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Kishwaukee History

In the winter of 1965, a group of visionaries met in DeKalb Junior High School. Through countless cups of coffee, they discussed an idea, an idea that became a plan, a plan that became a reality, a reality that became a meaningful agent of change in the lives of thousands of residents in DeKalb, Sycamore, Rochelle and all the communities in between. Their idea? Build a community college. From that seed of an idea grew Kishwaukee College, a two-year community college that has transformed the lives of its district residents, even as it has become a fixture nestled in the countryside in Malta.

Kishwaukee College was born when the local communities passed a referendum in 1967 to establish the College. With the purchase of 120 acres of farmland, the College opened its doors in the fall of 1968 with the original farmhouse serving as the administration building, the barn becoming home to speech and theater classes and five temporary buildings. Texan Dr. Lamar Fly served at the helm as the first president and Norm Jenkins was at his side as the Director of Personnel Services.

On September 17, 1968, the very first fall semester began on campus. There were 608 students enrolled, a number that swelled to 683 when non-credit and special industrial classes began later in the semester. In the spring of 1969, enrollment leapt to 800 and has continued to grow ever since.

Today, Kishwaukee College boasts annual enrollments that number near 11,000 and is housed in 500,000 square feet of Wi-Fi capable facilities with state-of-the-art labs and classrooms. The College now offers transfer degrees, over 60 occupational degrees and certificates, adult basic education, English as a Second Language instruction, continuing education classes, an early childhood education center, customized training for local business and industry, a full-service Conference Center, Kishwaukee Education Consortium high school instruction and partnerships with local communities, business and industry.

Overseeing this phenomenal growth have been visionary presidents: Dr. Lamar Fly, Dr. Norman Jenkins, and Dr. David Louis. As the College enters its 40th year, it is being guided by a new President, Dr. Thomas Choice.

The dream of the founders of Kishwaukee College, the community belief and support that brought that dream to life, and the administration and staff that help turn dreams into reality for thousands of students continues today, as Kishwaukee College begins its 40th year!


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