Kaskaskia College
Encyclopedia
Kaskaskia College, located in Centralia, Illinois
, is the oldest community college
s in the U.S. state
of Illinois
and serves 11,500 students. The college provides accredited degree programs in Arts
, Science
, General Studies, and 18 other vocational Associate degree programs. Currently presided by James C. Underwood, the college originated in 1940, as the first Community College in the state established under the Junior College Act. Prior Presidents include: Alice Mumaw-Jacobs, Dr. Bruce Stahl, Dr. Paul Blowers, and Oscar Corbell (original founder). It is located adjacent Centralia
, with the main campus in Clinton County
just south of Shattuc.
, established by a vote of the people. Oscar Corbell and the Centralia High School Board of Education saw a great need for higher education opportunities within the area. Mr. Corbell worked closely with the Board of Education and area legislators, and under his leadership, they launched the movement for a local junior college that would operate in conjunction with the local high school. Corbell, a local attorney, wrote the State Bill that would later become known as the Illinois Public Junior College Act of 1937
.
Twenty-six years later on July 1, 1966, under the new Public Junior College Act, House Bill 1710, the district expanded and the College became known as Kaskaskia College District 501 - the first college under the new state.
which will enable individuals to earn a livelihood in their chosen careers, make valuable use of time,
and render a service to society, particularly the community in which they live.
It will never cease to be a part of the philosophy of the College
to increase the number and kind of offerings to meet the needs of an increased
enrollment in a changing society."
Centralia, Illinois
Centralia is a town located in Marion, Washington, Clinton, and Jefferson Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 13,032 at the 2010 census. The town was founded because it was the point where the two original branches of the Illinois Central Railroad, built in 1853, converged....
, is the oldest community college
Community college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
s in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
and serves 11,500 students. The college provides accredited degree programs in Arts
ARts
aRts, which stands for analog Real time synthesizer, is an audio framework that is no longer under development. It is best known for previously being used in KDE to simulate an analog synthesizer....
, Science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, General Studies, and 18 other vocational Associate degree programs. Currently presided by James C. Underwood, the college originated in 1940, as the first Community College in the state established under the Junior College Act. Prior Presidents include: Alice Mumaw-Jacobs, Dr. Bruce Stahl, Dr. Paul Blowers, and Oscar Corbell (original founder). It is located adjacent Centralia
Centralia, Illinois
Centralia is a town located in Marion, Washington, Clinton, and Jefferson Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. The population was 13,032 at the 2010 census. The town was founded because it was the point where the two original branches of the Illinois Central Railroad, built in 1853, converged....
, with the main campus in Clinton County
Clinton County, Illinois
-Demographics: As of the census of 2000, there were 35,535 people, 12,754 households, and 9,221 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile . There were 13,805 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
just south of Shattuc.
College History & Mission
On September 9, 1940, Centralia Township Junior College began its operation as the first tax-supported junior college in the state of IllinoisIllinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, established by a vote of the people. Oscar Corbell and the Centralia High School Board of Education saw a great need for higher education opportunities within the area. Mr. Corbell worked closely with the Board of Education and area legislators, and under his leadership, they launched the movement for a local junior college that would operate in conjunction with the local high school. Corbell, a local attorney, wrote the State Bill that would later become known as the Illinois Public Junior College Act of 1937
Illinois Community College System
The Illinois Community College System consists of 39 public community college districts, composed of 48 community colleges and one multi-college center where 3 of the community colleges offer additional classes...
.
Twenty-six years later on July 1, 1966, under the new Public Junior College Act, House Bill 1710, the district expanded and the College became known as Kaskaskia College District 501 - the first college under the new state.
Mission statement
"The College will provide educational opportunitieswhich will enable individuals to earn a livelihood in their chosen careers, make valuable use of time,
and render a service to society, particularly the community in which they live.
It will never cease to be a part of the philosophy of the College
to increase the number and kind of offerings to meet the needs of an increased
enrollment in a changing society."