Heartland Community College Unveils Widmer Family Plaza

 

[October 21, 2022] 

Heartland Community College opened a new plaza dedicated to former College President Rob Widmer and his family.

The College held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Widmer Family Plaza on Wednesday, October 19 at 10:00 a.m. in from of the Community Commons Building where the plaza is located.

Widmer Family Plaza honors former Heartland Community College President Rob Widmer’s tenure with the organization. Widmer served 22 years of his 40-year career in higher education at Heartland and served as HCC president for five years.

During his time Widmer lead Heartland through tough financial challenges and strategic planning processes to make it the pillar of community it is today. He was instrumental in the development and planning of the current Main Campus in Normal including several buildings and Heartland’s 1.65 mega-watt wind turbine.

“Rob Widmer is a passionate advocate for education and for over two decades at Heartland Community College he was dedicated to our mission of providing accessible, equitable learning experiences that enrich individuals and our community, said Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille. “This addition to our campus honors Rob and also his family, who have had strong ties to the agriculture community in the northern part of our college district. Through the generosity of the donors who helped make the Widmer Family Plaza possible, we now have a vibrant, warm, and inviting outdoor space that reflects the welcoming environment Rob fostered during his time at Heartland.”

 Former Heartland Community College President Rob Widmer (third from left) and his family members cut the ribbon to open Widmer Family plaza.

The Widmer Family Plaza transforms the entrance to the Community Commons building with new masonry, landscaping, and pedestrian walkways. The project was partially funded with donations from individuals in celebration Rob Widmer’s service to Heartland.

[Steve Fast
Assistant to the President, Public Information and Communication
Heartland Community College]