PINCKNEYVILLE, Ill. (December 2, 2022) — The Rend Lake College Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus, a Perry County extension of the Rend Lake College main campus in Ina, celebrated its 20th anniversary this week.
Students, staff, and community members joined the Pinckneyville Chamber of Commerce and RLC officials as they conducted a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the past two decades of providing affordable, local college opportunities.
"Today's celebration is one of effective collaboration, innovation, and community support," said Rend Lake College President Terry Wilkerson. "The Murphy-Wall Pinckneyville Campus has been a bridge to college for many students in Pinckneyville and the surrounding areas. These two decades of ongoing effort from RLC staff and Pinckneyville High School make these students' remarkable outcomes possible. We at Rend Lake College look forward to the positive impact over the next 20 years and beyond."
A long-time advocate for Rend Lake College and former Rend Lake College Foundation board member, Dr. Bill Roe, spoke about the cooperation of efforts in deciding on a Pinckneyville campus. "Logistical challenges were the driving force behind the campus's creation. There were no buses or transportation, and many people didn't have the financial ability to make the trip every day otherwise."
Once the RLC administration and Pinckneyville officials agreed that a campus in Pinckneyville would serve an unfulfilled need, they positioned the idea to the community.
"The community stepped up and were helpful fundraisers for the campus," said Dr. Roe. "There is a wall of honor in the front hallway comprised of donors, and many are local families. They feel a sense of pride seeing their children and grandchildren attend college here."
"We have always had tremendous community and high school support," said Heather Bauersachs, Rend lake College MWPC Director and Academic Advisor. "The people felt the college needed a presence in Pinckneyville due to the commute to Ina. The people came together and made it a reality."
Approximately 50 Pinckneyville High School students use the campus daily to work on dual credit courses. These free college courses are offered through a partnership with the high school, saving Pinckneyville students more than $2.3M since the program's inception.
Some dual credit or dual enrollment students have graduated high school with a year or more of their college coursework completed.
In addition to high school students, the campus also serves traditional and non-traditional students.
"Students that work during the day or need an evening or online class find success here as well," said Bauersachs. "For instance, several working students participate in our Certified Nursing Assistant program every spring. They end the semester with a certificate and join the workforce in their field."
The college offers a different schedule of classes each year, aiming to meet the needs of the students attending.
"We usually have between 10 and 15 classes each semester," said Bauersachs. "Additionally, we offer dual credit classes in the afternoons, which adds two to three classes."
"I am incredibly proud of these past 20 years," said Bauersachs. "It is a wonderful place and a beautiful facility. Overall, I want people to utilize the campus and know we are here to help. We truly put the students first."
Commenting on her experience at the MWPC was current student Lindsey Geffers.
"The campus has been amazing for me. The faculty has been accommodating when working around schedules, and they are tremendously helpful with school work," said Geffers. "I completed my generals while attending high school as a dual credit student. I will graduate in the spring with an associate of arts and a business degree. Having something closer to home, closer to town, where I could get my schoolwork done, work, and have time with my family, has made it so much easier."
Following the ceremony, members of RLC's financial aid, academic advisement, AmeriCorps, community education, and apprenticeships stood by to answer questions for individuals looking to learn more about attending Rend Lake College.