Lincoln College opening new Center for Adult Learning in Normal on April 7

[March 20, 2009]  NORMAL -- Lincoln College is pleased to announce the April 7 grand opening celebration for the new Center for Adult Learning, located at 1608 Northbrook in Normal. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 11:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The Center for Adult Learning is 2,100 square feet and incorporates state-of-the-art classroom and meeting space in its design. It will house the college's Accelerated Bridge to Education program -- an accelerated bachelor degree program for working adults -- as well as its business education and worker training programs. The new center is just down the street from the Normal campus on Raab Road.

When asked about the significance of the center's opening, Associate Dean Pamela Johnston said: "It is a testament to both the remarkable growth of the program and the college's ongoing commitment to this community. We started with just 17 students in 2007. Today, we have almost 150 students enrolled in the program. In addition to the opening of the center, we also began offering two new programs -- a bachelor's degree in health services administration and a certificate in dental services management -- this year."

"We are delighted to celebrate the growth of the ABE program as we also mark the 30th anniversary of the Normal campus," said Dr. A. Gigi Fansler, executive vice president of Lincoln College-Normal. "With the expansion of the program to the Lincoln campus and the opening of the Center for Adult Learning, Lincoln College continues to be at the forefront of adult education."

Students enrolled in the ABE program can earn up to 27 credit hours in a calendar year by attending one class, one night a week for five weeks. Other program benefits include:

• Faculty-professionals who are experts in their field and trained to teach using an accelerated format.

• Dedicated faculty and advisers who understand the pressure of balancing work and attending college.

• An academic program designed around the student, with the ability to step in and step out.

• Professional tutors available during the evenings and weekends.

• Convenient payment plans.

More information on the ABE program is available at www.abe.lincolncollege.edu.

[Text from filed received from Lincoln College-Normal]