CENTRALIA — Kaskaskia College has announced its former College President Dr. James C. Underwood. Dr. Underwood passed away at his home in Beaver Lake, Arkansas, on January 4th, 2023.

To honor Dr. Underwood and his legacy, all Kaskaskia College flags will fly at half-mast this week.

Dr. Underwood served as President of Kaskaskia College for 14 years and retired in 2015 with his wife of 50+ years, Roxie Underwood.

At the time of his retirement, Dr. Underwood served in a leadership capacity in the community college system for over 45 years.

He was instrumental in providing leadership for the transformation of the Harry L. Crisp Technology Center located in Centralia and overseeing the construction of the Nursing Education Center and renovation of the former Illinois Animal Disease Lab into the college’s new Agriculture Education Center. Dr. Underwood led many capital projects during his tenure at KC including capital campaigns that raised close to $3 million for various building projects.