By WJBC Staff
NORMAL – A new gathering space at Heartland Community College has been named for prominent community leaders and friends of the college.
According to a news release, the Dobski Family Plaza is named for donors Bob and Julie Dobski, whose financial contribution to the project made the space possible. The plaza was unveiled at the annual Elevate Heartland event held on Friday, May 31.
The Dobski Family Plaza transforms the 30,000 square foot recreation and event space outside the entrance of the Fitness and Recreation Center on the Main Campus in Normal. The space features a new patio with sun sails and renewed green space, landscaping, and pedestrian walkways. Construction on the approximately $700,000 project began in the September of 2023 with a break on work over the winter.
Julie Dobski is a 2021 recipient of the Heartland President’s Medallion. According to the release, Julie Dobski immensely impacted Heartland when she co-chaired in 2015 the first major gifts campaign in the College’s history, raising nearly $8 million for scholarships and programs.
“The Dobskis are passionate advocates for our community and for education,” said Chris Downing, Executive Director of the Heartland Community College Foundation. “The naming of this space on our campus honors Bob and Julie, who have shown time and time again how they value the power of education to transform lives. Our new outdoor space is a recourse for our students and welcomes both students and community members who visit our campus.”
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