 'duly licensed video gaming terminals' to remain open within city limits. City officials are also hoping to create regulations for massage parlors. This would require the businesses to undergo regular inspections. Other requirements in the ordinance would be enforce that all massage therapists be licensed from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as well as implementing signage explaining that solicitation for sexual favors is against state law. Medical facilities, athletic programs, licensed cosmetologists, educational institutions, and State licensed home-based massage service providers would be exempt from the amendment. The City of Springfield has cracked down and closed 11 massage parlors after enacting a similar ordinance last year. Decatur Police seeking tips on armed robbery Council members are also set to consider two honorary street designations to acknowledge the work of local leaders: Bishop Thomas Cooper — at the corner of Macon Street & Haworth Street, and Dr. Thomas Walker — at the corner of Water Street & Cerro Gordo Street. The Decatur City Council will meet Monday at 5:30 p.m. in the city council chambers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
