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Facts and History

Facts

Type of College: Public two-year comprehensive community college
Founded: 1960
Location: A 190-acre campus located at 3575 College Road, Harrisburg, Illinois 62946-4925; Five miles east of Harrisburg on Route 13; four miles south of Eldorado on College Road Extension Center: David L. Stanley White County Center, located at 1700 College Avenue in Carmi since 1987.
Telephone: 252-5400 (local) 866-338-2742 (toll free)
College District #533: Gallatin, Hardin, Pope and Saline Counties; portions of Hamilton, Johnson, Williamson and White Counties
President: Dr. Jonah Rice
Annual Budget: Approximately $22.4 million

District Equalized

Assessed Evaluation: $453,324,482
Annual Enrollment: Approximately 6,000 full and part-time students
Tuition: $91 per credit hour as of FY 2014
Library: 45,000 volumes, 100 periodical subscriptions, 30 online databases

Student Financial

Aid Awarded Annually: Approximately $3.3 million
Employees: 120 full-time; 150 part-time
Courses of Study: Arts and Science Associate Degree Programs, Associate in Applied Science Degree Programs, Associate in Engineering Science Degree, Associate in Liberal Studies Degree, Occupational Certificate Programs
District Population: 52,000

Secondary Schools

In District: 10

Institutional Accreditation

Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504
Phone: 312-263-0456 or 800-621-7440

Institutional Recognition

Illinois Community College Board
Illinois Board of Higher Education
Illinois State Board of Education
Illinois Department of Adult, Vocational and Technical Education
Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs

Institutional Membership

American Association of Community Colleges
Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market

History

1955: Practical Nursing Program 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 is initiated;

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

1975: Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program 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; and 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 annual 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 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 Student Center patio is constructed; the Forensic Falcons win the national speech championship; welded sculptures - "Pegasus' Portal" and "Sentinels Guarding the Winds of Time" - are erected on campus with funding from an anonymous donor; the college celebrates its 25th anniversary; 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 opened 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; first vocational career day/open house held; Forestry program receives recognition by the Society of American Foresters; college corrections programs are recognized as top corrections program in Community College Times; first Truck Driving exposition held; National Science Foundation grant for Internet access equipment received; first international faculty exchange; competency-based instruction initiated within technology programs; funding 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; Sahara Coal leases property for Game Management program site; special residency status extended to residents of Union and Crittenden counties in Kentucky and Posey County in Indiana; 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; and the Aerobic Super Circuit Fitness Center was renamed the C. Harry Bramlet Fitness Center in honor of current long-time board member C. Harry Bramlet of Eldorado, who continued to use the facility well into his elder years.

1997: Technology Enhancement grant secured; open house dedicated new facilities; Carmi industrial park site obtained; Title IV grant renewed; Distance Learning equipment installed at White County Center, subsequently renamed the David L. Stanley Center in honor of the long-time Carmi board chairman/member; Forensic Falcons win national speech tournament 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 selected to be a provider of Illinois Virtual Campus. As part of Illinois' Art in Public Places program, Southeastern acquired two more large-scale sculptures upon completing of the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center, the Harry W. Abell Administration Building, and the Child Study Center. Installed in 1999, Night of the Meteor Shower and Solar Pathways are the work of Christiane T. Martins, an internationally known Illinois artist. Composed of brushed and polished stainless steel, Night of the Meteor Shower enhances the lobby of the George T. Dennis Visual & Performing Arts Center, while Solar Pathways adorns the entrance to the Child Study Center. Open house and dedication of the David L. Stanley Center in Carmi for White County. The Cosmetology program was resurrected with on-campus facilities and new faculty. A new Diesel Technology program was 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. Online course offerings were expanded and the college's website was upgraded. The Society of American Foresters renewed recognition of forestry programs; C. Harry Bramlet, long-time board member, receives the Friend of Education Award from the Southern Illinois Collegiate Common Market; the Technology Building is renamed the Robert I. Gregg Technology Center in honor of the founding Dean of Technology; the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation Falcon Society is organized; the Leadership and Core Values Initiatives are begun; 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; Southeastern becomes a member of the Illinois Century Network; the college receives its second ICCB Excellence Award, this one for Workforce Development; the first Breast Cancer Awareness Conference is held on campus; the first Women's Expo is held; the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation Alumni Association is formed; the college enters into a contract with Service Master for facilities and grounds management; 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); an Even-Start grant is awarded to the college; the HVAC project is completed; campus streets are named in keeping with the "Little Egypt" theme; 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; tuition is increased to $45 per credit hour; building names are changed to the Learning Center (A Building), the Conference Center (B Building), and the Sports Complex (C Building); the campus signage project is completed; The CSC celebrates its 25th anniversary.

2002: The Site and Construction Master Plan is completed; Remodeling of the Robert I. Gregg Technology Center is completed, three classrooms are added above the shop area; the first Ag Expo is held on campus; Arclar donates land adjacent to the campus for the Game Management site; online registration of students begins; the Fire Science Regional Center is established on campus; Dr. Joan Ferrell is named ICCTA Outstanding Faculty Member of the State of Illinois; tuition is increased to $49 per credit hour; the Forensic Falcons finish 3rd in the nation; Southeastern begins CPR instruction for IDOC employees; 14 Smart Classrooms are permanently installed on campus; received 5-year $1,802,570.00 Title III grant; received $3,823,600.00 from the ICCB to renovate and expand the Robert I. Gregg Technology Center; State University Annuitants Association chartered; received ICCCA Innovation Award for FalconNet high school registration process. SBDC received DCCA Program Excellence Award; Southeastern named Saline County Friend of 4H; offered second International Travel course (France); The Falcon Society permanent endowment fund for four years totals $244,514.00; C. Harry Bramlet, a founding board member and the longest tenured trustee in Illinois, retires from Southeastern's board; Phi Beta Lambda was the highest ranking two-year college in national competition.

2003: Offered third International Travel Course (Italy); Krystal Tison, the first woman appointed to the Board of Trustees; the men's basketball team ranked 2nd in the nation, one of 16 teams to play in the national NJCAA tournament where they received 7th place; Southeastern formed a partnership with Mid-Continent College in Kentucky to offer courses leading to a bachelor's degree on campus; the Child Care & Guidance instructional program has been designated by the INCCRA (part of the Illinois Department of Human Services) as an entitled program for the Illinois Director Credential; the Forensic Falcons speech team placed second at the Phi Rho Pi National Community College Tournament held in Portland, OR; The team has twice captured the Phi Rho Pi National Championship and ranks within the top 10 in the nation and were recipients of the coveted Mariner Award; 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; Daniel Holt, advisor for the team, was named a Sam M. Walton Free Enterprise Fellow in recognition of his leadership and support of the program; Phi Beta Lambda students succeed and win numerous awards at State Leadership Conference, including three first-place recognitions; this qualified them for Nationals in Dallas, TX; the Diesel Technology program receives certification by Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF) and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE); the first High School Summer Vocational Program starts; employed a full-time Marketing Director; received ICCB Forum for Excellence Performance Award for Post Secondary Perkins program accountability; Men's basketball team rated 4th in the nation and women's basketball team rated 12th nationally in the NJCAA preseason poll.

2004: Offered fourth International Travel Course (England, Scotland, Wales); JoAnna Lane, Gary Allen, and Sara Brown seated as College Trustees; Men and Women's basketball teams rated in top ten in the nation, both teams advanced to play in the national NJCAA tournament where the men finished 4th; student-athlete Donta Smith selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA draft; Coaches Todd Franklin and Greg Franklin named Coaches of the Year; Dual credit instructional offerings expanded; High School Summer Honor's Program expanded to include vocational courses; lecture hall renovation project completed; Massage Therapy instructional program introduced; approval to offer a new Carpentry Pre-Apprentice program, a revised Forestry program, and a new Outdoor Recreation program; CSC received NAEYC accreditation; received I.C.C.B.'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; launched a revised website; inducted second group into the Athletic Hall of Fame; AAS degree for the Paraprofessional Educator approved; Model Illinois Government team named Outstanding Small Delegation; Forensic Falcons won the community college state tournament for the fifth time and won 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; Dan Holt, SIFE advisor, inducted into the Sam Walton Fellow Hall of Fame; President Mary Jo Oldham receives one of 25 statewide awards in the State Treasurer's Woman to Woman Making a Difference Program; Phi Theta Kappa earned a 5-Star Chapter award; cultural arts activities reactivated; offered school-age child care during the summer months; $5.5 million received to expand and remodel the Robert I. Gregg Technology Building; First Annual Home and Garden Show held; received ICCCA Innovation award for the Regional Fire Science Training Center; a comprehensive Marketing Plan for the College was developed; summer camps for children were held in athletics, humanities, and math and science along with the popular College for Kids program; 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: Dr. Frank Barbre of Carmi elected to Board of Trustees; Gary Allen named as Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Small Business Development Center reorganized - becomes Workforce & Small Business Development Center; college agreement with Saline County Chamber of Commerce makes WSBDC director also the chamber's director; President Cummiskey initiates President's Forum, holds meetings with faculty/staff and students; ICCB holds meeting on SIC campus; ICCB recognition notification received - continues through June 2010; Cross Country is approved by trustees as a men's and women's NJCAA competition sport; Offered fifth International Travel Course (Switzerland); Forensic Falcons win Phi Rho Pi national championship; Jonah Rice receives Distinguished Service Award from Phi Rho Pi; 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; President's Office reorganized, Human Resources office created and full-time director employed; Cosmetology Teacher Certificate program approved; A.A.S. Inside Wireman program approved; A.A. teaching Secondary Math approved; A.A.S. Paraprofessional Educator approved; Carpentry program and Southern Illinois Carpenter Apprentice Program (SICAP) reach new agreement - accepted Carpentry graduates start SICAP at advanced level; Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) organized by the college - includes leaders from Gallatin, Hardin, Pope, Saline, and White counties; New faculty evaluation process approved; High school dual credit program enrollment reaches record high of 873; Russ Lane named Loren and Velma Dallas Outstanding Faculty Member; Greg Franklin named Region 24 Women's Coach of the Year; Donta Smith of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks visits campus and makes a significant financial contribution; 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; SIC has top delegation at Model Illinois Government; Offered sixth International Travel Course (China); Fabick CAT selects SIC as training partner; Carpentry Building Trades program builds house with partnership of Southeastern Illinois College Foundation; Heavy Equipment degree is added; Bob Howard named Loren and Velma Dallas Outstanding Faculty Member; Greg Franklin named Region 24 Women's Coach of the Year; ADN graduates have 100% pass rate on state board exams; Dr. Cummiskey is named Saline County Citizen of the Year; Dr. Cummiskey receives Leaders Among Us regional award; Budget is balanced; Tuition rate held at 2005-06 level; Foundation holds Planned Giving Seminars; Richard and Patricia Davenport make a significant financial contribution to the College in honor of Dorothy Davenport; The Board approves renaming the chemistry lab as the Sam Porter Chemistry Laboratory, the biology lab as the Lynn Clark Biology Laboratory, the humanities corridor as the Joan Ferrell Humanities Corridor, and C Building as the Virgil Motsinger Athletic Complex; WISBDC moves to new location on Harrisburg square; Dr. Jonah Rice leads self-study activities; Southern Illinois Bow Hunters Club begins using college property for an outdoor 3-D archery range; Board Goals and Strategic Plan (2006-2011) approved by Board; C. Harry Bramlet, charter board member, passes away; Dr. Ben Cullers, third president of Southeastern Illinois College, passes away.

2007: Dr. Pat York and Jim Ellis elected to the Board of Trustees; Krystal Tison named as Board of Trustees Chair; Groundbreaking begins on the Robert I. Gregg expansion project; SICCM Cooperative Veterinary Technology AAS degree approved; Ed2Go online education programs are implemented offering over 200 online courses; Ethics training is mandated by the state for all college employees; Carpentry house number two is completed and sold; Bonds in the amount of $4.75 million are issued; Tuition is increased to $68 per credit hour; Budget is balanced for second consecutive year; The Women's Basketball team finishes fourth in the nation; SIFE places first runner-up in regionals; The Forensic Falcons finishes second in the nation; Sound and Media Arts program approved; Julia Pfeiffer named Loren and Velma Dallas Outstanding Faculty Member; Phi Theta Kappa earned a 5-Star Chapter award; Distance education equipment for dual-credit courses installed at Galatia High School; College and Regional Economic Development Initiative (REDI) join Connect SI, a 20 county economic development effort; Dr. Cummiskey named co-chair for Southeastern Region and appointed to regional leadership Executive team; First annual Corn Maze conducted; Alumni Homecoming held; Capital campaign started; Self-study completed; Athletic Sub-committee formed to review the SIC athletic programs. Committee comprised of Dr. Pat York, Mr. Gary Allen, and Dr. Frank Barbre. Expanded to include six community members, one SIC faculty member, and one SIC student; Ed2Campus, an emergency broadcast cell phone text message program initiated.

2008: Athletic Strategic Plan developed; Booster Club created; International Student Institute created; Alan Miller Building purchased by the Southeastern Illinois College Foundation; Tuition increased $4 per credit hour from $68 to $72; Carpentry and Building Trades house number three is completed; Higher Learning Commission reaccreditation visit April 21 - 23, a 10-year reaccreditation awarded; Model Illinois Government (MIG) finishes third; President Cummiskey is awarded the Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction at the Phi Theta Kappa Convention in Philadelphia, PA; Forensic Falcons finishes second in nation; The SIC Falcon Shooting Team is formed; SIC Falcon Shooting Team places fifth at Nationals in San Antonio, TX; Men's and Women's Basketball team made it to "final eight" in nation; Articulation Agreement approved between SIC and University of Phoenix; Learning Lab renamed Student Success Center; Vocational Education division renamed Career and Technical Education; Instruction and Student Affairs divisions restructured and renamed Academic and Student Affairs; Student Affairs renamed Enrollment Management and Student Development.

2009: Partnership with the University of Illinois to offer introductory agriculture science foundation courses, taught by U of I professors through distance education technology; Early College Program approved replacing Summer Honors and the baccalaureate dual credit program; Tuition increased $5 per credit hour from $72 to $77; Dr. Jonah Rice named Loren and Velma Dallas Outstanding Faculty member; Mr. Richard Morgan elected to the Board of Trustees, and Ms. JoAnna Lane and Mr. Gary Allen re-elected to the Board of Trustees, all for six year terms. Ms. Krystal Tison, retires from the Board; SIC Shooting Team places third at the Association of College Unions International (ACUI) National Shotgun Championships; Model Illinois Government (MIG) named "Outstanding Small Delegation"; the Forensic Falcons placed fifth in the nation; Robert I. Gregg Technology Center dedication ceremony held; Dr. Raymond Cummiskey, fifth president, resigns. Dr. Dana Keating appointed Acting President until the position is filled. After conducting a national search, the Board of Trustees named Dr. Jonah Rice as Interim President; Southern Illinois Online Nursing Initiative (SIONI) approved by Board of Nursing and SIC joins initiative; SIC begins internal operation of food service; 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! The 50th Anniversary committee consisted of President Emeritus, Dr. Mary Jo Oldham, Retired Executive Assistant to the President and Board Robin Stricklin, Retired Librarian Melba Patton, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Instruction Peggy McDowell, Vice President for Instruction Dr. Dana Keating, ADN Instructor Maritta Pavelonis, Biology Instructor John Shultz, and Executive Assistant to the President and Board Barbara Potter, Chairperson; Tuition increased from $77 to $85 effective summer 2010; The Mary Jo Oldham Center for Child Study receives NAECY Accreditation; A Competitive Team Code of Conduct was adopted; A parking fee proposal was adopted; The SIC competitive shooting team placed 2nd in the nation; The Shawnee and Vienna Department of Corrections educational contacts were non renewed; The Fire and Science Burn Tunnel and outdoor instructional area were constructed; The Literacy Program was eliminated; Southeastern Illinois College awarded five-year ICCB recognition; The Conference Center (B Building) was renamed the Harry L. Crisp Building; The Nursing wing named the Shirley Oshel Nursing complex with the actual ceremony conducted in spring 2011.

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