A man known as the “Godfather” of the developmental disabled is one of the nominees for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association Distinguished Alumnus Award. Donald Fike of Tonica is an entrepreneur, developer, and philanthropist who’s been working to make the lives of people with disabilities easier after graduating from IVCC in 1967. He worked at Horizon House of the Illinois Valley for nine years creating an activities center, a sheltered workshop, various residential programs, and a summer program for kids. He also worked with LaSalle-Peru High School to create the state’s first program in which Trainable Mentally Handicapped received regular high school diplomas. He moved to Galesburg where he started a company that managed buildings for the developmentally disabled. Today, Fike-owned businesses provide a home and services to over 6,000 people daily and jobs to more than 5,000. Fike was nominated for the award by IVCC. He is one of eighteen that could win it at the ICCTA Annual Convention Awards Banquet in Bloomington-Normal on June 2nd.
IVCC grad and “Godfather” of the devlopmentally disabled nominated for community college award
May 6, 2023 | 5:04 AM