CLC trustees appoint Shroka to fill board vacancy
The College of Lake County Board of Trustees voted Oct. 24 to appoint Julie B. Shroka of Grayslake to finish the term of Trustee Dr. Philip J. Carrigan, who resigned for personal reasons in September.
Julie ShrokaShroka, the third-place vote getter in the April 2017 trustee election, was one of 25 citizens who submitted a letter of intent to serve on the board until the next consolidated general election April 2, 2019. Shroka worked at CLC for 30 years until her retirement in June 2016, first as a student recruiter and then as director of alumni relations and special events for the Foundation.
In other news, Trustee Barbara D. Oilschlager, a member of the presidential search committee, reported that 11 candidates will be interviewed by the committee Oct. 25-27. Following that, the committee will recommend up to five finalists, who will visit CLC the week of Nov. 13 for interviews with the Board of Trustees and to participate in open forums at all three campuses.
"I'm very impressed with the candidates' level of experience, and our group has been passionate about finding a candidate who matches CLC's mission, vision and values," said Vice Chair Dr. Catherine Finger, a search committee member. The target timeline is to have a final decision made by December. The new president will start sometime between January and June 30, 2018, said Julia Guiney, executive director of human resources. Meanwhile, Interim President Dr. Rich Haney has agreed to stay until the new president starts to ensure a smooth transition.
The board also approved establishing a green fund that will contain revenue generated by implementing energy efficiency projects and income from rebates, grants and recycling. Ken Gotsch, vice president for administrative affairs, said that during the 2016-17 fiscal year, these savings totaled more than $600,000. Administration will work with the college's sustainability council and environmental action committee to develop guidelines and procedures and then solicit sustainability project proposals that require funding.
The trustees adopted a resolution honoring Dr. Philip J. Carrigan, who served on the board for more than 10 years. "Dr. Carrigan was an outstanding board member with a high degree of integrity and a passion for helping others," said Interim President Dr. Rich Haney. "He was a very active board member and worked closely with his fellow board members and the administration on projects and initiatives that furthered our student success goals. We are a better college because of his work and commitment."
Dr. Carrigan's wife, Mary Clare Jakes, accepted the resolution and thanked the board members. "Phil cares deeply about the College of Lake County, and I hope that he made an impact on the students, staff and faculty," she said.
Finally, the trustees approved replacing seven full-time faculty positions for the 2018-19 academic year; six of them are from retirements and one is a reallocation. The positions are in chemistry, English (two positions), heating and air conditioning engineering technology, theatre, mathematics and automotive collision repair/welding.