College of Lake County Timeline

1967 to 1979  |   1980 to 1989  |   1990 to 1999  |   2000 to 2009

1967 to 1979

1967
  • Referendum passes in October establishing the CLC community college district.
  • First board of trustees elected in December. Forty-one candidates vie for positions on the seven-member board.
1968
  • A. Harold Anderson and Paul W. Brandel donate 181-acre parcel of land for Grayslake Campus.
  • Dr. Richard G. Erzen is named first president; serves until 1978.
1969
  • First classes held on Grayslake Campus on September 25, drawing an enrollment 2,360 students, taking 224 courses. Tuition is $7 per semester hour. Classes are offered in a six-building pre-fabricated complex, constructed at a cost of approximately $1 million.
  • In Fall Semester, CLC has 115 employees, including 80 full-time instructors.
  • Referendum passes in December authorizing construction of a permanent campus.
1970
  • Fall Semester enrollment reaches 4,268 students.
1971
  • CLC is granted "recognized candidate-for-accreditation" status by the North Central Association.
  • Fall Semester enrollment reaches 4,554 students.
1972
  • The college sets a budget of $3.99 million for the 1972-73 year. Seventy percent of the budget goes to cover salaries and benefits.
  • Fall Semester enrollment reaches over 5,013 students.
  • Actress and anti-war activist Jane Fonda speaks at CLC, advocating an end to the Vietnam War.
1973
  • Tuition is raised to $10 per semester hour.
  • Fall Semester enrollment reaches 5,564 students.
1974
  • CLC receives its first five-year accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.
  • In February, student Alan Basford is seated as the first student trustee, a nonvoting member.
  • A and B wings are completed on the Grayslake Campus.
  • The board approves a budget of $5.74 million for the 1974-75 fiscal year.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 6,438 students.
1977
  • Fall semester enrollment reaches 11,060 students.
1978
  • Dr. John O. Hunter is appointed president; serves until 1986. Fall semester enrollment is 11,077.
  • CLC opens an outreach center in Waukegan.
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1980 to 1989

1980
  • Learning Resource Center is opened on the Grayslake Campus.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 12,441 students.
1981
  • Lakeshore Campus is opened in Waukegan.
  • An educational service center, the forerunner of the Southlake Campus, is opened in Highland Park.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 12,772.
1982
  • Fall semester enrollment reaches 13,089 students.
1986
  • C Wing is opened on the Grayslake Campus.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 11,977.
1987
  • Dr. Daniel J. LaVista is appointed president; serves until 1995.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 12,712.
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1990 to 1999

1991
  • Fall semester enrollment reaches 14,131 students; tuition is $36.25 per credit hour.
1995
  • Dr. Gretchen J. Naff named interim president; appointed president in 1996; serves until 2005.
  • Lakeshore Campus expansion is dedicated.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 13,625 students; tuition and fees are $51 per credit hour.
1996
  • D Wing is opened on Grayslake Campus.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 13,573 students; tuition and fees are $51 per credit hour.
1997
  • Performing Arts Building is opened on Grayslake Campus.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 13,671 students; tuition and fees are $52 per credit hour.
1998
  • Property is purchased for Southlake Educational Center in Vernon Hills
  • Fall semester enrollment is 13,783 students; tuition and fees are $53 per credit hour.
1999
  • First building is dedicated at the Southlake Educational Center in Vernon Hills.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 14,036 students; tuition and fees are $54 per credit hour.
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2000 to 2009

2002
  • CLC board approves participating in the Academic Quality Improvement Program, a new accreditation option offered by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 15,457 students; tuition and fees are $58 per credit hour.
2005
  • Technology Building is dedicated on the Grayslake Campus.
  • Dr. Russell O. Peterson is named interim president; serves until January 2006.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 15,745 students; tuition and fees are $70 per credit hour.
2006
  • Dr. Richard W. Fonte is named president; serves until 2007.
  • Fall semester enrollment is 15,558 students; tuition and fees are $80 per credit hour.
2007
  • New classroom building opens at Southlake Educational Center.
  • Southlake Educational Center is designated as Southlake Campus.
  • James D. Rock is named interim president in September; serves until April 2009.
  • Fall semester enrollment reaches 16,010 students; tuition and fees are $90 per credit hour.
2008
  • Fall semester enrollment reaches 16,359 students; tuition and fees are $95 per credit hour.
2009
  • Dr. Jerry W. Weber becomes president in April.
  • Spring semester enrollment reaches 16,987 students; tuition is $95 per credit hour.
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