Kish enrollment increases for first time since 2012

By CAMDEN LAZENBY clazenby@shawmedia.com

MALTA – Enrollment at Kishwaukee College has increased for both semesters during the 2022-23 academic year, marking the first enrollment increase in a decade, school officials said.

This semester, enrollment has grown by more than 12% over last year’s figures, according to a news release from the college. Enrollment for the most recent fall semester rose by 5.7%, growing from 2,442 students in the fall of 2021 to 2,581 students last autumn, according to the Fall 2022 Opening Community College Enrollment Report by the Illinois Community College Board.

“The increase in enrollment is a positive trend for the college and the communities we serve,” Kishwaukee College President Laurie Borowicz said in the release.

Borowicz said – like other schools throughout the state – Kishwaukee College has faced a myriad of issues over the past 10 years.

“With all of the unprecedented circumstances over the last decade, including a budget impasse and a global pandemic, Kishwaukee College has worked incredibly hard to adjust to the challenges, providing students with an education that fit their needs, as well as the needs of the community,” Borowicz said.

Enrollment at Kishwaukee College is up more than 5.3% for the academic year, school officials said.

Kishwaukee College serves about 4,000 students per year, according to the release.

Before this academic year, Kishwaukee College last saw an enrollment increase in 2012, but statewide community college enrollment figures have declined since 2010.

In the fall of 2009, 383,415 students were enrolled in Illinois community colleges, according to a fall

Obituaries

ALEXANDER F. ADDUCCI

Born: October 14, 1943 in Chicago, IL

Died: December 31, 2022 in Safety Harbor, FL

Alexander “Al” Adducci, age 79, formerly of DeKalb, IL passed away on December 31, 2022, surrounded by family at Mease Countryside Hospital, Safety Harbor, Fl.

Al was born and raised in Chicago. As a second-generation Italian American, he was accustomed to large family gatherings, family members living down the block, and having to wait for bedtime until the freshly made pasta was finished drying on every available surface, including his own bed.

Al carried forward his deep love for family and friends and enjoyed a lifetime of creating unforgettable memories for us all: delectable and traditional Italian meals around a table, during the holidays with a beautifully decorated and magical house, a day at the beach playing in the waves, making cotton candy or

2010 opening enrollment survey by the Illinois Community College Board. In the 14 years since, that total has shrunk 39% to 233,849 students.

Kishwaukee College’s enrollment peak coincided with the statewide high-water mark, but since then – when Kishwaukee had 4,899 students – enrollment has decreased by 47%, outpacing the statewide trend.

Kishwaukee College officials said the school has focused on enhancing support services while working to make program and course options relevant to eating cookie dough, a good movie marathon through a blizzard, a Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field, a moving first act curtain drop or Broadway showstopper blaring from speakers (while belting along), sharing 670 the Score after a Bears’ win or loss (whether we wanted to listen or not!), breathing in special places in the world, a trek in the woods or long chat in front of a blazing fire. But closest to his heart was his late wife Sue and spending time together with her at their beloved cabin on East Blue Lake in the Duck Mountains of Manitoba. The show will go on and we will finish the hat!

Al received his undergraduate degree in theatre and psychology at Northern Illinois University and completed his graduate work in theatre design and architecture at UC Santa Barbara. As was his passion, Al enjoyed a 30+ year teaching career as a professor of scenic design and later as the Chair of the School of Theatre and Dance at Northern Illinois University where he was granted Emeritus status upon his retirement.

Al’s career can be measured through many achievements, having designed over 150 theatre productions and museum exhibits, re- the needs of students and the local workforce.

Bob Johnson, chairman of the Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees, credited the school’s leadership for bucking the trend.

“Resilient planning has allowed college leadership to continue its focus on providing equitable, student-centered education,” Johnson said in a news release. “The enrollment increases we have seen this year are a positive step forward, and we will continue to adapt and innovate to our students’ needs.” ceiving numerous design awards and special project grants, and publishing innumerable academic and technical articles. But most meaningful to Al were the countless students he mentored and inspired on their paths through life. Al’s professional assignments afforded him the opportunity to work with his theatre peers all around the world at notable institutions including the New Globe Theatre, Arizona Repertory, Chicago Performance Community, The Marstal Theatre, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as exhibits at the Bruce, Vienna, and Naples Museums. Internationally, Al was the recipient of three Fulbright Awards with the Munich National Opera Company in Germany and the Theatre Institute in Vienna, Austria. He also served as a theatre consultant in Amsterdam, Salzburg, Vienna, Cesky Krumlov, and Istanbul. Of particular pride to Al, was his life-long restoration and archival work with the Historic Scenic Collection of the Lyric Opera of Chicago, one of the largest such collections in the world.

In retirement, Al found important ways to give back to his community and continue working in the areas that he was passionate about including enriching the lives of children through his work and Board Chairmanship at Camelot Community Care, Presidency of the Mid-Florida Chapter of the Fulbright Association, and national and local election campaign work.

Al was preceded in death by his parents, James and Grace Adducci, his sister Janet, and devoted friend, Kevin Seligman. Al was a loving husband for 56 years of the late Susan G. (Tatman). Al is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Suzanne, her fiancé Dan Bergman; son James Ward, his wife Elizabeth Anderson; grandsons, Henry Alexander Anderson and Owen Anderson; also mourned by the Stahl, Ciske/Grgich, Bergman and Anderson Families, many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and friends.

As were Al’s wishes, a private service will be held.

To further his passions of creativity, connecting people, travel and adventure, donations can be made in Al’s honor to Alexander F. Adducci Special Projects Fund at Northern Illinois University or the Fulbright Scholarship Fund.