Dr. Brian Knetl has officially been inaugurated as Waubonsee Community College’s fifth president. (WCC photo)

Waubonsee Community College celebrated the formal inauguration of its fifth president, Dr. Brian Knetl, with a series of inauguration events and activities leading up to his formal Investiture Ceremony on Sept. 21.

The Investiture Ceremony concluded a week-long series of events and took place on the Sugar Grove campus, one of four WCC campus that include Plano, Aurora Fox Valley and downtown Aurora.

Knetl has been serving as president since late January. He succeeded Dr. Christine J. Sobek, who provided more than 33 years of service to Waubonsee, more than 21 years as president, and a total of more than 44 years of service to Illinois community colleges.

Knetl is responsible for the overall leadership of a college which provides programs and services at a network of four permanent campuses located across the 624-square-mile college district and through extensive online offerings.

He has almost 25 years of service in higher education as a faculty member and administrator.

Prior to his appointment, Knetl served as  Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan.  Knetl spent 10 years at Harper College in Palatine where he served as interim Provost, Associate Provost, Dean of Liberal Arts, and founding Associate Dean of the Center for Adjunct Faculty Engagement.

Knetl’s first full-time administrative position was as Assistant Dean at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, IL. Before his transition into administration,  Knetl was a full-time faculty member in the Theater Department at Saint Mary’s University in Winona, Minn.

In 2018-2019 Knetl completed the Aspen Presidential Fellowship Program for Community College Excellence.  He earned a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Saint Mary’s University, a master’s degree in Theatre from Texas State University, and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola University-Chicago.

Knetl was appointed by Mayor Richard Irvin to the City of Aurora Education Commission and serves on the Invest Aurora Board of Directors, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Valley Industrial Association Board of Directors.

The visible legacy of  Sobek’s presidency was the transformation of the look and feel of the college through the 2020 College Master Plan, with five new buildings on the Sugar Grove Campus and two new campuses, which was completed five years ahead of schedule and on budget.

The immeasurable legacy of Sobek’s presidency was her unwavering commitment to personal engagement with students, alumni, employees, board members, and the Waubonsee community. A common phrase throughout Sobek’s communications was, “I believe in the power of education to change lives.”

The Board of Trustees established the Waubonsee Community College Dr. Christine J. Sobek Outstanding Administrator award in honor of  Sobek’s service and commitment.

Other previous presidents included:

Dr. James Nelson 1967-1970

Moving from Southern California, Nelson arrived in Northern Illinois to assume his first presidency in January 1967 during one of the worst snowstorms in the area’s history. Between February to August 1967, Nelson assembled the faculty and staff necessary to locate facilities, create schedules and curriculum and establish processes and procedures of a new institution.  Nelson’s message in our first catalog continues to inspire.

Dr. Forest D. Etheredge 1970-1981

Born in Dallas, Texas, Etheredge grew up in the Chicago area and had experience as a community college faculty member and as founding dean of instruction and founding president at two other Northern Illinois community colleges. In accepting the presidency of Waubonsee Community College. Etheredge resigned upon his election to the Illinois Senate representing the 39th District.

Dr. John J. Swalec, Jr., 1981-2001

An Illinois native, Swalec’s career included experience at four area community colleges as well as the Illinois Community College Board. He is also an experienced union carpenter and received a diamond pin for 25 years of union membership. A standout wrestler at Illinois State University (ISU) and wrestling coach, Swalec has been honored with inclusion in several athletic halls of fame.During  Swalec’s 20 years as president, Waubonsee grew by more than 50% and built two additional campuses. Under his leadership, 50 new instructional programs were developed. The John J. Swalec, Jr. President’s Achievement Award scholarship is named in his honor.