For first time, a change at the top at the University Center of Lake County
G. Gary Grace, who has led the University Center of Lake County since its establishment in 2001, will retire from his post as executive director at the end of the month.
Colleagues stressed that Grace has had a big impact on the University Center, which allows suburban students to earn degrees from four-year public and private colleges and universities through classes hosted at campuses in Grayslake and Waukegan.
Hilary Ward Schnadt, the associate dean for academic services and programs, who has been with the University Center nearly as long as Grace, said he essentially developed all the systems and processes of the center, with support from the staff and guidance from the board.
"In some ways I think his legacy is the fact that there is a University Center at all," Schnadt said. "I don't mean to sell short the governing board members or the legislators in Lake County who helped create us, but the actual get it up and running part was Gary."
The University Center was created by the Illinois Board of Higher Education in the late 1990s and became an independent organization in 2001. The idea resulted from a two-year study that determined the state wasn't in a position to create a new public college in the suburbs but found there was a need for suburban working adults to earn a degree.
"His legacy is the center itself," University Center Governing Board Chair Matthew J. Hlinak said of Grace. "It really didn't exist before he got here."
Grace is hesitant to take credit for the center's accomplishments.
"It's never been about me; it's always about the team," Grace said. "It's been about focusing on people working together for the better good, the common good. I guess that's what I'd like to be remembered for."
Hlinak said the board conducted a thorough search for Grace's successor and selected Joel Williams, who most recently served as the executive director for PADS Lake County. Hlinak said board members liked that Williams had a lot of local experience.
Williams said he knows he has big shoes to fill.
"I'm honored to follow in Gary's footsteps. What he's done with the organization is remarkable," Williams said. "I am inheriting a tremendous gift that he has left to the community."
Williams said he will focus on making sure the center has diverse and sustainable sources of funding. State funding has been a concern in recent years.
Williams also said he wants to work closely with colleges and universities to see what goals they have for students and find out how the University Center can accommodate them. He began work on Monday so his and Grace's tenures could overlap for two weeks.
Schnadt praised Grace as a hard worker who brought joy to the workplace.
"He always had such a great sense of humor. He takes our mission seriously but he doesn't take himself seriously," Schnadt said. "We'll miss him, but he positioned us well to carry on without him."