Dunker Duck made his debut as the college mascot with the opening of the Field House, back in 1974. Photo via the Lake Land College Archives.

As we flip through the pages of our academic journey today, it’s crucial to pause and read the prologue that shaped our institution’s identity. Welcome to Lake Land College’s (LLC) chronicle- an odyssey through time where the past isn’t a distant memory, but a living part of our academic DNA.

LLC was founded in 1966. During a routine meeting of the Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education (EIASE) in 1961, which consisted of 33 local school districts’ superintendents, the topic of establishing a junior college was brought up for the first time. This educational institution was considered with the aim of providing students with a more advanced level of education and specialized training that would prepare them for higher education and future careers.

In 1966, the classes were held throughout the community, and in 1967, LLC opened its doors to the first class of students. Before the Field House, the first-ever LLC sporting event was held at the Central Junior High School gym in Mattoon. The Field House was opened in 1974, along with the Vocational Technical Building and the Northwest Classroom building.

Before Louis Duck, there was Dunker Duck, the Lakers mascot introduced 10 years after LLC was founded. The “Dunk” part of his name was coined by Wally Taylor, then division chairperson of the English department, since all the players on the men’s team were able to easily dunk the ball during games. Before the Navigator, the school newspaper was originally named “Lake Land Press,” and the first issue was published on Oct. 1, 1967.

LLC’s mission has been to create and continuously improve an affordable, accessible and effective learning environment for the lifelong educational needs of the diverse communities it serves. Its vision is to engage minds and change lives through the power of learning. Mike Sullivan, on the board of trustees, said, “Lake Land College is not a community college, but a community’s college. After all, it belongs to the people.”

We have come this far from the first president, the first class, the first game, the first Special Olympics Family Festival (SOFF) held at Lake Land, the first spring carnival, the first campus read, the architectural development, the establishment of the Honors Society and we are still going, as staff and students, to play our role in continuing the school’s legacy.

For more detailed information on LLC’s history, search the archives on the school website or visit the library.