Kishwaukee College 50th anniversary celebration kicks off

MALTA – Jodi Lord has taken on many roles during her time with Kishwaukee College – 28 years to be exact.

Lord was a volleyball coach from 1990 to 1998, athletic director from 1994 to 2002 and has served as an assistant professor and teacher preparation coordinator from 2002 to the present.

“One year led to two, which led to three, and 28 years later I can’t believe it – how did this happen?” Lord said.

The two-year school at 21193 Malta Road in Malta is holding its 50th anniversary kickoff event at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the student center on campus, according to a news release from the college.

“We’re a great starting point for many of our students to sort of find themselves,” Lord said. “I’m just blessed to have had so many awesome students in the last 28 years.”

Lord said she has seen the school go through dramatic growth in the past few decades, but it was her co-workers who kept her coming back from day to day.

“The people, it’s all about the people,” Lord said. “I just think it’s all about who is there to support you, and who is there to look forward to seeing every day.”

The anniversary kickoff will include remarks from Kishwaukee College President Laurie Borowicz; Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Johnson; state Rep. Bob Pritchard, R-Hinckley; Malta Village President Bob Iverson; and Karen Hunter Anderson, executive director of the Illinois Community College Board.

Administrators will unveil the school’s 50th anniversary video and website at the event and reveal the contents of the 25th anniversary time capsule from 1993. Light refreshments will be served.

Lord said she is looking forward to a homecoming event Sept. 15, when retirees and past employees will return to celebrate the anniversary.