Joliet Junior College (JJC), a community college based in Joliet, Illinois, is the first public community college founded in the United States. JJC offers pre-baccalaureate programs for students planning to transfer to a four-year university, as well as occupational education leading directly to employment. Additionally, JJC offers adult education and literacy programs, workforce development services, and student support services.
In Spring 2014, the college enrolled 16,375 students. Every year, 48,000 students enroll in the college's academic programs and in non-credit programs.
History
Joliet Junior College was founded in 1901 by Joliet Township High School Superintendent J. Stanley Brown and President of the University of Chicago, William Rainey Harper. Brown, who came to Joliet in 1893, first served as the principal of the high school. Throughout his time in Joliet, Brown became a well-known supporter of higher education, and would often encourage his students to attend college after graduation. Unfortunately, many students did not attend college because it was too expensive. Brown consulted his friend, Harper, and together they created Joliet Junior College. Classes took place at Joliet Township High School. The first class was made up of six students in 1901.
In 1916, the name of the institution was formalized. In 1917, Joliet Junior College received accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Joliet Junior College's student newspaper, The Blazer, was first published in October 1929. Before The Blazer, college bulletins were reported in the high school paper.
Joliet Junior College moved to its current location, at 1215 Houbolt Road in Joliet, in September 1969. The building at this location became fully operational in 1974. Joliet Junior College's first president, Elmer Rowley, was instrumental in establishing this new building and location.
Today, Joliet Junior College has locations not only in Joliet, Illinois, but in Romeoville, Illinois, Morris, Illinois, and Frankfort, Illinois.
Campus locations
The college has three campuses and three centers:
- Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt, Joliet, IL 60431
- City Center Campus, 214 N. Ottawa Street, Joliet, IL 60432
- Romeoville Campus, 1125 W. Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL 60446
- Morris Education Center, 1715 N. Division Street, Morris, IL 60450
- Frankfort Education Center, 201 Colorado Avenue, Frankfort, IL 60423
- Weitendorf Agricultural Education Center, 17840 W. Laraway Road, Joliet, IL 60433
Athletics
Joliet Junior College is a member of both the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Illinois N4C Conference.
The school currently sponsors the following sports:
Men's: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, and soccer
Women's: basketball, cheerleading, cross-country, soccer, softball, and volleyball.
The football program was eliminated in 2011 after 62 years of play due to budget cuts and to allow the school to be in compliance with Title IX.
National Championships
- NJCAA National Football Championship, 2002
- NJCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship, 2010, 1994
- NJCAA Division III Baseball National Championship, 2012, 2008, 1994
Notable alumni
- Katherine Dunham '28 - American dancer, choreography, author, educator and social activist
- Dr. John C. Houbolt, '38 - NASA scientist
- George Sangmeister, '51 - former Illinois Congressman
- Phyllis Reynolds Tedesco Naylor ’53 - author of children’s books, including Shiloh. 1992 Newbery Medal Winner
- Harry Geris '69 - Canadian Olympic wrestler
- Curtis J. Crawford '71 - CEO, Xceo Inc.
- John Williams '79 - American talk radio show host at WCCO (AM) in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Kelvin Hayden, '03 - Professional Football Player with the Chicago Bears
- Rob Ninkovich '04 - American football defensive end for the New England Patriots
- Jeris Pendleton '08- Professional Football Player with the Jacksonville Jaguars
- Mary K. O'Brien - Illinois state legislator and judge
See also
- Cooling Out
References
External links
- Official website
- JJC Academic Departments and Programs
- JJC Student Services
- Institutional Research
- The JJC Newsroom
- Joliet Junior College's Flickr Page
- Comparative Graduation Rates at JJC and Costs
- Graduation Rates at JJC (PDF)
- JJC Profile at U.S. Department of Ed.
