At the October board meeting, Illinois State Representative Keith R. Wheeler, of the 50th district, recognized Dr. Christine Sobek, President of Waubonsee Community College, with a special House Resolution 921.
The Resolution congratulates Dr. Sobek on her retirement; commends her dedication, service, and enormous contributions as president of Waubonsee Community College; and wishes her well in her future endeavors.
"I have had the pleasure and honor to call Dr. Sobek a friend for the past eight years as I have been a conduit between Waubonsee and Springfield," said Wheeler. "I am very grateful for all Dr. Sobek has done for our district, our residents, and our families, all while exhibiting the utmost professionalism and grace."
Since Dr. Sobek began her role as president on July 1, 2001, Waubonsee has served 189,429 students earning 2,829,005 credit hours. Through her vision and steadfast leadership, the college has grown locally and regionally across four permanent campuses located in the 624-square-mile college district.
Dr. Sobek believes in enthusiastically giving back to the community and is active with the Waubonsee community; she has served on the City of Aurora Education Commission, the Rush-Copley Medical Center Board of Directors, the Marmion Academy Board of Trustees, the Invest Aurora Board of Directors, the Mutual Ground Advisory Board, the Conservation Foundation Leadership Board, and many more regional and statewide advisory groups.
State Representative Wheeler thanked Dr. Sobek for her transformational leadership and the countless lives she has impacted.
Following State Representative Wheeler's remarks, Dr. Sobek received a Proclamation from several local chambers expressing appreciation for her many contributions and recognizing her upcoming retirement. Participating chambers included the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, the Plano Area Chamber of Commerce, the Sugar Grove Chamber of Commerce, and the Yorkville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Angie Hibben, President/CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, read a portion of the Proclamation aloud, "Dr. Sobek hopes that Waubonsee and the communities will remember her for how she led rather than what she accomplished. You can build buildings and create a master plan, but for her [Dr. Sobek], at the end of the day it was more about how she made people feel and that gets back to her love of psychology and connections."
Dr. Sobek believes it is critical for people to feel affirmed and valued; she hopes that is her legacy.
In addition, on behalf of Linda Holmes, Illinois State Senator, 42ndDistrict, Hibben presented an Illinois State Senate Certificate of Recognition to honor Dr. Sobek for the dedication she has displayed for over 40 years and for serving as the fourth president at Waubonsee. The recognition calls for commemorating her successful career and extends wishes for a happy retirement.
For highlights from Dr. Sobek’s term as president, please visit waubonsee.edu/drsobek.
Pictured above (from left to right): Ms. Rebecca Oliver, Chair of the Waubonsee Board of Trustees; Angie Hibben, President/CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Christine Sobek, President of Waubonsee Community College; Ne’Keisha Stepney, Executive Dean for Business, Technology, and Workforce Education and Sugar Grove Chamber representative; Dr. Jamal Scott, Vice President of Strategy and Community Development and Aurora Regional Chamber representative.
