Pictured Above: SCC Board Vice Chair Maxine Russell, SCC President Larry Peterson, USDA Illinois Director for Rural Development Doug Wilson, Former SCC President Larry Choate, SCC Foundation President Darryl Clark, SCC VP Richard Massie, SCC Foundation member Mary Rothchild-Adams, SCC Foundation Director Jeff Wiggs, SCC Foundation Faculty Representative Rebecca Corbit.
Ullin, Ill., Dec. 5, 2007-USDA Illinois Director for Rural Development Doug Wilson visited Shawnee Community College in Ullin Wednesday with checks in hand. Wilson presented the checks totaling $2.9 million to College President Larry Peterson and Foundation President Darryl Clark and Foundation Executive Director Jeff Wiggs for the new Saints Place dormitory and equipment for the nursing clinical simulation lab.
"Shawnee College has a history of being very responsive to the needs of the communities it serves," said Wilson. "We know that our investment in Shawnee Community College will improve economic opportunity in this part of the state." The college district serves Alexander, Johnson, Massac, Pulaski, Union and part of Jackson counties.
Rural Development provided a loan for $1.85 million and guaranteed a loan with Capaha Bank in Tamms for $1 million to Shawnee Community College Foundation for a 52-room dormitory to house Shawnee Community College students. The 400 square-foot rooms will have full bathrooms and closets. The one-story building will also have a laundry room and a community room equipped with a kitchen.
"The student housing project will be a great addition the Shawnee campus," SCC President Larry Peterson said. "With the presentation of this grant and the assistance of the SCC Foundation, our students' needs will be met. Transportation to and from class is a challenge for countless students, and the opportunity to live closer to campus will improve the lives of many Shawnee students."
Pictured Above: SCC President Larry Peterson, SCC Board Vice Chair Maxine Russell, USDA Illinois Director for Rural Development Doug Wilson, SCC Nursing Director Carol Belt, Former SCC President Larry Choate
The federal agency awarded Shawnee Community College with a $56,780 grant for specialized instructional equipment for the nursing lab the college is constructing. The laboratory will be used to train 20 additional licensed nurses each year.
Rural Development offers non-profits and public bodies low-interest loans for terms up to 40 years to build facilities and purchase equipment to meet the needs of rural communities. Loan guarantees reduce the risk to a lender and generally result in the best available terms.
This year the college also received a grant for equipment for the new major appliance repair laboratory. Previous grants have been used for fork lift training, commercial truck driver training and the wine program. According to Wilson, in addition to the $2.9 million, Rural Development has provided $421,900 in grants over the last ten years.
