IMPERIAL — In an effort to recognize the man who dedicated his life to the betterment of Imperial Valley College and its students, the college’s Board of Trustees unanimously decided to name the administration building here after William J. Thornburg on Wednesday evening.
Thornburg, who died June 11, 2011, at age 86, is the only person in the history of the college to graduate from IVC and serve as a trustee, business instructor and vice president.
Members of the board took the time to acknowledge Thornburg and the memory he left at the college.
“I had the opportunity to work with Bill on the bond oversight committee, and I only regret he isn’t here to see this,” said trustee Norma Galindo.
Trustee Romualdo Medina echoed Galindo’s sentiment and added the honor was very deserving.
“When I came to IVC, Bill was one of my professors and I learned a lot from him,” Medina said.
Members of the Thornburg family, including William’s widow Evelyn, were in attendance to hear the announcement first hand.
“Bill received many, many awards and this has to be the greatest,” Evelyn said. “It will be nice to see students walk up the rose-lined sidewalk and see his name outside of the building. It’s the greatest thing to happen to our family.”
Meeting glance
1 - Dr. James Roach of the Imperial County Physicians Medical Group presented the college with a check for $8,100 to be used for scholarships for nursing students.
2 - Louis Wong, Jerry Hart, Rudy Cardenas Jr. and Medina were reappointed as trustees due to an election not being held. They will hold office for the completion of the term expiring in November 2016.
Staff Writer Karina Lopez can be reached at 760-337-3439 or klopez@ivpressonline.com
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