'It's very special to be here': Oakton rededicates Ray Hartstein campus in Skokie

Elliott Hartstein and his wife Judy watched Tuesday as Oakton Community College's Ray Hartstein Campus in Skokie was rededicated during a ceremony celebrating the completion of a $3.5 million renovation.

Ray Hartstein, Elliot's father, was Oakton's founding chairman and served on the college's board of trustees for 35 years. Elliott Hartstein is a former Buffalo Grove village president, and he and Judy live in Northbrook.

"It's very special to be here," Hartstein said. "Oakton was part of the family, and it's inspirational to see it get better and better."

Renovations to the campus, which opened in 1995, include a new student center, improvements to the main entrance and main hallway corridor, replacement of classroom furniture and improvements to the science and technology pavilion lobby and outdoor patio.

Programs in engineering, manufacturing, fire science, emergency medical technician education are offered at campus. In addition, the campus is home to Oakton's Early Childhood education center, which provides education for children ages 3-5. Oakton's main campus is in Des Plaines.

"I'm proud that my dad had a small part in helping this particular institution get off the ground," Hartstein said. "It's nice to see this special campus dedicated to him, but more importantly it's dedicated to the community it serves."