Since its humble beginnings, College of DuPage has grown in breadth and stature to take its place as one of the nation’s finest community colleges.
COD can trace its origins to two pivotal moments in 1965. The first was the Illinois General Assembly’s adoption of the Public Community College Act, laying the groundwork for community colleges across the state. The second was a referendum approved by DuPage County voters, demonstrating their foresight in addressing the educational needs of a rapidly growing region.
These events led to the launch of a new community college dedicated to serving the DuPage area. On Sept. 25, 1967, College of DuPage—a name selected through a community contest—opened under the leadership of President Rodney K. Berg and Board of Trustees Chairman George L. Seaton. When more than 2,600 students signed up for the first ever term, it was one of the largest inaugural enrollments for a college in U.S. history.
Classes initially were held in office trailers and at leased suburban sites throughout Community College District 502. Driving from class to class, the students, faculty and staff of this “campus-less” community college became affectionately known as road runners. This led to the student body selecting the Chaparral as the school mascot.
Today, College of DuPage is one of the largest single campus community colleges in the country and the second largest provider of higher education in the state of Illinois. Originally formed from 10 high school districts, District 502 is the most populous in Illinois outside of Chicago. More than 1 million residents from all or part of more than 50 communities comprise District 502, with boundaries encompassing the majority of DuPage County as well as portions of Cook and Will counties.
COD is recognized by the Illinois Community College Board and governed by a locally elected seven-member Board of Trustees and one elected, non-voting student representative. The College’s operating revenue comes from a combination of local taxes, tuition and fees, and state allocations.
With an innovative academic curriculum, a dynamic arts and culture presence, and deep ties with the community through extensive partnerships, College of DuPage has established itself as the primary college district that educates, enriches and empowers students and residents to succeed.
College Presidents
- 1967-1978: Dr. Rodney K. Berg
- 1979-1994: Dr. Harold D. McAninch
- 1994-2003: Dr. Michael T. Murphy
- 2003-2008: Dr. Sunil Chand
- 2009-2015: Dr. Robert L. Breuder
- 2016-2018: Dr. Ann E. Rondeau
- 2019-2024: Dr. Brian W. Caputo
- 2025-Present: Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi
Significant Milestones and Achievements
- 1967: College of DuPage opens on Sept. 25.
- 1967: The College of DuPage Foundation is established, serving as the main fundraising organization for COD.
- 1967: Voters pass a referendum authorizing the sale of $10 million in bonds to purchase and construct on a permanent site for the College.
- 1967: The first issue of The Courier, the student-run newspaper, is published.
- 1968: A 273-acre Glen Ellyn campus site is acquired, and a year later, three interim buildings are constructed west of Lambert Road.
- 1973: The Glen Ellyn Village Board of Trustees unanimously approves the annexation of College of DuPage.
- 1973: The first permanent building, today’s Berg Instructional Center, opens. Originally known as Building A and then the Instructional Center, the building cost $16 million and contains more than 425,000 square feet.
- 1974: Jim Belushi is elected the first student trustee to the College’s Board of Trustees.
- 1974: Fall enrollment reaches 11,735.
- 1975: A two-part referendum is put before voters: an $11 million sale of bonds and a tax rate increase for the Education Fund. Only the bond issue is approved.
- 1976: The referendum to increase the tax rate for the Education Fund goes to voters again, and this time it passes.
- 1976: An ad hoc task force on campus security successfully recommends to the Board of Trustees that the College move from security officers to an official campus police force.
- 1977: WDCB begins broadcasting.
- 1981: The Prairie Light Review, a literary magazine for students, faculty, staff and residents, is published for the first time.
- 1983: The Honors Program begins as a pilot program.
- 1983: The Student Resource Center (SRC), designed by world-renowned architect Helmut Jahn, opens.
- 1983: The Physical Education Center opens.
- 1984: The first Adade Wheeler Woman of Distinction award is presented.
- 1984: Fall enrollment tops 26,000.
- 1985: The International Studies Committee is formed, offering study abroad opportunities.
- 1986: The Arts Center opens and later is renamed in honor of the College’s second president.
- 1988: Fall enrollment tops 31,000.
- 1990: The Seaton Computing Center opens, named after the College’s first Board of Trustees chairman.
- 1991: The College opens two centers in Naperville and Westmont, providing greater access to educational opportunities and creating a stronger regional presence.
- 1992: The Library installs its first online catalog.
- 1994: The Suburban Law Enforcement Academy (SLEA) is established to train police officer recruits.
- 1995: The northern half of the SRC opens, expanding services to meet the growing student body.
- 1997: Fall enrollment tops 36,000. The College becomes the largest single-campus community college in the country, a distinction it holds through 2003.
- 2000: An outdoor learning lab is renamed for a retiring COD Biology professor. The 18-acre Russel R. Kirt Prairie includes a reconstructed prairie and savanna, marsh, and retention pond. More than a half mile of trails, including a wheelchair accessible stretch, provides easy access for recreational use.
- 2002: Voters approved a $183-million bond issue that provided funds for the renovation and rebuilding of the Glen Ellyn campus and several off-campus locations.
- 2004: The Carol Stream Center opens inside a renovated former fire station, which was donated to the College by the Village of Carol Stream.
- 2005: In a historic move, the College switches from quarters to semesters after years of planning and converting all curriculum.
- 2007: The Early Childhood Center—now the Institutional Resource Center—opens.
- 2008: The Health and Science Center opens.
- 2009: The Technical Education Center opens.
- 2009: COD launches the Scholars Award program, a merit-based scholarship program for recent high school graduates. This includes the Presidential Scholars Award, which covers up to 64 credit hours.
- 2010: A $168 million public referendum is passed for additional capital improvements.
- 2011: The College unveils the 3+1 program, allowing students to earn bachelor’s degrees from partner colleges and universities without leaving the COD campus.
- 2011: Three new facilities open on campus: The Robert J. Miller Homeland Security Education Center, which includes a steel girder salvaged from the remains of the World Trade Center; the Culinary & Hospitality Center, which includes a six-room boutique hotel, the Inn at Water’s Edge; and the Student Services Center.
- 2013: The eight-foot bronze statue of the College’s mascot, Chappy, is dedicated in front of the Student Services Center. It was donated by the Class of 2011.
- 2013: The Campus Maintenance Center opens as the original “temporary” buildings on West Campus are demolished.
- 2014: The Distinguished Alumni Awards are launched to recognize the achievements of COD alumni.
- 2015: The Homeland Training Center opens.
- 2016: The Athletics Hall of Fame is established, recognizing former student athletes, coaches and College employees who were instrumental in supporting the Athletics program.
- 2019: College of DuPage, the Village of Glen Ellyn and Choose DuPage launch Innovation DuPage in downtown Glen Ellyn. The nonprofit business incubator and accelerator supports entrepreneurs and small business owners to strengthen the local economy.
- 2020: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, all curriculum is converted to online formats while events, including theatrical productions and the annual commencement ceremony, are presented virtually.
- 2021: A major exhibition of the work of Frida Kahlo opens at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at the McAninch Arts Center. It’s the first time in 40 years that Kahlo’s work has been exhibited in the Chicago area and signals the beginning of a series of major art exhibitions at the CCMA to occur every other year.
- 2021: Students begin returning to campus in limited numbers. For fall, approximately 50 percent of course offerings are either fully in person or in a hybrid format that features partial in-person and partial remote instruction.
- 2021: The National Junior College Athletic Association holds its inaugural national football championship in the Red Grange Bowl at COD. The Chaps win the first of multiple consecutive titles.
- 2022: A four-year Strategic Long-Range Plan is implemented and includes four pillars for success: student success; arts, culture and community engagement; economic development; and organizational culture.
- 2023: For the first time in school history, COD earns the Learfield Directors’ Cup as the top community college athletics program in the nation. It comes after a record-setting year that saw four national championships and six top-three finishes at national competitions.
- 2025: Supported by a $3.1 million grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the new Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Aurora Workforce Hub training program provides knowledge and hands-on experience in clean energy concepts and building science principles to individuals facing barriers to employment.
- 2025: The Student Services Center reopens after a multi-year, $30 million renovation with streamlined access to resources and enhanced student support. A new Enrollment Center allows students to find admissions, registration and financial aid help in a unified “one stop.”
- 2025: The Cleve Carney Museum of Art presents “Hokusai and Ukiyo-e: The Floating World,” which captures the vibrant artistry of Katsushika Hokusai and his lasting influence on Japanese art and culture. The exhibition includes a 70-piece collection making its U.S. debut.