Oakton Community College Dedicates Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center

(March 10, 2015) – Oakton Community College celebrated the most substantial project in its $68.5 million five-year Facilities Master Plan with the dedication of the Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center (The Lee Center) on March 4. The 93,000-square foot building is named after Margaret B. Lee, Ph.D., the College’s third president.

More than 200 guests, including current and past board members; area community college presidents; and representatives from Oakton’s health partners – North Shore University Health Systems, Advocate, and Presence Health – attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which featured remarks by Vice President for Academic Affairs Tom Hamel; Dean of Science and Health Careers Adam Hayashi; Vice President of Business and Finance Bob Nowak; Chairman of the Board of Trustees William Stafford, and President Lee.

“When Peg became Oakton president in 1995, she never dreamed she’d remain at the helm for two decades,” said Stafford from the podium. “Scheduled to retire this June, she has left an indelible mark on the College. Under her presidency, Oakton has captured national recognition – including a salute by The New York Times as one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation. Her commitment and contributions to education and Oakton are immeasurable. And it is in honor of all that she has done and all whom she has inspired that we would like to officially dedicate this building today.”

A Wilmette resident, Lee earned her doctorate and her master of arts degree in English language and literature from the University of Chicago, where she was a Ford Foundation Fellow in the Humanities and a Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Scholar in Women’s Studies.

“I’m so thankful to all the people who worked so hard to turn this vision into a reality,” said Lee. “I feel blessed to have had the privilege to serve this College and community for 30 years. Truly, I am honored to have my name on this new building that will shape the lives of countless people who will walk through its hallways for years to come.”

Designed by Legat Architects and built by Turner Construction Company, The Lee Center introduces a new breed of science spaces, celebrates the natural and artistic highlights of the Des Plaines campus, and showcases the latest sustainable technologies. The Lee Center, which opened its doors for the spring 2015 semester, is home to the College’s anatomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, medical laboratory technology, nursing, physical therapy assistant, physiology, and physics programs.

The Oakton Community College Educational Foundation launched its Building Leaders and Legacies campaign at the dedication, which recognized its first donors. Hal and Karen Sider from Deerfield are sponsoring the two main student lounges on the first and second floor, and Carl and Debbie Costanza from Park Ridge are sponsoring the nursing lecture room on the second floor. Visit www.oakton.edu/giving for more information about naming opportunities within The Lee Center.

Oakton Community College District 535 serves more than 450,000 residents in the communities of Evanston, Glencoe, Glenview, Golf, Kenilworth, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles, Northbrook, Northfield, Park Ridge, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, and parts of Des Plaines, Mount Prospect, and Rosemont. With campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie, in sites throughout the district, and via a robust online presence, Oakton offers associates degrees in 80 fields of study as well as learning opportunities for career advancement and personal enrichment.