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Distinguished Alumni Award
Kent Crutcher
The Alumni Association (HCCAA) will yearly recognize someone who through their accomplishments, both personally and professionally, personifies the values of the College which include a "can do" attitude, a respect for diversity, and ethical decision-making among others.
2010 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient
In his speech to graduates, Normal Police Chief Kent Crutcher gave his Top Ten list of what alumni should remember now that they've received their degrees.
- Don't spend so much time trying to choose the perfect career, that you miss the right one.
- Never regret not doing something, unless it's illegal.
- Don't try to be the smartest person in the room. But if you think you are, try to find smarter people in the room ... how else will you continue to learn?
- Throughout life recognize that there will be failures, and acknowledge that there will be obstacles. And if you should ever feel as though you've hit rock bottom, realize that you're probably standing on someone else.
- Have faith in your abilities and the knowledge you've been blessed with and accept challenges as they come along, because regrets are born of paths never taken
- If you're ever stopped for speeding and the officer asks you if you have any drugs in the car, do not respond with, "What do you need"?
- Always be humble, and be grateful for every day, as we can remember the past and we can plan for the future, but we live today.
- I think John Lennon said it best when he wrote, "Life is what happens to you while you're making plans to do other things". So, make lots of plans.
- And lastly, as you get older the amount of daily stress you encounter tends to increase. I have found there are two ways to significantly reduce this stress. First, never go to bed mad at your spouse or significant other, and second, never become a Cubs fan!
- And for those of you that realized I only mentioned nine items instead of 10, start searching for that smarter person in the room.
