IVCC-LPO Hall of Fame to induct first members

Jan. 26 ceremony in Cultural Centre

A world renowned neurosurgeon, retired state Supreme Court judge and an award-winning children's author will be among the first 25 members inducted into the IVCC-LPO Hall of Fame Jan. 26.

The inductees, part of an IVCC Foundation/IVCC-LPO Alumni Association initiative, include Dr. Robert Spetzler, director of the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, former Supreme Court Justice Howard C. Ryan, formerly of Tonica and Marion Dane Bauer, author of more than 60 books for children and young people.

The class will be honored at a 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 26 reception in the IVCC Cultural Centre that is free and open to the public.

A selection committee chose the 2008 class from over 80 nominations received from the public. The Hall will honor alumni, former employees and friends of the college who have made a significant difference in the lives of others.

Other members of the first class include:

• Dr. William Farley of Peru who delivered an estimated 15,000 babies over a 57-year career;
• Toby Barry, an influential state representative and judge who led the effort to build Interstate 39 between Rockford and Normal;
• Don Baker, co-captain of the 1948 LPO football team, has served as Peru's mayor since 1965 and is credited with the city's retail and industrial growth.
• Dr. Henrietta Herbolsheimer, associate professor emeritus, Department of Medicine, University of Chicago;
• W. Durley Boyle, legendary 40-year Putnam County State's Attorney and longtime member of the Foundation board;
• Dr. Francis “Phil” Dolan, LPO director from 1947 to 1967 and renowned “Godfather” of the state movement to establish comprehensive community colleges in the mid-1960s.
• Louis Borio, chair of the Division of Life and Physical Sciences from 1967 to 1995, he earned seven National Science Foundation awards and in 1988 started IVCC’s Raptor Rehabilitation program.
• Ralph Bowermaster a 1947 LPO graduate who was a gifted singer performing in several college musicals. He has served on the IVCC Foundation board since 1983. Bowermaster earned the distinguished 2007 Leo Parkerson Award from the Ottawa Area Chamber for his work and philanthropy in the Ottawa area.
• Elizabeth Cummings, co-author of The First 70 Years of IVCC History and a 40-year LPO and IVCC librarian.
• Bill Danley, award-winning newspaper reporter, IVCC public information director from 1968 to 1994 and co-author of the college history.
• Harry F. Erlenborn, began a 47-year career at Peru’s American Nickeloid as an accountant and rose to CEO/general manager. He remains on the Nickeloid board (maintaining a 70-year affiliation with the company) and is President of the Illinois Valley Community Hospital Foundation.
• Les Hoenscheid, a member of the first LPO graduating class in 1926, returned in 1928 to become LPO’s first football coach. Taught psychology and physical education at LP, LPO and IVCC for 43 years and was Peru’s Recreation Director for 36 years.
• Dr. Thomas J. McCormack, LPO’s first director. A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., and a Princeton University-educated scholar, Dr. McCormack was recognized as one of the nation’s outstanding educators.
• Rhonda Morel, one of IVCC’s first great female athletes, set records in basketball and volleyball that stood for years and led coach Ken Pyszka’s 1978-79 team to a third place state finish and 21-4 record.
• Rollie Morris, a member of LPO’s 1950 Gold Dust Bowl team and a member of the 1952 Hall of Fame New Mexico State football team. He coached football and track at Hall High School for 30 years.
• Anthony C. “Tony” Raccuglia, a successful personal injury attorney who began his career as First Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney and was the lead prosecutor in the Starved Rock murders case.
• John Strell, athletic director and football, baseball, basketball and cross country coach from 1946 to 1976.
• Bill Strong, a leading Foundation contributor, he has a near 40-year affiliation with the college as a Foundation director and elected trustee. He is also an Ottawa community leader.
• Helen Taylor, Peru elementary school teacher who left $100,000 to the college in 1975 to create the IVCC Foundation.
• R. Earl Trobaugh, first IVCC President, was instrumental in the creation of IVCC. He was first employed at LPO in 1936 as a Spanish instructor.
• Dr. Mary Margaret Weeg, beloved humanities division chair from the 1960s to the 1980s. She was the editor of the first LPO yearbook “The Jaycee” in 1950-51.
• Dr. Harry Wilmot, founding dean of LPO Junior College, he served from 1924 to 1961.

"Hall members will be enshrined in a permanent campus display. Each year the Foundation and Alumni Association will add five-to-seven new members", said Director of Development Fran Brolley.

Hall of Fame promotional flyer

Class of 2009 Nomination Form