Aggressive Enrollment Campaign at JALC Reaches Goal

Steve O'Keefe, director of marketing and college relations; Dr. Robert Mees, president; and Dr. Larry Peterson, vice-president for administration, discuss the college's recent recruitment campaign that attracted a record number of in-district high school graduates to classes at John A. Logan College.

The celebration was short at John A. Logan College as administrators moved along quickly to discuss other matters. Dr. Robert Mees, president of John A. Logan College, congratulated his staff for a successful effort to enroll at least half of in-district high school seniors.

"We set a big goal for ourselves," Mees reminded. "We should be pleased that our hard work has paid off. It took teamwork and vision to make this happen."

Last fall, Mees announced an effort known as "50 at 40," an intensive recruitment drive hoping to increase enrollment of in-district graduating seniors from 38 percent to 50 percent in only one year as the college began celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Mees led the charge outlining a hard-hitting marketing blitz designed to reach high school juniors and seniors and making personal visits to high schools showcasing to students the opportunities that exist at John A. Logan College. The effort was funded through a state grant supported by Senator Gary Forby, D-Benton.

"We now know what an effort like this can do and I believe it is something we must continue," Mees said.

The college's fall enrollment is the largest ever jumping from 5,783 a year ago to 6,061 this year. Credit hours are also at an all-time high at 59,787 up from last year's 55,920.

"This is not all about numbers," Mees said. "This is about reaching individual students so that they know what educational opportunities exist here - opportunities that benefits students for a lifetime."

Administrators then turned their attention to the college's planned $20 million building project. College officials and other dignitaries will gather on Oct. 19th at 6 p.m. to conduct a ceremonial groundbreaking for the massive project that includes over 40,000 square feet of new space. The groundbreaking takes place the night of a the college's 40th anniversary dinner.

"There are so many great things happening on the campus of John A. Logan College," Mees said. "This is an institution that the public can really be proud of. It's the reason John A. Logan College is the first choice for many students."