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Facts and History

Facts

Type of College: Public two-year comprehensive community college

Founded: 1960

Main Campus Location: A 190-acre campus located at 3575 College Road, Harrisburg.  Phone: (618) 252-5400 (local) or toll free (866) 338-2742

Additional Location: David L. Stanley White County Center, located at 1700 College Avenue in Carmi since 1987.  Phone: (618) 382-8869

College District #533: Gallatin, Hardin, Pope and Saline counties; portions of Hamilton, Johnson, Williamson and White counties

President: Jonah Rice, Ph.D.

Annual Budget: Approximately $22.2 million

District Equalized Assessed Evaluation: $524,334,126

Annual Enrollment: Approximately 5,000 full and part-time students

Tuition: $99 per credit hour for in-district students, effective summer 2016

Library: 45,000 volumes, 100 periodical subscriptions, and access to more than 30 online databases

Financial Aid Awarded Annually: Approximately $3.9 million

Employees: 110 full-time, 140 part-time, as of spring 2016

Courses of Study:
Arts and Science Associate Degree Programs
Associate in Applied Science Degree Programs
Associate in Engineering Science Degree
Associate in Fine Arts Degree
Associate in Fine Arts in Musical Theater Degree
Associate in Fine Arts in Theater Acting Degree
Associate in Liberal Studies Degree
Occupational Certificate Programs 

District Population: 52,000

Secondary Schools in District: 10

Accredited by: The Higher Learning Commission

Recognized by:
Illinois Community College Board
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

Institutional Member of:
American Association of Community Colleges
Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market

Approved By
The State Approving Agency for Veterans Education

 

History

1955: The Practical Nursing Program is established by Shirley Oshel, RN, MSN in Harrisburg.

1959: A petition to establish a junior college is submitted to the Harrisburg Township High School Board of Education, and the vote carries unanimously January 6.

1960: A referendum for creation of a junior college carries with a 14-1 margin on June 21.

1961: Instruction begins September 11 with 314 students enrolled in classes conducted in a wing of Harrisburg Township High School and under the jurisdiction of the township school board.

1965: The Illinois Junior College Act is passed, and Southeastern becomes a Class II Junior College.

1967: A referendum to become a Class I college carries overwhelmingly and the college district is expanded to five counties.

1968: The first Board of Trustees is elected and assumes its sole responsibility for governance of the college.
     Mr. Joe Deaton is appointed president and staff are assembled.
     An architectural firm is selected to begin designs for a permanent campus, and 88 acres are acquired at the present site.

1970: Local bonds finance construction of an interim facility at the campus site.

1971: The interim facility (now the Gregg Technology Center) is completed and occupied.

1972: The first tuition rate is established at $3 per credit hour.
     Competitive forensics (the Speech Team) is initiated.

1974: Dr. Harry Abell is appointed president following the unexpected death of Mr. Joe Deaton.

1975: The Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is founded as part of the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market (SICCM).

1976: The college is granted full accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in March.  
     Permanent facilities (A, B & C Buildings) are completed and occupied in April.
     The Child Study Center begins operation with the start of fall semester.
     Transfer and vocational programs are offered at the Vienna Correctional Center under a new contract with the Illinois Department of Corrections.
     Competitive women's athletics are initiated
     Peabody Coal Company deeds 60 adjacent acres to increase the campus to 148 acres.

1977: The White County Coordinator's office is opened in Carmi.
     The first Heritage Festival is held.
     SIC Falcons win the state baseball championship.

1980: The college holds its first GED graduation ceremony.

1981: Southeastern opens its first student computer lab.
     The college premiers the Cultural Arts Series.

1982: The college receives its first JTPA (Job Training Partnership Act) grant.
     College for Kids begins.

1983: The Learning Lab is opened.  
     The SIC Foundation is established.
     Instructional programs begin at the Illinois Youth Center in Harrisburg.
     The Business and Industry Center is established.
     Classroom and lab facilities for welding instruction are constructed adjacent to the Gregg Technology Center.

1984: The Small Business Development Center is established.
     Instructional programs begin at the Hardin County Work Release Center.

1985: The college celebrates its 25th anniversary.
     The first annual Foundation Golf Classic is held.
     The Literacy Initiative Volunteers program begins.
     The Lady Falcon Basketball team places third in the state championship.
     The capacity of the Child Study Center is doubled.

1986:  The Forensic Falcons win the national speech championship at Phi Rho Pi.  
     Welded sculptures "Pegasus' Portal" and "Sentinels Guarding the Winds of Time" are erected on campus with funding from an anonymous donor.
     The Student Center Patio is constructed.
     Instruction begins at the Shawnee Correctional Center.
     The SIC College Bowl team is organized.
     The first Single Parent/Homemaker Advancement Project (SP/HAP) is received.

1987: Classroom facilities open at the White County Center in Carmi.
     The Aerobic Fitness Center opens.
     College Bowl team wins first in state competition.
     Forensic Falcons place third at nationals and capture Sylvia Mariner Award.
     The college receives 10-year accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

1988: First Intersession classes are initiated
     Jenny Clanton, forensics student, wins state and national oratory competition.

1990: Lady Falcons advance to national community college basketball tournament.
     The college offers its first computer-aided class, English.

1991: Grants secured include Work Force Preparation, Title III, and Title IV.

1992: Voters give two-to-one approval to a tax referendum increasing education and operation funds while the tax for original construction bonded indebtedness is retired.
     Business Management program initiated.

1993: The high school summer honors program starts.
     State releases funds for construction of three new buildings (D, E, F) and renovation of Learning Resource Center and laboratories in A Building.

1994: Dr. Abell dies unexpectedly and Dr. Ben Cullers is named interim president.
     Educational guarantees are initiated for baccalaureate and technical programs.
     The first vocational career day/open house is held.
     The forestry program receives recognition by the Society of American Foresters.
     College corrections programs are recognized as top corrections program in Community College Times.
     The first Truck Driving exposition is held.
     The National Science Foundation awards a grant for Internet access equipment.
     SIC participates in the first international faculty exchange.
     Competency-based instruction initiated within technology programs.
     Funding is received for Distance Learning sites.

1995: Dr. Ben Cullers named third president of the college.
     The college is designated a smoke-free institution
     The first JTPA Career Expo is held.
     Distance Learning classes begin.

1996:
     Preparations begin for Illinois Articulation Initiative.     
     Late starting classes initiated.
     ADN program accredited by the National League of Nurses - the first SICCM college to be accredited.
     Distance Learning equipment installed at Harrisburg and Eldorado High Schools. 
     New buildings, E Building and the Child Study Center, occupied in November and renovations of A Building completed in December. 
     E Building is renamed the Abell Administration Building in honor of deceased past president Dr. Harry Abell.
     F Building's art, music and theater components were renamed the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center in honor of deceased humanities division chair/instructor
     The board room of the Abell Administration Building was named in honor of deceased long-time board chairman/member Rodney J. Brenner of Golconda.
     The Aerobic Super Circuit Fitness Center was renamed the C. Harry Bramlet Fitness Center in honor of his long service on the board.

1997: Technology Enhancement grant secured.
     Carmi industrial park site obtained.
     Title IV grant renewed.
     The White County Center is renamed the David L. Stanley Center in honor of long-time Carmi board chair/member.
     Forensic Falcons win national community college speech tournament, Phi Rho Pi, for second time.
     Students In Free Enterprise selected as finalists in national competition.
     College receives ICCB Excellence in Accountability Award.

1998: Southeastern is granted maximum 10-year accreditation in August by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
     The college's first online courses were offered.
     Received an ICCCA Innovation award for developmental education distance learning courses.

1999: Southeastern was selected to be a provider of Illinois Virtual Campus.
     Southeastern acquires sculptures for the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center and the Child Study Center.
     A new Diesel Technology program is initiated on campus in association with Cummins Diesel.
     The Auto Technology program was relocated to Carmi/White County High School on a dual enrollment basis and welding classes were also introduced there on a dual credit basis.
     The Southeastern Illinois College Foundation Falcon Society is organized.
     The Leadership and Core Values Initiatives are created.
     The first Student Ambassadors are selected.

2000:  Dr. Ben Cullers, the institution's third president, retires.
     The Presidential Suite of the Abell Administration Building is renamed in Dr. Cullers' honor.
     Dr. Mary Jo Oldham becomes the fourth president of Southeastern.
     A cooperative agreement is developed with Franklin University of Columbus, Ohio, to offer online bachelor degrees through SIC.
     The college receives its second ICCB Excellence Award, this one for Workforce Development.
     The Southeastern Illinois College Foundation Alumni Association is formed.
     The Forensics area is named for Gary Allen, retiring Humanities Division Chair/Instructor and one of the founding fathers of the college's nationally-ranked speech program.
     The library is named for retiring librarian Melba A. Patton.
     Smart Classroom technology is available for instructional use.

2001:  Southeastern becomes a member of ILCCO (Illinois Community Colleges On-Line)
     Revised college seal and logo are approved.
     Online access for students is obtained through Falcon Net.
     Business Chair/Instructor Karen Keasler is named ICCTA State Alumni of the Year.
     Building names are changed to the Learning Center (A Building), the Conference Center (B Building), and the Sports Complex (C Building).

2002:  Remodeling of the Robert I. Gregg Technology Center is completed, three classrooms are added above the shop area.  
     The Fire Science Regional Center is established on campus.
     Dr. Joan Ferrell is named ICCTA Outstanding Faculty Member of the State of Illinois.
     The Forensic Falcons finish 3rd in the nation.
     Received Title III grant.
     Received ICCCA Innovation Award for FalconNet high school registration process.
     The Falcon Society permanent endowment fund for four years totals $244,514.00.
     Phi Beta Lambda is the highest ranking two-year college in national competition.

2003: The men's basketball team finishes 7th in the nation.
     Southeastern formed a partnership with Mid-Continent College for a bachelor's degree on campus.
     The Forensic Falcons speech team places second at the Phi Rho Pi National Community College Tournament.
     The SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) team was named Regional Champion for the seventh consecutive year and placed fifth in the nation at the SIFE USA National Competition.
     Phi Beta Lambda students succeed and win numerous awards at the State Leadership Conference, including three first-place recognitions. 
     The Diesel Technology program receives certification by Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).
     Received ICCB Forum for Excellence Performance Award for Post Secondary Perkins program accountability.

2004:  Men's basketball team finishes 4th in the nation.
     Lecture hall renovation project completed.
     CSC received National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation.
     Received ICCB's Forum for Excellence Performance Award for Post Secondary Perkins Program Accountability.
     SBDC recognized by the Illinois Business Development Association for the third consecutive year.
     Model Illinois Government team is named Outstanding Small Delegation.
     Forensic Falcons wins second in national competition.
     Hosted the IHSA Drama and Group Interpretation State Finals for the second time.
     SIFE team named Regional Champion for the 8th consecutive year and finished second in national competition.
     Phi Theta Kappa earns a 5-Star Chapter award.
     $5.5 million received to expand and remodel the Robert I. Gregg Technology Building.
     Received ICCCA Innovation award for the Regional Fire Science Training Center.
     Dr. Mary Jo Oldham, Southeastern's fourth President retires.  The Child Study Center is renamed the Mary Jo Oldham Center for Child Study in her honor.
     Dr. Ray Cummiskey is named the fifth President of the College.

2005:  Small Business Development Center reorganized as Workforce & Small Business Development Center.
     College agreement with Saline County Chamber of Commerce makes WSBDC director also the chamber's director.
     ICCB recognition notification received.
     Forensic Falcons win Phi Rho Pi national championship. 
     The Women's Basketball team finishes in the Elite Eight at the NJCAA national tournament.
     SIFE wins regional competition and again places at the national competition.
     New faculty evaluation process approved.
     High school dual credit program enrollment reaches record high.
     Robin Stricklin, assistant to five SIC presidents, retires.

2006: The Women's Basketball team finishes in the Elite Eight at the NJCAA national tournament.
     Forensic Falcons are state champions.
     SIFE named finalist in two-year division.
     PBL wins national competition.
     Model Illinois Government team is named Outstanding Small Delegation.
     Fabick CAT selects SIC as training partner.
     Four naming events take place:  the Sam Porter Chemistry Laboratory, the Lynn Clark Biology Laboratory, the Joan Ferrell Humanities Corridor, and the Virgil Motsinger Athletic Complex.

2007: Groundbreaking begins on the Robert I. Gregg expansion project.
     The Women's Basketball team finishes fourth in the nation.
     SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) places first runner-up in regionals.
     The Forensic Falcons finish second in the nation.
     Phi Theta Kappa earns a 5-Star Chapter award.
     Ed2Campus, an emergency broadcast cell phone text message program initiated.

2008:  Alan Miller Building purchased by the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation.
     Higher Learning Commission 10-year reaccreditation is awarded.
     Model Illinois Government (MIG) finishes third in state competition.
     The Forensic Falcons finish second in nation.
     The Falcon Shooting Team places fifth in national competition.
     Men's and Women's Basketball team made it to "final eight" in nation.
     The Learning Lab is renamed the Student Success Center.
     The Vocational Education division is renamed Career and Technical Education.
 
2009:  The Early College Program is approved and replaces Summer Honors and the baccalaureate dual credit program.
     The Falcon Shooting Team places third at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) National Shotgun Championships.
     Model Illinois Government (MIG) is named "Outstanding Small Delegation."
     The Forensic Falcons place fifth in the nation.  
     Dr. Raymond Cummiskey, fifth president, resigns, and Dr. Dana Keating appointed Acting President until the position is filled.
     After conducting a national search, the Board of Trustees names Dr. Jonah Rice as Interim President.
     The Southern Illinois Online Nursing Initiative (SIONI) is approved by the Board of Nursing, and SIC joins the initiative.
     The Higher Learning Commission extends accreditation to include distance delivery of the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education degrees.
 
2010:  Southeastern Illinois College celebrates 50 years!
     A Competitive Team Code of Conduct is adopted.
     The Falcon Shooting Team places 2nd in the nation.
     The Shawnee and Vienna Department of Corrections educational contacts were not renewed.
     The Fire and Science Burn Tunnel and outdoor instructional area are constructed.
     Southeastern Illinois College is awarded five-year ICCB recognition.
     The Conference Center (B Building) is renamed the Harry L. Crisp Student Center.
     The nursing wing is named the Shirley Oshel Nursing Complex.