Heartland Community College President Rob Widmer announced Friday he plans to retire next summer.
Widmer has served as president since 2013. As Heartland’s former vice president for business services, Widmer took over as president after Allen Goben left Heartland to become chancellor at Western Governors University in St. Louis.
Heartland’s board of trustees will convene in special session Sept. 26 to discuss Widmer’s successor.
“Few people have had as much impact on Heartland Community College and higher education in our district than Rob Widmer,” board of trustees president Gregg Chadwick said in a statement Friday. “He has relentlessly and tirelessly worked to secure Heartland's rightful place as a pillar of this community and we wish him the best as he retires from the presidency at Heartland.”
In the statement Friday, Widmer said he was “particularly proud of the instrumental role he played throughout his years with the college in developing Heartland’s current campus in Normal.”
“His steadfast commitment to the College might only be surpassed by his tremendous work ethic, integrity, and humility,” said Heartland Vice President of Business Services Doug Minter. “The Heartland campus would not be the invaluable resource it is today for students, employees and the community were it not for his vast knowledge of community colleges, skill in financial management, and trusted leadership.”
Widmer’s retirement is effective June 30, 2018.
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