SR0786 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0786 LRB097 21652 GRL 69965 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Robert S. Eckley of Bloomington, who passed away on April 15, 2012; and

WHEREAS, Robert Eckley served as president of Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU) from 1968 to 1986; and

WHEREAS, During Robert Eckley's tenure as president, IWU's endowment grew from $6.6 million in 1968 to $47.4 million in 1986 and the campus's footprint was increased from 34 acres to 58 acres; his insistence on recruiting quality faculty members helped make IWU among the top-ranked liberal arts colleges in the Midwest; numerous facilities were also constructed and renovated during his tenure, including the Mark Evans Observatory, Dodds Residence Hall, the Alice Millar Center for the Fine Arts, Evelyn Chapel, Fort Natatorium, the President's House, and the campus' quadrangle, which was renamed in honor of him and his wife in 1998; and

WHEREAS, Through the Eckley Family Foundation, Robert Eckley and his family have raised thousands of dollars in contributions that will enable IWU to provide more opportunities for undergraduates to do on-campus research and enhance the school's academic excellence in other ways; and

WHEREAS, Robert Eckley is survived by his wife, Nell Mann Eckley; his children, Paul Nelson (Penelope Diane) Eckley, Robert George (Mary Mata) Eckley, Jane Ann (David Gartshore) Lennon, and Rebecca Helen (Kenneth) Melchert; and his 5 grandchildren; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family and friends, the passing of Dr. Robert S. Eckley; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Eckley as an expression of our sympathy.