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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives wish to congratulate Dave Hellmich, Ph.D. on
4the occasion of his retirement from Sauk Valley Community
5College after a distinguished career in higher education and
6community leadership; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Dr. Hellmich served as president of Sauk Valley
8Community College from July 2015 until his retirement as
9president emeritus in June 2026, providing visionary
10leadership and unwavering dedication to students, faculty,
11staff, and the communities served by the college; and
 
12    WHEREAS, Prior to joining Sauk Valley Community College,
13Dr. Hellmich devoted 28 years to higher education as an
14administrator and English professor at community colleges in
15Florida, Minnesota, and Kentucky, helping shape the
16educational experiences and success of countless students, and
17he taught graduate courses in ethical leadership in Minnesota
18and Kentucky; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Dr. Hellmich served as editor and contributing
20author of the books Ethical Leadership in Community Colleges:
21Bridging Theory and Daily Practice and Ethical Decision-Making
22in Community Colleges: Not Losing Our Way, helping guide

 

 

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1current and future leaders in community college
2administration; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Dr. Hellmich earned a Bachelor of Arts in English
4from DePauw University, a Master of Arts in American
5Literature from Indiana University, and a Doctor of Philosophy
6in Higher Education Administration from the University of
7Florida; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Throughout his career, Dr. Hellmich has been
9recognized as a champion of ethical leadership and
10student-centered education, and he has demonstrated a deep
11commitment to civic engagement through service as chair of the
12Sauk Valley Community Leadership Program Board, chair of the
13Dixon Chamber of Commerce/Main Street Board, a member of the
14KSB Hospital Board of Directors, and as president of the
15Sterling Noon Rotary Club; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Dr. Hellmich's service and leadership have been
17recognized through numerous honors, including being named
18Dixon Citizen of the Year and receiving the Chamber Champion
19Award from the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, the Gary
20W. Davis Ethical Leadership Award from the Illinois Community
21College Trustees Association, and the Michael Bennett Lifetime
22Achievement Award from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Dr. Hellmich's positive impact has been further
2reflected in the dedication of the Hellmich Riverview
3Conference Center by the Sauk Valley Community College Board
4of Trustees and the creation of the Hellmich Community
5Leadership Award by the Sauk Valley Community Leadership Board
6of Directors; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Through his leadership, scholarship, service, and
8commitment to ethical decision-making, Dr. Hellmich has made
9enduring contributions to Sauk Valley Community College, the
10Illinois community college system, and the communities he has
11served; therefore, be it
 
12    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
13HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
14we congratulate Dave Hellmich, Ph.D. on his retirement from
15Sauk Valley Community College, commend him for his
16extraordinary career and many contributions to higher
17education, and wish him continued health, happiness, and
18success in the years ahead; and be it further
 
19    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
20presented to Dr. Hellmich as a symbol of our respect and
21esteem.