Painting-a-Path-Forward-with-Purpose.php

Painting a Path Forward with Purpose

• Community
• 04/22/2026

“I began as a student in the school of architecture but switched majors when an art teacher had me tested to find out if I was color blind,” said Jim Waddell, longtime Center for Learning in Retirement (CLR) and Community Member. “That was the first I was aware of this issue.”

That discovery became part of a larger story connecting his artwork, CLR involvement, and support of scholarships through the Rock Valley College (RVC) Foundation.

Jim’s passion for art became a way to give back. Through CLR, he honed his skills and now uses both original paintings and note cards featuring prints of his artwork to raise money each year for nursing scholarships.

“My art has evolved over time from lots of Bob Ross type landscapes to animals, portraits, flowers and more recently, to a more contemporary style that ironically is based on color (remember that I am color blind) and movement,” Jim stated.

Beyond classes, scholarships have become one of the most meaningful ways Jim gives back. In the mid-1980s, after moving to Pennsylvania, he faced tragedy when his first wife, Ann Miller, was diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Following this loss, he eventually returned to Rockford to work at JL Clark––CLARCOR at the time.

To honor Ann's life and nursing background, her best friend suggested directing memorial funds to create a nursing scholarship at RVC. Through Jim's contributions, coupled with CLARCOR's matching funds, the Ann Miller Waddell Scholarship was created.

In 1987, Jim married Shirley Howlett, who brought two children into his life. Together, they continued supporting the scholarship. Though Jim never attended RVC, three of their children did, and two grandchildren are currently enrolled.

Over time, Jim and Shirley added the Evelyn Abrahamson Memorial Scholarship, James and Shirley Waddell/SwedishAmerican Health System Scholarship, and James and Shirley Waddell/SwedishAmerican Medical Foundation Nursing Grant.

“What makes Jim's relationship with the Rock Valley College Foundation unique, outside of his 15 years of leadership and service as a member of our foundation's board of directors, is his ability to channel his talent and passion for art into financial resources for our students,” expressed Brittany Freiberg, Chief Development Officer, RVC Foundation. 

His inspiration to give back to the community comes from a pivotal college moment. Days before he would have been forced to withdraw, his grandmother handed him $500—money saved from afternoons at Bingo Club playing poker with friends.

“If my grandma had not been a card player, who knows what my future would have been?” said Jim. “I think of that every time we talk to one of our scholarship recipients, knowing that we are giving them assistance that could possibly change their lives.”

Those early experiences shaped his path. Jim earned a degree in pre-law history at UIUC, but plans for law school were halted due to his father’s health. He began a career in management at Amerock Corporation, which sparked his initial connection to RVC.

“My first encounter was through a meeting I had with then-President, Dr. Karl Jacobs, exploring ways to have RVC more engaged with the manufacturing community,” Waddell shared.

After many successful career advancements, Jim retired from AMCORE Financial in 2008 as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. While in retirement, Jim served on the RVC Foundation Board of Directors until 2024. Waddell shared, “I am constantly amazed at the number of people who have benefited from their RVC experience. Our community is richer because of those experiences.”

It wasn’t long before his wife reminded him that there was more to life after retirement. “Shirley kiddingly advised me that she had married me for better or worse, but not for lunch,” said Jim. She handed him a CLR catalog and suggested he find something of interest to fill his time.

That nudge led Jim to become an active CLR member, taking around 25 classes each semester and deepening his involvement—a commitment he continues to this day. His love of painting began in an oil class, where instructors labeled his palette to guide his colors. In just four weeks, he completed four paintings and later switched to acrylics for ease. Jim has spent the past 17 years painting, steadily building a collection that continues to draw interest.

CLR offers short-term, noncredit classes for adults 50 and older to stay engaged in learning, creativity, and community. Members can join groups like Keeping Fingers Nimble and Artists’ Studio, volunteer, donate to food drives, or participate in wellness activities.

Members in the Artist’s Studio group look up to Jim. Tammy Lewis, Program Director, Center for Learning in Retirement, expressed, “I know Jim is an inspiration to them because they have tried to get him to teach a class about being a painter and color blind.”

Community members interested in Jim’s paintings, can contact the Rock Valley College Foundation. Freiberg adds, “Jim’s donor journey shows us all that there isn’t just one way to fund a scholarship or to create charitable impact. If there is a desire to give back, one's creativity can turn unique talents into success resources for others in remarkable ways.”

“We're extremely fortunate that Jim chose to direct ALL of his art sale proceeds to their Waddell-named scholarships over recent years.”

Brittany Freiberg, Chief Development Officer, RVC Foundation