The Illinois Valley Community College board has approved all six tenure recommendations for the following: Nick Fish, an Emergency Medical Service instructor; David Garrison, a mathematics instructor; Richard Marko, an automotive technology instructor; Amber Robertson, a nursing instructor; Tony Sondgeroth, a welding instructor; and Stephen Gibson, an industrial maintenance instructor. The board congratulated each and everyone of them on their accomplishments.

IVCC President Dr. Jerry Corcoran reported that Kaity Ritter, Medical Assistant Program Coordinator, has rescheduled the Medical Assistant Pinning Ceremony for Friday, March 18 at 6 p.m. in the Cultural Centre. Around 17 graduates from 2020 and 2021 are eligible to participate. Dr. Corcoran stated, “Join us if you can.”

The annual employee recognition event will be held at Grand Bear Lodge on Friday, April 22 from 4-7 p.m. The event honors IVCC employees for their continuous hard work.

Furthermore, a $4.4M grant application was submitted for the EDA support of phase two of the Agriculture Complex.

According to the governor’s fiscal year 2023 budget proposal, the college will be receiving a five percent increase in funding for base operating and equalization grants as well as a five percent increase for adult and technology education and MAP grants.

IVCC will be making adjustments for course fees. This will include adjustments to 114 course fees with 59 increases, 48 decreases and seven new courses.

Moreover, Dr. Corcoran shared his excitement about the new Ottawa YMCA building that will be finished in less than two years.

It will be “literally only a stone’s throw” from the IVCC Ottawa Center, according to Dr. Corcoran.

With the location of the new YMCA being so close to the extension center, it can provide exposure for future enrollment and also lead to new opportunities of partnership for IVCC and the YMCA.

To add, the meeting started with a moment of silence for Jimmie Lansford, who was a past IVCC board member for eight years. Lansford was inducted into the IVCC-LPO Hall of Fame and was considered one of IVCC’s biggest supporters.

Dr. Corcoran also states that even though enrollment has decreased, he is optimistic and encouraged by all the work that is being done across IVCC’s campus.

Corcoran concluded his report on a positive note by commenting on how he believes “good things lie ahead for IVCC.”