Fund-raising Continues for New Science Lab at Pinckneyville RLC
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Rend Lake College Murphy-Wall campus in Pinckneyville has saved a lot of students a lot of gas money since its opening in 2001.
Now the RLC Foundation and a group of local citizens is hoping to help save even more. At present, the Murphy-Wall Campus offers most of the classes necessary to earn an Associate's Degree. However, since there is no lab, students must drive to the main campus at Ina to take science courses. If a lab were added, students could complete their degrees without ever leaving Pinckneyville.
In about two months, a group of Pinckneyville residents, led by Dr. Gene Stotlar has raised over $270,000 for the lab. Approximately $125,000 is still needed.
Pat Kern, CEO of the Rend Lake Foundation, said she is hopeful that the rest of the money can be collected by the end of 2010. Construction could then begin in the spring.
The new lab would be added to the south side of the current building. It would be a multi-purpose laboratory for biology, chemistry and other science classes, including nursing pre-requisites.
"I believe we will get together and make this thing a go," Dr. Stotlar told the crowd of Rend Lake officials, employees, students and community members on Wednesday.
Donations may be sent to Rend Lake College Foundation, 468 N. Ken Gray Parkway Ina, IL 62836.