Published on September 5, 2025
John A. Logan College will hold a special ceremony on Monday, September 22, at 5:30 p.m. inside Logan Fitness, to officially rename the Community Health Education Complex in honor of the late Jerry Bechtel. The facility will now be known as the Jerry Bechtel Health Education Complex.
The ceremony will include the unveiling of a commemorative plaque inside Logan Fitness, attended by College officials and members of the Bechtel family. Additional tributes, including exterior building lettering and a bench donated by the Bechtel family, will be installed later. The public is invited to attend.
Jerry Bechtel joined John A. Logan College in 1969 as Chair of the Physical Education Department and became the College’s first Men’s Basketball Coach. He played a pivotal role in the creation of the original John A. Logan College Fitness Center, and as interest and usage grew, his leadership helped pave the way for a larger, more advanced facility.
Funded by a state grant, the Community Health Education Complex opened in 2004 and underwent two expansions in 2010 and 2014. Bechtel served as the facility’s Director until his retirement in 2015, leaving a legacy of dedication to student health, fitness, and athletic excellence.
Jerry Bechtel passed away on January 5, 2025, and later that month, the John A. Logan College Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming the facility in his honor.
“We are proud to recognize the tremendous impact Jerry Bechtel had on this institution and our community,” said JALC President Dr. Kirk Overstreet. “His vision and commitment helped shape the health and wellness resources we offer today.”
For more information about the event, please contact Dr. Steve O’Keefe, Assistant Vice President for Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications at 618-985-2828, ext. 8569 or steve.okeefe@jalc.edu.