History of JWCC

• 1974– John Wood Community College was founded.
• November 1974– first Board of Trustees meeting was held.
• August 1975– JWCC admitted its first 668 students using the innovative “common market” method for delivery of instruction.
• May 1976– twenty-six students graduated in JWCC’s first commencement ceremony.
• June 1979– opened first Pittsfield Center at the Old East School.

• August 1981– JWCC Agricultural Education Center opened on the U of I Orr Research Center near Perry.
• December 1983– JWCC offices moved from Our Lady of Angels Seminary on North 18th to former Lincoln School at 48th and Maine.
• September 1985– Uptown Adult Education Learning Center opened at 509 Maine.
• May 1986– JWCC Foundation Board of Directors held its organizational meeting.

• Fall 1990– Pittsfield Education Center moved to its present location, 1308 West Washington.
• 1991– JWCC began establishing a broad range of autonomous curricular programs to phase out the “common market” operation.
• 1991– General education and liberal arts faculty were added in order for the College to provide its own comprehensive baccalaureate transfer curriculum.
• 1991– Board of Trustees approved Trail Blazers as the College’s athletic team name/mascot.
• 1991– JWCC fielded its first intercollegiate athletic teams during the 1991-1992 academic year.
• 1996– College acquired 154 acres from the Deters family for the current site of the Quincy campus at 48th and Harrison.
• 1996– JWCC and Dot Foods entered into an agreement to offer a variety of classes at the Mt. Sterling Learning Center.
• November 1996– Groundbreaking for the JWCC Science and Technology Center.
• January 1998– Science and Technology Center opened. First building on the new Quincy campus.

• December 2001– JWCC programs and services located at 48th and Maine campus in Quincy were moved into the Learning Center and Student Administrative Center
• January 2002– Learning Center and Student/Administrative Center opened on the new campus.
• Fall 2004– Paul Heath Community Education and Fine Arts Center (named in honor of the College’s founding president) completed the College’s long-range plan of a four-building core campus.
• 2004– JWCC Celebrates its 30th Anniversary.
• 2006– Student Activity Center opened. The SAC includes a gym that can seat 1,800 plus a weight room, classroom, locker rooms, and a team training room. The site also includes a baseball field, softball field, and additional parking.
• May 2007– JWCC 32nd commencement ceremony was held in the Student Activity Center. JWCC first-ever commencement held on its own campus.
• 2009– JWCC 35th Anniversary and first Founder’s Day Celebration.
• 2009 – JWCC Workforce Development Center opened at 4220 Kochs Lane in Quincy.

• Spring 2011 – New two-year Manufacturing Technology program began to meet needs identified by local manufacturers. The program focuses on how a product is manufactured, distributed, documented and supported.
• June 2011- Adams County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) offices moved to the JWCC Kinscherff Adult Education Learning Center at 122 North 5th Street, Quincy.
• January 2012 – Dr. John Letts was appointed the College’s fifth president.
• May 2012 – JWCC retirees establish a Retirees Association.
• August  2012 – Mandarin Chinese course offered for the first time at JWCC.
• May 2013 – Grand Opening of JWCC’s new Mt. Sterling Education Center at 108 N. Capitol in Mt. Sterling.
• August 2013 – New JWCC Career Readiness Center opens to help students and community members more confidently identify local careers that match their skills and interests.
• September 2013 – New Retired and Senior Volunteer Program offices open in Mt. Sterling and Pittsfield.
• January 2014 – First JWCC homecoming January 17- February 1.
• April 2014 – Michael L. Elbe becomes JWCC’s sixth president.
• July 2014 – New 2×2 accelerated online programs begin to offer students opportunity to earn an associate degree by taking two classes at a time and finish in two years. Initial 2×2 programs include accounting, business, economics, psychology, history, and general studies.
• January 2015 – “Woody the Trailblazer” unveiled as first JWCC Mascot in celebration of JWCC’s 40 year anniversary.
• August 2016 – Quincy Mayor Kyle Moore creates the Quincy Promise pilot program subject to availability to support Quincy high school 2017-2019 graduates attend JWCC tuition free.
• August 2016 – JWCC offers 12-week courses for the first time.
• August 2016 – JWCC creates its Computer Network Support certificate.
• August 2016 – Collaborate with Blessing-Rieman to combine resources to deliver nursing instruction for students in JWCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program.
• June 2017 – 40th anniversary of the partnership between University of Illinois Orr Agricultural Center and John Wood Community College Agricultural Education Center
• July 2017 –  JWCC launches College for Life program to provide post-high school educational experience for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• August 2017 – Southeast Education Center is formally dedicated.
• October 2017 – First four-week winter session launched.
• October 2017 – Women’s volleyball and men’s soccer programs reintroduced and women’s soccer program added to athletic offerings.
• December 2017 – Sign agreement with Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences to combine resources to deliver JWCC’s Surgical Technology degree.
• January 2018 – Bob Rhea ’80 selected for inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award
• February 2018 – Smart Start 2×2 online program launched for high achieving high school students to complete the first two years of bachelor’s degree prior to high school graduation.
• May 2018 – JWCC and the Regional Office of Education #1 share resources to provide a new Pearson Testing Center  at JWCC’s Southeast Education Center.
• June 2018 – Fire Science program ranked in the top 10 in the country by OnlineAssociatesDegrees.net.
• August 2018 – Named one of the top 20 best community colleges in Illinois by wallethub.com.
• August 2018 – Launch of one-year Medical Assistant program.
• August 2018 – Launch of Missouri Plus Scholarship program for high school graduates in adjacent Missouri counties.
• September 2018 – Approve an articulation agreement with Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing and Health Sciences to provide and efficient path from JWCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing at BRCNHS.
• October 2018 – JWCC ranked sixth out of 48 Illinois community colleges by the Community for Accredited Online Schools (select “2-Year Colleges” tab).
• January 2019 – Early Childhood Education program  approved as an entitled institution for Gateways to Opportunity credentials.
• March 2019 – Ranked as the top online community college in Illinois by SR Education Group, a leading education research publisher.
• April 2019 – Ranked Second Safest Community College in the Country and fifth safest college nationwide by the National Council for Home Safety and Security.
• August 2019 – Begin offering one-year Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning certificate.

2020

• COVID-19 Response: JWCC transitioned to remote learning and implemented health and safety measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Emergency Assistance: The college received federal funding through the CARES Act to support students and address COVID-19 impacts.
• Expansion of Online Learning: Significant investment in online learning platforms and resources to enhance virtual education.

2021

• Partnership with Area Businesses: Expanded partnerships with local businesses to create new workforce development opportunities.
• Virtual Learning Enhancements: Further investments in virtual learning technologies and tools to improve the remote education experience.

2022

• Accreditation Milestone: JWCC received reaffirmation of accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring continued quality and standards in education.
• Ag Sciences Complex: Opened a new Ag Sciences Complex to enhance facilities for agricultural education and research.

2023

• Dr. Bryan Renfro: Dr. Bryan Renfro became the 7th president of JWCC.
• Aspen Institute Recognition: JWCC was recognized by the prestigious Aspen Institute for its achievements in student success and educational quality.

2024

• 50th Anniversary Celebration: JWCC celebrated its 50th anniversary with special events and initiatives, including the expansion of scholarship opportunities through the Pathways to Promise Scholarship Drive.
• Truck Driver Training Program: Celebrated the 30th anniversary of the truck driver training program, highlighting its impact on the regional trucking industry and community.
• New Programs Launch: Launched several new programs, including Animal Care Veterinary Assistant, Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, and others to address industry needs.
• Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME): Established the first Illinois Chapter of FAME to support advanced manufacturing education and workforce development.
• Expansion of Workforce Development Center: Expanded facilities to enhance workforce training and development.
• JWCC at Bella Ease: Opened a new location to increase access to educational opportunities and community engagement.