Parkland College is honoring one of its best known benefactors.

Over the years, Champaign businessman Don Dodds Jr. has devoted considerable time, effort and money in support of Parkland.

College officials recently announced that they intend to repay Dodds' many contributions by naming Parkland's renovated athletic center in his honor. The facility will be known as the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Center.

The honor is well-deserved. Dodds has served Parkland in many important capacities. He's a former longtime member of the college's board of trustees and is a longtime president of the Parkland Foundation.

All told, Dodds has been active on Parkland's behalf for more than 40 years. His efforts have helped to create and build an educational facility that has played an integral role in the lives of many thousands of people.

Parkland College didn't just happen. Many people have worked hard over many years to make it one of the crown jewels of our community, Dodds figuring prominently among them. It's good to see the college recognize him in such a generous fashion.