Mission
To enrich lives through learning and community engagement.
Vision
Through innovation and equitable learning opportunities, John A. Logan College will be a College of excellence that inspires growth, cultivates learning, and promotes cultural understanding.
Philosophy
John A. Logan College believes in the inherent worth and dignity of the individual. Derived from that belief is the concept that education is important to the cultural, intellectual, and social enlightenment of the individual; that high-quality educational opportunities are the right of the citizens to whom the College belongs; and that education is vital to the area’s economic growth. Because our citizens have worth, dignity, and potential regardless of their age, economic status, or social station, the College assumes the obligation to serve its citizens through an open-admission concept with lifelong learning opportunities.
Within the limits of the College’s ability to attain and maintain a solid financial base, it is ready and eager to provide low-cost traditional and non-traditional education opportunities whenever, wherever, and however they are needed by the citizens to improve the quality of their lives.
Core Values
- Student-Centered
We are committed to providing quality learning opportunities and assisting students at each step in their educational journey.
- Integrity
We are committed to creating trust and confidence in our college community that acts with honesty and forthrightness, holding ourselves to high academic and ethical standards.
- Respect
While recognizing and valuing the dignity and uniqueness of every person, we are committed to creating a positive community where everyone is appreciated and considered for their contributions and performance.
- Community
We are committed to cultivating partnerships within the community for the mutual benefit of the College and the southern Illinois region.
- Optimism
We are committed to looking at things with a positive eye and an open mind, trying to see the good in things first. Everything we do is with an effort to foster a positive environment even in the toughest challenges.
History
John A. Logan College (JALC) is an open-admission, comprehensive community college designed to provide high-quality, affordable educational opportunities to its citizens. The College owes its existence to the Illinois Public Community College Act of 1965, which provided legislation to create a junior college system in the state of Illinois. John A. Logan College district citizens approved the creation of the junior college district in September 1967.
The College is named in honor of John Alexander Logan, a prominent southern Illinoisan whose political career led from county clerk to U.S. Congressman. During the Civil War, Logan volunteered as a citizen soldier and fought in eight major campaigns and is considered one of the premier volunteer generals of the Civil War. After the war, Logan returned to Congress and he helped found Memorial Day as a national holiday. In 1871, and again in 1874, Logan was elected to the U.S. Senate and was James G. Blaines’s vice-presidential running mate. Throughout his political career, he was a strong advocate for public education. Logan drafted legislation that established normal schools, teachers’ institutes, and instruction in the industrial and mechanical arts.
Senator Logan’s speech in support of this public education legislation attracted attention throughout the country. His emphasis on planning for the future helped to refocus and rebuild the nation. The College motto, “To education must we look …,” is derived from the following excerpt:
“To education, therefore, must we look for all the elements of national strength, and the more generally it is diffused and the higher its grade, in like proportion will our national power be increased.”
(Congressional Record, March 16, 1882)
About John A. Logan College
The John A. Logan College district (#530) consists of one central campus and extension centers in the towns of DuQuoin and West Frankfort. Many courses in baccalaureate transfer, career education, continuing education, and adult literacy are taught in high schools and public facilities throughout the five-county district. The College takes pride in providing high-quality, affordable education to its citizens. JALC is in very close proximity to a four-year educational institution, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (SIU-C). The College district serves the following high school districts in Illinois: Marion, Johnston City, Herrin, Crab Orchard, Carterville, Carbondale, Tri-Co, Elverado, Murphysboro, West Frankfort, and DuQuoin. The area has a long history of manufacturing and coal mining. With the closures of many mines and manufacturing plants, the College has successfully worked with state and local agencies to provide transition services and training programs to help these workers obtain degrees and training to obtain employment.
Other facts about the college:
| Year established: |
1967 |
| Current budget: |
$34 million - Budgeted Operating Expenditures |
| Enrollment: |
Approximately 2,169 (full-time equivalent) |
| Area population: |
139,626 |
| Employment: |
672 employees, 63 full-time faculty, 114 adjunct faculty, 199 part-time staff, 211 full-time staff and 85 student workers |
Board of Trustees
- Aaron R. Smith, Chair
- Jacob “Jake” Rendleman, Vice-Chair
- Rebecca Borgsmiller, Secretary
- Dr. Brent Clark
- Mandy Little
- William J. Kilquist
- Dr. Glenn Poshard
- Zoren Anako Mohamad Ali, Student Trustee
Officers of the College
- Dr. Kirk Overstreet, President
- Dr. Stephanie Chaney-Hartford, Provost
- Dr. Susan LaPanne, Vice President for Business Services, CFO
Past Presidents
- Dr. Nathan Ivey 1968 to 1973
- Dr. Thomas E. Deem 1973 to 1974
- Dr. Robert E. Tarvin 1974 to 1982
- Dr. Harold R. O’Neil 1982 to 1989
- Dr. Ray Hancock 1989 to 2000
- Dr. Robert L. Mees 2000 to 2012
- Dr. Mike Dreith 2012 to 2015
- Dr. Ron House 2015 to 2020
John A. Logan College District Map
Extension Centers help students pursue their education close to home. The extension centers offer a variety of general education, liberal arts, basic adult education, continuing education, and children’s classes. The extension centers provide opportunities for students to prepare for the GED, learn skills to become effective employees and parents, gain knowledge in basic computer skills, address other interests of the community, and provide wholesome activities for children.
Alongi Du Quoin Extension Center: The Alongi Du Quoin Extension Center is located on U. S. 51 south in the Southtowne Shopping Center. The center is host to regular College classes, adult and continuing education classes, children’s classes, and seminars for business and industry.
West Frankfort Extension Center: The West Frankfort Extension Center is located at 19 West Frankfort Plaza, West Frankfort. The center is the site for regular College courses as well as for adult and continuing education classes, children’s classes, and seminars for business and industry.
Maps and Locations - John A. Logan College | John A. Logan College
Student Handbook
John A. Logan College provides a Student Handbook which is designed to guide students to key information and to enhance the accessibility of John A. Logan College student policies. The Student Handbook provides an alphabetical guide to frequently referenced topics and student-related policies and procedures; use this resource to help you find answers to most of your questions! Please note that the Student Handbook replaces the former Rights and Responsibilities publication.
Students are subject to all of the policies and procedures covered in this publication and all other policies adopted by the College. Additionally, some programs may have policies that are uniquely applicable to students in that program. However, the Student Handbook is a starting point for students to understand and use college policies.
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