During its regular meeting on Wednesday, December 18, the John Wood Community College Board of Trustees honored the 50-year career of Jim Rapp. Rapp has served as JWCC’s legal counsel since the College’s founding in 1974. His first meeting with the Board was on the same date – December 18, 1974 – as his final meeting this month.
Throughout Rapp’s career, he provided invaluable guidance as JWCC transformed—from a college without walls to offering independent academic programs, and eventually establishing its Quincy campus at 48th and Harrison. Often working behind the scenes, Rapp’s vision and wisdom were instrumental in shaping JWCC’s journey from a college initially met with local resistance to a nationally recognized institution. Today, JWCC is celebrated for its student success, earning recognition from the prestigious Aspen Institute as one of the top 10% of community colleges in the country.
“To say that Jim Rapp was one of the original Trail Blazers of this college is an understatement,” JWCC President Dr. Bryan Renfro shared. “Devoting 50 years to a single entity is unheard of in today’s terms, but it is because of dedicated visionaries like Jim that JWCC has become a respected, relevant, and evolving institution. We were honored to recognize Jim with the College’s first Pathfinder Award and to showcase his career this evening.”
The JWCC Foundation launched the new Pathfinder Award tradition to be awarded to individuals, businesses, or organizations that embody JWCC’s mission and values and exhibit the trailblazing spirit of the College’s founders. As the first recipient, Rapp elected to have all proceeds benefit the foundation’s Pathways to Promise Scholarship fund to improve access to JWCC.
In other business, the Board:
Reduced the 2024 tax rate from $0.41457 to $0.40220 per $100 of Equalized Assessed Valuation. Despite the lower rate, the estimated levy will increase to $9,673,015, generating an additional $515,239 compared to the previous year. This increase is due to rising property values across the JWCC district.
Accepted $3,000 in funding from Swipe Out Hunger 2024 to support the College’s Blazer Fuel Station. The Fuel Station provides food and other resources to students in need.
Approved a grant application to the National Center for Inquiry and Improvement (NCII) for a Rural Guided Pathways Project. If approved, NCII will provide coaches and professional development resources to help JWCC continue momentum in the Guided Pathways process.
Approved submission of a $25,000 grant application to the Illinois Community College Board for a Homeless and Housing Insecurity Support Initiative.
Authorized a $3,832 payment to the Illinois Community College Trustee Association for the second half of dues for 2024.
Approved a laptop rental fee range between $75 and $100 per device per semester effective Spring 2025.
Accepted the low bid of $76,308.44 from STL LED, LLC from St. Louis, Mo., for an LED lighting project funded by a grant.
Adopted Board Policy 216 regarding restrictions of Sex Offenders.
The next meeting will be held Wednesday, February 19, at 6:00 p.m. at the JWCC Quincy campus.
