ICCTA Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award

2008 Recipient
Jim Beasley
Kaskaskia College


Kaskaskia College trustee Jim Beasley is the 2008 recipient of ICCTA's Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award.

Beasley has served on the Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees for 17 years. He has held every office, including board chair.

He says that he serves as a trustee "in order to ensure that we are providing a quality education that is accessible and affordable to everyone."

Kaskaskia College trustee Jim Beasley (left) receives ICCTA's 2008 Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award from ICCTA Honorary Member Ray Hartstein.

Kaskaskia College trustee Jim Beasley (left) receives ICCTA's 2008 Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award from ICCTA Honorary Member Ray Hartstein.

Under his leadership, that is becoming reality. Kaskaskia has seen a 73 percent increase in enrollment over the last six years, making it the fastest growing higher education institution in Illinois.

At the state level, Beasley has served on every ICCTA committee and twice chaired the association's Awards and Education committees. He also served as treasurer of ICCTA.

Beasley takes every opportunity to learn more about trusteeship and readily serves as a mentor to new board members. In 2008, he received his 4th Trustee Education Award for his ongoing participation in ICCTA's educational programs.

Beasley has been a passionate advocate for both Kaskaskia College and his community. As a member of the Centralia City Council, he helped create the South Central Illinois Growth Alliance to promote regional economic development.

His background as a teacher, principal, and school superintendent has led him to work tirelessly to preserve the history of Centralia and surrounding communities.

As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Beasley is also committed to honoring those who serve in our nation's military. Currently he is chairing a project to construct a Veterans Memorial on campus, featuring the names of over 4,000 veterans with ties to Kaskaskia College