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Morton College

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Morton College, in its 80th year of serving the residents of Berwyn, Cicero, Forest View, Lyons, McCook and Stickney, is the second oldest two-year college in Illinois and a pioneer in the community college movement. Its pioneering efforts started in 1924 when 11 teachers set up classes and began instructing 76 young men and women. Little did this band realize they were setting in motion an idea of historic significance.

From the beginning, Morton College offered a university transfer program that quickly gained a statewide reputation for academic excellence. But recognizing the needs of other community residents, the College soon branched out. Today, besides its University Transfer Program, the College provides programs in careers, liberal studies, continuing education and community service and through them, a wide spectrum of courses.

In 1966 a series of events began a new chapter in the College’s long history. Until then the College was governed by the Morton High School Board of Trustees and administered by the high school officials. But in a referendum held in December 1966, voters agreed to separate the College from Morton High School District 201 to form an independent community college. In a second referendum in April 1967, citizens elected a board of trustees to guide the College. Then in July 1967, events culminated in the new board of trustees legally severing the College’s administrative ties with the high school, forming a new district and naming a new administration to run the College.

The most imperative need of the independent college was a home of its own. But finding the right site in a built-up community proved more difficult than anticipated, and for several years plans failed to materialize. In the meantime, the College became a storefront campus, leasing classrooms at Morton East High School, community churches and storefronts.

In November 1972, the new board and administration took steps leading inevitably to a new campus. They selected a site and made plans for a bond referendum to build the campus. On April 8, 1972, the referendum was held, and voters overwhelmingly approved by a four-to-one margin a $5 million bond issue to build and furnish a new campus.

Ground was broken on December 16, 1973. Twenty-one months later, on September 22, 1975, culminating a year-long 50th anniversary celebration, classes began on the new campus. On November 23, 1975, the campus was dedicated to the residents of the Morton College District. On November 30, 1994, the College acquired the 12.5 acres of land adjacent to the campus’ eastern boundary. This completed the total site design of the master plan developed in 1972.

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