Kaskaskia College
Kaskaskia College, located in Centralia, Illinois, is the oldest community college in the U.S. state of Illinois and has 11,500 students. The college provides accredited degree programs in Arts, Science, General Studies, and 18 other vocational Associate degree programs. Currently presided by Dr. Penny Quinn, the college originated in 1940, as the first community college in the state established under the Junior College Act. Prior Presidents include: James Underwood, Alice Mumaw-Jacobs, Dr. Bruce Stahl, Dr. Paul Blowers, and Oscar Corbell (original founder). It is located adjacent to Centralia, with the main campus in Clinton County just south of Shattuc.
College History & Mission
On September 9, 1940, Centralia Township Junior College began its operation as the first tax-supported junior college in the state of Illinois, established by a vote of the people. Oscar Corbell and the Centralia High School Board of Education saw a great need for higher education opportunities within the area. Mr. Corbell worked closely with the Board of Education and area legislators, and under his leadership, they launched the movement for a local junior college that would operate in conjunction with the local high school. Corbell, a local attorney, wrote the State Bill that would later become known as the Illinois Public Junior College Act of 1937.
Twenty-six years later on July 1, 1966, under the new Public Junior College Act, House Bill 1710, the district expanded and the College became known as Kaskaskia College District 501 - the first college under the new state.
Bridgette Jordan is the former smallest living woman according to Guinness World Records at stands 2 ft 3 in (69 cm). She is a college student and cheerleader at Kaskaskia College. She is also one of the shortest living siblings according to Guinness World Records as her younger brother Brad is 38 inches (97 cm) tall at 20 years old (in 2011).