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 Gossett is a U.S. Army veteran, community leader and
volunteer, outstanding Lincoln College supporter, and a successful
retired businessman.
Gossett first came to Lincoln College in 1941 for his education,
before transferring to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
His educational journey was cut short upon learning of the attacks
on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941. Gossett swiftly put his life on
hold to serve in the United States Army Air Corps in the U.S. and
Europe from 1943 to 1946, during the height of World War II.
“I knew I was going to enlist. I signed up in October 1942 and got
called to report in February 1943,” said Gossett.
After returning home, Gossett took over the family business,
Gossett’s Cleaners, which served the Lincoln Community for 75 years.
He later started Gossett’s Decorator Studio and ran both businesses
until retiring in 2001.
While Gossett has been a successful businessman for decades, he is
best known for his selfless service to Lincoln and Logan County
(Ill). He has been an active member of numerous civic organizations
including the Abraham Lincoln Hospital Association, American Legion,
Knight’s Templar, Lincoln Rotary, Lincoln Toastmasters Club,
Lincoln-Logan County Chamber of Commerce, Masons, Oasis Senior
Center, Salvation Army, and the Union Cemetery Association. He is a
member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and co-hosts the radio show,
“View Point,” on WLCN in Atlanta, Illinois.
Always putting education as a priority, Gossett has held a number of
roles within Logan County schools. Gossett has served on the Lincoln
District 27 and West Lincoln-Broadwell School Boards, Lincoln
Community High School Steering Committee, and as a mentor to
students at Washington-Monroe grade school. He has shared his love
of education at the Logan Correctional Center and is a positive role
model for all aspects of education.
“In 2019, Mr. Gossett came to me and said he wanted to finish his
associate’s degree at Lincoln College,” recalls Lincoln College
President David Gerlach. “After meeting with the Registrar’s Office,
we determined that Gossett could reenroll as a reverse transfer
student with Prior Learning Assessment credits. We were inspired by
his desire to obtain a degree 80 years after his education began,”
added Gerlach.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit recognizes
learning that is completed outside of the classroom and can allow a
student to enroll in more advanced courses without some
prerequisites.
“There was always a void there but I was busy
learning to run a business. Time went by and I finally decided to
finish my degree. It was a goal of self-fulfillment,” said Gossett.
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After some additional coursework, Gossett completed
his Associate of Arts degree in 2020. Due to COVID-19 restrictions,
2020 graduates were given the opportunity to walk in the 2021
ceremony.
“I was tickled to death inside participating in
commencement,” said Gossett.
Gossett noted his favorite part of the commencement ceremony was
watching the virtual faculty and staff messages to graduates. “That
speaks to what Lincoln College is all about. Faculty and staff
sincerely care about the students. Their messages weren’t
cookie-cutter,” noted Gossett.
Gossett’s father and aunt also graduated from Lincoln College in
1919. Many other members of his family are also alums.
At his side for 70 years is Gossett’s wife, Rhoda “Jean” Gossett.
Bill and Jean Gossett have been active and enthusiastic supporters
of Lincoln College, its mission, and its programs for decades. He
joined the Lincoln College Board of Trustees in 1998 and served as a
member of the Board for 15 years. Upon his retirement from the
Board, Gossett was elected as Trustee Emeritus in 2013.
Gossett was inducted into the Lincoln College
Athletic Hall of Fame as a Friend of Athletics in 2017. He was also
the recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award that same year.
Gossett was presented the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters
virtually on November 11, 2021.
After many accomplishments in his 97 years, he has one favorite
quote he lives by, “Don’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on
both hands. Throw something back.”
[Lauren Grenlund] |
