Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees swears in new student trustee; approves to solicit bids for new gymnasium

The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees held its monthly meeting on Monday, April 22, 2024. Board members included Bill Hawley (Odin), Laura Wedekemper (Shattuc), Linda Stover (Centralia), Louis Kalert (Centralia), Jim Beasley (Centralia), Craig Finke (Nashville), Bryan Holthaus (Carlyle), Madison Johnson (Outgoing Student Trustee), and Connor Wademan (Student Trustee).

Madison Johnson was recognized for her service as a student trustee throughout the 2023-2024 year by a board resolution presented by Bill Hawley. Connor Wademan from Carlyle was sworn in as the 2024-2024 Student Trustee.

"I just want to thank everyone for this opportunity," said Wademan."I'm excited to be a part of the team and represent the KC student body."

Following a presentation outlining the new college gym project timeline from Poettker Construction, the board authorized the college to solicit bids during Summer 2024 for the construction of a new gymnasium to complete the capital expenditures as outlined in the 2021 Kaskaskia College Modernization and Capital Improvement projects.

The board approved the following Capital Development Board Projects, which are funded 75% from Development Board Funds and 25% from college funds, including replacing roofing systems and upgrading HVAC systems in various campus buildings, improving the main campus entranceway, east parking lot, roadways, and walkways, plus improvements to the pedestrian walkway between the Library and Administration buildings. Final funding details will be determined once bids are received and reviewed.

The board also approved two new certificates: a one-year Fitter Fabricator Certificate, effective Fall 2024, and a new Precision Agriculture certificate, effective Fall 2025.

The Fitter Fabricator certificate is a new reasonable and moderate extension of the KC Welding Technology AAS Degree. The new certificate will allow KC to provide training on major arc welding processes in all positions on plate and other structural materials, welding automation and production, CAD theory, sheet metal fabrication, and CNC.

The new twenty-five credit hour Precision Agriculture certificate will prepare students for success in the evolving field of precision agriculture. Students will gain knowledge and skills in computer technology, global navigation satellite systems, agriculture mapping software, precision agricultural equipment, unmanned aerial systems, and agronomy.

The board accepted the donation of a 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV to the KC Automotive Technology Program from Jansen Chevrolet of Germantown. Jansen Chevrolet, a long-time supporter of KC, generously offered to donate the electric vehicle to enhance the education and training of automotive students in the maintenance and repair of electric vehicles.

The board also approved the resolution to purchase a new Puritan Bennett mechanical ventilator from Covidien Sales, LLC of Mansfield, MA, for $28,224 to replace unrepairable equipment in the Respiratory Therapy Program.

During the meeting, the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees approved the promotion of eight faculty members and the reappointment of professional/managerial and executive/managerial employees. The following faculty were recommended for faculty rank promotion from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor: Cheryl Rushing, Michael Geiger, Bill Waggoner, Eric Jones, Cory Wellen, and Rebecca McElhose. The following faculty members were recommended for faculty rank promotion from Associate Professor to Professor: Aaron Heinzmann and Mark Kohnen.

Regarding personnel items, the board approved new hires: Marcus Abston, Assistant Professor of Biology, and Emily Eilers, Financial Aid Advisor/Veterans Services Coordinator. Additionally, trustees accepted the resignation of Adam Wilson as a Buildings and Grounds Technician and the retirement notice of KC Director of Purchasing and Auxiliary Services Craig Roper, effective January 25, 2025.

Lastly, the board approved two new positions for hire, including a full-time position as an English Transition Success Coach and a full-time position as a Rev Up Grant Manager/Success Coach.

The Kaskaskia College Health Sciences Programs Pinning will hold its pinning ceremony on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of the KC Soccer Field.

Kaskaskia College will host its annual commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 10, at 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of the KC Soccer Field.

The Kaskaskia College Adult Education Program will host its graduation on Thursday, May 16, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lifelong Learning Center.