News Release Contact Nancy Pohlman (815) 740-3379 npohlman@stfrancis.edu

The word volunteer can easily be defined by the life’s work of Val Rand of Joliet. Rand received the 2010 Marx Gibson Community Leadership Award given jointly by the University of St. Francis and Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Rand of Joliet is the 10th recipient of the award given in the name of the late newspaperman Marx Gibson, who was dedicated to volunteerism and making a positive difference in the community. The award was presented by USF President Michael Vinciguerra and Russ Slinkard, CEO of the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nov. 10 at the chamber’s Community Leadership School graduation dinner.
“The Marx Gibson Community Leadership Award is very much in keeping with the university’s mission and Franciscan ideal of service through leadership,” said Vinciguerra. “Val Rand is a great friend to our community, including to the University of St. Francis. Whenever there is a need, it seems that Val is there—to volunteer, to make connections, to pitch in—and to give very sound advice.” Rand serves on USF’s President’s Board of Advisors.
Rand has also been very involved with the chamber, having served on the chamber board and as a chairperson, according to Slinkard. “Val sees the connection between being a successful businessman and making the community at large a better place for residents and other businesses. He works tirelessly to connect the business community with education and social services. He helps us all to better understand the dynamics needed for a vibrant community,” said Slinkard.
Since 1983, Rand has owned and operated 15 Hallmark Gold Crown stores, located in a 60-mile radius of Crest Hill. The Hallmark Marketing Corp. has given Rand its Retail Excellence Award. He is also active in the Will County Center for Economic Development, Owners and Managers Board and served on its “A Step Ahead of Tomorrow” campaign.
In the community, he has served as president of school boards and parish councils, as well as chaired building fund drives. Presently he serves as vice president of the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living Board, of which he is a past president. He also serves as a director on the Joliet Area Historical Museum Board; serves on the Silver Cross Hospital Foundation Board; is co-chair of the Commerce Industry Division for United Way of Will County; is president of the Joliet Noon Lions; and has volunteered with Easter Seals and United Cerebral Palsy. He has also been very active with St. Paul the Apostle Church.
Rand has been recognized with many honors, including the Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence; the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Rabbi Hershman Award; the Larry Sak Excellence in Accessibility Ward from the Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living; and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Community Service Award. He has been inducted into the Project Pride Hall of Fame and is a Lion’s Club Melvin Jones Fellow.
Rand and his wife Roberta have four children and 12 grandchildren.
The Marx Gibson Community Leadership Award, established in 2000 was first given to Diane Habiger, owner and manager of Lincolnshire Properties. The 2001 award was given to Robert Wysocki, owner of Grant’s Appliances, Electronics and More. In 2002, long-time vice president of Joliet Junior College, Walter Zaida received the award. Pam Heavens, executive director of Will-Grundy Center for Independent Living, was awarded 2003. In 2004, J. D. Ross, retired president of Joliet Junior College and executive director of the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic, received the award. The 2005 recipient was Dr. Albert Ray, Jr., retired anesthesiologist and volunteer for the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic. Terry Ruettiger, founder of Ruettiger, Tonelli and Associates, a civil engineering, land planning and landscape architecture firm, was the 2006 recipient. Jean Hansen, manager of the Joliet Office for the Illinois Department of Employment Security, received the 2007 award. Retired long-time City of Joliet manager John Mezera was the 2008 recipient and park founder and community activist Billie Limacher was last year’s recipient.
The University of St. Francis in Joliet serves 3,400 students nationwide, offering 40 undergraduate programs, four degree-completion programs and 14 graduate programs, including a doctorate in nursing practice. Programs are offered in arts and science, business, education, nursing and health care and social work. For information, call (800) 735-7500 or visit www.stfrancis.edu.