Elgin News Digest: ECC President David Sam to retire in mid-summer after 17 years; U-46 board honors eSports and Science Olympiad students, teacher; CASA Kane executive director to co-chair of National CASA council

Mike Danahey, Courier-News (Elgin, Ill.)
·3 min read

ECC President David Sam to retire in mid-summer after 17 years

David Sam is retiring from his position as president of Elgin Community College president after 17 years.

His departure is effective July 31. Peggy Heinrich, ECC’s vice president of teaching, learning and student development, will become interim president effective July 1, a college news release said.

A nationwide search to find Sam’s replacement is expected to be approved at the ECC Board meeting on June 11.

“On behalf of the ECC Board of Trustees, we extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Sam for his tireless efforts on behalf of the students, staff, administrators, faculty, businesses, and residents of Community College District 509,” board Chair Donna Redmer said in the release. “We wish him all the best as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.”

Sam’s work helping steer the college through “challenging times,” including the recession in the mid-2000s, and winning voter approval of a $178 million capital referendum in 2009 were cited as among his accomplishments.

During his tenure, a new health and life sciences building, library, Center for Emergency Management campus in Burlington, multipurpose building for workforce development and adult basic education programs were built and renovations to all buildings on the Elgin campus completed, the release said.

U-46 board honors eSports and Science Olympiad students, teacher

Students who placed first at the Illinois Science Olympiad and at the IHSA eSports tournament along were honored by the District U-46 School Board Monday as was Kane County Educator of the Year Peggy Hernandez.

Elgin High School seniors Ben Hall-Skank and Chloe Horn finished first in the ecology portion of the Science Olympiad, according to a U-46 news release. The event took place April 19-20 at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Eastview Middle School 8th-graders Aadi Mehta and Reece King finished first in the “Write It Do It” category. Ellis Middle School won the “Spirit Award” for middle schools taking part in the Olympiad.

Seven Elgin High School students won the IHSA’s eSports state championship competing in the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game. The finals took place April 27 at Evergreen Park High School in Evergreen Park.

The winning students are freshman Sebastien Balmeo, sophomores Luis Ortega and Feliciano Rendon, juniors Jackson Santana and Elena Macias and seniors Dominic Alvarado and Jose Lopez.

Hernandez received the Educator of the Year award in the Elementary/Early Childhood category from the Kane County Regional Office of Education Office. Hernandez has served for the last 13 years as the teacher at the U-46 Planetarium.

All those honored received “Access on Achievement” certificates from the School Board.

Carpentersville Fire Department hosting car seat technician certification classes

The Carpentersville Fire Department will host a car seat technician certification class from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Tuesday through Thursday, May 28-30, at Station 93, 5000 Sleepy Hollow Road.

Certification offers a way to expand skills and knowledge in car seat safety, according to a village newsletter. The class fee is $95 and provides national certification for two years.

To register, go to cert.safekids.org.

CASA Kane executive director to co-chair of National CASA council

CASA Kane County Executive Director Jim Di Ciaula has been named co-chair of the National CASA/GAL Suburban Leadership Council.

The council advises the national Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem organization on policies, resources and strategies, according to a CASA Kane County news release.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside my fellow executive directors from across the country to help strengthen the CASA network and create an aspirational vision for the future of what we can do together,” Di Ciaula said in the release.

CASA Kane County is a nonprofit organization that trains and supervises volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children who have experienced abuse and neglect. For more information, go to www.casakanecounty.org or call 630-232-4484.