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At Heartland Community College, it is our fundamental mission to create an environment where individuals know they have a place of support and a place where they can succeed. The success of our students is a true contribution to the educational, economic, and social well-being of our communities.”

President Keith Cornille

Presidential Medallion Awards

The President's Medallion is the highest honor Heartland Community College can bestow upon an individual. This award exemplifies the College's mission to "enrich our community" by honoring those who share this ethos.

2026 Medallion Recipients

Meta Mickens-Baker

Meta Mickens-Baker served for years as an HR leader at State Farm, specializing in talent acquisition, diversity and inclusion, and employee relations, where she has helped thousands of graduates launch successful careers. A dedicated community servant in Bloomington-Normal, she spent 17 years on the McLean County Unit 5 School Board—serving as chair and becoming its first elected woman of color—while actively supporting youth through initiatives like Promise Council and NAACP ACT-SO. Her impact has earned numerous honors, including the Virginia Tech Influential Black Alumni Award, the Bloomington MLK Jr. Award, and the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award.

Drs. Charlotte and Joe Talkington

Drs. Charlotte and Joe Talkington are distinguished Illinois State University faculty whose decades of service in the College of Applied Science and Technology helped expand educational access and mentorship for generations of students. Dr. Charlotte Talkington, a longtime Family and Consumer Sciences professor, became known for her curriculum leadership, statewide teacher workshops, and creation of multiple endowed funds, while remaining active in community initiatives at Westminster Village. Dr. Joe Talkington served nearly three decades as a professor and department chair before founding Star Uniforms and supporting healthcare career pathways. Together, the Talkingtons established numerous scholarships reflecting their shared commitment to transforming lives through education.

Dr. Ed Carroll

Dr. Ed Carroll is a respected educator and academic leader who spent 34 years at Heartland Community College, serving as a Distinguished Professor of History and advancing curriculum innovation, online learning, and statewide academic initiatives. He is widely remembered for making history accessible by connecting broad concepts to everyday life, continuing to support students as a tutor even after being named Professor Emeritus in 2020. Beyond the classroom, Dr. Carroll has held key leadership roles in regional historical organizations and earned all his degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, specializing in U.S. social history.

Dodie Dunson, Sr.

Dodie Dunson, Sr. is a dedicated Bloomington-Normal community leader, mentor, and former standout athlete who has spent more than four decades serving local youth. A Bloomington High School graduate and former Parkland College basketball player, he began organizing community programs early in life and built a career in social work, including leadership roles with the Boys & Girls Club and the Lawrence Irving Community Center. Known for his lasting impact on generations of young people, Dunson was named Normal’s Citizen of the Year in 2019 for his work in mentorship, violence prevention, and youth engagement.

Bob Dobski

Bob Dobski is a longtime Bloomington-Normal business leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose career spans grocery retail, McDonald’s franchising, and hospitality. After expanding his family’s McDonald’s operations to 13 locations across McLean and Ford Counties, he became deeply involved in community leadership and philanthropy, including service with the McLean County Chamber of Commerce and Illinois State University. Together with his wife Julie, they have been widely recognized for their impact, earning honors such as the 2013 Philanthropists of the Year award and multiple community recognitions for their lifetime of service.

2025 Medallion Recipients

Jon Astroth

Jon Astroth led Heartland Community College as president for the school’s first 20 years. He came to Heartland from Rend Lake College where he wore the hats of English instructor, student services officer, chief academic officer, and finally, president. Astroth’s vision for Heartland took it from a scattered set of class spaces around town supporting 800 students to a sprawling main campus in Normal and sites in both Lincoln and Pontiac, which taken together serve more than 5000 credit students every semester. Before retiring in 2010, Astroth was able to shepherd in campus expansion that included an increased student life offering, the addition of an athletics program, and bringing the National Guard facilities to campus.

 

Ruifang Cao 

Ruifang Cao was an early member of the Heartland Community College faculty, teaching among the first classes in computer science at the College. Ruifang started the Chinese school on weekends to teach language and culture programs about China. She also helped create an exchange program of students and professors from Chinese universities to Heartland, laying groundwork for Heartland's international program. This eventually led to expanded experiences for local students to study abroad as well as bring international students to Heartland, expanding the diversity of our classrooms while also bringing enrollment opportunities in new areas.

 

Dolan Dalpoas

Dolan Dalpoas has dedicated his professional life to keeping his community healthy. As President and CEO of Lincoln Memorial Hospital, he has been recognized for his leadership. He has been named one of the top 50 critical access hospital CEOs in the United States and in 2000, received the Southern Illinois Regent’s Award from the American College of Healthcare Executives as the Early Career Healthcare Executive of the Year. Dolan had a crucial role in Lincoln building a free outdoor fitness center to combat obesity, an initiative which became a national best practice for hospitals. Dolan serves on the HCC Lincoln Advisory Council and under his leadership, the hospital partners with Heartland by serving as a clinical site for our CNA program as well as donating several pieces of healthcare equipment. He has also served on various community organizations in Lincoln, including Lincoln College, Lincoln Rotary, the Lincoln Area YMCA, and Lincoln Economic Advancement & Development. 

 

Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell

Deanna Frautschi and Alan Bedell are no strangers to community involvement. The couple has been recognized by the McLean County Historical Society as History Makers due to their philanthropic leadership. Deanna has served on more than a dozen non-profit boards including her tenure as Chair of the United Way of McLean County. She is also deeply involved in the Multicultural Leadership Institute, Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, Parklands Foundation, and Miller Park Zoological Society, the latter of which she served as a past president.

 

Alan mirrors Deanna’s volunteer efforts by being involved with the Cornbelt Chapter of AMBUCS, the organization in which he was instrumental in founding 10 chapters in Missouri, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. He also is an active Midwest Food Bank volunteer. Together the pair has chaired numerous fundraisers including Zoo Doo, Red Cross Evening of Stars, and Carle Cancer Center events. They also sponsor scholarships for AMBUCS physical therapists, Illinois State University, Heartland Community College, and the Multicultural Leadership Institute. 

 

Colleen Kannaday

Colleen Kannaday‘s extensive contributions to the community are evident in the organizations to which she lends her leadership. As the President of Carle BroMenn Medical Center and Carle Eureka Hospital, she has won the Grassroots Champion Award from the American Hospital Association, an honor that is awarded to only one person per state. She is also a recipient of the Malcomb Baldrige National Quality Award, and the American College of Health Care Award, and was honored as a YWCA Woman of Distinction. Colleen serves as a Trustee on the Illinois Wesleyan University Board of Trustees and on the Illinois State University Foundation Board. 

 

Mike Matejka

Mike Matejka is a dedicated community member, lending his time and talents to many causes. He serves as the Downstate Vice President of the Illinois Labor History Society, Co-Chair of Not In Our Town Bloomington-Normal, and as a board member of the McLean County Children’s Christmas Party. Matejka also works with the Historic Pullman Foundation Board, McLean County Historical Society, the Stevenson Lecture Committee, and the local Autism Friendly Community Committee. He is a sought-after speaker on several speaking circuits as well as in college classes and has authored countless journal and magazine articles, primarily on the topic of the labor movement. In 2024, Matejka won the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation Philanthropist of the Year award with his wife Kari Sandhaas, and in 2021 was named the Normal Citizen of the Year.

 

Drake Zimmerman

Drake Zimmerman is a philanthropic leader and shining example for our community. He is passionate about causes near to his heart and “leads out loud” by acting both locally and globally. One such cause is working through Rotary on malaria prevention. He was the founding Vice Chair of the Rotarians Eliminating Malaria Rotarians Action Group and received the AMP Global Top Award of Alliance for Malaria Prevention for lifetime contributions to malaria control. Drake also co-founded the Community Foundation of McLean County (now known as the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation). With his wife Jan, he helped form Friends of Kickapoo Creek, an organization that works to protect the local watershed. Drake is the author of Enduring the Darkness, a compilation of the inspiring letters of South Korean human rights prisoner Kim Seong Man.

2024 Medallion Recipients

Jerome and Frances Maddox

Jerome and Frances Maddox are esteemed members of the Bloomington-Normal community, embodying resilience and service despite profound loss. Their son, Sgt. Anthony Maddox made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan in 2013. Frances and Jerome have contributed to the Hero House initiative by Habitat for Humanity and were pivotal in dedicating a Fallen Hero Wall honoring nine Central Illinois soldiers who lost their lives in combat. Through Jerome's leadership as president of the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois, he has been instrumental in establishing a robust mentoring program across the region. Their commitment to our community extends further as they both serve as board members of the Illinois Community Prairie Foundation. 

 

Patty and Steve McManus

Patty and Steve McManus are dedicated community leaders whose philanthropic efforts and active involvement have left a lasting impact on various charitable organizations and initiatives. Steve's impact on the Heartland Community College Foundation is profound, having served as its past chair and initiated the inaugural Major Gifts Campaign, which raised over $7 million for scholarships at the College. He has also taken on significant community roles, co-chairing the Civil Justice Reform Group and Milestones Early Learning Center. Meanwhile, Patty McManus demonstrates her dedication as the chair of the Bloomington Normal Junior Women’s Club, actively contributing to various local charities and initiatives, showcasing her commitment to community welfare. 

 

Ed Rust

Ed Rust's extensive contributions to education and leadership are evident through his service on the Boards of America’s Promise Alliance and the James B. Hunt, Jr., Institute for Educational Leadership. He earned the prestigious Owen B. Butler Education Excellence Award, presented by the Committee for Economic Development. Additionally, Rust's remarkable dedication to education and workforce development was recognized through his receipt of the Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois and the Order of Lincoln, the state's highest honor for a living individual in business. Under his stewardship, State Farm emerged as one of the largest private contributors to education, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to supporting educational initiatives since 1990. 

 

Faye Freeman-Smith

Faye Freeman-Smith stands as a beacon of community service and mental health advocacy. In 2021, she was honored with the Multicultural Leadership Program Servant Leadership Award, a testament to her unwavering dedication to uplifting others. Recognized in 2017 with the YWCA Women of Distinction award, Freeman-Smith's contributions to her community are profound and far-reaching. As a founding member of the Black Business Alliance, she champions economic empowerment and entrepreneurship within her community. Her commitment to mental health is tangible through her establishment of the HCC Counseling Center in 2011 and her active role on the Mental Health Advisory Board for the McLean County Health Department. Freeman-Smith's membership on the Distance Counseling Advisory Board has been instrumental in crafting guidelines for tele-mental health, a critical endeavor both before and during the pandemic, especially in supporting the mental well-being of young adults. Her pioneering spirit in this practice is widely recognized and deeply appreciated. 

 

Rob Widmer

Rob Widmer has built a remarkable and motivating career in higher education spanning four decades, with a significant portion—22 years—dedicated to Heartland Community College. Notably, he served as president for five years, during which he navigated the institution through financial hardships stemming from the Illinois budget impasse. His leadership was pivotal in steering Heartland through these challenges while also spearheading a new strategic planning process, fortifying the College's reputation as a vital community asset. Widmer's tenure saw significant advancements, including the development of Heartland's current campus in Normal, a testament to his enduring commitment to the institution's growth and development. Beyond his professional endeavors, Widmer chairs the Normal Children's Discovery Museum Foundation Board, showcasing his ongoing dedication to educational and community enrichment.

2023 Medallion Recipients

Bob Brucker

Bob grew up on the family farm near Cropsey, Illinois. Bob’s first pass through higher education would lead him to teaching. Completing both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business education, Bob taught at Washington High School before he was drafted into the Army in 1967. After serving his country, he returned home and started a career with State Farm. He retired from leadership in the accounting department in 2016. 

  

Bob immediately started the next chapter in his life, enrolling as a credit student at Heartland in the spring of 2017. While he was nervous to step back into a college classroom, he found the principles that made him successful in his career would serve him well in a school setting. “Do your work. Pay attention. Be curious. I think the fact I came in with that mindset has helped me still be competitive in the classroom,” said Brucker. He soon saw the opportunity as a student to both learn and mentor in the classroom. “If you stop wanting to learn it’s chaos. The world continues to evolve and change and yet you have chosen to stand still. I think we all have an obligation to grow no matter where you are. You need to try new things and challenge yourself.” 

 

Marlene and Dr. Larry Dietz

Elevating Heartland means caring for students and their success not just when they are at Heartland, but before and after their time at HCC. Marlene and Larry Dietz have done that for a decade, serving as leaders for important initiatives throughout our community. 

 

Marlene’s efforts have improved the lives of young people in our community since she arrived. As a volunteer, board member, and leader for organizations like the Miller Park Zoo, the Baby Fold, and the Boys and Girls Club, she has been committed to opening doors and creating pathways for hundreds of local children. Additionally, she mentors other leaders so they can have a greater impact on their communities. 

 

Larry has devoted his entire professional life to supporting students. His work in student affairs informed his worldview that student success happens both inside and outside of the classroom. Regardless of the institution, he wanted students to feel supported and accepted. His work at Illinois State University helped to expand the pathway from Heartland into the university. By making the transfer experience less intimidating and more successful, the echo of his leadership will benefit Heartland students for decades to come. 

 

Mary and John Penn

Mary and John Penn are the types of leaders who show up when people need them, listen to those needs, and then work side by side to find solutions. They have been doing that for nearly five decades.

 

A self-described team, the Penns have been active in our local community caring for a variety of community needs. They have chaired the local Children’s Christmas Party for Unemployed Families, served as volunteer leaders for the Illinois Special Olympics, and been active in the local Promise Councils that are helping local grade school children achieve by finding resources. 

 

John has been recognized by Illinois Governor Jim Thompson for leading initiatives that “bring jobs to the jobless,” while Mary has grown the reach of the HCC Foundation events, expanding attendance and support to nearly double their size. Many of those who attended these Foundation events as their first experience with Heartland and credited them with changing their perspective about the power of the community college and the impact that it has on local students.

 

Carole and Dr. Jerry Ringer

Jerry and Carole Ringer have helped to build and support numerous charities, non-profits, and other important causes in the great Bloomington-Normal area. 

 

Carole was the first Executive Director for the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, bringing a wealth of experience with her from her career as a leader for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and BroMenn Foundation for the Mennonite College of Nursing. She has served as a role model for other community leaders, leading to her recognition as an Illinois State Board of Education Excellence Award winner as well as being named a founding member of the women's executive group, Northwestern University Council of 100. 

 

Like his wife, Jerry has a strong history of board involvement. A member of at least 15 nonprofit boards, Jerry is a past Kiwanis president and served on the Cornell College Board for more than four decades. While Jerry has been a part of historic organizations, it was his work with a fledgling board in the 1990s that has meant a lot to Heartland. Dr. Ringer was one of the earliest HCC Foundation Board members, helping to establish scholarship funds for the youngest community college in the state when it was less than a decade into its existence. His work set the tone for the HCC Foundation scholarship program to grow to over $600,000 annually awarded to local students. 

2022 Medallion Recipients

Dave and Deb Fedor

Dave and Deb Fedor are supporters of lifelong education and giving back. Their values align perfectly with the mission of Heartland Community College. Dave, an alum of Richland Community College and Illinois State University, is a principal owner of Tentac Enterprises, formerly The Synder Companies, based in Bloomington. Before joining Tentac as Chief Financial Officer, he served Dunbar, Breitweiser & Company as a Certified Public Accountant. Dave's focus on giving back involves both financial sponsorships as well as instituting an environment at Tentac that has allowed employees to donate more than 2500 hours volunteering in the community. 

 

Deb is a graduate of Heartland Community College’s 2nd nursing class. Regularly encouraged by Dave to go back to school to realize her dream of becoming a nurse, Deb returned to the classroom at the age of 38. Deb’s career in pediatric nursing found her in roles at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle Clinic, and the McLean County Health Department. One of her passions was improving child immunization rates. In 2013, Deb was selected as Heartland’s Distinguished Alumni. 

The Fedors have established a scholarship that benefits students enrolled in HCC’s nursing program. Additionally, they have created a scholarship to support students in the Heartland Academy for Learning Opportunities (HALO) Program that provides access to higher education for students with intellectual disabilities in a supportive yet challenging learning environment.

 

Ronn Morehead

Ronn Morehead left his mark on the Bloomington-Normal area in the many ways he helped the people of his community. Soon after graduating high school, he joined Laborers Local 362, kicking off a lifetime affiliation with unions. For more than 30 years Morehead worked for the American Federation of Labor–Congress of Industrial Organizations, helping laid-off workers find new careers and training opportunities. His work involved establishing links with community colleges and grants for upskilling displaced workers. He served on both the Heartland Community College Foundation, Mid-Central Community Actions Illinois Special Olympics, and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act boards, and for nearly 45 years organized the Bloomington Labor Day Parade. Morehead was instrumental in bringing the WWII monument to Normal and in 2018 was named Downs Citizen of the Year, the same year he was named a History Maker by the McLean County Museum of History. He served as president of the Bloomington and Normal Trades and Labor Assembly for 40 years. 

 

Joan Bullard

Joan Bullard is the owner and managing broker at Joan Bullard Realty, Inc. located in Odell, IL, just outside of Pontiac. A real estate professional for more than 20 years, she is past president of the Livingston County Board of Realtors. Her company is very active in the local community, supporting charity golf tournaments, food pantries, local schools and sporting events, St. Jude, and the Boys and Girls Club of Livingston County. 

 

An active member of her community, Bullard is the past President of the Pontiac Boys and Girls Club. A regular guest speaker in Heartland classes, she also served on the Livingston County Board, District 2 from 2013 to 2014. Bullard was named a 2017 Athena Award winner by the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce and Business Person of the Year in 2019. 

 

Dr. Nancy Evans

Dr. Nancy Evans is a champion of accessible education for all. One of the earliest employees of Heartland Community College, Dr. Evans taught business and helped build the curriculum for that program area. Her strong belief in the mission of accessible, equitable, innovative learning opportunities and resources that enrich our community led her to spend most of her professional career in the community college setting. One of her passion projects was working to lower the cost of textbooks for Heartland students by helping develop open educational resources. Her philanthropy included serving for three years on the Heartland Foundation Board and establishing a scholarship for students who have overcome childhood health issues. Dr. Evans is now a retired Distinguished Professor of Business Emeritus.

 

Duane Farrington

Before his retirement, Duane Farrington was the Executive Vice President of Technology, Digital, and Innovation at State Farm. In 2020, he was recognized with the Digital Innovator Award by the Information Technology Senior Management Forum (ITSMF) for his work in championing creative tech solutions. Farrington is heavily involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal, volunteering in their “Passport to Manhood” program, serving as the chair of the Community Advisory Council, and as past chair of their fundraising campaign. He partnered with Heartland on initiatives with the 100 Black Men of Central Illinois and was previously a member of The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. In addition, Farrington serves on the board of Westminster Village and is involved with United Way. Duane and his wife, Toni, were named the 2018 Philanthropists of the Year by the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. They co-chaired a capital campaign for the Community Cancer Center during the addition of a new tower for the patients and their treatments. 

2021 Medallion Recipients

Founding Heartland Community College Board of Trustees Members

 

Vernon "Art" Adams 1990-1993 

 

Cindy Brand 1991-2009 

 

Margaret Esposito 1990-2003 

 

Jim Pemberton 1990-1995 

 

Fred Ragsdale 1990-1995 

 

Sharon (Sullivan) Tarvin 1990-2001 

 

Roger Tuttle 1990-2007 

 

Jim White 1990-2011 

 

This group served as the first leaders of Heartland Community College in 1990. They guided and built the foundation of what the College is today, navigating a number of issues and demands leading to one of the most successful community colleges in the state of Illinois. They laid the groundwork to transition from the humble origins of storefronts and church basements to our beautiful campus facilities today. Heartland would not be the College it is today without their tireless efforts and extraordinary vision. 

 

Willie Brown

Longtime Bloomington resident and State Farm executive, Willie Brown led numerous charitable and community improvement initiatives. His work on the Heartland Community College Foundation Board in the late 1990s and early 2000s helped to highlight the important work of fundraising for local students. Under his leadership, the Foundation expanded its scholarship offerings and connected with a number of local philanthropists and businesses to create greater access to higher education for hundreds of students. 

 

Gregg Chadwick

Gregg Chadwick was a long-time member of the District 540 Board of Trustees. First appointed in 2002, he was elected 4 more times and served as both the vice chair (2007-2009) and chair (2009-2020). Additionally, Chadwick served as president of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) in 2020. He previously served as ICCTA treasurer (2009-2010), chair of the Government Relations and Public Policy Committee (2017-2019), and as vice president (2019-2020). In July of 2020, he was awarded the Ray Hartstein Trustee Achievement Award for exemplary service. 

 

Dr. Alan Chapman

Dr. Alan Chapman is part of the fabric of education in our community. A teacher, principal, and superintendent for Unit 5 schools, Alan spent his entire career creating new pathways for learning for local students. Alan embraced Heartland early on, helping to connect the College with students in his district and paving the path for college courses to be taught in high schools, giving students an early start on college. Even after retirement, Dr. Chapman continued to champion education and HCC specifically. Serving as a co-chair in 2015 for the College’s first major gifts campaign, he helped raise nearly $8 million. Shortly after, he joined the College’s Foundation Board. In his tenure, the Foundation grew its scholarship offerings by more than 200%, and now annually awards more than 275 scholarships. Alan’s leadership and commitment to education has impacted generations. 

 

Julie Dobski

Julie Dobski is a local entrepreneur often recognized for her commitment to education by a number of local schools and universities. She is also the founder and owner of Little Jewels preschool. Her vision for creating early education opportunities for the youngest in our community reflects how she values the transformative power of education. As a local entrepreneur for more than 3 decades, she regularly illustrates her value of education by providing countless learning opportunities for her employees. Julie immensely impacted Heartland when she co-chaired in 2015 the first major gifts campaign in the College’s history, raising nearly $8 million for scholarships and programs. Her legacy as a community leader, philanthropist, and advocate is second to none. 

 

Betty Pilchard

Betty was one of the first faculty hired at Heartland. With a focus on business education, she taught at HCC for a quarter of a century, guiding and shaping the minds of thousands of students. Her work on various projects, including textbook affordability and bringing free VITA tax services to Heartland, showcased her desire to support student success both inside and outside of the classroom. Betty was also a deeply respected leader at Heartland. She worked with faculty and administration to develop the College’s system of faculty promotion, writing in her final promotion portfolio: “I’m proud to say that I have played a role in creating a culture at HCC that expects, supports, and respects scholarly teaching. I think that is what we do a little differently here at Heartland and rightfully so given our mission to provide excellence in teaching and learning.” 

 

Dr. Allan Saaf

Allan led the growth and expansion of credit programs at Heartland for nearly two decades. During his time as Vice President for Learning and Student Success, the College developed programs in nursing, information technology, manufacturing, and early childhood education. Under his leadership, HCC also expanded the ability for students to transfer to four-year institutions, creating smoother pathways to their next destinations, which Allan believed could be anywhere they wanted to go.