President's Medallion Recipients 2023

Bob grew up on the family farm near Cropsey, Illinois. Bob’s first pass through higher education would lead him to teaching. Completing both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in business education, Bob taught at Washington High School before he was drafted into the Army in 1967. After serving his country, he returned home and started a career with State Farm. He retired from leadership in the accounting department in 2016. 

  

Bob immediately started the next chapter in his life, enrolling as a credit student at Heartland in the spring of 2017. While he was nervous to step back into a college classroom, he found the principles that made him successful in his career would serve him well in a school setting. “Do your work. Pay attention. Be curious. I think the fact I came in with that mindset has helped me still be competitive in the classroom,” said Brucker. He soon saw the opportunity as a student to both learn and mentor in the classroom. “If you stop wanting to learn it’s chaos. The world continues to evolve and change and yet you have chosen to stand still. I think we all have an obligation to grow no matter where you are. You need to try new things and challenge yourself.” 

Elevating Heartland means caring for students and their success not just when they are at Heartland, but before and after their time at HCC. Marlene and Larry Dietz have done that for a decade, serving as leaders for important initiatives throughout our community. 

Marlene’s efforts have improved the lives of young people in our community since she arrived. As a volunteer, board member, and leader for organizations like the Miller Park Zoo, the Baby Fold, and the Boys and Girls Club, she has been committed to opening doors and creating pathways for hundreds of local children. Additionally, she mentors other leaders so they can have a greater impact on their communities. 

Larry has devoted his entire professional life to supporting students. His work in student affairs informed his worldview that student success happens both inside and outside of the classroom. Regardless of the institution, he wanted students to feel supported and accepted. His work at Illinois State University helped to expand the pathway from Heartland into the university. By making the transfer experience less intimidating and more successful, the echo of his leadership will benefit Heartland students for decades to come. 

Mary and John Penn are the types of leaders who show up when people need them, listen to those needs, and then work side by side to find solutions. They have been doing that for nearly five decades. 

A self-described team, the Penns have been active in our local community caring for a variety of community needs. They have chaired the local Children’s Christmas Party for Unemployed Families, served as volunteer leaders for the Illinois Special Olympics, and been active in the local Promise Councils that are helping local grade school children achieve by finding resources. 

John has been recognized by Illinois Governor Jim Thompson for leading initiatives that “bring jobs to the jobless,” while Mary has grown the reach of the HCC Foundation events, expanding attendance and support to nearly double their size. Many of those who attended these Foundation events as their first experience with Heartland and credited them with changing their perspective about the power of the community college and the impact that it has on local students.

Jerry and Carole Ringer have helped to build and support numerous charities, non-profits, and other important causes in the great Bloomington-Normal area. 

Carole was the first Executive Director for the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation, bringing a wealth of experience with her from her career as a leader for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra and BroMenn Foundation for the Mennonite College of Nursing. She has served as a role model for other community leaders, leading to her recognition as an Illinois State Board of Education Excellence Award winner as well as being named a founding member of the women's executive group, Northwestern University Council of 100.