Harper's staff gave meaning to service

On May 16, I had the honor of giving the keynote address at Harper College's commencement ceremony. It was a privilege to speak to graduates who were kind enough to remain patient and smiling even when I urged them to take an occasional break from social media and do more to connect with people face-to-face.

My motherly advice notwithstanding, addressing the Class of 2015 was also a bittersweet moment as it marked the end of my service on the Harper Board of Trustees, where I served for nearly 15 years, six of those years as Board Chair.

I am so very grateful to the people of the Northwest suburbs who entrusted me to watch over and help guide this great institution on their behalf.

Thanks to the support of our community, Harper's classrooms and facilities are world class and provide an optimal learning environment, but as I left campus after the ceremony, I couldn't help but reflect on the hundreds of people dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams and goals.

I've always been in awe listening to stories I hear from graduates about how a faculty member took a special interest in them or prodded them to keep going when they started to slip, or how a staff member worked tirelessly with them in the tutoring center or found scholarship money that allowed them to continue their college career.

While Harper is certainly blessed with a beautiful campus that beckons you, the heart and soul of the college are the people inside the buildings who are passionate about helping students succeed no matter the odds.

I am thankful and proud to have served with them, and I hope they know and appreciate that, similar to their students, they have given me the gift of knowledge, compassion and perseverance that will be with me for the rest of my life.

Laurie Stone

Elk Grove Village