HR0980 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0980 LRB102 29414 ECR 41407 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Thomas "Tom" Ramage, Ed.D., on the occasion of his retirement as president of Parkland College, Illinois Community College District #505; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ramage, the fifth president of Parkland College, will retire at the end of the Fall 2022 semester after 15 years as president and 25 years of service to the institution; and

WHEREAS, The conclusion of Dr. Ramage's career will coincide with Parkland College enrolling its 350,000th student this academic year since its inception in 1966 and its first academic year in 1967; and

WHEREAS, Under Dr. Ramage's leadership, Parkland College completed a $92 million Campus Master Plan that created six new buildings on campus, adding 250,000 square feet of classrooms, labs, and student services spaces to provide quality education and training facilities for students residing within the 3,000 square mile district; and

WHEREAS, During Dr. Ramage's tenure, Parkland College has continued to adapt to the changing needs of industry by acquiring the Institute of Aviation at Willard Airport from the University of Illinois in 2014 and by forming lasting relationships with corporate partners, including Case New Holland, AGCO, Microsoft, Cisco Systems, Ford Motor Company, Frasca International, and Kraft, among others; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ramage's oversight has permitted Parkland College to continue leading the Illinois community college system by enrolling more than 350 international students, representing well over 50 countries, each academic year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ramage's steady leadership and fiscal management have guided Parkland College through a recession, a state budget crisis, and a pandemic; despite these challenges, he ensured Parkland College maintained a balanced budget and a healthy fund balance; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ramage will continue to reside in Champaign County with his wife, Michelle, his son, Colin, his daughter-in-law, Megan, and his grandson, Sean Thomas, as valued members of the community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Ramage leaves behind a legacy of excellence and has set Parkland College on a trajectory of success; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Thomas "Tom" Ramage, Ed.D., on his retirement from Parkland College, thank him for his leadership and service to the institution, and wish him all the best in his future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Ramage as a symbol of our esteem and resect.