Sangamon Sun

Kaskaskia College marked its 85th anniversary with a weekend of events aimed at families, students, and prospective students. The celebration highlighted the institution's longstanding role in the region.

Board Chair Bill Hawley opened the ceremony by emphasizing the college’s impact on the local economy and community. “This college has provided an economic benefit to this region that is unequaled, as well as providing opportunity. Not only for the young people needing to get the education or job training to move on in life, but to the entire community with all of the programs that we run and all of the events that we participate in,” Hawley said.

College President George Evans spoke about Kaskaskia College’s commitment to affordable education and fiscal responsibility. “To give you a few numbers, 4000 was our full-time headcount this past spring,” Evans said. “If you throw in part-time that’s another 3000 students for roughly 7000 students (total). You throw on that 85 years of community education, for credit education, workforce certification, healthcare training, agriculture training, you’re in the millions. That’s the amount of students that we have impacted through Kaskaskia College as well as the community college system.”

Illinois State Representative Charlie Meier attended and described the anniversary as a significant achievement. “You have proven that community college isn’t a stepping stone, but a launch pad,” Meier said. “With nearly $133 million in local economic impact, I’d say you’re worth every penny of tuition, especially for those dual credit high schoolers who take advantage of a great opportunity before them.”

Meier also filed House Resolution 476 to recognize Kaskaskia College’s milestone.

Meier is a Republican who was elected to represent Illinois’ 109th House District in 2023 after David Reis previously held the seat.