Harper College will be closed Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day.
Before being honored at the Harper College Board of Trustees October meeting, founding trustee James Hamill visited a plaque bearing his name in Building A, one of Harper's first buildings.
Harper College and its Board of Trustees recognized founding Trustee James Hamill for his service to the college at the board’s October meeting, highlighting Hamill’s lasting impact and celebrating the 60th anniversary of the successful 1965 referendum that established Harper’s district.
Hamill served as the board’s first secretary from 1965-68, then as chairman from 1968-71. During his tenure, the board appointed Dr. Robert Lahti as Harper’s first president, oversaw construction of the Palatine campus and named the college in honor of William Rainey Harper, a pioneer of the community college movement.
After visiting a plaque bearing the names of the original trustees in Building A – one of Harper’s first buildings – the former trustee, 92, spoke about what it was like to be involved with the founding of Harper College when the campus was still a horse farm.
“We had $50,000 from the state, but no students, no site, no president, no name,” he said, before describing some of the key decisions he and his fellow trustees made. “One of our goals was to grow big – and that’s what we did over the years. I hope, in the next 60 years, you grow and do as much as has been my privilege to see for these 60 years.”
Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper's president (left), and Board of Trustees Chair Bill Kelley (right) honored founding Trustee James Hamill at the board's October meeting.
Current Board Chair Bill Kelley read a resolution honoring Hamill’s leadership in Harper’s formative years, including his support of diverse educational programs such as nursing, electronics, marketing, law enforcement and fashion design. Kelley expressed gratitude for Hamill’s contributions to the college and community.
“These visionary efforts laid the foundation for Harper College to become a leading community college in Illinois,” Kelley read from the resolution, then emphasized the significance of recognizing someone so integral to Harper’s beginnings. “We stand on your shoulders.”
Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper’s president, agreed with Kelley and took a moment to acknowledge Hamill’s instrumental role in Harper’s history.
“We thank Trustee Hamill and his colleagues for their vision, foresight and passion for education that established the foundation for Harper, the community’s college,” she said.