Waubonsee alumnus recognized by board of trustees

Christopher Hess of Aurora was recognized by the college's board of trustees at its June meeting.

Hess graduated from Aurora Central Catholic High School in 1985 and from Waubonsee Community College in 1987. He transferred to Western Illinois University where he earned a bachelor's degree. He was a standout baseball player throughout high school and college.

Hess played outfield at Waubonsee in 1986 and 1987. He was a two-time all-conference selection, an all-region selection as a sophomore and was the college's first National Junior College Athletic Association all-American. Hess was inducted into the Waubonsee Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

More significant than his contributions on the baseball field, Hess contributed to the country and the community through service in the military, as a high school career counselor and through several civic organizations. Hess served in the Marine Corps for four years, which included a tour of duty in support of Operation Desert Storm in 1990-1991. He has also served in the Illinois Army National Guard since 2001. In that time he deployed in support of military operations in Iraq in 2003-2004 and in Afghanistan in 2008-2009. His military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, among others. Hess is also a member of the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Aurora Veterans Advisory Council, as well as several other civic and community organizations.

Hess is currently a Career Counselor of the Illinois National Guard Armory at East Aurora High School. In this role, Hess helps young people as they make career decisions, as well as helps develop future military leaders.

Hess was recognized by the college's board of trustees at its June meeting as a Student Success: Featured Alumnus.