Day to remember for CLC's new leader
It'll be difficult for Girard "Jerry" Weber to top an exciting day he had last week that began when he and others in academia met with President-elect Barack Obama's energy and environmental policy transition team.
Weber was in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 18 when, as a bonus, he learned he was picked as College of Lake County's next president. Weber has been Kankakee Community College's president since July 2001.
Board members at Grayslake-based CLC are expected to formally appoint Weber at a meeting Jan. 27. Officials said a contract and precise starting date are being negotiated with Weber.
Weber, 58, who was raised in Arlington Heights, said he became familiar with CLC over his long career in community colleges. He said it's a dynamic institution and that he plans to meet with staff, students and others to help chart future initiatives when he takes over.
"I'm not that interested in coming to the college with any agenda from the outside," Weber said Monday.
CLC selected Weber over three finalists, including interim President James Rock. There were 42 applicants, officials said.
Weber said he and other community college officials were invited to meet in Washington last Thursday to discuss sustainability and renewable energy with the Obama transition team. He said some of the talk was about what community colleges might do to help create green jobs and increase sustainability on campuses.
Under Weber's watch, Kankakee Community College started a sustainability center. It's a place offering materials and resources related to green technology, recycling and renewable energy.
Weber, who mulled a congressional run as a Democrat in the Kankakee area in 2007, said he received word of his selection as CLC's president after the meeting with the Obama transition officials.
"I'll tell you what," said Weber, "it was an interesting day for me."
Weber will be CLC's fourth leader since Gretchen Naff retired in June 2005. In that time, one permanent and two interim presidents have served the school.
Richard Fonte was hired as president after a nationwide search in 2006. He quit in June 2007, but received his $195,000 salary and worked from home as an assistant to the CLC board's elected president until April.
Fonte's tenure was marked by problems with faculty and questions about his leadership. CLC board President Richard Anderson looks forward to Weber leading the school.
"Dr. Weber is an innovative leader who we are confident will bring us new ideas and help the college become an even greater resource for the people of Lake County," Anderson said.