HR1419 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1419 LRB095 21775 GRL 51990 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, John Wood Community College is one of 39 public community college districts in the State of Illinois, with a credit enrollment each semester of more than 2,700 students and with a wide range of programs and services serving the area; and

WHEREAS, John Wood Community College has a tremendous economic impact on the entire region, in addition to the individual students who benefit from a JWCC education; and

WHEREAS, William Simpson will retire as President of John Wood Community College in August of 2008 after 40 years in higher education; and

WHEREAS, William Simpson has served as President of John Wood Community College since February of 1997 and is currently one of the longest-serving community college presidents in Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Prior to his arrival at John Wood Community College, William Simpson served as Dean of Marshalltown Community College and as Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Iowa Valley Community College District; he was also employed in various positions at Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington, Black Hawk College's East Campus in Kewanee, and Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg; and

WHEREAS, During Dr. Simpson's tenure at JWCC, student enrollment has grown by more than 20 percent, several new career programs have been added, and the Quincy campus has expanded from having only one building to a full-service campus with four primary academic buildings, plus the Student Activity Center and a maintenance building; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Simpson has been active in professional and educational organizations on many levels, including the Board of Directors of the National Junior College Athletic Association and the Board of Trustees of Monmouth College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Simpson's commitment to the community college mission has earned him several awards, including two from Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, the Michael Bennett Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and the Shirley B. Gordon Award in 2006 for his outstanding efforts toward promoting the goals of Phi Theta Kappa; he was also the recipient of the NCJAA's Service Award for having made significant contributions to community college athletics on a national level; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Simpson also has been very active in civic organizations, having served on the Quincy Family YMCA Board and the Adams County United Way Board of Directors; he also served as President of the Rotary Club of Quincy; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Simpson holds a doctor of education and a master of arts degree from Illinois State University and a bachelor of arts degree from Monmouth College; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Simpson and his wife, Joyce Simpson, a retired educator with Quincy University, have two married daughters and two grandchildren; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Simpson serves as a model of hard work, integrity, and dedication for the people of the State of Illinois; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate William Simpson on the occasion of his retirement and wish him continued success and happiness in the future; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to William Simpson as a symbol of our esteem and respect.