Another Important Election Day

(NOTE: The reference to “Junior College” preceded the use of “Community College” and is reflective of the historical period of the following information)

Soon after the successful referendum forming Junior College District 528, voters returned to the polls to elect a seven-member board of education. This board would oversee the new district’s operation.

On Saturday, May 27, 1967 voters in the seven high school districts comprising the new college district cast their ballots among 21 fellow citizens. They had to choose at least two members from the unincorporated area. Voters learned about candidates at Candidate Nights, including one held in the American Legion Home basement because of a tornado alert. This was just two years following the devastating tornado of 1965 that severely damaged parts of Crystal Lake.

A Long Ballot

The following list shows the 21 citizens who filed petitions for a place on the ballot and the high school district of each. This is the order they appeared on the ballot.

I-Incorporated area

U-Unincorporated area

(U) J. William Banker, Jr.

Woodstock

Savings and Loan Manager

(I) Dr. Alexander D. Leschuck

Harvard

Practicing physician and clinical Associate at Loyola University School of Medicine and director of a clinic

(I) Robert E. Franz

Crystal Lake

Teacher and coach in University system

(I) Art F. Dixon

Harvard

Retail store owner

(U) Robert A. Schoenbeck

Richmond

Grain and livestock farmer

(U) Mrs. Joan Hill

Crystal Lake

Realtor

(I) Mrs. Patricia Beasley

Crystal Lake

Civil Engineer

(U) Thomas Parsley

Woodstock

Athletic director and coach

(I) E.C. Nichols

Marengo

High School Superintendent

(I) William L. Burnett

Crystal Lake

Manufacturing technology

(U) Naomi Meyer

McHenry

Adult Junior College student

(U) Charles R. Peterson

McHenry

Life Insurance/Estate Planning

(U) David E. Scharenberg

Marengo

Unlisted information

(I) Ervin Kvidera

Crystal Lake

Former Cary Village Board Member

(I) J.F. Harris, M.D.

Richmond

Local physician, school board member

(I) William Ritter

Woodstock

UAW Bargaining committee chair

(U) Ralph Nichols

Hebron

Farmer-dairy, produce, hybrid seed

(I) Marge Rom

Crystal Lake

Chicago teacher/newspaper publisher

(I) Nancy C. Modrich

Crystal Lake

Housewife, mother of small children

(I) Arthur Beard

Woodstock

Retired businessman

(I) Cal Skinner, Sr.

Lakewood

Association Manager

The New Board

Seven of the 21 candidates became the first Board of Education of Junior College District 528. It included four members from the incorporated area and three from the unincorporated. This election was the second major step in the formation of a McHenry County institution that has, and will continue, shaping the lives of many young people and adults. Listed are the members of the first Board of Junior College District 528 and the votes they received:

E. C. Nichols (I) 2,173 votes

Thomas Parsley (U) 2,015 votes

Joan Hill (U) 1,955 votes

Cal Skinner, Sr. (I) 1,728 votes

A.D. Leschuck, M.D (I) 1,716 votes

J. William Banker, Jr. (U) 1,595 votes

Dr. J.F. Harris (I) 1,438 votes

Learn what happened at their first board meeting on June 1, 1967 in the next blog.

Get Ready to Celebrate
On Sunday, April 15, McHenry County College will kick off year-long festivities celebrating its 40th Anniversary. Join us for an opening afternoon program followed by a ceremonial tree planting, college open house, public reception with cake and refreshments, and a performance by the MCC Concert Band and Choir during the college’s “Second Sunday Concert” series. At the event, you can share your MCC memories, visit archival displays, and have your picture taken to post among alumni displays.

A new addition to the anniversary celebration is an interactive Electronic Time Capsule that enables visitors to posts their messages, along with audio and video clips. It’s a great way to share your college memories with others. Visit the Time Capsule at: https://www.electronictimecapsule.com. Login to the anniversary account using the following login: [MCCanniversary] and password: [40 years]. Then just follow the prompts.

Event details are posted at http://www.mchenry.edu/mccanniversary as the program develops. Visit often as the pages will change regularly, and contribute your entry into the MCC anniversary guest book. You also can call toll-free 1-866-788-9911 or send an email with contact information to 40years@mchenry.edu for more information on the celebration!

Iris Bryan