Moraine Valley President To Retire

The longest serving college executive in Illinois will be leaving his post, it was announced this week.

After 21 years Dr. Vernon O. Crawley, president of , will retire on June 30. During his tenure Moraine Valley has expanded both its student body and campus.

"I am proud of the accomplishments over the past 21 years that were due in large measure to your dedication and support,” he said in an announcement to the community. “My 21-year journey has been exciting, challenging and rewarding. Thank you for making my time at Moraine Valley a memorable experience.”

The college will soon begin the process of finding a replacement.

“We tried and were successful in delaying his retirement for several years, and we were fortunate to get a few more years from him,” said Joseph Murphy, chairman of the Board of Trustees in a statement. “He will be very hard to replace. How do you find another Vernon O. Crawley?"

Over the course of Crawley's Moraine Valley has undergone quite a few changes:

• Passed an $86 million bond referendum in 2006 that led to the campus' largest expansion.
• Added education centers in Blue Island, 2004, and Tinley Park, 2010. 
• Opened a fine and performing arts center and student union.
• Enrollment has risen 31 percent, to 18,169 credit students this fall. 
• Moraine ranks second in enrollment out of Illinois' 48 community colleges. 
• Opened the Dr. Vernon O. Crawley Science Hall and the Moraine Business and Conference Center in fall 2009.