After 21 years of service on the Kankakee Community College Board of Trustees, Pat Martin retired from the board after the April 15 meeting.
Martin joined the board in October 2004, and was board chair from 2018 to 2021.
“Pat’s contributions to KCC have been pivotal in its progress,” said the current board chair, Bill Orr. “His leadership, wisdom, and genuine passion for students have guided this college through both opportunity and challenge.”
During his tenure, Martin was a driving force behind KCC’s growth, advocating for major capital projects including the North and South Extension Centers, the Manufacturing & Industrial Technology Center, and the Advanced Technology Education Center. He also supported renovations to the Miner Memorial Library, Industrial Technology Center, and the Hammes Bookstore, ensuring modern, student-centered learning environments.
A respected communicator and community ambassador, Martin worked to strengthen the college’s governance, mentor board members, and guided the hiring of two college presidents.
“Pat’s influence will be felt for years to come,” said KCC President Dr. Michael Boyd. “His commitment to collaborative leadership and student success helped KCC weather tough times, including a statewide budget impasse and a global pandemic.”
Before his final board meeting, a reception to honor Martin was held at KCC.
“Serving on the board has been an honor,” said Martin. “I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m confident the college will continue to thrive and inspire future generations.”
Martin will be succeeded by Eric Peterson, chief executive officer and founder of Project Headspace and Timing, a non-profit that assists veterans. He is also superintendent of the Veterans Assistance Commission of Kankakee County. Peterson has a paramedic degree from KCC and received the John M. Fulton Distinguished Alumni award from the KCC Foundation in 2024. He is a veteran of the Illinois Army National Guard who served in Afghanistan, and he has also worked as a paramedic and a private investigator.
“As a proud 2012 KCC graduate, it’s an honor to return in this role,” Peterson said. “I’m excited to give back to the college that helped shape my path and to support future student success.”
Peterson resides in Manteno with his wife Ashley and daughters Lilly and Cece.
The next pop-up of the Cavaliers Closet will be April 22 and 23 from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Cavalier Room. Clothing will be available to KCC students at no cost.
Donations in good condition can be brought to the library or the food pantry through Monday, April 21. Adult and children’s sizes are welcome, and both casual and professional attire are accepted. Plastic grocery bags are also welcome.
KCC’s cafeteria will now feature regularly-scheduled soups of the day:
The cafeteria is open 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday - Thursday and 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Fridays (when campus is open).
Kankakee Community College will observe the 50th annual Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 20-26.
“Medical laboratory professionals are essential to patient care,” said Lamanda Baade, director of KCC’s Medical Laboratory Technology programs. “Behind every diagnosis is a laboratory expert working carefully to ensure accurate results. Their work guides treatment decisions, helps detect diseases early, and ultimately improves patient outcomes.”
There are approximately 344,000 practitioners, medical laboratory scientists and technicians in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
KCC offers a two-year Medical Laboratory Technology associate degree as well as an advanced placement associate degree for qualified students who have already completed general education requirements. The advanced placement program can be completed in three semesters.
Graduates of the associate degree programs are eligible to take the national registry examination given by the American Society of Clinical Pathology and other certifying agencies. Each year, KCC students who have taken the national registration exam have had a 100% pass rate for three consecutive years, Baade said. In addition, the programs boasts a 100% job placement rate.
KCC also offers a Medical Laboratory Assistant certificate and phlebotomy certificate.
Laboratory professionals often work in hospitals, physician offices, or private clinical laboratories, performing laboratory tests and monitoring the quality of their results. Others are employed by university or industrial research laboratories to seek solutions for medicine’s many unanswered questions.
For more information on a career in Medical Laboratory Technology, visit healthcareers.kcc.edu or contact Baade at lbaade@kcc.edu or 815-802-8837.
