History Makers

The McLean County Historical Society announced the recipients of the 2025 History Makers Awards Wednesday at the McLean County Museum of History.

The center of Barb and Bob Hathway's community service was connections made with other change-makers at First United Methodist Church of Normal.

Jan Lancaster is part of the 2024 class of McLean County History Makers that will be celebrated at the annual History Makers' Gala on June 18

The former McDonald's franchisees now own and operate a childcare center and fine dining restaurant, stemming from a life-long commitment to serving their community

Paul Penn was among the inaugural class of History Makers in 2012. His son John followed in his footsteps as a union leader advocating for McLean County construction workers.

John Penn, Jan Lancaster and couples Julie and Bob Dobski and Barb and Bob Hathway were nominated by community members and selected by a volunteer community for their contributions to McLean County.

2023 McLean County History Makers Willie and Charles Halbert were selected for their social justice activism and tireless advocacy for equity and inclusion.

Beginning last week, WGLT began profiling the 2023 McLean County History Makers. The series continues with retired Illinois State University professors Mary and Hank Campbell, whose careers in social work and industrial technology naturally blended with decades of local and global community service.

2023 History Maker Dotti Bushnell talks about her childhood in India and how voyages to and from the United States via steam ship foreshadowed her future career as the long-time proprietor of the Garlic Press in Uptown Normal.

The community-sourced History Makers award honors lifelong McLean County servants. This year's winners are Garlic Press owner Dotti Bushnell, retired educators Mary and Hank Campbell, Lincoln historian Guy Fraker and community activists Charles and Willie Halbert.