William Hector was a social studies teacher at South High School in Downers Grove, during which time he underwent a life-saving kidney transplant. Hector, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a teen and whose two transplants came from teenage donors, pursued a quest to "repay an unpayable debt" by developing an organ transplant awareness program that was adopted in nearly 30 high schools throughout northern Illinois. He remained the program's most active participant, traveling to various schools each year to discuss the importance of organ transplants. Hector also played a role in drafting legislation that implemented organ/tissue donor and transplant awareness education in the curricula of Illinois schools. Hector said: "I have found that I become a better teacher by being willing to let my students have more opportunities to succeed. It brings out the best in all of us."
1968 University of Dubuque, B.A.
