ICC Educational foundation Receives $250,000 Donation from Philippi-Hagenbuch

/ Illinois Central College/

icc president, Dr. sheila quirk-bailey, announces icc partnership with philippi-hagenbuch

EAST PEORIA, IL. (December 16, 2025) — The Illinois Central College Educational Foundation has received a $250,000 donation from Philippi-Hagenbuch, providing a significant investment in the long-term strength of the College and establishing the newly named Philippi-Hagenbuch Welding Lab. The gift reflects the company’s commitment to preparing a skilled regional workforce.

 ICC recognized the donation during a ceremony on December 16, 2025, where the College unveiled the welding lab’s new name in honor of Philippi-Hagenbuch's generosity and partnership.

 “We believe deeply in ICC’s mission and the impact it has on our region,” said Danette Swank, CEO of Philippi-Hagenbuch. “We’re proud to support the entire College, helping students gain the resources and skills needed to build what matters.”

“Philippi-Hagenbuch’s generosity shows powerful confidence in ICC's future,” said Mike Unes, Vice President of Advancement. “This strategic investment provides flexible resources to meet students where they are, strengthening ICC as a workforce engine. Josh and Danette are an inspiration. We are deeply grateful for this partnership.”

“Our partnership with ICC will help position our company, and our community thrive”, said Josh Swank, Chief Growth Officer of Philippi-Hagenbuch. “It’s an investment in the future of our community, preparing future generations for great paying jobs they can be proud of, close to home,”

This major gift expands the Foundation’s flexible funding, allowing ICC to respond quickly to emerging needs and support high-priority academic and workforce initiatives. These resources help programs like welding remain well equipped to serve students for years to come.

 Illinois Central College is honored to celebrate this partnership with Philippi-Hagenbuch as it continues delivering accessible, high-quality education that drives economic growth across Central Illinois.

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About Illinois Central College
Illinois Central College is a two-year community college with campuses in East Peoria, Peoria and Pekin, Illinois, providing a high-quality, affordable education to prepare students to enter the workforce or to transfer to a four-year institution. ICC is the 2020 awardee of the National Community College Charles Kennedy Equity Award from ACCT, a 2022 and 2025 EDA Good Job Challenge Institution, and the Lead College for the state of Illinois’ Workforce Equity Initiative. ICC also conducts original research in agricultural fields, including water quality and soil conservation. For more information, visit icc.edu.

About Philippi-Hagenbuch, Inc.
Engineering innovative haul truck solutions for over 56 years, Philippi-Hagenbuch Inc. is located in Peoria, Illinois and has been building equipment for off-highway haul trucks since 1969. During this time, PHIL has become the global leader in off-highway truck customization. In addition to their innovative tailgates, push blocks, rear-eject bodies and trailers, Philippi-Hagenbuch designs and builds end-dump bodies, trailers, sideboards, load ejectors and water tanks for nearly every make and model of articulated and rigid frame off-highway truck available. Engineered in Peoria, Illinois. Manufactured globally. For more information, visit www.philsystems.com.

PHIL Associates and ICC graduates stand next to the newly named philippi-hagenbuch welding lab sign

Contacts: Josh Swank, Philippi-Hagenbuch, 309-634-0026, jjswank@philsystems.com
Amanda Lewis, Illinois Central College, 309-218-2305, PR@icc.com
John Miller, IRONCLAD Marketing, 701-373-0062, john@ironcladmktg.com