Lifelong Connection Becomes Lasting Legacy

For Dr. William (Bill) M. Griffin, including the College of Lake County in his estate plans was a matter of honoring a lifelong legacy of education and service to CLC. His history with CLC began in 1973 when he was training to be a lineman for Commonwealth Edison. “After climbing a few poles,” he says, “I thought I might want to try something else!”

Having grown up in Gurnee, his parents had moved and he was on his own. After considering many options, he decided to enroll at CLC part time and pursue an associate’s degree in business while working full time.

In fact, Bill worked full time during his entire educational experience. After leaving CLC, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business and a master’s degree in corporate finance at DePaul University, and after taking some law school coursework, he pursued an Ed.D. in higher education at National Louis University. Today, he uses his educational experience to inspire his current students by showing them that they can secure a degree while working if they remain doggedly committed to finishing.

After Bill received his master’s degree, he was managing most of Lake County for ComEd. After speaking at a Waukegan Rotary meeting, he spoke to then CLC president John Hunter about becoming an adjunct professor in business and finance. Bill came to visit the dean of the business program and was hired on the spot. He taught at CLC for several years, only giving up the role when he took his seat on CLC’s board of trustees. In 2021, Bill stepped down after 25 years of service as a CLC trustee.

Bill has committed $100,000 in his estate to fund athletics scholarships at CLC. When asked why he chose that particular philanthropic strategy, he says, “I’m a sports guy. I played sports all the way through school, and I know it can help students develop the leadership skills necessary to thrive in the world of business.”

He also said that he was moved to give back and use his resources to help student athletes who did not have the resources to pay for their own education. “Education changed my life, and I know it can change the lives of many more.”

Thank you, Dr. Griffin, for your legacy of service and for committing a generous estate gift to the CLC Foundation in support of student athletes who show great promise.

Your gift can provide future CLC students with educational opportunities too. Contact John Butler at (847) 543-2713 or jbutler3@clcillinois.edu to learn more.