JJC Alum Brings Love of Food and Family to Career

10.19.2009 – Shouting orders and reading tickets, Chef Juan Ortiz finds himself in the middle of a dinner rush cooking plate after plate of his favorite dish, braised osso buco, an Italian dish of braised veal shanks, topped with a cabernet wild mushroom cream sauce. Now the executive chef at the Royal Hawk Country Club in St. Charles Ill., Ortiz began his career, almost four years ago, while a student at Joliet Junior College (JJC). Growing up, two of Ortiz’s uncles each owned restaurants—one dedicated to Mexican cuisine and the other South American cuisine. Ortiz has worked in the restaurant industry since the age of 18, starting as a dishwasher and making... [Read More]

Professional Drummer Gets His Start at Community College: 09.21.2009 - It's a Monday morning 10 a.m. A tired Paul Wandtke answers his phone after a grueling night behind his drum kit playing with his band, The Sammus Theory. For Wandtke...; Read More

WWII Vet Receives Long Overdue Medals at JJC Ceremony: 09.10.2009 - World War II veteran Joe Belman of Lockport was honored at Joliet Junior College (JJC) on Sept. 9 in a special ceremony to receive medals he earned 64 years ago...; Read More

Sen. Durbin's Office to Honor WWII Veteran in Military Medals Ceremony at Joliet Junior College Sept. 9: 09.02.2009 - Lockport native and U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sergeant Joe Belman will be honored by representatives from U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin's office in a military medals award ceremony at...; Read More

Stay-at-home mom becomes award-winning interior design student at JJC: 07.15.2009 - Mary Doornbos has found she has much in common with her 15-year-old son. "We identify with each other's struggles and successes," Doornbos says. "The tables have turned--now he asks me...; Read More

Joliet Junior College to Receive Over $13 million from Illinois Capital Plan: 07.15.2009 - Joliet Junior College (JJC) will receive over $13 million from the $31 billion public works program Gov. Pat Quinn signed into law on Monday. Along with road and...; Read More

Joliet Junior College Awarded $145,800 Clean Energy Grant: 06.30.2009 - Joliet Junior College was recently awarded a $145,800 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Foundation to upgrade to a more efficient campus lighting system. By replacing old 32 wattage lights...; Read More

Joliet Junior College Baseball Field to be Renamed After King: 06.30.2009 - When JJC baseball players step on the diamond next year, they'll be playing on a field with a new, but familiar name. At its June 16 meeting, the JJC Board...; Read More

Joliet Junior College's Oldest Alumna Visits Campus: 06.29.2009 - Joliet Junior College's oldest living alumna, 101-year-old Marie Ghilain, made a special visit to the college's Main Campus on June 23. The trip was especially important for Ghilain because she...; Read More

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