Oral history of community colleges readied

SPRINGFIELD - A yearlong effort to capture the stories of a schooling system that covers the entire state and educates nearly one million students will be unveiled next week.

The Oral History Program at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum will present "Education is Key - Community Colleges." Officials plan an April 30 news conference at the presidential library in Springfield.

The Illinois community college system celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2015.

Karen Hunter Anderson, executive director of the Illinois Community College Board, says the system is "one of the state's hidden gems." She says it makes education affordable and the schools become vital parts of the communities where they're located.

The presentation will include portions of the recorded histories, historians and community college leaders.