Opening Doors: Bringing Education that Works to Effingham

It was a day years in the making, and one that will revolutionize local education for generations to come. On July 30, 2025, approximately 1,500 Lake Land students, staff, faculty, alumni, organizational partners and community friends gathered to celebrate the grand opening of the College’s newest facility, the Effingham Technology Center.

The Effingham Technology Center spans 100,000-square-feet, all of which were used as a sprawling office space when Lake Land purchased the building in 2023. After a massive two-year renovation process, the building now boasts cutting-edge chemistry and biology labs, a realistic hospital simulation room, upgraded nursing and physical therapy labs, a spa-like massage therapy clinic, a recording studio and a groundbreaking Innovation Center filled with 3D printers, programming tools and augmented reality/virtual reality technology.

The grand opening celebration signaled a bright future for local education and marked a major milestone in the historic partnership between Lake Land College and the Effingham region. In 1995, Lake Land first established a physical presence in Effingham with the opening of the Kluthe Center, which for decades served thousands of students and connected the College with local organizations. Now, with four times the space at the Effingham Technology Center, Lake Land is creating new opportunities for education and partnership in the Effingham community.

“The Effingham Technology Center will serve as a local hub of innovation, offering new educational opportunities and community partnerships that will impact the success and growth of the area,” Bullock said. “We’re thrilled to take the next step in our partnership with the Effingham community and expand our presence in the area with this new facility.”

The Effingham Technology Center is more than an academic facility - it’s a regional space for innovation and collaboration. In addition to Lake Land College programs and courses, the building serves as the first-ever home for Creating Opportunities for Regional Employment (CORE), a career exploration academy designed for high school students and incumbent workers to discover occupational pathways and build high-demand skills.

The Effingham Technology Center also operates as a satellite location for the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Eastern Illinois University Lumpkin College of Business. The SBDC supports local entrepreneurs with free advising and affordable training in marketing, financial management, planning, strategy, sales and more.

Lake Land has also leased part of the Effingham Technology Center back to Patterson Companies, the building’s original owners. Through this partnership, the College maintains a strong business connection, helps the powerhouse organization maintain a strong presence in the community and creates unique opportunities for Lake Land graduates to connect with industry leaders.

In addition to its educational mission, the Effingham Technology Center offers space for the community to utilize, strengthening Lake Land’s commitment to serving the region and fostering local engagement. Organizations and individuals can host meetings, business trainings, special events and more in one of the building’s many conference rooms, classrooms, offices and other state-of-the-art facilities. To reserve space in the Effingham Technology Center, contact Jerry Tkachuk, Director of Effingham & Regional Education Centers, at 217-540-3500 or jtkachuk@lakelandcollege.edu.

Fall 2025 marks the very first semester for students to attend classes and complete programs at the Effingham Technology Center. As they roam the halls, enjoy the labs, access the resources and utilize the technology, they’re taking part of a monumental milestone in Lake Land College history. The building stands as a symbol of progress, partnership and possibility—continuing Lake Land’s mission to engage minds and shape lives through the power of education.