HR0983 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0983 LRB097 21222 KXB 68816 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of former Illinois State University President Lloyd Watkins, who passed away on March 1, 2012; he served as the University's 13th president from 1977 to 1988; and

WHEREAS, Lloyd Watkins was not only a leader at Illinois State University; he looked beyond the campus and was a leader who made a difference in his community; during his presidency, the University became the State headquarters of the Illinois Special Olympics, attracting thousands of visitors to campus each summer; and

WHEREAS, He served on numerous community and university boards, including Normal's 2015 Committee, and helped small businesses as a member of the Service Corps of Retired Executives; and

WHEREAS, He focused on expanding international education programs by creating exchanges with student centers in Austria, France, England, Japan, China, Scotland, Germany, Italy, and Spain; and

WHEREAS, He tirelessly advocated for Illinois State University, worked to overcome a budget crisis in the early 1980s by launching a long-range planning effort, and put great emphasis on obtaining grants and donations from the private sector, a move his successors have continued to build upon; and

WHEREAS, During his tenure, he presided over numerous capital improvement projects on campus including the multimillion-dollar Redbird Arena; he launched 5 new academic programs, including international business, public relations, writing, applied computer sciences, and school psychology, and also expanded the Honors program; and

WHEREAS, After serving 11 years as President of Illinois State University, he retired in 1988; he continued to benefit the University community by sharing his passion for learning by teaching in the Communications Department until 1991; and

WHEREAS, He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Lydia; and his first wife, Mary Ellen (Caudle) Watkins; and

WHEREAS, Lloyd Watkins is survived by his wife, Kay; his sons, John L. Watkins (Margaret), Joseph W. Watkins (Michelle), and Robert L. Watkins (Charmelle); his grandchildren, Ryan, Reid, and Mariana Watkins and Lucas, Ehren, and Emma Watkins; his step-children, Eric D. Bloomquist, Darin L. Bloomquist, and Ellen K. Elliot; and his step-granddaughter, Faith A. Elliot; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn, along with his family, friends, and former students, the passing of Lloyd Watkins; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Lloyd Watkins as a symbol of our sincere sympathy.