Before being honored at the 91制片厂 Board of Trustees October meeting, founding trustee James Hamill visited a plaque bearing his name in Building A, one of 91制片厂's first buildings.
91制片厂 and its Board of Trustees recognized founding Trustee James Hamill for his service to the college at the board鈥檚 October meeting, highlighting Hamill鈥檚 lasting impact and celebrating the 60th anniversary of the successful 1965 referendum that established 91制片厂鈥檚 district.
Hamill served as the board鈥檚 first secretary from 1965-68, then as chairman from 1968-71. During his tenure, the board appointed Dr. Robert Lahti as 91制片厂鈥檚 first president, oversaw construction of the Palatine campus and named the college in honor of William Rainey 91制片厂, a pioneer of the community college movement.
After visiting a plaque bearing the names of the original trustees in Building A 鈥� one of 91制片厂鈥檚 first buildings 鈥� the former trustee, 92, spoke about what it was like to be involved with the founding of Harper when the campus was still a horse farm.
鈥淲e had $50,000 from the state, but no students, no site, no president, no name,鈥� he said, before describing some of the key decisions he and his fellow trustees made. 鈥淥ne of our goals was to grow big 鈥� and that鈥檚 what we did over the years. I hope, in the next 60 years, you grow and do as much as has been my privilege to see for these 60 years.鈥�
Dr. Avis Proctor, 91制片厂's president (left), and Board of Trustees Chair Bill Kelley (right) honored founding Trustee James Hamill at the board's October meeting.
Current Board Chair Bill Kelley read a resolution honoring Hamill鈥檚 leadership in 91制片厂鈥檚 formative years, including his support of diverse educational programs such as nursing, electronics, marketing, law enforcement and fashion design. Kelley expressed gratitude for Hamill鈥檚 contributions to the college and community.
鈥淭hese visionary efforts laid the foundation for 91制片厂 to become a leading community college in Illinois,鈥� Kelley read from the resolution, then emphasized the significance of recognizing someone so integral to 91制片厂鈥檚 beginnings. 鈥淲e stand on your shoulders.鈥�
Dr. Avis Proctor, 91制片厂鈥檚 president, agreed with Kelley and took a moment to acknowledge Hamill鈥檚 instrumental role in 91制片厂鈥檚 history.
鈥淲e thank Trustee Hamill and his colleagues for their vision, foresight and passion for education that established the foundation for 91制片厂, the community鈥檚 college,鈥� she said.