Harrisburg Kiwanis Establishes Circle K Chapter at SIC

Earlier this month, the Kiwanis Club of Harrisburg held an induction ceremony for its newly chartered and established Circle K International Chapter at Southeastern Illinois College. 

During the event, eight SIC students were welcomed to the organization, whose mission is to develop the college and its students into a global network of responsible citizens and leaders with a lifelong commitment to service.

College President Jonah Rice is delighted to have Circle K on campus.  “SIC is committed to student engagement and experiential learning to complement the learning that takes place in the classroom.  Circle K continues that commitment and also promotes service learning, a valuable component in a student’s educational journey,” said Rice.

Longtime Kiwanian and Harrisburg resident David Clemmons will serve as the chapter’s sponsor, and Southeastern’s Tricia Johnson will serve as the staff advisor.  Johnson is the college’s director of institutional advancement and executor director of the SIC Foundation, as well as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Harrisburg.

The college began preparation for the chapter last fall at its Back to School Bash by setting up a table with members from the Harrisburg Kiwanis to explain to students what Circle K International was and how it would benefit them by providing leadership and service opportunities, along with the great benefit to the community. 

“We continued with a few more informational meetings later in the fall and scheduled a meeting in January with the students who were interested. There was a core group of 14 students who were committed to being the charter group for the Circle K International Club of Southeastern Illinois College,” said Johnson. 

During the spring, the group worked to develop ideas for service projects, leadership positions, an agenda for chartering and an induction ceremony, which was held on Aug. 2 at the college. 

“We are so excited to see this goal achieved and believe it is an excellent opportunity for students to gain valuable leadership and service skills,” Johnson added.

Chad Flannery, dean for student services and enrollment, also is excited to have a Circle K presence at Southeastern.  “Circle K gives our students an outstanding opportunity to give back to a community that has supported its college so well.  Service is at the heart of education, and Circle K provides that outlet for service.”

The newly formed club will soon elect and install officers and begin recruiting more members. According to Clemmons and Johnson, the club’s vision is “to be the leading global community service organization on the campus of Southeastern Illinois College, enriching the world one member, one child, and one community at a time.”

Students who are interested in becoming members of the college’s Circle K Club are encouraged to contact Johnson at 618-252-5400 ext. 2120 or tricia.johnson@sic.edu.

###

Written by Archie Blair, SIC Public Information