Elgin Community College announces 2020 Distinguished Alumni and Community Award winners

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Elgin Community College proudly announces its 2020 Distinguished Alumni Award winner, Linda Deering Dean. Deering Dean was recognized during the Elgin Community College Foundation's first-ever virtual gala, Mas'k'erade: Dare to Dream, on Saturday, October 17, 2020.

" Linda is an example of where an education from Elgin Community College can take you—anywhere you want," said David Davin, executive director of institutional advancement and the ECC Foundation. "With ECC credential in hand, Linda started as a nurse and ultimately became the CEO of a major regional hospital. We are proud to hold Linda up as an example to our community and students – current, former, and future – of all that can be accomplished at ECC and beyond."

Deering Dean has achieved outstanding success in the field of health care leadership. With over 35 years of experience in the healthcare industry, she most recently served as president and CEO of Advocate Sherman Hospital. Through her exemplary leadership and passion for change, Linda increased patient, physician, and employee satisfaction while decreasing employee turnover during a period of financial challenges, downsizing, the construction of a new replacement hospital, and the integration into a major health system.

Deering Dean aspired to be a nurse at a young age. She earned an Associate in Arts and Science degree at ECC and then went on to earn her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in nursing at Northern Illinois University. While working as a full-time nurse, wife, and mother, she quickly learned the value of community college support in advancing her education and achieving her professional dreams.

Other awardees honored at the 2020 gala were:

Exceptional Friend of the Foundation Award – Adrienne Butler, MD, JD. Butler donated a sizable gift to endow a scholarship in her late husband's name, Dr. William Pelz, a long-time professor of European history and political science. The Bill Pelz Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to first-generation students in history and political science.

Elgin Community College Friend of Education Award – Robert Malm. Malm, a noted Elgin public servant who most recently served as the Director of Economic Development with the Elgin Area Chamber, credits ECC for developing the area's workforce by creating programs that build a diverse and qualified workforce, which in turn improves the quality of life for all citizens.

Lasting Impact Award – Mike Shales. Carrying on their parents' legacy, Jack and Marlene Shales have dedicated their time and treasure to supporting ECC for decades, recently concluding a distinguished term on the ECC Foundation Board of Directors.

Lasting Impact Award – Ed Hunter. Through his decades of work in healthcare, Hunter has come to realize the importance of ECC in training future healthcare leaders to address the community's diverse and growing needs. Hunter continues to dedicate himself to his community in various volunteer capacities.

For more information about the college's alumni relations, go to elgin.edu/alumni. To contribute to the Student Success Fund or any of the Foundation's scholarship funds, visit foundation.elgin.edu.