Kaskaskia College Commemorates 85 Years of Growth and Community Impact

Kaskaskia College is turning 85, and we can't wait to celebrate with you! This milestone isn't just about looking back at our history - it's about honoring the people who have made KC what it is today.

Join us for a FREE day filled with fun, fellowship, and celebration - a chance for alumni, donors, community members, and KC supporters to connect, reconnect, and make new memories together.

Event Details:

Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10 am to 2 p.m. 
Kaskaskia College Main Campus
27210 College Road, Centralia, IL 62801

• Welcome Presentation
• Bounce Houses & Kids Activities
• Car Show
• New Gym Tour and Campus Tours
• Food Trucks
• Flu Shot Clinic
• Art Exhibit
• Mobile Manufacturing Lab
• and more!

Kaskaskia College (KC) is proud to announce it is celebrating its 85th Anniversary this September. Over eight decades ago, visionaries across South Central Illinois came together to offer higher educational opportunities not readily available to residents in the area. Since then, the institution has grown tremendously, expanding its reach to nine surrounding counties and serving 9,800 students annually.

Over the past 85 years, Kaskaskia College has continually evolved to meet the changing needs of the region. KC President George Evans noted that while agriculture was once the area's dominant industry, manufacturing now leads the way. Today, Kaskaskia College prepares students for careers across a wide range of fields, including manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, the industrial trades, and many more.

"Our growth has closely followed the increasing needs of our region," Evans said. "We've built strong partnerships with many of Illinois' leading auto parts manufacturers, as well as major hospital systems in Centralia, Mt. Vernon, and the greater St. Louis area. In fact, there's probably a significant chance that the nurse, respiratory therapist, physical therapist, or CNA caring for you trained and graduated at KC. That speaks volumes about the reach and impact of our programs."

The educational offerings aren't the only thing that changed at Kaskaskia College over the last 85 years. The campus has undergone a massive transformation, becoming a modern and up-to-date haven for students seeking to continue their education. The temporary buildings of the olden days are long gone, and industry-leading, career-specific facilities have taken their place. Bill Hawley, Chairman of the Board at KC, started on the Board of Trustees in 1986 and said he's seen a lot of changes at the college.

"All of our buildings give each program an identity," Hawley said. "The Harry L. Crisp Manufacturing and Trades Center has everything you need for an education in HVAC, welding, carpentry, and industrial technology. The nursing building has equipment that prepares future nurses for the real world, leading to our nursing students ranking extremely high on state tests and going on to be professional nurses in our region. Our common areas throughout campus are filled with comfortable chairs and adequate room for studying, and students helped design those spaces. Those are just a few examples of how we've modernized our campus to create an inviting atmosphere where students want to come and learn."

Kaskaskia College has continued to influence Centralia and the surrounding district financially. In a recent Economic Impact Study, the report showed KC has a total impact of $132.7 million annually in District 501 and accounts for 1 out of every 29 jobs in the district. KC educates students of all ages, waiving over $3 million in tuition and fees for high school dual credit students. It also has programs for older students already in the workforce and is a great stepping stone for traditional students looking to transfer to a four-year program.

"I think if you had the Founding Fathers of KC and the first Chairman of the Board here, they would be truly amazed at how much Kaskaskia College has grown and the amount of students we have," Evans said. "If they saw how many students graduate and go into the workforce every year, they definitely would say, Wow, we had no idea it would ever become this big or impactful for our region."

Kaskaskia College will be holding an 85th Celebration Event open to all alumni and community members from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, at the main KC campus. There will be activities, food trucks and more.