Joliet Junior College

Joliet Junior College (JJC) is a public community college in Joliet, Illinois. Founded in 1901, it was the first public community college founded in the United States.[3]

Joliet Junior College
TypePublic community college
Established1901
Endowment$5.5 million
PresidentClyne G. H. Namuo, Ph.D.
Academic staff
208 full-time, 558 part-time[1]
Students10,267 Fall 2021[2]
Location
Joliet
,
Illinois
,
United States

41.50°N 88.18°W / 41.50; -88.18
CampusSuburban, 273 acres (110.5 ha)
Colors    Purple and White
MascotWolves
Websitewww.jjc.edu

In Spring 2014, the college enrolled 16,375 students.[4] 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 J. Stanley Brown, Superintendent of Joliet Township High School, and William Rainey Harper, President of the University of Chicago. 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. Many students did not attend college because it was too expensive.[5] 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.[6]

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.[7]

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.[8] Joliet Junior College's first president, Elmer Rowley,[9] was instrumental in establishing this new building and location.

Today, Joliet Junior College has additional sites in Romeoville, Morris, and Frankfort, all in Illinois.

Campus locations

The college has three campuses and three centers:

  • Main Campus, 1215 Houbolt, Joliet, IL 60431
  • City Center Campus, 235 North Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432
  • Romeoville Campus, 1125 W. Romeo Road, Romeoville, IL 60446
  • Morris Education Center, 725 School 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 North Central Community College 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.[10]

National championships

In 2017 JJC opened a new facility called the Event Center which is home to the athletic department and is used for special events and graduation ceremonies.

Transportation

The main campus of Joliet Junior College in Joliet is served by Pace. Route 501 provides bus service from campus to downtown Joliet and other destinations connecting with Metra service on the Rock Island District and Heritage Corridor at Joliet Transportation Center. Further connections are available to Amtrak service here via the Texas Eagle and Lincoln Service.[15]

Notable alumni

See also

References
  1. "College Navigator - Joliet Junior College".
  2. "College Navigator - Joliet Junior College".
  3. "Community Colleges Past to Present". American Association of Community Colleges. Archived from the original on November 8, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
  4. "JJC Fast Facts". Archived from the original on 2013-07-09.
  5. Sterling, Robert (2001). Joliet Junior College 1901 to 2001. United States of America: G. Bradley Publishing, Inc. p. 6. ISBN 0-943963-81-8.
  6. Sterling, Robert (2001). Joliet Junior College 1901 to 2001. United States of America: G. Bradley Publishing. p. 7. ISBN 0-943963-81-8.
  7. Sterling, Robert (2001). Joliet Junior College 1901 to 2001. G. Bradley Publishing, Inc. p. 44. ISBN 0-943963-81-8.
  8. "History". Archived from the original on 2010-11-01.
  9. "Leading By Example" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-19.
  10. "Goss: No Joliet Junior College football a bitter pill - Joliet Herald News". heraldnews.suntimes.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2013. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
  11. "Men's Basketball". Archived from the original on 2013-06-10. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
  12. "NJCAA | Sports | Men's Baseball | Home". Archived from the original on 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
  13. "NJCAA | Sports | Men's Baseball | Home". Archived from the original on 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
  14. "Winning Traditions". Archived from the original on 2013-05-30. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
  15. "RTA system map" (PDF). Retrieved July 27, 2023.
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