Never Stop Learning, Dreaming, and Doing

Editor: Melanie Carden

Ms. Eleanor Murkey retired as Dean of The College of Lake County, Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan, Illinois, a couple of years ago. She left an affiliation with the college she has had for more than 30 years.  But the impact Eleanor has had extends far beyond the walls of the college she helped construct.  In her presence, you can practically feel her passion for advocacy.  Her passion for helping others can be traced back to her own tumultuous childhood. She lost her mother at the age of 12, she was torn from her eight siblings soon after, setting her up for a life of heartbreak. “It was an area kind of like Brewster’s Place.” When you’re so lonely and heartbroken, you get involved with people, and they give you meaning and purpose.

Her calling was not simply to serve the institution that she has given most of her energy over these past 30 years. She is compelled to impact the lives, spirits, and souls of individuals (and organizations) who hunger for such a servant. The lifeblood pumping through the heart of the college, of the community, is pumping through a heart that was given it by Ms. Murkey; and you just don’t say goodbye to Eleanor. One only needs to spend moments with Eleanor to feel the love she has for “her” children/students and the enormous potential that they hold.  She can see this potential individually and collectively and nurtures the strength and determination to fight for its fulfillment.

Born in Philadelphia but raised in her adopted hometown of Benton Harbor, Michigan, she banked her passion. In Waukegan, she became a very active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), working with the YWCA, the Young Democrats, and Operation Bread Basket. In the recent election, Eleanor and her agency were crucial in increasing mail-in voting from 38,000 to 187,000 in the Waukegan and surrounding area. 

In 2018 the Board of Trustees of the College of Lake County’s Lakeshore campus approved the naming of their new conference and community center to Ms. Eleanor Murkey.

If You Were Elected President, Who Would be Your VP?

Cory Booker. He is a student of the electoral process, and I see him as a promise maker and a promise keeper.

How Would You Like To Be Remembered?

Lover of family. As a conduit with the youth in our greater community

Your Personal Soundtrack

“I Got To Be Me.”  The Sammy Davis Jr. version. I especially love the line, “I want to live, not merely survive.” No matter what, I know the pieces of me. 

Confidence Means 

Not to be concerned about the opinion of others. “Your opinion of me is none of my business.”

Being a Black Woman

Is like having a nice big bowl of ice cream. Can you think of anything better to bring a smile to a child’s face, no matter how old? That is what a Black Woman is to her world, bringing smiles as we do whatever we feel we need to do. 

In Five Years

Working through my non-profit Murk Resources to bring together and connect, to coach all the shining stars in our community, creating a synergy of innovation, imagination, and love. Stirring old up with my “Eleanor Touch.”