By Rob Spratt and Linda Pottier

Jim Stevenson, who has been a counselor at IVCC for 32 years, is retiring effective April 28.

The Centralia, Ill. native started his academic career at Eureka College where he earned a B.S. in history and government. He spent a year working in the Eureka admissions office and re-enrolled in college, this time at ISU where he earned an M.S. in counseling.

He returned to Eureka, heading the Chicago office for Eureka as the assistant director of admissions for two years.

In 1968 he interviewed at LaSalle-Peru High School, but before he took a job there, a placement counselor told him there was an opening at IVCC, which was located on the L-P High School campus at that time. He applied and got the IVCC job, and, in his words, "never looked back."

During his time at IVCC, Stevenson has served as Coordinator of Student Activities, and more recently as Transfer Coordinator.

Among the most noticeable changes he has observed during his tenure at the college is "the increased use of technology." Stevenson also said he doesn’t know how he lived without his e-mail.

After his retirement, Stevenson plans "to live life to the fullest."

He will also continue counseling on a part-time basis, and the Vice President of Student Services is "delighted that Jim will be returning."

Dr. Robert Marshall said, "Jim has been a cornerstone of the counseling program at IVCC, investing his heart and soul in helping students achieve their goals. He has done an outstanding job in coordinating and spearheading our course and degree articulation process with senior universities, working tirelessly to see that our graduates make the transfer transition as seamlessly as possible.