LASS at Heartland Community College

10/21/2026

We are running our second annual writing contest for fiction and poetry student writers: the Hawk & Quill Writing Contest!
Deadline for submissions is Nov. 16th. 1st place and runners-up receive cash prizes!
For more information and submission guidelines, please visit our website!
https://www.heartland.edu/academicDepartments/lass/index.html

05/06/2026

Please join us for the opening night of The Heartland Hawk Film Festival!

TONIGHT, MAY 6th 6-8:30 P.M. NORMAL THEATER

Fresh from the Chicago International Film Festival
A Brief History of Chasing Storms
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The Heartland Hawk Film festival is proud to present A Brief History of Chasing Storms, a documentary that explores the history, mythology and fascination behind the tornado, arguably the most iconic American weather event.

The showcase will be held at the Normal Theater and is free and open to the public.

We will be joined by director Curtis Miller, who will participate in a Q&A with the audience.

05/05/2026

Sound Meditation BONUS: Percussionist Cory Flanigan also brought along some digital visuals today, so if trying to close your eyes and meditate is not your thing, you can focus on the changing visuals instead 🧘

He's playing until 1:45pm in the ACEC Auditorium TODAY (May 5th), so don't miss it!

04/29/2026

Looking to be entertained while you eat some snacks? Have we got the event for you…

Wednesday, May 6th from 11:30am-1pm, Professor Seehuus’s Advanced Creative Writing class will host a reading where they’ll provide both the entertainment AND the food!

The ENGL 210 students will read their original works as you sit back and enjoy the show with a cupcake in hand.

Don’t miss it! Wednesday, May 6th, starting at 11:30am in the WDC Welcome Room (WDC 1601).

04/29/2026

If you’re a student (past or current!) filmmaker, don’t forget to submit your work!

Final call for submissions! Tomorrow, April 30, is the last day to submit your short films and creative projects for the upcoming Hawk Film Festival. Selected works will be screened for a live audience at the Normal Theater on May 6 and 7. 🎥

Please contact [email protected] to submit your work before the deadline.

04/28/2026

Are you feeling stressed out and anxious about the end of the semester? We’ve got just the thing…

A Sound Mediation with cory flanigan in the ACEC Auditorium on Tuesday May 5th from 10:45am to 1:45pm.

Come and let the soothing sounds of gongs and monochord quiet your mind. Flanigan will play for 3 hours and attendees can come and go as their schedules allow.

Let a sound meditation help you find your zen so you can finish your Spring 2026 semester strong!

04/27/2026

April is National Poetry Month and the LASS Foo Dog wants to help celebrate! So in preparation for the final day of the month which is called “Poem in your Pocket Day,” Foo Dog has a basket of treats and poems.

Stop by the LASS office suite in ICB 2000 to get pick up a poem and a treat. And don’t forget to keep your poem in your pocket on April 30th, so you can read a poem and celebrate the final day of National Poetry Month.

You like classic poems? You’ll get a Werther’s. Rather read a poem for kids? Have some Sour Patch Kids! And if you’re a real poetry nerd, you’ll get some delicious Nerd Clusters. (And a few lucky people may find the rare “Poems by Tony” which are paired with a Tony’s Chocoloney…)

04/27/2026

Don’t miss “The Many Facets of Belonging,” the PTK Research Symposium on Tuesday, April 28th from 11am-12:15pm in CCB 1406-1407!

This year’s annual PTK (Phi Theta Kappa] research symposium’s theme is “Belonging.” Students have selected topics, conducted research, and developed posters to share with the HCC community.

Topics include:

•What is “belonging?”—a look at the science
•How sense of belonging impacts crime rates in impoverished communities
•Multiracial identities
•Religion on college campuses
•How gentrification and tourism reshape “home” for local residents
•Women in historically male-dominated professions
•And many more!



[photo credits:

“Working Together Teamwork Puzzle Concept” by lumaxart is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

“girls’ soccer goodbye ritual” by woodleywonderworks is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

“group hug” by melaclaro is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

“Group hug” by Erling A is licensed under CC BY 2.0. ]

04/22/2026

There is still time to submit your film to the Heartland Hawk Film Festival!

If you’re a filmmaker and a current or former student of HCC, submit your film to [email protected] by April 30th for a chance to be part of the 2026 Heartland Hawk Film Festival on May 6th and 7th.



[video clip attributions: Star Wars-A New Hope, Arrested Development, Bob’s Burgers, and The Offer]

04/21/2026

It’s not too late to apply for this amazing opportunity for short term study abroad in Japan! From August 1-10, you’ll visit Asahikawa and Tokyo to see the sights and learn about Japan’s rich culture.

Don’t miss it! Applications are due at the end April. Email [email protected] for more details.



[image credits: “The Kinkaku-ji Temple in Kyoto, Japan” by Mustang Joe is marked with CC0 1.0.

“Great Buddha of Kamakura, Japan” by Mustang Joe is marked with CC0 1.0.

“Osaka, Japan” by szeke is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

“Kiyomizu-dera Temple. Kyoto Japan.” by Bernard Spragg is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.

“Map of Japan 011” by User:Monaneko is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

“Tokyo” by luca.sartoni is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.]