School History

Collage of man working on brakes, a nurse and a sheet metal student.

Since its founding in a wing of Elgin High School on January 10, 1949, Elgin Community College has grown into a nationally recognized institution that offers 130 degree and certificate options featuring dozens of transfer agreements with top four-year institutions, as well as career and technical programs to prepare students for immediate employment in rewarding careers.

Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that Elgin Community College currently sits on the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe peoples: the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, and many other Native tribes. Let this land acknowledgment contribute to a continuing, deep, and respectful relationship between ECC and Native peoples.

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College History – Decade by Decade

2010 - 2019

November 2019: For the third time, ECC is listed among the top 150 colleges in the United States by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. ECC is eligible to compete for this biennial prize that recognizes institutions with outstanding achievements in learning, certificate and degree completion, employment and earnings, and high levels of access and success for minority and low-income students.
October 2018: Hanover Park Education and Work Center received a $225,000 operations grant to help equip residents with the basic skills necessary to further their educational goals and access better jobs. The Center is a partnership between Elgin Community College, Harper College, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, and the village of Hanover Park.
March 2018: ECC hosts its first Regional Workforce Development forum and establishes a Department of Workforce Development at the college.
October 2017: ECC Board of Trustees approves the college’s strategic plan for 2018 to 2022.
October 2017: For the second time, the Aspen Institute names ECC to the nation's Top 150 for Community College Excellence list its community college excellence based on student outcomes.
February 2017: David Sam, PhD, JD, LLM, celebrates his tenth anniversary as president of ECC.
November 2016: ECC receives Bellwether finalist recognition for its "Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) Program—A Story of Success, Sustainability, and Scale" in the Planning, Governance & Finance category.
September 2016: The Elgin Community College Center for Emergency Services celebrates its grand opening. The Burlington facility represents the last major construction effort funded by the April 2009 bond referendum.
June 2016: ACT® selects ECC as a National Exemplar in Career Preparedness. The honor was announced at ACT's national gala in Washington, D.C.
March 2016: The Illinois Community College Trustees Association honors ECC President David Sam with the 2016 Gary W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award.
December 2015: The Higher Learning Commission renews ECC’s accreditation for the next 10 years. The college scored 24 out of 24 across five categories, the highest rating an institution can achieve.
October 2015: The Illinois Emergency Management Agency designates ECC as a "Ready to Respond" campus after the ECC Police Department successfully met rigorous safety criteria.
October 2015: Reflejos bilingual journal honors ECC with the Reflejos Reflecting Excellence Award to recognize the college's Accelerating Opportunity Program (now known as ICAPS).
September 2015: ECC's annual United Way Giving Campaign's success earns the United Way of Elgin's Jack Shales Spirit of Community Award.
September 2015: Achieving the Dream, Inc. renews ECC's designation as a Leader College.
August 2015: The ECC Nursing Program celebrates its 50th anniversary. As of the 50th anniversary, ECC awarded over 3,362 Associate of Applied Science credentials in nursing.
June 2015: ECC receives accolades for its financial literacy programs from the President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans, an advisory group to President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary Jacob J. Lew. Similar recognition was also included in the final report from the U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission.
May 2015: From summer 2014 through spring 2015, ECC awards students a record-breaking 2,578 degrees and certificates.
October 24, 2014: The Association of Community College Trustees recognizes ECC with the Central Regional Equity Award, recognizing the tremendous contributions made by trustees, equity programs, chief executive officers, faculty members, and professional board staff.
October 8, 2014: ECC hosts groundbreaking for the Public Safety Training Center in Burlington, Illinois.
August 21, 2014: ECC hosts a grand opening event for the Education and Work Center in Hanover Park, which was created through an innovative partnership between multiple government agencies, including Elgin Community College; Harper College; the village of Hanover Park; and Illinois State Representative Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates).
May 21, 2014: ECC hosts groundbreaking for the Education and Work Center in Hanover Park.
January 2014: The Aspen Institute names ECC to the nation's Top 150 for Community College Excellence list for its community college excellence based on student outcomes.
July 2013: The National Association of College and University Business Officers recognizes ECC with the 2013 Innovation Award for its financial literacy program.
January 2013: ECC receives the Bellwether Award from the Community College Futures Assembly in the Instructional Programs and Services category for its Alliance for College and Career Student Success for College Readiness initiative.
November 2012: Achieving the Dream™, Inc. names ECC a Leader College. At the time, ECC was one of only 66 institutions nationwide to earn this significant recognition for its work, raising persistence and completion rates and closing achievement gaps.
August 20, 2012: The college debuts new single-letter designations for all buildings as part of a wayfinding and signage program on the Spartan Drive campus.
March 15, 2012: ECC hosts a grand opening event for the health and life sciences building (Building A).
January 27, 2012: ECC hosts a grand opening event for Renner Academic Library and Learning Resources (Building C).
April 5, 2011: Jobe Lounge reopens following a significant renovation to create a more student-centered space.
January 26, 2011: ECC hosts the new multipurpose classroom building (Building K).
December 2010: ECC stops offering classes and services at Fountain Square Campus.
On June 8, 2010, Spartan Drive reopened after extensive resurfacing and landscaping improvements, connecting McLean Boulevard and Randall Road.
March 11, 2010: ECC holds groundbreaking ceremonies for the health and life sciences building (Building A) and the new academic library and learning resources center (Building C).
January 29, 2010: The college breaks ground to remodel and renovate former industrial facilities at 410/466 Renner Drive as general classroom space (Building K).

2000 - 2009

January 2009: Formally designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution.
August 2009: The college purchases 410 Renner Drive at the northwest corner of campus for general classroom and office space.
April 7, 2009: Voters approve a $178 million bond referendum for the college to build a new academic library and learning center, health careers center, and regional public safety training facilities.
April 2009: The college successfully receives re-accreditation from the North Central Association/Higher Learning Commission with no additional follow-ups until 2015-16.
August 15, 2008: ECC celebrates the opening of the extension of Spartan Drive to Randall Road with the official naming of Duffy Drive, a portion of Spartan Drive, in honor of the college's longest-serving trustee, John Duffy, and his family.
May 2008: ECC Board of Trustees votes to freeze tuition at $91 per credit hour for the 2008-09 academic year, and ultimately the next three academic years, to provide financial assistance to students attending college during the high unemployment and recession years at the end of this decade and the start of the next.
January 2, 2007: ECC announces David Sam, PhD, as its eighth president, effective February 12.
November 2006: The college purchases 466 Renner Drive at the northwest corner of campus for general use purposes.
April 11, 2006: President Michael Shirley announces his retirement, effective December 31.
March 21, 2006: District 509 voters reject the college's request to increase its education fund tax rate by 5 cents.
October 2005: ECC celebrates the grand opening of the Spartan Events Center (Building J).
April 15, 2005: The college officially opens a baseball field, Spartan Field, at the intersection of Spartan Drive and Renner Drive on the Spartan Drive campus.
August 23, 2004: The Culinary Arts Center (Building I) opens.
August 2003: ECC celebrates the grand opening of the new Health and Business Technology Center (Building M) and the re-opening of the Advanced Technology Center (Building G).
August 13, 2002: The college celebrates the grand opening of the Industry Training Center (Building O).
June 2002: ECC wins the Skyway Conference All-Sports Trophy for the first time in school history. The award is given to one community college annually for the most points accumulated for men's and women's team play.
April 2001: By a 2-1 margin, voters approve the college's $41 million referendum for new buildings and campus renovations to meet the needs of students and the community through 2020.
February 2001: The Elgin Community College Faculty Association stages the first strike in the college's history.

1990 - 1999

November 1999: The college purchases the former Elgin Business Forms building on Fleetwood Drive at the northeast corner of campus for the Industry Training Center.
September 1999: ECC introduces its first official mascot, SpartaCat.
May 1999: Heritage Day activities include opening the 1974 time capsule and internment of the 2024 time capsule as the 50th-anniversary celebration continues.
January 1999: Founders' Week commences as the college begins a yearlong celebration of its 50th anniversary and names the 'Fabulous 50' - former students exemplifying the success envisioned for all ECC students.
November 1998: The college names Michael S. Shirley, PhD, as ECC's seventh president.
April 1998: Roy Flores resigns as the sixth president of ECC.
August 1997: The college enters into the first of several partnerships with four-year colleges and universities to provide greater and quicker access to upper-level undergraduate offerings and baccalaureate degree completion, allowing for dual admission and/or seamless transfer to four-year schools.
January 13, 1997: Instruction Center opens.
September 1996: North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools renews ECC’s accreditation through 2006.
August 1996: ECC becomes the first college in Illinois to begin offering online credit classes.
December 1995: The ECC Foundation successfully completes its $1.5 million capital campaign, "Partners in Excellence and Opportunity."
December 1995: The board of trustees approves an intragovernmental agreement with the city of Elgin allowing the exchange of 25 acres optioned on Randall Road by the college for 45 acres of the front nine of the Spartan Meadows Golf Course. The agreement allowed the city to develop Randall Road and the college to expand its main campus.
January 1995: First classes meet in the Business Conference Center.
July 1994: The college names Roy Flores, PhD, as the sixth president of ECC, with duties beginning August 18.
January 1994: President Paul Heath announces his retirement, effective August 31.
August 23, 1993: First classes meet in the Visual & Performing Arts Center.
January 1991: Applied Business Technology Building opens for classes.
October 1990: Kane County Public Building Commission approves $30 million in bonds to construct a portion of the new master plan. The first phase includes a $15 million Visual & Performing Arts Center and gym addition.
September 1990: The college dedicates Founders Court and Alumni Court.

1980 - 1989

October 1989: ECC Foundation completes a $200,000 "Building a Vision" 40th-anniversary enhancement campaign.
August 1987: The college enters into a 20-year lease/purchase agreement with the Kane County Public Building Commission to buy ECC's Fountain Square Campus from the city of Elgin.
June 23, 1987: ECC names Paul R. Heath, EdD, the fifth president of the college, with duties beginning September 1, 1987.
December 1986: President Searle Charles announces his retirement, effective no later than September 2, 1987.
November 1986: Local voters approve a 6-cent increase in the tax rate for the college's education fund.
August 1986: North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools renews ECC’s accreditation for 10 years, the longest accreditation period possible.
March 18, 1986: Area residents vote, by a 3-2 margin, to reject the college's request for an 8-cent increase in the education tax rate.
1985: The board of trustees votes to establish trustee scholarships to provide financial incentives for in-district students who demonstrate academic or leadership potential.
November 1984: ECC support staff affiliated with the Illinois Education Association for collective bargaining purposes.
June 1984: College administration establishes the ECC Foundation as a not-for-profit organization to provide various means of private financial support to advance ECC academic programs and support services.
February 1984: ECC faculty joins the Illinois Federation of Teachers for purposes of collective bargaining.
December 1983: The board of trustees votes for the first time to voluntarily recognize a union representing college faculty.
December 1983: Renner Hall, ECC's first official home at 373 East Chicago Street, is torn down.
August 1983: Fountain Square Campus construction is complete.
January 1983: Fountain Square Campus in downtown Elgin opens for classes.
July 1982: ECC appoints Searle F. Charles, PhD, as the fourth president of the college, beginning December 14, 1982.
March 1982: The college and city of Elgin reached a tentative agreement on restoring a building located in downtown Elgin for a second campus.
August 1981: President Mark Hopkins resigns, effective August 1, 1982.

1970 - 1979

October 1979: Elgin Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 30th season with the college.
April 1979: The North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools renews ECC’s seven-year accreditation.
January 10, 1979: ECC celebrates the 30th anniversary of the college's founding.
January 1979: ECC opens the Industrial Technology Building.
June 1977: Elgin Community College receives a $1 million Advanced Institutional Development Program Grant from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
October 14, 1975: Mark Hopkins, EdD, becomes the third president of Elgin Community College.
April 22, 1975: Robert L. Appel Jr. resigns as president of Elgin Community College, effective June 30, 1975.
January 11, 1975: The official college name changes from Junior College District 509 to Community College District 509.
August 1, 1974: Junior College District 509 annexes School District 303.
July 30, 1974: North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools continues Elgin Community College's accreditation for another five years.
January 1974: ECC celebrates the 25^th anniversary of the founding of the college.
December 11, 1973: Brian Dardis becomes the first non-voting student member of the ECC board.
July 10, 1973: Junior College District 509 annexes Central Community Unit District No. 301.
April 24, 1973: The ECC Board of Trustees established the Orrin G. Thompson Excellence in Teaching Award.
September 1972: ECC establishes the first joint educational agreement between ECC's Dental Assisting Program and Waubonsee Community College's Automotive Program.
September 13, 1971: ECC introduces Dr. Robert L. Appel Jr., EdD, as the second president of Elgin Community College, effective September 27, 1971.
September 1, 1971: President Gilbert Renner retires.
August 1971: ECC renames The Resources Center as the Renner Learning Resources Center in honor of President Gilbert Renner.
May 2, 1971: ECC hosts a dedication and open house of the new campus.
March 1971: North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools renews ECC’s three-year accreditation.
December 1970: Elgin Community College opens a new gym with a basketball game against Waubonsee Community College.
September 1970: The college moves into the new campus building at 1700 Spartan Drive.

1960 - 1969

November 1969: Elgin Community College becomes a charter member of the new athletic Skyway Conference.
December 24, 1968: Groundbreaking for Phase I.
May 1968: Illinois Board of Higher Education approves building project for the new campus.
March 1968: North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools accredits the college.
April 1967: Junior College District 509 purchases a 100-acre Spartan Drive site from the city of Elgin for $51,050.10 to use for the new college campus.
April 15, 1967: School District 300 (Dundee, Carpentersville, Algonquin, Hampshire) votes to annex Elgin Junior College District 509 effective July 1, 1967, more than doubling the original district boundaries.
June 4, 1966: First District 509 Board election occurs with the election of seven trustees: Robert Hoffer, chair; John Eshelman, secretary; Harry Blizzard; Paul Bolger; Richard Gromer; Joseph McCarthy; and Frieda Simon.
April 12, 1966: The U-46 Board of Education votes to divest itself of Elgin Community College control.
April 5, 1966: The college applies for Class I Junior College status, which the state Board of Higher Education approves.
Fall 1965: District 509 forms as a Class II Junior College.
July 15, 1965: The Illinois General Assembly passes the Junior College Act.
June 1965: The college’s first vocational/technical program is the state-approved two-year Nursing Program.
June 1962: The college applies for accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

1949 - 1959

December 1959: ECC dedicates its first home, Renner Hall, at 373 East Chicago Street in Elgin.
Spring 1951: ECC celebrates its first graduating class of 22 students.
July 1950: The college appoints Gilbert I. Renner as dean.
May 1950: The college joins the American Association of Junior Colleges.
January 10, 1949: Established as part of Public School District U-46, Elgin Community College appoints Charles M. Evans as the first dean.

School History

Land Acknowledgment

College History – Decade by Decade

Campus Map