Kaskaskia College Announces $1 Million Partnership with Bradford National Bank to Invest in Future Generations

CENTRALIA, IL - Kaskaskia College and Bradford National Bank are joining forces in a landmark $1 million partnership that will expand educational opportunities, support student success, and create a lasting investment in the future of Southern Illinois.

The 15-year agreement includes naming rights to Kaskaskia College's new gymnasium and connected facilities, which will become known as the Bradford National Bank Arena, along with annual financial support for the KC Now Scholarship Program and the establishment of a long-term endowment benefiting future generations of students.

"A million-dollar commitment is remarkable, but the true measure of this partnership will be the opportunities it creates," said Kaskaskia College President George Evans. "Bradford National Bank recognizes that the strength of our region depends on the opportunities we create for the people who call it home. Their investment will help make higher education more accessible, strengthen our local workforce, and establish a lasting legacy for future generations. The geographical impact of a gift of this magnitude should impact every current and future high school student in the Kaskaskia College district. We are deeply grateful for Bradford National Bank's confidence in Kaskaskia College and their commitment to building a stronger Southern Illinois."

The newly named Bradford National Bank Arena enhances the College's existing athletic and wellness facilities, providing a modern home for collegiate athletics, commencement ceremonies, campus celebrations, and community events. The facility brings students, families, and visitors together throughout the year, strengthening the College's role as a gathering place for the region.

Beyond the arena, a key component of Bradford National Bank's commitment will directly support students through the KC Now Scholarship Program. The KC Now initiative provides eligible high school students at participating schools with a 50% reduction in tuition and mandatory fees, allowing them to earn college credits while still in high school and begin their higher education journey at a significantly reduced cost. Evans noted, "With this investment, the economic barrier for a high school student to gain access to the opportunities provided by Kaskaskia College should be non-existent."

By supporting KC Now, Bradford National Bank is helping reduce financial barriers for students and families while encouraging more young people to pursue degrees, certificates, and career opportunities close to home.

The agreement also establishes a long-term endowment designed to provide sustainable financial support for future Kaskaskia College students. Together, the scholarship funding and endowment will extend the impact of Bradford National Bank's investment well beyond the initial 15-year partnership.

"For Bradford National Bank, this is about much more than providing banking services. It's about building a partnership that makes a lasting difference in the communities we serve," said Michael Ennen, President and CEO of Bradford National Bank (Kaskaskia College, Class of 2001). "We want to help develop future leaders, strengthen our local workforce, and create opportunities that benefit the entire region. While this agreement spans 15 years, we see it as the beginning of something much greater. Our goal is to be a partner in Kaskaskia College's success not just for the next 15 years, but for generations to come."

"As a 1983 graduate of Kaskaskia College, I am especially proud that this partnership reflects Bradford National Bank's commitment to investing in people and communities," said Randy Alderman, Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for Bradford National Bank. "By supporting Kaskaskia College, the KC Now Scholarship Program and future generations of students, we're helping create opportunities that will strengthen Southern Illinois for years to come."

For Kaskaskia College, the partnership underscores the key role local businesses and organizations play in advancing higher education and supporting the economic vitality of Southern Illinois. As the College continues to expand academic programs, workforce training and student opportunities, investments like this help ensure those resources remain accessible to the communities that depend on them.

Additional details regarding the partnership, scholarship funding, and endowment initiatives will be announced in the coming months.

About Bradford National Bank

Founded in 1867, Bradford National Bank is a locally owned and managed community bank serving Southern Illinois through locations in Greenville, Breese, Centralia, Highland, Irvington, Marine, Nashville, and St. Jacob, and is the 10^th oldest bank in Illinois. They provide a full range of personal, business, mortgage, wealth management, and financial services products while maintaining a longstanding commitment to the communities it serves. For further information, visit www.bradfordbank.com.

About Kaskaskia College

Kaskaskia College is a public community college in Centralia, Illinois, within South Central Illinois District 501, serving all or part of nine counties, including Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Marion, Washington, Jefferson, St. Clair, Madison, and Montgomery. Committed to making education accessible, they host the Centralia Crisp Manufacturing and Trades Center and has education centers in Greenville, Nashville, Salem, Trenton, and Vandalia, Illinois. The Higher Learning Commission accredits the college, which offers a broad spectrum of degrees, programs, and certification options, specializing in 2-year associate degrees and trade school programs. Founded in 1940, Kaskaskia College was the first Class I Community College established in Illinois.