By Steven Stilt
The Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees approved a naming rights agreement on Monday evening for the school’s new gymnasium. Trustees voted in favor of a resolution to name the new facility the Bradford National Bank Arena.
KC President George Evans says the agreement marks the culmination of several months of hard work involving KC Executive Director of Development Michael Christensen, other college officials, the Kaskaskia College Foundation, and Bradford National Bank.
“It’s been about six, seven months’ worth of work back and forth, collaboration, discussions, and realistically just a very generous intent on behalf of Bradford. They obviously want to expand their footprint; if you look at their map of geographic locations versus the KC district, it makes a very good match.”
Evans says the agreement is a 15-year deal for approximately $1 million. He notes that two-thirds of the funds from the agreement will benefit the “KC Now” program, which allows high school students to enroll in college courses and receive assistance with tuition. The other third will go to the foundation’s unrestricted funds to help KC students facing financial need or another crisis.
The President and CEO of Bradford National Bank (Kaskaskia College Class of 2001) says for the bank this is about much more than providing banking services. It’s about building a partnership that makes a lasting difference in the communities they serve.
“We want to help develop future leaders, strengthen our local workforce, and create opportunities that benefit the entire region. While this agreement spans 15 years, we see it as the beginning of something much greater. Our goal is to be a partner in Kaskaskia College’s success not just for the next 15 years, but for generations to come.”
Bradford Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Randy Alderman says as a 1983 graduate of Kaskaskia College, he is especially proud that this partnership reflects Bradford National Bank’s commitment to investing in people and communities. By supporting Kaskaskia College, the KC Now Scholarship Program and future generations of students, we’re helping create opportunities that will strengthen Southern Illinois for years to come.”
Trustees voted earlier this year to name the basketball court at the new gym in honor of longtime board chairman Bill Hawley.
In other action, the board approved a resolution of intent to levy an equity tax pursuant to the Illinois Public Community College Act. Evans explained that the annual equity tax levy allows KC to remain compliant as an equalization school in a rural, economically disadvantaged area. That designation allowed the school to receive approximately $8.3 million in equalization funding last year.
