A high school principal, village mayor, former wrestler and a women’s basketball coach are among the six Triton College grads who have been selected for induction this year into the community college’s “Alumni Wall of Fame,” officials announced in a news release.
According to the release, the honor is given to individuals who have made a significant impact in their profession, community and beyond.
A post about the honor on the college’s website state that, in “recognizing the academic, personal and professional accomplishments of Triton’s distinguished alumni, current students and the campus community will be inspired by their accomplishments to strive for excellence.”
The Alumni Wall of Fame is located on the first floor of the Student Center at the college.
“The family that I have made (at Triton) has noticed me and has presented me with this amazing accolade,” selected inductee and village of Bellwood Mayor Andre Harvey stated in the release.
Elected in 2017, Harvey became Bellwood’s first Black mayor and the first Black firefighter and fire chief in the west suburban village, the release states.
“The college has always had a (personal) effect on me. I was also influenced by the Bellwood fire lieutenants and captains, who encouraged me to attend Triton (to study) fire science,” Harvey stated in the release, adding that his father also graduated from the college, which is located in River Grove.
Harvey, who also oversees the village’s police and fire departments, and the Bellwood Office of Emergency Management as the director of public safety, stated in the release that his Triton education enabled him to enhance and strengthen his skills.
The Triton College Alumni Association also selected real estate influencer Carrie Jo Little for induction. Her content includes advice and the Monday morning series “Coffee with Carrie,” the release states.
“Triton College gave me the ability to go to school when I was a 19-year-old, young mom,” Little stated in the release. “Having this great honor is an opportunity for me to tell the next generation that anyone can finish college and be on the wall of fame.”
Little had an interest in journalism courses, aspiring to enter broadcasting, but admitted the public speaking aspect of her coursework caused anxiety, the release states.
“You couldn’t pay me to speak in front of a room of people,” she stated. “I would’ve passed out. Taking the classes I did at Triton gave me that confidence.”
Little became interested in the process of buying and selling property after purchasing her first home in the 1990s and pursued a real estate career after Triton, the release states.
“At Triton, I was really able to network with peers and I still do to this day,” Little stated in the release.
Tim McKinney, Triton’s sports information specialist and the women’s basketball team’s special assistant, will join the notable wall, the release states.
“I started my journey at Triton as a student in 1995 and I’ve been here ever since,” McKinney stated in the release.
An alum of Proviso West High School in west suburban Hillside, McKinney said he was fated to study broadcasting after helping his father set the radio alarm clock led to them tuning in to a Triton College basketball game. He became intrigued with the broadcaster’s play-by-play, the release states.
“I’ve given half my life to this institution. This honor truly means the world to me,” McKinney stated.
For 28 years, McKinney has been employed in Triton’s Athletics Department supporting the women’s basketball team including as assistant coach, recruiter and athletics broadcaster and he has been sports information specialist for five years, the release states.
Also in this year’s class of inductees is Michael McGrone Sr., principal at an alternative high school in Chicago.
“Those built for greatness get their strength through their trials and tribulations,” McGrone stated in the release.
McGrone, who was homeless and traveled from Gary, Indiana to attend Triton College, said the school saved his life through former football coach Gene Mitz helping him find housing and encouraging him to pursue academic goals, according to the release.
“The teachers at Triton changed my life and instilled so much in me,” McGrone stated. “They said that it was possible (for me) to become the person that I am today.”
McGrone became the first Black assistant principal at Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Indian, and gained national recognition when he was featured in 2016 on the “Rachael Ray” TV show for his efforts at Rich South High School in Richton Park, the release states.
He wrote the book “The Twists and Turns of Possibility: My Life is My True Story,” which references Triton College.
Former athlete Richard John Skelnik, who is retired and living in Thailand, plans to attend the Alumni Wall of Fame ceremony, the release states.
“All of my endeavors throughout my years at Triton and beyond have led me to this prestige,” Skelnik stated in the release.
After graduating from East Leyden High School in 1969, the Franklin Park native attended Triton for its convenient pathway to next steps in life and its wrestling program, the release states.
“In my opinion, the wrestling coach at the time, Coach Kraft, was the best wrestling coach in the country. He made men out of boys,” Skelnik stated.
Skelnik became the Triton wrestling team’s Academic All-American and team captain for the 1971-1972 season and was also named Most Improved Soccer Player, according to the release.
“The caring teachers and coaches not only nurtured my academic and athletic abilities, but also instilled in me the skills to focus and study,” Skelnik stated.
Skelnik later became chairperson for Motorola/General Dynamics Recruiting Council, the release states.
“Triton played a pivotal role in shaping my life,” Skelnik said.
Michael Rogers, a former architect and Triton College adjunct instructor of construction technology, will be inducted, the release states.
“When I see the light bulb go off in a student’s head, that means I made a difference,” Rogers stated.
Rogers practiced architecture and construction at McDonald’s Corp. for more than 32 years and received the company’s President’s Award – which is given to the top 1% of employees worldwide – in 1997, the release states.
He also became president of the National Organization of Minority Architects and president of American Institute of Architects Illinois, and was the first Black person in that role, the release states.
“Education is valuable” and “a Triton college education is very valuable,” Rogers stated.
