EDGAR DELIVERS FUNDS FOR SHAWNEE COLLEGE PROJECTS

ULLIN, Ill. -- Gov. Jim Edgar has released $7.4 million for a building project at Shawnee Community College.

The project, which will include construction of four classrooms, a wet lab and a 500-seat educational center, will add about 31,900 square feet to the campus near Ullin.

The three-phrase construction and renovation is expected to total $9.2 million, with state and local contributions.

Edgar presented a $7.4 million check to Shawnee College president Terry Ludwig during a dedication ceremony at the Tamms Correctional Center Tuesday.

"Shawnee Community College has been instrumental in the training of hundreds of prospective correctional employees in testing for positions, both at the supermax prison at Tamms and other correctional centers," said Edgar. "Safe, modern buildings and infrastructure are crucial to meeting the educational mission of our colleges and universities."

The state's share of funding is $7.4 million plus a $310,000 grant for planning that was approved last year. Local costs are $1.5 million.

"This project fits into an overall concept plan that will be achieved in the near future," said Ludwig, after accepting the check. "This will allow the college to go ahead with much needed roof and soffit repair on the existing main buildings at the campus."

Work on the new projects should be completed in less than three years.

Many of the main campus buildings are 21 years old and require major repairs and renovations, said Ludwig.

The new building plan was developed by a college committee in conjunction with the Shawnee Campus Beautification Committee. The plan includes long-range goals such as a landscaped commons area for students and visitors and entrance and exit changes.

Shawnee College was established in 1969, with 600 students and a complex of seven buildings constructed as temporary classrooms. Today the college has more than 2,000 students. The campus has three inter-connecting buildings: an administrative building; multipurpose building; and the latest addition, a 21,000-square-foot building that houses a biology laboratory, 14 classrooms, offices and space for the nursing program.

In addition to students enrolled at the main campus, the school also has outreach centers at Anna, Cairo, West Vienna and Metropolis. More than half of the students are enrolled on a full-time basis.

During the past two years, enrollment increases have forced the college to use one of the buildings on the original campus. Most of those building are now used by service agencies.

The main campus is situated about seven miles east of Interstate 57 between Ullin and Karnak.

Ludwig is only the fourth president in the 29-year-history of the facility. He replaced Jack Hill, who retired.