Heartland honors six with President's Medallion

Heartland Community College (HCC) has recognized six individuals for their integral role in expanding the College, serving its students, and paving educational pathways for the larger community. 

The Presidential Medallion award exemplifies the College’s aim to enrich the community, by recognizing those who share this mission and live it out through exemplary service, philanthropy, and dedication to advancing opportunities in education.

The following six individuals were honored at the Elevate Heartland 2022 event with Presidential Medallions: 

Ron Moorhead – Community Leader and Past Heartland Foundation Board Member 

Former Foundation Board Member Ronald “Ronn” Moorhead was a longtime Carle for area workers and organized the community’s Labor Day parade for 45 years. Moorhead made a career of helping displaced workers find new careers and training opportunities. He served on the Workforcre Innovation & Opportunity Act Board and was also involved in forming the Illinois Special Olympics, where he served on the board for six years. He passed away in the summer of 2021. 

Nancy Evans – Distinguished Professor of Business (retired) and Foundation Board Member 

One of the first employees of Heartland Community College, Nancy Evans was a champion of open access text during her teaching career. Through writing and advocating for open educational resources Evans advanced efforts to reduce textbook costs to students. She served on the Heartland Foundation Board. 

Joan Bullard – Owner and Manager Broker, Joan Bullard Realty

Named Pontiac Chamber Business Person of the Year in 2019, Joan Bullard has been operating a realty business since 2000. Bullard was named the 2017 ATHENA Award winner by the Ponitiac Chamber. Bullard is an active Carle of the Livingston County Boys & Girls Club for which served as a board member for five years. 

Duane Farrington – Executive Vice President, Technology, Digital and Innovation, State Farm Insurance (retired) 

As Exec VP at State Farm Insurance Duane Farrington was recognized with the Digital Innovator Award for championing creative tech solutions. His volunteer work in the community, however, matches or surpasses his professional achivements. Active with the Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal, he serves as chair of the Community Advisory Council. Farrington was named 100 Black Men of Central Illinois Member of the Year. He is also involved with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Along with Toni Farrington, he was named 2018 Philantropist of the Year by the Illinois Prairie Community Foundation. 

Dave Fedor – Chief Financial Officer, Tentac Enterprises, Foundation Board Member 

Deb Fedor – Registered Nurse, 2013 HCC Distinguished Alumni of the Year

11-year Heartland Community College Foundation Board member, Dave Fedor also served as Chair of the Foundation Board for two years.  

As a nurse with the McLean County Health Department Deb Fedor worked with the WIC program serving at risk women and children.

“We are proud to recognize these individuals who helped elevate Heartland to what it is today,” said HCC President Keith Cornille. “Each recipient of these inaugural awards exemplifies the College’s mission to enrich our community. Though their service, support and actions, this group have made a huge impact on our community and – directly or indirectly – the lives of all our students since the College’s foundation.”

The Presidential Medallion award exemplifies the College’s aim to enrich the community, by recognizing those who share this mission and live it out through exemplary service, philanthropy, and dedication to advancing opportunities in education. The inaugural recipients of the HCC President’s Medallion Award were honored on June 11, 2021.