By Adam Studzinski
BLOOMINGTON – The McLean County Museum of History announced Tuesday who it will be honoring as History Makers at the 5th annual 2016 History Makers Gala on June 16.
This year’s History Makers are:
- Jill Hutchison, iconic women’s basketball coach at Illinois State University who helped make significant strides towards gender equality
- Jack Porter, retired Presbyterian minister, social justice attorney, and activist who was heavily involved in Prairie State Legal Services and Mid-Central Community Action, Inc.
- Gordon Ropp, Jersey Cattle operator, who worked as Director of Agriculture and then State Representative to support local agriculture and rural life
- Father Ric Schneider, Pastor at St. Mary’s Catholic Church who has dedicated the past 24 years to building a community and supporting the needs of poor residents regardless of their faith
Incoming Museum Executive Director Beth Whisman said all these people have made a significant impact on the community.
“We understand that not everyone who is a History Maker is celebrated in their career,” said Whisman. “There are people that need to be honored and need to be recognized while their still living.”
Honorees must be over the age of 70 and had to have spent the majority of their life in McLean County. Whisman added it’s not easy deciding who to select.
“Every year we accept nominations from the community and then we have a committee of volunteers who come together and they look at those nominations,” said Whisman. “They look at the impact someone’s had. We try to have a diverse group of people.”
Tickets for this year’s gala go on sale May 2. Reservations can be made at the Museum in downtown Bloomington, by calling 309-827-0428, or online at www.mchistory.org. Tickets are $60 for the general public and $50 for museum members.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
