Kaskaskia College administrators came to the Centralia Correctional Center gymnasium on Friday for a graduation ceremony, recognizing fifty-five inmates who received certificates through the college’s vocational school program at the prison. Over the past year, students have been eligible for certification in four areas: culinary arts, warehousing and distribution, construction operations, and HVAC, as well as high school equivalency.
KC Provost Julie Obermark says the program has been growing every year.
“The response has been very positive,” Obermark said. “Each year gets a little bit bigger, and we see very positive outcomes and performance from the students who take the courses.”
New this year is the HVAC certification, taught by instructor Zachary Miller. Five students have earned HVAC certificates so far, and Miller says getting the program off the ground has provided a unique learning opportunity for its first students.
“These students in the first round are getting to help install a lot of equipment that future students won’t get to install,” Miller said. “We will upgrade equipment from time to time, but they’ve got to do a lot of installation that future students probably won’t get a chance to. It’s definitely been fun. It’s all learning.”
Warden Jeffrey Wehking spoke to graduates during the ceremony, telling them to be proud of what they have achieved.
“We want you to be proud of yourselves. Completing school is one of the most important achievements in your life, and you did it. When you guys go to bed tonight and think about the events of today, I want you to think about how proud you are of yourself… You know you can do it now. Don’t stop here, let’s keep going with it.”
With fifty-five graduates, this is the largest graduation program the correctional center has had so far.
