Did Oakton Community College always have such a modern look? Absolutely not. The Oakton Community College Skokie Campus, as it’s known today, has a fascinating past. It wasn’t always the sleek, modern educational hub you see now. It started life as Niles East High School, a beautiful art deco building. You might recognize it from classic 80s films like “Sixteen Candles” and “Risky Business.” Oakton Community College opened its doors in 1969, but not here. Its first home was in Morton Grove, occupying former industrial buildings. This Skokie campus opened in 1980, taking over the former Niles East High School site. Sadly, the old high school building was eventually demolished. However, the college’s connection to the arts remains strong. The Koehnline Museum of Art at Oakton Community College boasts a unique collection. It features around 40 film posters from African American films, a testament to the college’s dedication to preserving cultural heritage. The Skokie campus itself underwent a major transformation in 1995 with the dedication of a state-of-the-art building. This building offers a wealth of resources for students. It provides almost 165,000 square feet of space, housing 31 classrooms, 12 laboratories, and administrative offices. The campus also features a teleconferencing and distance learning center, a Child Care Center, and offices for student activities and special programs. Oakton Community College officially dropped “Community” from its name in January 2023, becoming simply Oakton College. This change reflected a broader strategic plan and aimed to better resonate with the community it serves. Even with the name change, Oakton College remains committed to its mission of providing accessible, high-quality education.
Congregation Or Torah
Rabbi Zvi Engel’s leadership guides Congregation Or Torah. This impressive Modern Orthodox Synagogue stands proudly in Skokie Illinois. It’s one