RELEASED WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2002
Press Release
Kaskaskia College
27210 College Road
Centralia, IL 62801
Contact: Cathy Karrick
Telephone: 618.545.3182

Author: Dr. Jim Underwood, President Kaskaskia College
Date: September 25, 2002
Headline: Kaskaskia College - A Promise Kept
Guest Editorial – Release of Socioeconomic Impact Study of Kaskaskia College

On September 9, 1940, Centralia Township Junior College began its operation as the first tax-supported junior college in the state of Illinois, established by a vote of the people. Oscar Corbell and the Centralia Township High School Board of Education saw a great need for higher education opportunities within the area. In 1935, he attended the University of Chicago to study the junior college concept. Upon his return to Centralia, he 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, who was also an attorney, wrote the 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 (updated the original act of 1937) the district expanded and the College became known as Kaskaskia College District 501 - the first college under the new law. In the 1966 Kaskaskia College Institutional Profile, prepared for the accreditation process, the Board of Trustees made a promise to the people of this district: “The College will provide educational opportunities which will enable individuals to earn a livelihood in their chosen careers, make valuable use of leisure 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. The philosophy of the College is now and always will be in the thinking and imagination of the Board, the Administration, and the Faculty, to accept the challenge of each age--to contribute to the education of all that they may be able to cope with the problems of a highly complex society. This, then, is the image of Kaskaskia College for future years.” Has Kaskaskia College kept this promise? Indeed, it has!

A yearlong study of Illinois community colleges, conducted by CCBenefits, Inc. and commissioned by the Illinois Community College Board, Illinois Community College Trustees Association, and community colleges throughout the state of Illinois was just recently released. I am so pleased to share the results of “The Socioeconomic Benefits Generated by Kaskaskia College” that answers the question, “how does the Kaskaskia College Economic Region economy and the State of Illinois benefit from the presence of Kaskaskia College?” This 2002 study proves that Kaskaskia College has stayed true to the promises made when the College was in its infancy, and asks the thought provoking question, what would our lives and communities be like, if Kaskaskia College did not exist?

From a student’s perspective, students benefit from higher education as they sacrifice tuition and current earnings for a lifetime of higher earnings. After graduating from KC with an Associate Degree, the average student will earn 113% more than someone without a high school diploma and 36% more than someone with just a high school diploma. From an investment standpoint, KC students will enjoy a 30% rate of return on their investments of time and money resulting in a payback period of only 4.9 years. Graduates of KC enjoy not only a quick return on their investment, but also a better quality of life made available through education.

From a taxpayer’s perspective, community colleges are the “engine of economic development” and KC has a proud history of successfully preparing people for the workforce and various professions. In fact, the study shows that 73% of our graduates stay in the region and contribute to the local economy after they graduate. The study further shows that the annual rate of return for the taxpayer is 14.7% and that for every $1 invested by the taxpayers in KC today returns $2.93 over a short payback period of only 8.9 years. Additionally, the study reflected many indirect benefits of a KC education; i.e., lower unemployment/welfare, reduced crime, improved health related issues, and other improved social items. KC is truly a social and economic benefit.

Kaskaskia College programs and services encourage new business, assist existing business, and create long-term economic growth. The College enhances worker skills and provides customized training to local business and industry. It is estimated that the present-day Kaskaskia Economic Region workforce embodies over 1.0 million credit and non-credit hours of past and present KC training.

KC skills embodied in the present-day workforce increase the output of industries in the Kaskaskia Economic Region economy, where former students are employed, by $123.76 million. Associated multiplier effects (sometimes called indirect effects) in other industries increase sales by $91.56 million. The existence of KC explains $85.6 million of all annual earnings in the Kaskaskia Economic Region economy, and those earnings account for 3,354 jobs.

We are continuing the promise made so long ago. In 1940, the enrollment of Centralia Township Junior College was 67 students. Our projected enrollment for all on and off-campus enrollments for 2002 is over 10,000 students! Through our expanded programs on the main campus and at educational centers located throughout the district, the College is providing a multitude of affordable and accessible educational opportunities taught by a high quality and superb faculty and staff. No wonder Kaskaskia College has become the fastest growing higher education institution in the entire state of Illinois and the college of first choice for our area students.

Dr. Jim Underwood
President
Kaskaskia College