COD hosted first Lisle Community Night March 23

College of DuPage hosted its first-ever Lisle Community Night on Wednesday, March 23. More than 70 elected officials, business, educational, community service and non-profit leaders attended, including Mayor Joe Broda, who co-hosted the event.

Please click here for photos from Lisle Community Night.

The father of a College of DuPage graduate, Mayor Broda praised the College's academics and individualized attention that enabled his youngest daughter to make the dean's list every quarter and eventually go on to be a teacher with a master's degree.

“COD made the difference in my daughter's life,” Broda said. “I commend what the College is doing every day, and I am also so proud that COD is such a great resource for our community.”

COD President Robert L. Breuder noted the significant role Lisle will continue to play in the College's current and future planning. For each of the last five years, approximately 650 to 700 Lisle residents have enrolled annually at COD and 51 percent of the Lisle High School graduating class of 2009 attended or is attending COD. Additionally, 52 of the 122 students who graduated in 2009 enrolled at COD immediately after high school and another 10 students from that same class have enrolled since then.

“We have enjoyed a close, dynamic relationship with the citizens of Lisle for many years,” Dr. Breuder said. “In addition, we maintain several noteworthy academic partnerships with Benedictine University in the areas of Nursing, Fine Arts and Global Studies.”

As part of the evening, participants were asked to provide input on issues currently affecting both Lisle and the college and to provide feedback on the role the college plays in the village of Lisle. Dr. Breuder noted that this information will be used to guide the college's long-term planning.

“This college was created by you, for you and therefore we ask that you help us to make it better and, likewise, help us grow and thrive as an institution,” he said. “The information provided tonight will receive plenty of discussion and consideration as we continue to strive to meet the needs of communities within District 502.”