Jump to content

Kaskaskia College

Coordinates: 38°33′45″N 89°11′34″W / 38.56250°N 89.19278°W / 38.56250; -89.19278
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kaskaskia College
Former name
Centralia Township Junior College (1940-?) Centralia Junior College (?-1966)
TypePublic community college
Established1940
Endowment$7,405,000
PresidentGeorge Evans
Students3,370 (Fall 2022)
Location,
U.S.

38°33′45″N 89°11′34″W / 38.56250°N 89.19278°W / 38.56250; -89.19278
CampusRural
Colors    Navy blue, white
NicknameBlue Devils/Blue Angels
Sporting affiliations
NJCAA Division I
Great Rivers Athletic Conference
Websitewww.kaskaskia.edu

Kaskaskia College is a public community college in Centralia, Illinois. Kaskaskia College's Community College District 501 serves all or part of nine counties, including Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Marion, Washington, Jefferson, St. Clair, Madison and Montgomery.

History

[edit]

The college originated in 1940 as the first community college in the state established under the Junior College Act under the name "Centralia Township Junior College".[1] The current president is George Evans. Previous presidents include Alice Mumaw-Jacobs, Bruce Stahl, Paul Blowers, and Oscar Corbell (original founder).

Academics

[edit]

Kaskaskia College Associate of Arts and Associate of Science Degrees for students who wish to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The college also offers 50 associate degree career programs and 102 certificates in occupational areas. The college has been accredited since 1964 and as of December 6, 2021, Kaskaskia College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.[2]

Campus

[edit]
Lifelong Learning Center
Main Building
Fitness Center and Gym

Kaskaskia College's main campus is located on approximately 190 acres three miles west of Centralia. The college has since constructed additional education centers in the communities of Vandalia, Salem, Greenville, Trenton and Nashville. The college also houses its heavy occupation programs, Heating and Air Conditioning, Carpentry, Welding, Industrial Technology at the Crisp Technology Center on Route 161 East in Centralia.

Campus Improvements

[edit]

In 2022, the college announced a multi-phase project aimed at modernizing its main campus solidifying the college's infrastructure needs for the next 20-plus years.[3] Improvements consisted of a $25 million renovation to modernize classrooms, a new innovative model to make the registration process more efficient and convenient, and upgraded spaces for the Auto Technology area.[4]

Transportation

[edit]

The main campus of Kaskaskia College is served by South Central Transit. The Cardinals Route and Purple Martin Route provide bus service to Centralia and other nearby communities.[5]

Athletics

[edit]

The Kaskaskia athletic teams are called the Blue Devils. The college is a member of the NJCAA and a part of the Great Rivers Athletic Conference[2] (GRAC) offering a number of sports.

Men's Sports:

  • Baseball
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Tennis

In 2013, the baseball team qualified for the 2013 NJCAA Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado for the first time in program history.

Women's Sports:

  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Tennis
  • Volleyball

The Softball team were the NJCAA Region XXIV Champions for 2023 and competed in the Softball World Series for the first time.[5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "About KC - Kaskaskia College". www.kaskaskia.edu. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
  2. ^ a b "Higher Learning Commission". www.hlcommission.org. Retrieved 2022-04-04.
  3. ^ Dennis Rosenberger (2022-08-11). "Multi-phase renovation plan gets under way as KC main campus". Morning Sentinel. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  4. ^ "Kaskaskia College Board moves forward with two renovation projects". South Central Illinois' News, Sports and Weather Station. Retrieved 2024-01-15.
  5. ^ a b "South Central Transit". Retrieved July 24, 2023.
[edit]