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Kishwaukee College Kicking Off 50th Anniversary

Kishwaukee College is holding a kickoff event for its 50th anniversary. 

The college was founded in 1968 on the grounds of an old farmhouse with around 600 students and focused on vocational programs.  Since then, the student body has grown to more than 6,000, with a majority using their degrees to transfer to four-year institutions like Northern Illinois University.  President Laurie Borowicz says the kickoff is a way to celebrate these sorts of gains.

"There’s so many things in education today that are really tough," she said. "The funding issues with the state of Illinois, the decreasing enrollments nationwide. But this is our chance to step back and say, 'you know what?  We do a lot of really good things here at Kishwaukee College and come and celebrate all those really good things with us.'"

The kickoff will feature the opening of a time capsule from 1993, as well as remarks from notable figures in the college's history.  Most prominent are Steve Irving, student body president from the Class of 1971, and Illinois State Representative Bob Pritchard.

The kickoff begins at 4:00, and memorabilia from the college’s past will be on display.