Laker Nation News

The Lake Land College community fondly remembered President Scott Lensink following news of his passing on Monday.

Lensink served for six years as the college’s sixth president, retiring in 2013. His career in higher education spanned 30 years, starting with a teaching position at Eastern Illinois University. He joined Lake Land College in 1993 as a business instructor and head coach for the Laker women’s basketball team. He went on to hold several positions at Lake Land College prior to retiring as president.

Current Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said Lensink’s leadership positioned the college for the success it continues to experience today.

“Scott’s focus on students, and jovial spirit in collaborating for the greater good, live on in our Lake Land College family and culture today,” Bullock said.

During Lensink’s tenure, Lake Land College emerged as a national leader in the sustainability field, attracting grants and attention from public officials from coast to coast. In addition, the college received prestigious Aspen Institute recognition, which named Lake Land among the top 10 percent of community colleges in the nation. The college also was named the safest campus in Illinois.

Internally, he led the college community in the creation of a new vision and values and a strategic plan.

While his accomplishments were many, colleagues said Lensink will be remembered most for his caring personality and dedication to students.

Robert K. Luther, former Lake Land College president and current member of the board of trustees, said Lensink had a wonderful way of working with people.

“I appointed Scott both as the business division chair and the vice president because of his people skills. He had an ability to bring people together and to help people resolve conflict. I think he will be most remembered for what a warm and caring person he was,” Luther said.

Colleagues said Lensink always put students first.

“In discussions, Scott was always asking about students and whether a decision would have a positive or negative effect on them,” Luther added.

Kathy Black, division chair business/business instructor, who worked with Lensink for 16 years, said Lensink was wonderful to work with.

“Scott was always positive, kind and outgoing. He looked out for the best interests of others, especially students. He was a selfless educator,” Black said.

Black said Lensink always took time to talk with coworkers and students. “He always had a smile on his face, always a kind word, always a joke and always an encouraging word to anyone who needed it.”

Lensink was very active in the higher education community and local area. He served on numerous task forces and committees for the Illinois Board of Higher Education and Illinois Community College Board.

Lensink served as president of the Eastern Illinois Business Education Association, 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.

Locally, he 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. He hosted international exchange students and volunteered as a coach for youth league baseball and football programs.

His previous experience included consulting, working in the insurance industry and owning and operating his own business. Lensink had a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern College and a master’s degree from Eastern Illinois University.