Community connection: Kishwaukee College celebrates 50 years of learning and service

MALTA – Philip Oliver of DeKalb describes his decision to attend Kishwaukee College in Malta as “an easy one to make.”

After doing a Google search of local colleges, he knew immediately that Kishwaukee College was the best decision for him.

Oliver is studying engineering science and is the college’s student trustee and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Rho Eta Chapter president.

“Kishwaukee College is affordable, convenient, very approachable and the staff at this college is beyond belief,” Oliver said. “I don’t think I’ve been to any educational institution that cares more about their students than Kishwaukee College. … Kishwaukee College has a unique ability to make students feel welcome and as if they mattered. That, I believe, is a standard that all colleges should have.”

As a student representative for the school, Oliver gave a speech at the college’s 50th anniversary kickoff event March 8. During the event, administrators unveiled the school’s 50th anniversary video and website and revealed the contents of the 25th anniversary time capsule from 1993.

Celebrations for the college’s 50th anniversary will continue throughout the year: the Foundation Golf Outing on June 8; Fragments of Kish Wine Walk July 19; homecoming with a home men’s soccer game, food and family-friendly activities Sept. 15; the Foundation Gala on Nov. 3; “Faces of Kish” Art Exhibition from Nov. 14 to Dec. 11; and a 50th anniversary closing celebration Dec. 11.

Kishwaukee College serves most of DeKalb County, much of Lee and Ogle counties and small parts of other adjoining counties. The college has granted 25,836 degrees since 1968.

On July 15, 1965, the state of Illinois passed the Junior College Act, setting in motion the ability for communities to join together to create local junior colleges.

Bob Johnson, chairman of the Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees, said the passing of that act was the first step of founding Kishwaukee College. In the winter of 1965, a group of community members met in DeKalb Junior High School. Johnson’s father, LaVerne “Dutch” Johnson, was one of about 20 people on an ad hoc committee that was formed.

“Residents needed to pass and approve a referendum and then pass a tax levy so the state would provide funding,” Johnson said. “In 1966 and 1967, the committee worked to found the college. After trustees were voted upon and a president was selected, we needed a place to locate the college.”

A referendum to raise the funds to purchase a campus site passed by a vote of 68.1 percent. A location in the middle of the community college district was chosen: 120 acres of Ralph and Bertha Byros’ farm in Malta at the intersection of Malta Road and Route 38, ensuring that no district resident would drive more than 30 minutes to campus.

The Byros’ farmhouse was used for the college’s offices, storage and registration. Five temporary buildings were built on the property, allowing classes to start the fall of 1968.

In its first year, Kishwaukee College offered 62 courses, including both transfer and vocational-technical options, and 994 students attended the college. This year, the college offers 442 credit and noncredit courses and 5,750 students attend the college.

Terry Martin, a professor at the college since its beginning in 1968 until his retirement in 2001 and an adjunct instructor for more than 10 years, continued to teach portions of the Emergency Medical Services program until last year.

During the first days of class at the new college, Martin remembers his students helping him unpack and organize his biology classroom in a temporary building.

“I just remember the excitement to get started,” Martin said. “Vietnam veterans were home from the war, students were eager to take classes and learn. The faculty and staff, everyone was working together. We all had the same final goal and camaraderie.”

In 1971, the farm’s barn was remodeled. A theater with seating for 150 people was added to the barn loft, a bandstand with dancing space was located downstairs and an art gallery was placed in the silo. Martin attended a square dance in the barn with the college’s first president, Dr. W. Lamar Fly, calling the dance steps.

“We’ve always had great mix of learning and fun at Kishwaukee College,” Martin said. “A lot of things have changed, but many have remained the same.”

Johnson said that in the college’s early years, agricultural classes and programs were popular, but agricultural production programs ended 15 years ago.

“Ag transfer programs still exist, and we are excited to bring back more agriculture classes and programs in the fall,” Johnson said. “Many programs have been added and changed through the years, but what hasn’t changed is that we are a two-year college that allows students to stay close to home, save money and transfer to a four-year program if they so choose.”

However, not all of the classes, courses and programs offered at Kishwaukee College are for recent high school graduates.

“We offer courses so that adults can learn a new skill,” Johnson said. “They can take one course, five courses or earn a degree. I remember taking a ballroom dance class with my wife. There are many different education classes for adults and if people are interested in learning something new, they can do it in their own community.”

Through the years, the college has completed multiple phases of construction. The college opened in the fall of 1968 with five temporary buildings, while the main building’s spine was being constructed. From 1972 to 1974, three additional wings (A, B and V wings), a greenhouse and the Caukin Building were added. The college continued to grow, adding the C wing and a maintenance building in 1986, the D and E wings in 1993 and the conference center, therapeutic massage clinic and expansion of the Caukin Building in 2002. The latest phase in 2011 added a ring road, remodeled classrooms and added a new campus operations building and student center. The Yvonne A. Johnson Science Wing was dedicated in 2013 and the Terry and Sherrie Martin Health Careers Wing opened in 2014.

“Shaking graduates’ hands and seeing the smiles on their faces, hearing the cheers out in the audience, is a big reason why we do what we do,” Johnson said. “We are not a large university with hundreds of students in a lecture hall. At Kishwaukee College, students are known by their name. Here they are a person, not a number.”

“I remember when we built the library but there wasn’t a lot of money for books. The community stepped up and raised nearly $700,000 for books and to support the college. We are a community college. The word community is what makes us special and sets us apart,” he said.

In the little more than two years Laurie Borowicz has been Kishwaukee College president, she said that Kishwaukee College’s sense of community is what she loves about the college the most.

“When I’m out in the community, it’s very seldom that people don’t have a Kish story to tell,” Borowicz said. “This college is so connected to people and the community it serves. We have upheld a rich tradition for 50 years. We look forward to continuing to serve our local community and offer education and academics for the next 50 years.”

Members of the community can share their experiences of Kishwaukee College at www.kish.edu/50th.