Olney Central College (OCC) is inviting the community to celebrate the completion of its brand-new Health Professions Center. The Open House and Dedication Ceremony is scheduled for December 11 from 3 to 7 p.m., featuring a formal dedication at 4 p.m. The Center, which stands as an 8,500-square-foot addition to the Dr. Kent L. Wattleworth Hall, represents a significant investment in healthcare education and workforce readiness.
The expansion was made possible with a $3.5 million allocation from the Rebuild Illinois capital program. Its features include two new classrooms, a six-bed nursing skills lab, and two nursing simulation labs complete with an observation area. Moreover, a conference room, faculty offices, and a student commons area have been added to foster collaborative learning. All these components aim to provide a top-notch educational setting for future healthcare professionals in Illinois.
According to a statement obtained by Illinois.gov, Governor JB Pritzker remarked on this milestone, "Olney Central College’s new Health Professions Center will be a regional hub for Illinois' future healthcare professionals — a place where they can learn, grow, and thrive through hands-on education.” Dr. Alani Frederick, Dean of Health Professions at Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, highlighted the practical applications of the new facility. Frederick emphasized the center’s role in preparing students for real-world healthcare scenarios through simulation labs that allow practice of high-risk, low-volume events like cardiac arrest and postpartum hemorrhage.
The Illinois Capital Development Board, which managed the project, oversaw the most comprehensive renovation of OCC’s main building since 1974. The construction, carried out by Shores Builders, was completed three months ahead of schedule, within budget. It included a 7,820-square-foot building addition and revamping 1,900 square feet within the existing infrastructure. In the same statement, CDB Executive Director TJ Edwards pointed out, “Investments into healthcare education at Illinois colleges is critical to strengthening our communities” and how the center’s role in career training will enhance healthcare quality and promote economic growth.
OCC President Chris Simpson reflected on the center as a visible commitment to their mission of delivering exceptional education. The Illinois.gov report also indicated the project benefited from over $400,000 in community support, which included a substantial pledge from the OCC Foundation and donations from local hospitals, county boards, and individual contributions such as a gift in memory of Phyllis Fehrenbacher. These donations underscore the community's vital role in realizing such projects and enhancing opportunities for students in the health professions.
Olney Central College operates under the Illinois Eastern Community Colleges and is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education to meet the diverse needs of its students. The college offers a variety of academic and career-oriented programs and now houses a modern facility purpose-built for refining the skills of nursing and radiography students.
