It was billed as a “Retirement Celebration” for Dr. Conrad Worrill, Director and Professor at Northeastern Illinois University’s Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, but after each speaker it seemed more like a “roast.” Parkway Ballroom was at capacity on October 22, 2016, as a Who’s Who in Black Chicago turned out to say “thank you” to a man who has given so much politically, culturally and educationally. Politicians, schoolmates, businessmen and women all, paid homage to this great man. Minister Louis Farrakhan came, but did not speak; Elzie Higginbottom, long-time friend of Conrad’s was a major contributor to the event. Beautiful music was provided by Dee Alexander and Joan Collaso, food was abundant and drinks flowed. Many of Conrad’s relatives from Pasadena, California and Ohio traveled here to participate in the festivities, and his wife, Mrs. Talibah Worrill and his brother Oscar Worrill paid tribute to Conrad. And to top it all off Dr. Harold Pates bestowed the “Initiation into Elderhood” for now Elder Worrill.
THE FIRST SHOVELS of dirt are tossed at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the HBCU 2014 Retool Your School winner, Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The winning school can use the grant money to improve the campus appearance.
UNITY HOSPICE DIRECTOR of Program Development Brenda McGarvey, Unity Hospice Chaplain Steve Buchelt, and Superior Ambulance’s representative greet hospice patient Victor McGovern and his wife Brenda. Brenda McGarvey, herself a veteran, spoke with patient McGovern about the military and connected with him veteran-to-veteran.
MRS. BRENDA MCGOVERN, center, observes as her husband, hospice patient Victor McGovern arrives at the airport hangar. McGovern’s transportation was facilitated by the Superior Ambulance Service in Highland, IN. McGovern was picked up from his home in Gary and transported round trip to the Porter County Regional Airport at no cost by Superior Ambulance. The company donated its time and transportation services in honor of Mr. McGovern’s service to our country.
SURROUNDED BY WELLWISHERS, Victor McGovern enjoyed the day with Unity Hospice professionals, from left Music Therapist Jory Brown, Chaplain Steve Buchelt, Volunteer Coordinator Chrissy Huntzinger, Social Worker Anna McCabe. All are part of McGovern’s hospice care team and facilitated the last wish event.
UNITY HOSPICE CHAPLAIN Steve Buchelt and Jim Read, former owner of the Indiana Aviation Museum, escorted hospice patient Victor McGovern into the museum hangar where they posed in front of one of the three remaining military planes that were part of the museum.
