HR0952 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0952 LRB104 22169 LAW 38410 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Steve Stuart, Ed.D. on the conclusion of his outstanding career in education while making a lasting impact on Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7, the EGHM Foundation, and the Edwardsville community; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stuart, a 1985 graduate of Edwardsville High School (EHS), earned his bachelor's degree in history from Illinois State University in 1990, and he later completed a Master of Education in 1999 and a Doctor of Education from Saint Louis University in 2007; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stuart devoted more than two decades to educational administration within Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7, serving in several impactful leadership roles throughout his distinguished career; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stuart began his administrative career as an assistant principal at EHS before serving as principal of Lincoln Middle School for 13 years, where he positively impacted countless students, families, and educators; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stuart later returned to EHS as principal, serving four years as the instructional leader of one of the largest high schools in the region, where he was responsible for overseeing nearly 2,400 students, EHS South, the N.O. Nelson campus, and the school's extensive athletic facilities; and

WHEREAS, Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Stuart helped relaunch the EHS Hall of Fame, which had remained dormant since the late 1980s, through working alongside former Athletic Director Alex Fox and the Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 Board of Education to successfully reinstate the organization in 2021; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stuart championed academic innovation during his tenure, including the transition from the traditional valedictorian and salutatorian rankings to a laude recognition system designed to encourage students to pursue courses based on personal interests, educational value, and future career goals; and

WHEREAS, Following his retirement as an administrator at Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 in 2024, Dr. Stuart continued his service to education and the Edwardsville community as executive director of the EGHM Foundation, a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization established in the late 1970s for the sole purpose of supporting District #7, with members consisting of local business leaders throughout the community who focus on funding projects that directly benefit as many students as possible; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Dr. Stuart earned the respect and admiration of students, staff, parents, and community members through his calm leadership style, student-centered approach, and unwavering commitment to educational excellence; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Stuart's lifelong dedication to education, leadership, and student success has left a lasting impact on Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7 and the broader community; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Steve Stuart, Ed.D. on concluding his outstanding career in education, and we commend him for his years of exemplary service and leadership to Edwardsville Community Unit School District #7, the EGHM Foundation, and the Edwardsville community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Stuart as an expression of our esteem and respect.