O n September 6, Olney Central College marked its 60th anniversary with a lively celebration that drew a diverse mix of community members, current students, alumni, and both past and present faculty and staff. The event was a testament to the college’s enduring commitment to educational excellence and its significant role in the local community. OCC celebrates 60th anniversary
such as nurses, teachers, small business owners and other essential roles. “Many individuals that play a vital role in the daily life of our region began their post-secondary education at Olney Central College,” Simpson added. The concept of “vision” was a focal point in Simpson’s address. He spoke about the early 1960s visionaries who dreamed of establishing a community college in Olney. Notable figures included Les Purdy, Superintendent of the East Richland School District and OCC’s first president, and Dr. Kent Wattleworth, a founding board member and later president of the IECC Board of Trustees. Vision in Action “Vision without action is simply a dream,” Simpson emphasized. “These individuals had the tireless work ethic to put their vision into action.” Retired Illinois Eastern Community Colleges CEO Terry Bruce echoed this sentiment in his address, “The real history of OCC is not the dates in its history, but the people who worked tirelessly to establish a commu- nity college in Olney and ensure its continued success,” Bruce said.
Chris Simpson, OCC President and IECC Vice Chancellor of Business, took the opportunity to reflect on two central themes: legacy and vision. “Enrollment numbers, degrees, and certificates awarded are measurable indicators of our success,” Simpson said. “But they don’t fully capture OCC’s true legacy.” Simpson underscored that the real impact of Olney Central College lies in the lives it has touched and transformed. “There is no method to fully measure the impact that Olney Central College has had on the lives of students, or the community and region,” he noted. “There isn’t a sufficient set of data points to measure the lives changed by attending Olney Central College.” The college’s alumni include not only local, state and national leaders, but also vital community members
ABOVE: Olney Central College marked its 60th anniversary with a community-wide celebration on September 6, 2023.
10 OCC Annual Report
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