Family, friends, and colleagues dedicate Ann Pontius Garden

Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille, staff members, and others joined the family and friends of Ann Pontius to complete the planting of a memorial garden created in honor of one of the college’s first employees. 

Ann Pontius joined Heartland Community College in the role of Lab Assistant in 1992. She would go on to work 29 years at the college in a variety of different capacities, including as a Chemistry Technician, Program Facilitator, and Skills Evaluator. She passed away last March at the age of 85. 

The Ann Pontius Memorial Garden was created with the contributions of the Pontius family. The ornamental garden is located on two sides of the walkway entrance of the Instructional Commons North building on the Main Campus of Heartland Community College in Normal. 

“It is an honor to have this garden as a permanent part of the college,” said President Keith Cornille. “Ann made so many connections and helped students in so many ways. Her dedication to Heartland extended beyond her years of service on campus and also through the support she and Dave provided for the Heartland Foundation.” 

The location of the garden was selected to be close to chemistry labs that Ann Pontius helped establish and support. 

“The garden can be seen from the window of those labs, which is so fitting as Ann’s legacy is reflected in the view from those spaces on our campus,” said Cornille. 

The Pontius family, including husband Dave and son Peter, assisted in the planting of spring bulbs, which, along with a recent installation of a memorial plaque, was the final touch to complete the garden.