A New Education Era in McHenry County

On June 1, 1967, the new Junior College District 528 Board of Education held its first meeting in the Superintendent of Schools office at the McHenry County Courthouse Annex, Woodstock.

The Board elected E. C. Nichols, Superintendent of Marengo High School, as its president and J. William Banker, Jr., Woodstock as Secretary. The seven members drew lots for their term lengths. Nichols and Mrs. Joan Hill, Crystal Lake, drew one-year terms; Thomas Parsley, Woodstock, and Banker drew two-year terms. Dr. A.D. Leschuck, Harvard, Dr. J.F. Harris, Richmond, and Cal Skinner, Sr., Crystal Lake, drew three-year terms. Nichols and Mrs. Hill could run for the board again in April 1968.

Information and Funds From the State

Dr. Albert H. Martin, Associate Secretary of the Illinois Junior College Board, met with the new board, presenting necessary materials, information, and an application for a $100,000 State grant. This was available to all Illinois junior colleges for their first year of operation.

Board members hoped to open the higher education facility in Fall, 1967. This meant a lot of preparatory work, including finding a place to hold classes, hiring administrative and teaching staffs, determining curriculum, and all the details involved with putting a learning institution into operation.

The board queried Dr. Martin about opening the junior college in the fall for vocational classes. He explained the board might be too late to fill that wish. However, questioning from board member Skinner revealed the State Board probably would approve starting vocational and adult non-credit courses in the fall, if an administrator, teachers and students were found.

This was the first of many meetings held before the newly formed junior college could open its doors to students. Its application to the State affirmed the College intended to start classed in the Fall of 1967.

No Time to Waste

Not wanting to waste time, the board approved three committees. Members Skinner and Banker were to make suggestions regarding a treasurer and a bank for deposit. Parsley, Banker, and Skinner were to make recommendations for an attorney for the board; and Hill, Leschuck, and Harris were to explore possible names for this newly formed institution of higher education.

Learn more about the early trials of the Board and fledgling institution in my next blog.

Get Ready to Celebrate

Sunday, April 15 kicks off year-long festivities commemorating the 40^th Anniversary of the founding of McHenry County College. Join us for an opening afternoon program followed by a ceremonial tree planting, college open house, public reception with cake and refreshments, and a performance by the MCC Concert Band and Choir during the college’s “Second Sunday Concert” series. At the event, you can share your MCC memories, visit archival displays, have a picture taken to post among alumni displays, and contribute college memorabilia to a special digital time capsule.

A new addition to the anniversary celebration is an interactive Electronic Time Capsule that enables visitors to posts their messages, along with audio and video clips. It’s a great way to share your college memories with others. Visit the Time Capsule at: https://www.electronictimecapsule.com

Login to the anniversary account using the following login: [MCCanniversary] and password: [40 years]. Then just follow the prompts.

Event details will be posted at http://www.mchenry.edu/mccanniversary as the program develops. Pages will change regularly, so visit often. And, contribute your entry into the MCC anniversary guest book. You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information on the celebration!

Iris Bryan