THE FOLLOWING IS A DANVILLE AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE RELEASE
ABOVE: Senator Bennett attended the Julius W. Hegeler II Hall groundbreaking ceremony, June 25, 2021
DANVILLE – Like so many people in East-Central Illinois, employees and students at Danville Area Community College have many fond memories of the late Senator Scott Bennett. As DACC Board Chair Dave Harby recalls, “Over the past seven years, Senator Bennett made every effort he could to attend major events at DACC. He was always a welcome presence and staunch supporter of our students.”
As a way of permanently remembering Senator Bennett at DACC, the College will dedicate a tree and a plaque in his honor. The ceremony will take place on Weds., Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. near the Clock Tower building in the Campus Quad. All are welcome to attend.
Betty Seidel had been Senator Bennett’s legislative aide and is currently the aide to Senator Paul Faraci. In recognizing Senator Bennett’s longstanding love for DACC, she and Senator Faraci wholly endorsed the idea of dedicating a tree near the Clock Tower building. Ms. Seidel says, “Scott loved history and would be pleased to have his tree near the building where DACC has history classes.”
Senator Bennett attended the April 2022 DACC Board of Trustees meeting to present certificates of appreciation to the DACC All Star Jaguars for their assistance with his Warm Socks Drive and Valentines for Veterans programs.
DACC President Stephen Nacco can recall countless occasions when Senator Bennett participated in DACC activities over the years. “He helped dedicate Jacobs Hall and Hegeler Hall. He established a fund for student scholarships. He attended Commencement and honors programs and our monthly labor-management meetings. He’s been the keynote speaker for our PTK honor society. He’s hosted a number of town-hall meetings on campus. He led our students in campaigns to donate socks for homeless people as well as a campaign to donate books and dictionaries for inmates in the Danville Correctional Center. He’s been an enormous advocate for Illinois colleges as the chair of the State’s Higher Education Committee and a wonderful friend for Parkland, the U of I, and us.”
The tree for the memorial will be the bur oak, which typically grows to be massive—nearly 100 feet in height and with a trunk that can be 10-feet in diameter. According to DACC’s Executive Director of College Relations Lara Conklin, “The bur oak can live for many years—up to 400 years. Senator Faraci and Ms. Seidel also appreciated that this species is native to this region.”
Senator Bennett passed away on Dec. 9, 2022, and had served as State senator for the 52nd District since 2015. To donate to Senator Bennett’s scholarship fund at DACC, you may contact the DACC Foundation’s Tonya Hill at (217) 443-8843.
