On Nov. 15, IVCC received its largest gift in the school’s 87 years; a pledge of $1 million from the Miller Group Charitable Trust of LaSalle for enhancements to the new Community Technology Center.

At their regular meeting after the donation was announced by Miller Group Media President Joyce McCullough, college trustees voted to name the new center the “Peter Miller Community Technology Center.”

The name honors area philanthropists Peter Miller Jr. and his son, recent former Miller Group Media President Peter “Pete” Miller of Peru who died in February.

The Miller Group Charitable Trust has supported many Illinois Valley institutions, including, but not limited to, Illinois Valley Animal Rescue, Illinois Valley Community Hospital, and the Illinois Valley YMCA.  But the Peter Miller Community Technology Center is particularly indicative of the Millers’ value of new technology and their long history with IVCC.

“This is a testament to a man who embraced technology and its ability to improve the lives of others,” said IVCC President Jerry Corcoran. “It is also a highly visible reminder of Pete’s transformative philanthropy in the Illinois Valley.”

As publisher of the News Tribune and owner of LaSalle County Broadcasting Corp., Peter Miller Jr. provided crucial backing to the 1966 campaign that led to IVCC being built at its current location.

The $1 million infusion is to be paid in three installments with the last being in November 2013 to coincide with the projected opening of the facility, and is expected to be an important asset to the community.

“The Miller Group Charitable Trust’s generous gift in support of the Peter Miller Community Technology Center will have a profound effect upon hundreds of thousands of students and community members over the next 30 years,” said Corcoran.

The public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony being held at 2p.m. Thursday, December 8.  The ceremony is to be held on the lawn east of the Cultural Centre if weather permits, and in the Cultural Centre auditorium in the event that it does not.  The 30-40 minute pre-ceremony will be streamed live on IVCC’s website at www.ivcc.edu/ctc.aspx.  More information is available by calling (815) 224-0465.

The Peter Miller Community Technology Center will be equipped to train students in technical, manufacturing, and alternative energy jobs, provide student services like counseling, admissions, and financial aid, and offer many other services.