HR1679 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1679 LRB095 23218 KXB 53874 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, When the University of Illinois decided to close its Elgin extension center, Public School District U-46 voted to establish Elgin Community College (ECC) in January 1949; the college opened its doors the following fall with 97 students, one administrator, 17 part-time faculty, and one full-time faculty member; during the year 1950 the college initiated its sponsorship of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, a partnership that continues to this day; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the 1950s, ECC operated as part of District U-46; however, a movement in Springfield to create a community college system started in the early 1960s and became a reality in 1965; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the 1970s, ECC expanded curricula, faculty, staff, and services such as on-campus child care, financial aid, job placement, student activities, and tutoring; in 1975 the special services program began providing support service and tutoring to physically disabled students and others in need of specialized support; and in 1976, the college launched its Conservatory of music; and

WHEREAS, During the 1980s, ECC's enrollment skyrocketed, in part due to an economic recession, and the college accommodated students by exploring new spaces and alternative delivery systems of classes; in 1980 ECC offered its first telecourses, featuring college credit courses on videocassette; in February of 1988 the Elgin Community College hospitality management program gained accreditation by the American Culinary Federation Educational Institute Accrediting Commission, the only Illinois school to earn the designation and one of only 15 schools nationwide; and in 1988 Corporate Development, a partnership between industry and education, was founded when ECC and Safety-Kleen joined forces to offer middle management coursework through the college to Safety-Kleen employees; and

WHEREAS, In the 1990s, District 509 experienced unprecedented population growth and demand for the college's services soared; by 1991, enrollment had increased 42 percent in just four years; in August of 1996 ECC became the first college in Illinois to begin offering credit classes via the Internet; and in January of 1997 ECC entered into the first of several partnerships with four-year colleges and universities to provide greater and more immediate access to upper-level undergraduate offerings and baccalaureate degree completion, and to allow for dual admission and/or seamless transfer to four-year schools; and

WHEREAS, Entering the 21st century, Elgin Community College prepared for expanding expectations of community colleges; in August of 2004 the college opened its Culinary Arts Center, including a real-world working lab for students, Spartan Terrace Restaurant, and home to the Culinary Arts and Hospitality Institute of Elgin; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the staff, faculty, alumni, and students of Elgin Community College on the 60th anniversary of this important institution for Elgin and surrounding communities; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. David Sam, President of Elgin Community College, as a symbol of our respect and esteem.