Kishwaukee College named Dr. Norman Jenkins, former President of Kishwaukee College,
and Dr. Diane McNeilly, former Vice President of Instruction at Kishwaukee College,
as the recipients of the 2019 John C. Roberts Community Service Award. The couple
received the award at Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 18.
The John C. Roberts Community Service Award was established in 2009 to recognize individuals
who have made an outstanding contribution to the pursuit of excellence in education
for the residents of the Kishwaukee College district. “Dr. Norman Jenkins and Dr.
Diane McNeilly’s careers embody the same selfless dedication to the residents in our
district and the support of education that inspired John Roberts when he worked to
establish Kishwaukee College,” stated Ken Doubler, Kishwaukee College Trustee, during
the commencement ceremony.
Dr. Jenkins and Dr. McNeilly are passionate advocates of education. Both joined Kishwaukee
College in the early days: Dr. Jenkins was recruited to the College before the doors
opened in 1968 to head the Student Services department and Dr. McNeilly came on board
in the Spring semester of 1969 in the Physical Education department as an Instructor
and Chair. During their tenure, they developed several new administrative and academic
programs and the College experienced tremendous growth. They utilized the continuous
quality improvement (CQI) management philosophy and believed it was imperative to
the College’s improvement in its services, processes, and outcomes. Even in retirement,
the couple still devote their time and resources to the advancement of the College.
Dr. Jenkins is an active member on the College’s Foundation board, and they established
an endowment to support Phi Theta Kappa.
Photo Caption: Dr. Norman Jenkins, former President of Kishwaukee College, and Dr.
Diane McNeilly, former Vice President of Instruction at Kishwaukee College, receive
the 2019 John C. Roberts Community Service Award during Spring Commencement on May
18. Pictured, L to R: Bob Johnson, Kishwaukee College Board of Trustees Chair; Dr.
Diane McNeilly, 2019 John C. Roberts Award recipient and former Vice President of
Instruction at Kishwaukee College; Dr. Norman Jenkins, 2019 John C. Roberts Award
recipient and former President of Kishwaukee College; and Dr. Laurie Borowicz, President
of Kishwaukee College.