Day to explore options after retiring in August
By Jeff Lockridge
Thom Day a member of the Learning Technologies staff, will be retiring in August.
Hired in August of 1977 as AV Supervisor for the Audio-Visual Department, his job has
evolved into Co-coordinator of Learning Technologies.
More recently, he helped design and build the College's SMART and Distance Learning Classrooms, which are equipped with the latest in computer and projection technology.
In 1995 he received a Merit Award from IVCC for his work on those classrooms.
Thinking back over the way his job has changed over the years, he said "I have been fortunate to witness the explosion of computer use at the college".
Among other changes he's noted: "I no longer have to walk the halls with a stack of 16 mm film cans."
A graduate of the now closed Magnolia-Swaney High School in Putnam County, Day earned his technical degree from Valparaiso Technical Institute in Valparaiso Ind. in 1967. From 1967 to 1975 he worked for the Heathkit company in St. Joseph, Mich. In 1975 he returned to Illinois Valley and worked in sports and electronics retail in Streator.
Emily Vescogni, Director of Learning Technologies, described Day as "very well liked."
She added: "We will all miss his strong technical comments. He has a great knowledge of technology and the media. He has the whole history of the Audio-Visual department in his head.
"Other people that work for the college have been coming up to me constantly, asking me what we are going to do without him, and I still cannot answer that one," Vescogni said. "He (is) very vital to our department"
When asked what he planned to do once retired, he said, "I've been half jokingly saying that I'll go to work for Home Depot, and I just might do that. I have several options to explore."
Day is a member and Past Master of the Magnolia Masonic Lodge and a member and past President of the Granville Rotary club.