Kermit and Ann Harden
The Foundation gratefully recognizes longtime Urbana residents Kermit and Ann Harden for their service as co-chairs of the capital campaign for library expansion. Their dedicated leadership of the three-year fundraising effort was a large part of its success.
Distinguished Careers
A World War II veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Kermit was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star. He earned a Bachelor of Science in math education and a Doctor of Education from the University of Illinois . Kermit held many administrative positions during his career in education, including superintendent of Urbana schools. Kermit has served on the boards of Urbana Rotary, The Reading Group, the Boy Scouts, and the UI Alumni Association.
Ann was also employed in the field of education, teaching high school and junior high school before leaving the profession to raise their two children, Andrew and Elizabeth. Ann has been active in volunteer service for many organizations, including PTA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Children's Theatre Board, First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, PEO, and the University of Illinois President's Council.
Years of Devotion
Kermit devoted many years of volunteer service to the library in leadership roles on the library board of trustees and the library Foundation board. As liaison between both boards, he helped plan for library expansion, provided oversight of construction, and helped organize the fundraising campaign.
As campaign co-chair, Ann brought gracious leadership to the endeavor. She played a major role in engaging community members to support the library campaign as volunteers and donors. Ann's assistance in all aspects of the fundraising effort was significant to the campaign's success.
