John Wood Community College
Encyclopedia
John Wood Community College (JWCC), located in Quincy, Illinois
, is one of 48, two-year, open-admission colleges of the Illinois Community College System
(ICCS), organized under the Illinois Public Community College Act.
District 539. JWCC began classes in 1975 with 668 enrolled students. Authorized by the Illinois General Assembly
and signed by Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, Jr.
in 1961, the legislation enacted created the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). The IBHE was tasked by statute with formulating a Master Plan for Higher Education
in the state of Illinois. In July 1964 the higher education master plan was published by the IBHE, which led to the passage of the Junior College Act of 1965 by the 72nd Illinois General Assembly. However, it was not until 1974 that official steps were taken to form a community college within the district boundaries.
Lacking formal facilities of its own, JWCC utilized a "Common Market" approach. The Board of Trustees contracted with area colleges such as Culver-Stockton College
, Hannibal-LaGrange College
, Quincy College
, who would enroll students in their courses on behalf of JWCC. This allowed JWCC to begin operations quickly, by utilizing the staff and facilities of other colleges at a time when the college had few facilities of its own and no instructional staff. The first class graduated from JWCC on May 22, 1976, without ever having attended class at a college owned facility. This Common Market approach continued for the next 15 years, until rising costs of the common market approach compelled the JWCC Board of Trustees to end the contract with Quincy College in 1991. Other contracts were not renewed as they expired.
Due to increasing enrollment, and the phasing out of the Common Market, the college purchased three prefabricated buildings in 1991 to hold classes. By 1996, growth was significant enough that the JWCC Board of Trustees voted to purchase a 155 acre (0.6272633 km²) site at 48th and Harrison Streets, in Quincy, Illinois. In 1997, the Board of Trustees adopted its Master Plan for a new campus. The first building, the 35200 square feet (3,270.2 m²) Science and Technology Center was built and occupied in January 1998. This was followed by the next buildings in the plan; the Learning Center, a Student & Administrative Center, and a Maintenance Building in January 2002. A $16 million project, the new buildings added nearly 103000 square feet (9,569 m²) to the size of the college. Funding was split between the college and the State of Illinois. In 2004, the 52000 square feet (4,831 m²) Paul Heath Community Education and Fine Arts Center was completed. The buildings house JWCC's community education, fine arts and Business and Industry Training offices. In 2006, a Student Activity Center (SAC) was completed, that included an 1,800-seat gymnasium, weight room, classroom, locker rooms, and athletic team training rooms. A baseball field, softball field, and additional parking were built as a part of the SAC project.
for the local residents of Pike County.
In addition to RLC's two credit learning campuses, the college holds both for credit and non-credit classes at several locations. The JWCC Agricultural Education Center, which supports Agricultural majors seeking to transfer to baccalaureate
institutions, is located on the University of Illinois Orr Agronomy Research Center in the city of Perry, Illinois
. In addition, the college operates the JWCC/Dot Foods Learning Center under a partnership between the company Dot Foods
and JWCC. The center serves as both a training facility for Dot Food workers, and for JWCC students in Brown County, Illinois. The college provides the instructors for both Dot Foods and its regular for-credit classes at the center. JWCC also operates an adult learning center in Quincy, Illinois for those working towards completing their GED
.
(NCA) to offer certificates, diplomas and Associate Degrees. It received the maximum ten-year accreditation approval by the Higher Learning Commission of the NCA during its last review in 2003.
John Wood Community College takes part in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement which ensures general education credits are transferable among more than 100 participating college or universities in Illinois. In addition to the IAI, RLC offers students "two-plus-two" programs that guarantee students that the courses completed at the college will transfer to their majors at four-year baccalaureate
institutions. There are two primary divisions at Rend Lake College: the General Education Departments, and the Career and Technical Departments, which encompass six and 14 departments respectively. The departments offer a total of 43 associates degree programs, and 20 certificate programs. The college offers four types of Associates Degrees: Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Fine Arts (AFA), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS).
Quincy, Illinois
Quincy, known as Illinois' "Gem City," is a river city along the Mississippi River and the county seat of Adams County. As of the 2010 census the city held a population of 40,633. The city anchors its own micropolitan area and is the economic and regional hub of West-central Illinois, catering a...
, is one of 48, two-year, open-admission colleges of the Illinois Community College System
Illinois Community College System
The Illinois Community College System consists of 39 public community college districts, composed of 48 community colleges and one multi-college center where 3 of the community colleges offer additional classes...
(ICCS), organized under the Illinois Public Community College Act.
History
John Wood Community College was founded in 1974 to provide post-secondary education for residents of Community CollegeCommunity college
A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries.-Australia:Community colleges carry on the tradition of adult education, which was established in Australia around mid 19th century when evening classes were held to help adults...
District 539. JWCC began classes in 1975 with 668 enrolled students. Authorized by the Illinois General Assembly
Illinois General Assembly
The Illinois General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Illinois and comprises the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. The General Assembly was created by the first state constitution adopted in 1818. Illinois has 59 legislative districts, with two...
and signed by Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, Jr.
Otto Kerner, Jr.
Otto Kerner, Jr. was the 33rd Governor of Illinois from 1961 to 1968. He is best known for chairing the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders and for accepting bribes....
in 1961, the legislation enacted created the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). The IBHE was tasked by statute with formulating a Master Plan for Higher Education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
in the state of Illinois. In July 1964 the higher education master plan was published by the IBHE, which led to the passage of the Junior College Act of 1965 by the 72nd Illinois General Assembly. However, it was not until 1974 that official steps were taken to form a community college within the district boundaries.
Lacking formal facilities of its own, JWCC utilized a "Common Market" approach. The Board of Trustees contracted with area colleges such as Culver-Stockton College
Culver-Stockton College
Culver-Stockton College is a private, residential, four-year, liberal arts college located in Canton, Missouri. Culver-Stockton College offers a liberal arts education with practical learning experiences. The campus is located on on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Culver-Stockton...
, Hannibal-LaGrange College
Hannibal-LaGrange College
The former Hannibal–LaGrange College is a private Christian college located in Hannibal, Missouri, United States. The college is affiliated with the Missouri Baptist Convention, which is part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Enrollment is approximately 1,150 students as of 2007...
, Quincy College
Quincy University
Quincy University a private liberal arts Catholic university in the Franciscan tradition. It is located in Quincy, Illinois and currently enrolls around 1,300 students.-History:...
, who would enroll students in their courses on behalf of JWCC. This allowed JWCC to begin operations quickly, by utilizing the staff and facilities of other colleges at a time when the college had few facilities of its own and no instructional staff. The first class graduated from JWCC on May 22, 1976, without ever having attended class at a college owned facility. This Common Market approach continued for the next 15 years, until rising costs of the common market approach compelled the JWCC Board of Trustees to end the contract with Quincy College in 1991. Other contracts were not renewed as they expired.
Due to increasing enrollment, and the phasing out of the Common Market, the college purchased three prefabricated buildings in 1991 to hold classes. By 1996, growth was significant enough that the JWCC Board of Trustees voted to purchase a 155 acre (0.6272633 km²) site at 48th and Harrison Streets, in Quincy, Illinois. In 1997, the Board of Trustees adopted its Master Plan for a new campus. The first building, the 35200 square feet (3,270.2 m²) Science and Technology Center was built and occupied in January 1998. This was followed by the next buildings in the plan; the Learning Center, a Student & Administrative Center, and a Maintenance Building in January 2002. A $16 million project, the new buildings added nearly 103000 square feet (9,569 m²) to the size of the college. Funding was split between the college and the State of Illinois. In 2004, the 52000 square feet (4,831 m²) Paul Heath Community Education and Fine Arts Center was completed. The buildings house JWCC's community education, fine arts and Business and Industry Training offices. In 2006, a Student Activity Center (SAC) was completed, that included an 1,800-seat gymnasium, weight room, classroom, locker rooms, and athletic team training rooms. A baseball field, softball field, and additional parking were built as a part of the SAC project.
Campus
John Wood Community College currently has its main campus in Quincy, Illinois. In addition to its main campus, JWCC has several satellite learning centers around the college district. A second primary learning center for classes, known as the Pittsfield Education Center, was opened in Pittsfield, IllinoisPittsfield, Illinois
Pittsfield is a city in Pike County, Illinois, United States. The population was 4,211 at the 2000 census.-History:The city was named after Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It is the county seat of Pike County...
for the local residents of Pike County.
In addition to RLC's two credit learning campuses, the college holds both for credit and non-credit classes at several locations. The JWCC Agricultural Education Center, which supports Agricultural majors seeking to transfer to baccalaureate
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
institutions, is located on the University of Illinois Orr Agronomy Research Center in the city of Perry, Illinois
Perry, Illinois
Perry is a village in Pike County, Illinois, United States. The population was 437 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Perry is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all of it land....
. In addition, the college operates the JWCC/Dot Foods Learning Center under a partnership between the company Dot Foods
Dot Foods
Dot Foods is the largest foodservice redistribution company in the United States. Dot offers over 100,000 products from 700 food industry manufacturers. Dot consolidates those products and delivers in less-than-truckload quantities to distributors nationwide on a weekly basis...
and JWCC. The center serves as both a training facility for Dot Food workers, and for JWCC students in Brown County, Illinois. The college provides the instructors for both Dot Foods and its regular for-credit classes at the center. JWCC also operates an adult learning center in Quincy, Illinois for those working towards completing their GED
GED
General Educational Development tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills...
.
Academics and demographics
John Wood College is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and SchoolsNorth Central Association of Colleges and Schools
The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools , also known as the North Central Association, is a membership organization, consisting of colleges, universities, and schools in 19 U.S. states, that is engaged in educational accreditation...
(NCA) to offer certificates, diplomas and Associate Degrees. It received the maximum ten-year accreditation approval by the Higher Learning Commission of the NCA during its last review in 2003.
John Wood Community College takes part in the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI), a statewide transfer agreement which ensures general education credits are transferable among more than 100 participating college or universities in Illinois. In addition to the IAI, RLC offers students "two-plus-two" programs that guarantee students that the courses completed at the college will transfer to their majors at four-year baccalaureate
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
institutions. There are two primary divisions at Rend Lake College: the General Education Departments, and the Career and Technical Departments, which encompass six and 14 departments respectively. The departments offer a total of 43 associates degree programs, and 20 certificate programs. The college offers four types of Associates Degrees: Associate in Arts (AA), Associate in Fine Arts (AFA), Associate in Science (AS), and Associate in Applied Science degree (AAS).
Enrollment
As of April 13, 2009, Spring enrollment at RLC was 2403, of which 1216 were enrolled full-time, and 1187 were enrolled part-time. In addition, 1241 non-credit enrollees were reported by RLC for the same period. Fiscal year 2009 saw a slight decline in the number of enrolled student, yet saw an increase in the total number of credit hours taken at the college.Libraries
John Wood College provides a library within its Learning Resources Center at its main Quincy, Illinois Campus. The library has nearly twenty thousand volumes, alongside online resources and a media learning area. It has facilities for study, research, leisure reading, class preparation, and wireless Internet access for students.External links
- John Wood Community College; official site