Then and Now

Welcome to our Interactive Photo Gallery! Explore the past and present with our comparison tool showing familiar views then and now. Toggle between images to witness captivating transformations and discover the stories behind each scene. Enjoy this unique journey through time.

Main Campus (Aerial)

Aerial photography has a rich history from the early days of aviation to modern drones, which enjoy improved flight stability, longer battery life, obstacle avoidance systems, and advanced camera capabilities. They can capture aerial images from various angles and altitudes, providing unique perspectives. Drones are also employed for mapping, disaster response, environmental monitoring, and more. Today, the college has two certified drone operators on staff to capture aerial photography images like the one you see here.

Art Classes

Painting and art history classes can foster creativity like the ones pictured here. ECC students have hands-on experience in various artistic techniques, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and mixed media. These technical skills are a foundation for creativity, allowing students to translate their ideas into tangible artistic expressions.

Student Resource Center

Before it was referred to as Building B, this building was known as the Student Resource Center (SRC). In 1956, Elgin Community College boasted a total of 6 active student clubs and organizations. Fast forward to 2023, and the college saw a significant expansion with 34 diverse student clubs and organizations, showcasing the growth and vibrancy of campus life over the years.

Childcare Center

Swing sets were a staple of outdoor play in the 1970s. They typically consisted of metal or wooden frames with multiple swings attached. The center was open to employees and students with children who enjoyed outdoor toys and equipment like slides, swings, climbing structures, and ride-on toys, allowing them to engage in active play and promote gross motor skills. Today, the ECC Lab School still has outdoor equipment to meet current safety standards, and kids also enjoy imaginative play, mimicking real-life activities, and developing social skills. During the cold winter, the child care center uses art materials like crayons, markers, colored pencils, and washable paints. The center promotes creativity and self-expression, allowing children to explore different art techniques.

an administrative assistant sitting at a desk answering a phone — Then

an administrative assistant sitting at a desk using a headset in front of a computer — Now

Office Skills Classes

Often referred to as "typing pools" or "steno pools," these areas were a central hub for administrative and clerical work, and they played a crucial role in supporting the day-to-day operations of businesses and government offices. Secretarial pools in the 1950s were a vital part of the corporate landscape, providing essential administrative support to organizations during an era when manual typewriting and shorthand skills were highly valued. The growth of computers played a significant role in making secretarial pools obsolete. ECC now has classes in different programs, including bookkeeping, business, and information technology, to keep offices moving forward.

Nursing Program

Since the beginning of training classes for nurses at ECC, nursing dummies, also known as medical manikins or patient simulators, have played a crucial role in nurse training programs in healthcare education settings. These sophisticated simulators are designed to replicate human anatomy and physiological responses, allowing nursing students to gain practical experience and skills in a controlled, safe, and realistic environment. In FY 2024, Nursing was the most popular program of study.

Nursing students attending to a mannequin — Then

Nursing student attending to a mannequin — Now

Bus Transportation

1983, the Regional Transportation Authority Act reorganized the Chicago metropolitan area's public transportation. As a result, the Suburban Bus Division was established as a subsidiary of the RTA to provide public bus services in the suburbs. Pace gradually expanded its services to cover more suburban areas surrounding Chicago. It began by assuming operations of existing suburban bus routes and eventually introduced new routes to meet growing demand. Today, Pace provides bus services in six counties: Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, McHenry, and Kane. Today, two PACE bus stops on ECC's campus bring students to class or employees to work.

Baseball

In the 1950s, baseball was known for its emphasis on pitching, defense, and strategy. Teams relied on strong pitching staffs and played a more conservative style compared to the power-hitting era that followed. The game featured bunting, stolen bases, and hit-and-run plays as common strategies. ECC's athletics program was established in 1968, providing opportunities for student-athletes to compete in intercollegiate sports. Sixty-five years later, baseball has increasingly embraced advanced analytics and data-driven decision-making. Teams have utilized advanced metrics and technology to evaluate player performance, make strategic decisions, and improve development on the field.

person with chainsaw sculpting ice — Then

Person with power tool sculpting ice — Now

Ice Sculpting

Students in ECC's culinary arts program begin by using a chainsaw, bandsaws, or other power tools specifically designed for ice sculpting to remove large sections of ice and create the basic shape of a sculpture. They often have a clear idea of what they want to create through practice and design; they remove ice to reveal the subject, similar to the sculptures here for the 2023 Spring graduation at Building J.

Computer-Aided Design Classes

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, researchers and engineers began developing computer-aided design systems focused on wireframe modeling. These systems represented objects as a collection of lines or wires, enabling users to create 2D and 3D geometries like the ones shown here for a wheelchair design in an ECC class. Today, CAD drawing is integral to various industries, including architecture, engineering, product design, manufacturing, and more, giving students opportunities to use these skills in their careers. Within 25 years, CAD may incorporate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality to enhance the design and visualization process for automotive and aerospace, industrial and product design, civil engineering, and interior design.

Library

ECC opened its first library in 1960 and began with books and materials gathered from Chicago area bookstores. In 1970, the library moved to the main Spartan Drive campus and became known as the Renner Learning Resources Center. The library’s resources grew into over 44,000 items through the 1970s, including books, pamphlets, videos, and art prints. Today, the library and librarians continue to serve the ECC and District 509 communities. The library contains over 68,000 print materials, over 150 databases, 25,000 eBooks, eAudio, and over a dozen streaming video services. While how we access information has changed through the years, the support provided by librarians and staff has remained an important aspect of what has made ECC a Top 25 Community College.