Established in 1967 Moraine Valley Community College stands proudly. It serves 26 communities in the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Its Palos Hills campus is a sprawling 300 acres. It’s a truly beautiful place nestled amongst forest preserves.
Moraine Valley’s story began with a vision. The Oak Lawn Rotary Club spearheaded the effort. Two years of proposals and planning led to its official creation. The first temporary office opened in Oak Lawn. A naming contest followed. Moraine Valley Community College won. The name reflects its location where two moraines meet.
Initially classes were held in leased warehouses in Alsip. Then in 1969 seven temporary buildings opened on the Palos Hills campus. Enrollment soared to 4089 by 1970. The first permanent building was constructed and opened in 1972. Building continued until 2014. The last temporary building was removed in 1994. The campus evolved into the impressive facility you see today.
A unique feature of Moraine Valley is its Shakespeare Garden. It’s the first of its kind at an Illinois community college. The college has also demonstrated commitment to environmental sustainability. Forty acres were designated as a natural prairie in 1974. A later expansion saw many trees planted. For every tree removed three more were planted. Moraine Valley’s dedication to conservation earned it arboretum status. Currently 1323 individual trees have been identified. Seventy-six are unique species. Sixty-five point five percent of the species are native to the area.
Moraine Valley’s commitment extends beyond academics. It has a thriving student life. There are many clubs and organizations. There’s also a Fine and Performing Arts Center. It hosts art exhibits and world-class performances. The Health Fitness and Recreation Center opened in 2014. It’s a huge 113000 square foot facility. It serves students employees and more than 4000 community members.
The college offers over 130 programs. Expert faculty and state-of-the-art facilities are available. Moraine Valley is dedicated to student success. It provides comprehensive support services. These include admissions advising financial aid and career development. It truly is a remarkable institution. Its impact reaches far beyond its sprawling campus. It transforms lives and shapes futures.