Robert Poorman, LLCC's first president, passes away in Springfield
Lincoln Land Community College's founding president, Robert Poorman, passed away in Springfield Sunday.
He was 96.
Poorman served as president from 1967 to 1988. He held the title of president emeritus.
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“We stand on the shoulders of Dr. Robert Poorman at LLCC,” said Charlotte Warren, president of LLCC, in a release. “His vision, dedication to students and unwavering support of faculty and staff laid the foundation for an institution that has changed the lives of thousands of residents over the last 56 years.”
A voter referendum had established the community college district on Feb. 23, 1967.
Poorman oversaw the construction of the interim and permanent LLCC campuses.
A 10-acre site was leased for the interim campus where temporary buildings provided classroom space until 1974 when buildings on the present-day campus opened.
While the buildings were being constructed, Poorman started searching locally and nationally for faculty and administrators to staff the new college.
Poorman was dean of students at Bakersfield College in California when he was tapped to lead LLCC.
Flags at LLCC will fly at half-staff through Tuesday.
Arrangements are being handled by the Staab Funeral Home.
Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788, sspearie@sj-r.com, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Lincoln Land Community College's first president has passed away
