Sixty years of the Illinois Community College system were celebrated at Kaskaskia College on Thursday by representatives of community colleges throughout Southern Illinois.
ICCB Executive Director Dr. Brian Durham notes the Illinois Community College system is one of the three largest in the country.
“These colleges have served generations of students and families, and truly have made a difference in the lives of individuals in Southern Illinois,” Durham said. “Not only by preparing students for transfer to universities, but also by equipping people with the skills needed to support local industries, healthcare, education, and small businesses. They are truly, and particularly in these regions of the state, pillars of stability and growth in their community.”
Durham says the colleges are accomplishing their mission by working in partnership with employers, hospitals, K-12 schools, civic groups and faith based organizations.
Kaskaskia College President George Evans noted at community colleges you don’t have to spend six figures to make six figures.
“This year alone, 520,000 students walked through the halls of all the community colleges in the state of Illinois,” Evans said. “Twice as many as the public and private university system. They are amazing partners, but think of that number. 520,000 individuals walked through our halls, many of them receiving a degree or certificate for less than $10,000, at most maybe $13,000.”
Three students told their stories of how attending community colleges got them started on their career path. They included Mechanical Engineer at Intermountain Electronics Amanda Hoeksema who attended a northern Illinois community college as well as Nurse Practioner at Signature Orthopedics Maddisson ‘Maddy’ Haslett-Warren, and the President of SSM Health in Southern Illinois Damon Harbison. They both attended Kaskaskia College.
Kaskaskia College president George Evans speaks at the 60th anniversary event. Photo by Bruce Kropp.