Cristina Greene,66, born in Argentina, of East Moline, and chair of the counseling department at Black Hawk College (BHC) passed away on January 1, 2008 after not regaining consciousness. Greene was also an advisor to the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS) at the school and helped with the Viva Quad Cities scholarship process since its inception.
Dean of Student Support Services, Dr. Dick Vallandingham said Greene was an integral part of many programs as department chair in counseling, ESL and international advising.
“Cris was very active in community. It’s a major loss for college and the community. She was a unique lady and extremely highly respected by those in the college and community,” Vallangdingham said.
He named five BHC workers who will fill in for her at the moment: Anne Bollati in ESL, Juanita Zertcuhes in international advising, Coleman Harris with counseling issues, Joe Obleton in outreach and Dr. Kim Armstrong in the community.
Vice president of the student organization, ALAS, Jose Nuñez said that he knew Cristina since he was three, when Greene helped Nuñez’s parents in getting Jose into the daycare center next to the college. Greene also helped his two sisters (Gabriela and Elia) with getting into college.
“She was always cheerful always had a smile on her face, real cheerful and happy,” Nuñez said. “You’d go into her office between her office hours and she’d still try to help you.” ALAS Co-advisor, Bill Hampes said he’d miss Cristina as both a friend and colleague. Her personality was invaluable in accomplishing tasks and issues. “I could always depend on Cris’ warm and easy smile to help us through any difficulties,” he said.
“In the past few years I frequently went by Cris’ office and almost every time she was talking to a student in person or on the phone. She had an exceptional ability to get to know, understand and help students, thanks to her wisdom, empathy, and caring. That’s the best measure of a well-lived life,” Hampes said.
Greene had a stroke in her sleep on December 27, 2007 and had no visitation or funeral, as it was her wish.
“Instead, she wishes for people to go on with their lives, enjoy their families, and honor her by carrying on, loving others, respecting the world and contributing to the common good,” Executive Director of the BHC Foundation, Shelly Wells Cain said in an email to all BHC staff.
ALAS plans on donating most of the money that is spent on trips to national and regional leadership conferences to the International Student Association Scholarship fund, where memorials are asked to be donated to. ALAS also plans on adding her as a “lifetime” advisor to the organization on its constitution.
Editor’s Note: The writer of this article, is the current president of ALAS.
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