ELGIN – Elgin Community College’s former president, who was known by his peers as a visionary, died Dec. 27 at age 78.

Paul Heath served as ECC’s president from 1987 to 1994 – a period in which ECC grew substantially in enrollment, programs and in construction. In the college’s commemorative book, Heath is referred to as “the builder.”

Don Waters, former vice president of corporate development, worked with Heath through his seven-year tenure. He called Heath a “visionary president” who understood what a comprehensive community college was.