Archive

The observatory was purchased from a Plano man in 1986. It is believed that WCC was the only community college in the state to have an observatory at the time.

In 1982, the Interpreter Training Program performed a show that incorporated song, dance, comedy skits, and sign language called “Running, Jumping, Standing Still.”

The first theatre production at Waubonsee was “Our Town.” It was produced on November 16, 1967. However, the Waubonsee Acting Company (WAACO) was formed later, in October 1968. The WAACO presented “The Glass Menagerie” as their first production.

In 1985, the Virgil Gilman Nature Trail joined onto Waubonsee's nature trail.

In 1968, there were 16 students in the first graduating class. Among them was Janet Sprague, who would return as a member of the Speech/English faculty.

In January 1997 Copley Campus, now known as Aurora Fox Valley Campus, opened at Rush-Copley Medical Center.

Before Building A, the first permanent building on Sugar Grove’s campus, was completed, the administrative offices were housed in what was formerly a show barn.

The sculpture at the south entrance is called “Sunburst” and was designed by Waubonsee professor Stu Sewall.

While WCC always had a presence in Aurora at various extension sites, the first full downtown campus was opened in 1986 at Stolp and Galena. The building had previously been a Carson Pirie Scott Department Store.

While permanent campus buildings were being constructed several temporary buildings were used to house classes. One of these “temporary” structures is still being used today for the Ceramics Studio.

Hybrid teaching is not new at Waubonsee. In the fall of 1988 Waubonsee launched the Telecommunications Instructional Consortium (TIC) which allowed instructors to teach to one or more remote sites while simultaneously lecturing face-to-face to a group of students.