George Emil Henning, 92, of Rock Island, passed away Monday, August 5, 2024, at UnityPoint Health-Trinity, Rock Island.

A private graveside service was held at the Rock Island National Cemetery, Arsenal Island. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island assisted with the arrangements.

George was born April 4, 1932, in Elgin, Illinois, to George E. and Theresa (Hauch) Henning. He was a graduate of Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, earned a master's degree from the University of Illinois, and received further training at the St. Louis University School of Law. George E. Henning experienced both private and public higher education.

Following his formal education, Henning was employed for two years in the Counter Intelligence Corps (CIC) at the Department of Defense in Washington, D.C., where he conducted private background investigations. He was an instructor for one year in Michigan and for the following seven years was employed by Ethyl Corporation (owned jointly by General Motors Corporation and Standard Oil Company of New Jersey).

While with Ethyl Corporation, Henning received increasing management assignments of responsibility related to advertising, public relations, marketing, direct sales and coordination of activities between research, advertising and marketing.

In 1963 he returned to higher education as director of admissions at Augustana College, Illinois, where he was named director of admissions and financial aid in 1964 and vice-president in 1966. Under his direction the College enrollment grew from 1,100 to 2,180, the College enrolled more Illinois State Scholars than any other private college in the state, and federal and state funding increased from $37,000 to over $2,000,000 annually.

As a vice-president, Henning was involved in broad management assignments both on and off campus. He received a foreign study travel grant in 1971 which resulted in creation of a student foreign study program in 1972; this program is still in existence and involves over 100 full-time students a year in overseas study. He served on numerous professional committees and was the first ACT Program chairperson for the State of Illinois.

Henning held memberships in numerous professional organizations, served on professional committees, and was a director on a number of charitable scholarship boards and volunteer organizations. He regularly attended national professional organization meetings, workshops and institutes.

Between 1968 and 1977 Henning served institutions as a consultant in addition to his full-time college professional activities. During this time Henning married Zen Winter on June 25, 1977, and they founded George Henning and Associates in order to devote full-time attention to management consultation to institutions of higher education. He continued this work until retiring in 1993.

Survivors include his wife, Zen; children, Jeanne (Jim) Knight, Kathryn Henning, and William (Anne) Henning; grandchildren, Jennifer (Josh) Anderson, Amy (Peter) Seehusen, David (Megan) Knight, Emily Knight, John Henning, and Jack Henning; and 10 great-grandchildren.

George was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Joyce Trevor and Donald Henning.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, or Augustana College.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.wheelanpressly.com.