After much anticipation, Lake Technical College celebrated a significant milestone with the groundbreaking of its nearly 10,000-square-foot expansion of the Institute of Public Safety Campus on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. This momentous occasion was celebrated alongside the dedication ceremony for Ken Bragg Way, honoring a pillar of the community.
Ken Bragg, a longtime Lake County resident and the inaugural director of the Lake County Area Vocational Technical Center, played a crucial role in securing the initial funding to establish the public safety campus in 1993. Thanks to the dedication and support from local and state legislators, Lake Technical College has recently been awarded $3.5 million to enhance the campus with state-of-the-art instructional labs and classrooms for its public safety programs. “This expansion is vital for our public safety training efforts and will significantly enhance our ability to serve the community,” stated Chief Richard Keith, Chairman of the Board of Directors for Lake Technical College.
In a heartfelt tribute, Lane Park Cutoff Road, which runs in front of the Institute of Public Safety, has been officially renamed by the Lake County Government to Ken Bragg Way. The dedication ceremony brought together numerous state, county, and city leaders, as well as family and friends, who shared touching stories and memories of Ken Bragg. Jerry Cobb, a Lake Technical College Board Member and alumni reflected on Bragg’s influence, stating, “Ken believed in me, encouraged me to teach, and told me if teaching wasn’t for me, I could hand in my keys… and I did just that, 21 years later after I retired from Lake Tech.” His daughter, Beth Bragg Henon, shared heart-filled, emotional memories of her father telling Lake Tech stories around the dinner table and how his passion for Lake Tech, Lake County, and the future of our workforce is what inspired him and still inspires him. During the ceremony, DeAnna Thomas, the current Executive Director of Lake Technical College, spoke about her journey as a career dual-enrolled high school student at Lake Tech. She credited the opportunity she and other students received as a direct result of Bragg’s efforts.
As a lasting tribute, a plaque honoring Ken Bragg’s extensive contributions to technical education in Lake County was unveiled. This plaque will be prominently displayed on the exterior entrance wall of the Institute of Public Safety Campus, serving as a reminder of his legacy and the impact of his advocacy and efforts in Lake County.
Attached are some photos of the event and rendering of the Institute of Public Safety expansion. For further information, don’t hesitate to get in touch with DeAnna Thomas, Executive Director, Lake Technical College, (352) 589-2250.
