Familiar faces elected to CLC Board of Trustees

College of Lake County welcomed newly-elected community members Allena Barbato, William M. Griffin and student Daniel Blaine to the board of trustees on Tuesday, April 25.

The three are familiar faces with paths that have crossed campus before. The board also passed resolutions honoring Trustees Matthew J. Stanton and Robert J. Tomei for their service.

Griffin, of Lake Forest, is a professor of business and serves as chair of the Triton College School of Business in nearby River Grove. As a CLC trustee emeritus with demonstrated leadership, he returns to the board after two years.

Griffin was first elected to the Board of Trustees in 1995 and served as chair from April 2019 to April 2021. He was recognized as the 2017 recipient of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association Gary W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award.

"CLC commits to ensuring each student receives a quality education," Griffin said. "It is important for boards to support strong and effective institutional leadership, and board members serve to advocate for the value of public higher education."

Barbato, of Lake Villa, is director and Title IX Compliance and Equity Officer at Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago. She previously served at CLC in the roles of Title IX coordinator and part-time faculty. Barbato is also a trustee on the village board of Lake Villa.

"I am very invested in making sure that the college is at its best," Barbato said. "High quality education for all should be the number one focus for our college."

Griffin and Barbato were elected to serve 6-year terms. Once the new board was seated, the following appointments were made: Trustee Julie B. Shroka of Grayslake to chair, Trustee Torrie Mark Newsome of Waukegan to vice chair and Trustee Paul G. Virgilio of Lake Zurich to secretary.

Daniel Blaine was seated as the student trustee, a role he has held previously. He plans to pursue a degree in nonprofit and business management, with a minor in public policy and administration. His community involvement includes work in support of A Safe Place, an organization committed to empowering survivors of domestic violence.

"It's a privilege to be elected again," Blaine said. "I consider it an honor to serve as student trustee, and look forward to contributing positively to the board's efforts to enhance the student experience."

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