Harper to name building in recognition of David and Diane Hill

Harper College will name its library the David K. Hill Family Library in recognition of David and Diane Hill’s significant contributions.

The Hills, who have donated more than $1 million to Harper College, have been instrumental in providing funding for the Kimball Hill Family Deaf Institute, individual scholarships, capital fundraising campaigns and the Promise Scholarship Program.

David Hill served on the Harper College Board of Trustees from 2004 until his death in 2008. Diane Hill completed her late husband’s term and was subsequently elected to two 6-year terms in 2009 and 2015.

“The leadership and generosity that David and Diane Hill have shown will be felt by the Harper College community for years to come,” Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Laura Brown said.

As founder, chairman and CEO of Kimball Hill Homes, David Hill was a fervent advocate of affordable housing. The company built midlevel homes throughout the Chicago suburbs and expanded to more than a dozen markets nationwide. Hill also served as president of the Homebuilders Association of Greater Chicago, and the Hills’ support of Harper partner WINGS (Women in Need Growing Stronger) helped the organization to build a much-needed shelter providing safe transitional housing to women and children in the Northwest suburbs.

In 2006, David and Diane Hill provided a significant gift to further develop the Harper’s deaf and hard of hearing program, creating the Kimball Hill Family Deaf Institute. The College designed a smart classroom, expanded access services such as captioning, purchased additional equipment and increased instructional support in reading, writing and math. The institute serves between 40 and 60 students each year from Illinois and beyond.

The library is currently housed in D102 while Building F undergoes a renovation, which is expected to finish by the fall 2018 semester. The Harper College Educational Foundation’s recommendation to name the facility was approved by the Board of Trustees at the February 15 board meeting.

A formal dedication of the David K. Hill Family Library will take place when the building reopens.

Media contact:Kim Pohl, Media Relations Manager, 847.925.6159