Shawnee Community College

Shawnee Community College was founded in 1967 as Shawnee College to allow students from Community College District No. 531 the opportunity to receive post-secondary education similar to university curriculum.[3][1] Authorized by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by Illinois Governor Otto Kerner, Jr. in 1961, the legislation enacted created the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE). The IBHE was tasked by statute with formulating a Master Plan for Higher Education in the state of Illinois.[8][9] In July 1964 the higher education master plan was published by the IBHE, which led to the Junior College Act of 1965.[8][9] Soon thereafter, Shawnee Community College was organized as a Class I community college in September 1967.[3] The initial Board of Trustees were selected in December of the same year. The college officially opened on September 24, 1969. It was later renamed in 1987 to Shawnee Community College.[1]