The Joliet Junior College Digital Archives illuminate the progress and achievements of America's first public community college. Founded in 1901, JJC began as an experimental postgraduate high school program. Developed by J. Stanley Brown, Superintendent of Joliet Township High School, and William Rainey Harper, President of University of Chicago, JJC’s initial enrollment was six students. Today, the college serves more than 35,000 students in degree, certification and lifelong learning programs. The Digital Archives is an institutional memory of the exploration and pursuit of knowledge that Joliet Junior College exemplifies.

Joliet Junior College Yearbooks

The Joliet Junior College Yearbooks provide an overview of college life featuring clubs, athletics, dances, special events, academics and class photographs. The first decades of the yearbook, “The J”, are shared between the students of Joliet Township High School and Joliet Junior College. (The two schools shared building space from 1901 until 1968.) In 1945, the JJC students began printing their own yearbook—“The JJC Diary”. In 1947, the name changed to “The Shield” which would remain the name until the yearbooks ceased publication in 1977.

The Blazer is Joliet Junior College’s student-led newspaper and has held an important place at the college since 1929. The digital collection begins in 1933 and presents a first-hand account of U.S. and JJC history as it was unfolding by showcasing the changing eras from the Depression, World War II, Vietnam War, presidential elections, popular movies and music, student commentaries, and a variety of advertisements. The articles epitomize the evolution of JJC throughout the decades and provide a thought-provoking look at how everything from fashion to dating has changed over the years.

Wordeater Literary Magazine

Wordeater began in 1972 under the leadership of faculty advisor John Stobart. The issues contain poetry, short stories, essays, artwork and photography composed by JJC students, faculty, staff and alumni. Wordeater celebrates the diversity of ideas, beliefs, values, language and media and seeks to promote artistic, personal, and political expression, democratic values, and social justice, including fairness and equal opportunity, rights and access. Wordeater continues to be published and is a creative space for the JJC community.

Joliet Junior College History

• Joliet Junior College 1901 to 2001 by Robert E. Sterling

  This historical account of Joliet Junior College illustrates the progress and achievements from the college’s humble beginnings at Joliet Township High School to the state of the art campuses of today. Special attention is given to key people who contributed and shaped the community college movement, namely J. Stanley Brown and William Rainey Harper.

• The People's Legacy: A History of Joliet Junior College 1901-1994 by Susan H. Wood

  The history of Joliet Junior College encompasses much of the story of the junior college movement in Illinois as well as in the nation. This text explores the growth and development of Joliet Junior College's early history and the development of the college's unique contribution to higher education.

• An Analysis of Influence Affecting the Origin and Early Development of Three Midwestern Public Junior Colleges-Joliet, Goshen, and Crane, 1967 by Robert Stephen Smolich

  This dissertation is a descriptive analysis of three early public junior colleges including Joliet Junior College. The text explores the principal influences that shaped the initial and subsequent early development of the junior colleges listed in the title and also provides histories.

Dr. Hal Dellinger Fine Arts Collection

Dr. Hal Dellinger was hired by Joliet Junior College in 1949 to start a music education department. Known as "Doc" to his peers, Dellinger's legacy can be viewed through this collection that includes photographs, playbills, posters, correspondence and other memorabilia. Dr. Dellinger retired from Joliet Junior College in 1977.

Oral Histories

As part of a grant funded project during the 1970s, JJC interviewed local residents who were born in the late 1800s/early 1900s. The transcripts that comprise the Oral Histories Collection provide insight into life in Joliet and the surrounding communities during the first half of the 20th century. A focus is given to various professions, home life and family, and historical events that culminate in a history lesson that is both fascinating and educational.