LLC Board Names Campus Building in Memory of Late President Lensink

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved at this month's meeting the renaming of the college’s Net Zero Energy Building to Lensink Hall in posthumous honor of its sixth president, Scott Lensink.

(SCOTT LENSINK)

Lensink was instrumental in the building of the Net Zero Energy Building (ZEB Hall) on campus, and for making Lake Land a national leader in sustainable energy. ZEB Hall is a highly energy efficient building offering a sustainable-learning center where students can gain practical experience and training for green-energy jobs. During Lensink’s tenure, the college successfully secured several grants to advance its sustainable energy efforts, expanding solar and geothermal power opportunities on campus, and attracting national attention from public officials and higher education leaders.

A dedication ceremony will be held at the lawn area of the current Net Zero Energy Building, Friday, Sept. 28, at noon.

In the 20 years of service to Lake Land, Lensink is fondly thought of by many for his compassionate personality and constant dedication to Lake Land students and staff.  He began his career at the college as a business instructor and head coach for the Laker women’s basketball team. He went on to hold several leadership positions including business division chair and vice president for academic services before successfully rising through the ranks to become the college’s sixth president from 2007 until his retirement in 2013.

Lake Land College, under Lensink’s guidance, received numerous state and national recognitions such as the esteemed designation by the Aspen Institute to be among the top 10 percent of community colleges in the nation and recognition by SafeCampusUSA as the safest campus in Illinois.

When Lensink was posthumously honored with the College’s Distinguished Service Award in 2017, nominator Dave Cox, director of alumni relations and annual giving said, “Scott will forever be remembered at Lake Land College for the impact of his professional career; but just as importantly, he will be remembered by employees and students as a jovial, caring, larger-than-life personality, who inspired us to make an impact at Lake Land College.”

Beyond his outstanding service at Lake Land, Lensink received praise in his educational skills wherever he went, and received the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers Award, American Marketing Association Faculty Appreciation Award, Eastern Illinois University Management/Marketing Department Teacher of the Year Award and the Outstanding Young Men of America Award.

Lensink also served as a member of the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Systems Health Center Board of Directors, the Coles County Historical Society Depot Restoration committee and Mattoon Foundation Board.

Most of all, Lensink cherished time spent with wife Michele and sons Zachary and Alexander.