Barbre Receives President’s Award from ICCTA

Vice chair of the Southeastern Illinois College Board of Trustees, Dr. Frank Barbre has been honored with the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA) President’s Award.

The ICCTA President’s Award is the only award given at the sole discretion of the president of the Association. It celebrates the work of an individual who is an unsung hero and has supported community colleges and ICCTA. Barbre is the very first recipient.

“Dr. Barbre has served the Trustees Association with distinction, giving feedback and making a difference in higher education in Illinois,” said ICCTA President Jon Looney during the award presentation last month. “He has chaired numerous state-level committees and task forces for ICCTA, including our Government Relations and Public Policy Committee. He has also encouraged many people in ICCTA, including myself.”

Barbre, a native of Carmi, began his career as an agricultural education teacher in Lawrenceville High School for five years after graduating college. He then returned to Carmi and moved into the administrative arena, serving as a vocational director, school principal, and superintendent until his retirement in 2002, serving a total of 32 years in Carmi. He also taught as an adjunct professor for Southern Illinois University, where he received his doctorate.

“Our unsung hero has always been involved in community service,” added Looney. “He received Carmi’s Citizen of the Year Award and was recently recognized as a 50-year member of the Carmi Kiwanis Club.”

This year marks Barbre’s 16th year on the SIC Board of Trustees, where he has served as vice chair for nearly a decade.

Barbre accepted his award graciously, “I am very honored to be chosen for this award. I’m proud of the work our community colleges and the ICCTA do. I have been honored to work with a lot of great people as a representative for the organization for a number of years through SIC, and I’m very appreciative of the recognition.”

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