The Honorary Associates Degree was established in 1998. Awarded during the spring commencement ceremonies, this award is given for academic, professional, personal and community contributions and achievements.
2019 Honorary Associates Degree Recipient: Linden Warfel
Linden Warfel is the recipient of the 2019 Parkland College Honorary Associates Degree. Lin was educated in Unit 7 Schools, at Wabash College in Indiana, and at the University of Illinois, majoring in agricultural economics. After college, he served six years in the U.S. Air Force as an aeromedical evacuation specialist, attaining the rank of staff sergeant. He served on the Unit 7 Board of Education for 10 years, two of them as chair, and co-founded Community Christian School in Urbana, which eventually became Judah Christian School in Champaign.
Elected to the Parkland College Board of Trustees in 1991, Warfel guided the college for 24 years, holding the roles of board secretary, vice president, and president. He helped Parkland expand its enrollment and facilities during this time. A lifetime and award-winning member of the Illinois Community College Board's Financial Advisory, Formula Change Advisory, and Leadership and Core Values committees. Today, he serves on the Governor's Pre-school through University Advisory Council.
Warfel was chosen by the News-Gazette as the Farm Leader of the Year in 1989 and as one of its "Seventy Over 70" honorees for 2019. He has worked with the Champaign County Farm Bureau and the Illinois Farm Bureau since 1968, supplying governance for both. For 18 years, he served as commissioner for the Two Mile Slough, a southwest Champaign County drainage district covering 33,000 acres. His community service also includes membership with the Tolono Village Board, the Tolono Lion's Club, and since 1979, the Champaign Rotary. He is currently an active member of Stratford Park Bible Chapel in Champaign.
Past Recipients
2021 - Paul Kunkel
2019 - Linden Warfel
2018 - Greg Cozad
2017 - Robert O. Carr
2016 - JoAnn McGrain
2015 - Bergen and Marilyn Parkhill
2013 - Carl Meyer
2012 - Murray Wise
2011 - Robert Easter
2010 - Jeff and Charlotte Wandell
2009 - Michael Vitoux
2008 - Lois Dickson
2007 - Doug Mills
2006 - George Shapland
2005 - Richard and Rosann Noel
2004 - Wayne Weber
2003 - Donald Dodds
2002 - Stan Weaver
2001 - Rachel Schroeder
2000 - John Albin
1999 - Mary Lou Staerkel
1998 - Bill Froom and Dick O'Dell
Nominations are due by March 31 of each year. If you are interested in nominating an individual for this prestigious award, please contact our offices at foundation@parkland.edu or 217/351-2458.