With a finish line crossed, another race begins. Regional, community, and college leaders all came together Tuesday at noon to celebrate the Grand Opening and official Ribbon Cutting for the SIC Carmi campus’ Stan Williams Career and Training Center in Carmi. Leaders broke ground at 1700 College Avenue in Carmi in April of 2022. The project, at the time, was a long time coming and speakers expressed relief and jubilation to have finally completed what’s expected to be a regional hub for career and workforce educational needs.
More at Officials Break Ground for Long Awaited Stan Williams Career and Training Center Tuesday – WRUL-FM
Dr. Karen Weiss, now the President at Southeastern Illinois College, was at the time of ground breaking the VP of Academic Affairs.
So today is a celebration of progress, partnership, and purpose…a milestone that reflects our continued commitment to empowering students and strengthening our region’s workforce. This multi-year project represents more than just a building. It’s a gateway to opportunity; a place where students will gain real world skills, hands on training, and the confidence to pursue meaningful careers in fields that are vital to our communities and our economy.
Stan Williams’ donation of half a million dollars to the project helped push the center across that proverbial finish line and bears his
namesake. Weiss also recognized Chris Mitchell from George Mitchell Drilling, the Absher Charitable Foundation, Elastec, Vibracoustic, Martin & Bayley, Campbell Energy, and Roark Transport.
Dr. Frank Barbre, member of the SIC Board of Trustees since 2005, long time educator, administrator (and recent winner of the Linden A. Warfel Trustee Education Award – read more at Dr. Frank Barbre Honored with Linden A. Warfel Trustee Education Award – WRUL-FM), said everybody had a part to play in bringing the expansion to fruition, and it wouldn’t have been possible without community partners.
Even with the best SIC had to offer financially, and with the important financial contribution by the state of Illinois, we still would not have been able to make this state-of-the-art facility available if it were not for the generosity of this community.
Barbre says the center will help train important trades that will help feed the future of the region.
One of our future goals is to bring together this state-of-the-art facility with our Southeastern Illinois and local community needs for welders, mechanics, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, CDL licensed truck drivers, and other skilled services.
Stan Williams gave credit to Dr. Frank Barbre and Barbre’s son Lance. He says the project wouldn’t have happened, even with his important contribution, without them.
I especially want to thank Lance and Frank Barbre. Without Lance, it never would’ve happened.
David Ealey, with the Capital Development Board said seeing a community come together to make the project happen was inspirational.
Coming from Springfield, it’s very refreshing to see folks come together for a common cause. I appreciate that a lot.
Following the ceremony, representatives gave tours of the new facility. Learn more at https://sic.edu/about/map-and-directions/extension-sites/#:~:text=The%20Stanford%20D.,is%20offered%20at%20the%20Center.
