Illinois Valley Community College is honoring Dr. Jerome and Katherine Corcoran by naming a faculty office at the Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center after them, following their $10,000 contribution. Dr. Corcoran, who retired in 2023 after a 33-year career, played a key role in launching the college’s agriculture program, which now enrolls 70 students annually. The $7.6 million, 10,250-square-foot center will offer state-of-the-art labs and learning spaces, positioning students in the midst of farmland for hands-on experience. Supported by grants and community donations, the center is slated for completion in 2027 and aims to shape the future of sustainable farming in the region.
The Dr. Alfred E. Wisgoski Agricultural Education Center is set to transform the campus landscape with a modern facility offering conference rooms, flexible classrooms, and plans for a greenhouse. Slated for occupancy in 2027, the building honors Dr. Wisgoski, the college’s longest-serving president, with a lasting tribute to his commitment to agricultural education. Efforts to support the project continue through the IVCC Foundation’s Ag Forward fundraising campaign. Additional details about the center or how to contribute can be found at www.ivcc.edu/agforward, or by contacting Foundation Executive Director Tracy Beattie at 815-224-0550.
“It had been a long time since we offered many classes in agriculture. We decided to develop a program and hired a top-notch coordinator to help it ‘take flight.’ We went from two agriculture courses and marginal facilities to 22 courses and 70 students annually,” Dr Corcoran said.
The facility will provide new opportunities for students who “will be able to walk out of the classroom and see exactly what they are studying and its relevance by having a laboratory in the middle of corn and soybean fields,” Dr. Corcoran continued. He applauded Dr. Morris and her staff for supporting and expanding the agriculture program, adding “that is why Katherine and I are so happy to support this important
fundraising activity.”
In accepting the gift, IVCC President Dr. Tracy Morris noted, “This building would not be happening if not for Dr. Corcoran’s leadership. He and Katherine have been tremendous supporters of the College, the Foundation, and the Agriculture programs. I think it is very fitting that their names will be a permanent part of our outstanding facility.”