Waubonsee Community College is celebrating the inauguration of its fifth President, Dr. Brian Knetl, with inauguration events and activities leading up to his formal Investiture Ceremony on Sept. 21. The week-long events celebrate the history and mission of Waubonsee Community College and are open to community, students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Dr. Knetl has selected the theme, “Waubonsee Together: A New Dawn,” in recognition that together we are Waubonsee and in recognition of the many beginnings that are part of our rich history.
Waubonsee has awarded 55,000 certificates and degrees over a span of 57 years since the college’s founding. To celebrate this milestone, the college will hold an Alumni Dinner on September 16, which will also commence the Inauguration events and activities. The evening will offer food, networking opportunities, and recognition of the achievements of Waubonsee’s 42,000 alumni.
On Sept. 17, the community is invited to join in a “Bike the Burbs” group ride along the Fox River Trail to celebrate Waubonsee’s diverse community and Dr. Knetl’s love of biking.
Waubonsee is one college with four campuses, and on September 18, the spotlight will be on the Aurora Fox Valley and Plano Campuses. Community members will have the opportunity to discover (or rediscover) these campuses and all they offer, along with meeting Dr. Knetl.
On the morning of September 19, the Waubonsee community will have the privilege of attending the State of the College Breakfast at the Sugar Grove Campus. The event will feature Dr. Knetl and a celebration of the 2023 Distinguished Contributor Award recipient. This is an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn about the latest initiatives at Waubonsee and gain insight into the college’s future direction.
Prior to the start of Dr. Knetl’s Investiture Ceremony on September 21, the college will commemorate the International Day of Peace at the Sugar Grove Campus Peace Pole.
The Investiture Ceremony will take place at the Sugar Grove Campus Auditorium at 3 p.m. Those interested in attending can do so in person or watch the livestream of the ceremony, available in English or Spanish, on the college’s inauguration webpage. A reception will follow the Investiture Ceremony.
To learn more about these events and to register, visit waubonsee.edu/inauguration. Advance registration is requested.
— Waubonsee Community College