February 2009

Foundation
Board of Directors
President
David C. Heide

Vice President
Noreen Ligino-Kubinski

Treasurer
Philip T. Foster

Secretary
Margaret Lehner, Ed.D.

Brian Andersen
Frank R. Barre
Kent Bobb
Hon. Irene H. Brodie
Vernon O. Crawley, D.Ed.
Maria DeCaprio-Sunta
Anthony Q. Drake
Barry Gaw
Katie Maier
Egon J. Menker
John Moore
Omar Najib
Bruce G. Nawara, C.P.A.
William J. Opelka
Dick Post
Maureen Ryan
Dennis Shannon
Carolyn Viverito
Sandra Wagner
Jon Weglarz
Cheryl Wilson

Executive Director
Sue Linn

Message from the President
Among life’s milestones that we reflect upon with a great sense of pride is the walk across a stage to receive a diploma—the reward for our hard work; a gateway to our future.

For some, college is an immediate transition from
high school. For others, additional responsibilities in
life take priority and pursuing an education must wait. For many still, there is a desire but the cost keeps a college education out of reach.

Moraine Valley values its tradition of keeping costs as minimal as possible, however, for countless people, college still remains unaffordable. I am happy to say some of these students are able to fund their educational goals through scholarships made possible
by the generosity of our alumni and community members.

At this time, there is an increased need. So with this in mind, I ask you to please consider making a contribution now to the Foundation’s scholarship fund. Your donation, no matter the amount, really does help change lives.

Sincerely,

Dr. Vernon O. Crawley, Ed.D.
College President
 

New Scholarship for Speech Students Says It All
Students developing their speaking skills through participation on Moraine Valley’s Forensics Team will have the opportunity to take advantage of a new scholarship established in memory of a former president of the community college.

The Dr. James D. Koeller—Founders Scholarship, created by the Foundation Board of Directors, honors the memory of the second president of the college. Dr. Koeller passed away in 2008. The newly-established founders’ scholarship acknowledges Dr. Koeller’s leadership role in the establishment of the college district, as well as his early academic career as a high school speech teacher.

The Dr. James D. Koeller—Founders Scholarship is a $1,000 annual award, distributed at a rate of $500 per semester, which can be applied to the costs of tuition, fees and textbooks purchased at the Moraine Valley Bookstore for the academic year in which the award is made.

To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must be a resident of the Moraine Valley Community College district, enrolled full-time and participating as a member of the Moraine Valley Forensics team during the semester in which the scholarship is awarded. The student also must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher, demonstrate financial need, and submit a short essay describing the communication
skills the student has gained and how these skills will be useful in the student’s life.

For more information about this award or application procedures, contact the Foundation Office at (708) 974-5335 or linns@morainevalley.edu.

From the Foundation President

In this issue of Connections, we are pleased to announce the creation of two new scholarship funds that will benefit Moraine Valley students. The Great Lakes Bank Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund and the Dr. James D. Koeller-Founders Scholarship.

Other recently established scholarships include the Oak Lawn Rotary Scholarship, the Lieutenant Gene Marcheschi Memorial Scholarship, and the Hickey Foundation Scholarship. Each scholarship fund represents expanded opportunities for local residents to pursue their educational goals—both now and in the future. What’s more, these newest scholarship funds provide examples of how local businesses, community organizations, and families and friends of individuals who have served the college have come together to support the success of Moraine Valley students.

Establishing a scholarship is an excellent way to remember a loved one, honor a trusted friend or co-worker, or leave a personal legacy. A one-time scholarship can be established for as little as $1,000.00 and help fill a financial need that would otherwise prevent a local resident from obtaining a college education. Donations in any amount toward existing scholarships also are appreciated. As Foundation president, I gratefully acknowledge all of the local businesses, community organizations, and individuals who
have helped establish and contribute to scholarships for Moraine Valley students. I encourage you to contact Sue Linn, Foundation executive director, at (708) 974-5335 to learn how you can establish or donate to a scholarship to help a Moraine Valley student.

Sincerely,
David Heide

Scholarship continues his giving ways

“I am absolutely delighted about a scholarship in my husband’s name” said Ruth Koeller, wife of the late Dr. James Koeller, the second president at Moraine Valley.

“Jim was very much interested in public speaking. He was part of the speech program at Northern (Illinois University) and won several contests there,” Ruth said. “He was very comfortable speaking in large groups. Actually, he would make the speeches at birthday parties, church gatherings, for civic organizations, and all kinds of events.”

Dr. Koeller began his career as a high school teacher and coach in Mendota and at Reavis High School in Burbank before becoming part of the committee to establish a community college district. It was Dr. Koeller, a long-time Oak Lawn and Palos Park resident, who helped pen the feasibility study that ultimately led to the creation of Moraine Valley. He then served as the executive assistant to the Board of Trustees, the assistant to the college’s first president, Dr. Robert Turner, as a dean of Community Services, and executive vice president before being appointed president in 1974, a position he remained in until 1982.

There are many reasons why Ruth believes her husband would be so pleased about a scholarship, but the one that comes to mind first is because he was such a giving man himself. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the League for Innovation in the Community College, as an officer for the Rotary Club of Oak Lawn, on the Board of the Mid America Chapter of the Red Cross, and on numerous other boards and councils, Dr. Koeller volunteered his talents in the kitchen.

“Jim enjoyed hosting bread and soup dinner parties at our home,” Ruth said. “Everyone went home with a quart of his or her favorite of the four soups he made.” Jim also was known as quite a baker. “He began making and freezing cookie dough the day after Thanksgiving and by the time Christmas arrived, we would have baked several thousand cookies, most of which he delivered in his Santa Claus outfit to neighbors, family, local hospitals, and neighborhood merchants. He was always giving,” she said.

“Giving this scholarship in Jim’s name is so very nice,” Ruth said. “It is a lasting tribute for my husband and it is wonderful.”

Dr. Vernon O. Crawley, (third from left) president of Moraine Valley Community College, accepts the scholarship endowment check from Ron Shropshire, (third from right) president of Great Lakes Bank and a member of the Great Lakes Bank Foundation. Sue Linn, (far left) executive director of the Moraine Valley Community College Foundation, David Heide, (second from left) president of the Moraine Valley Foundation, Michael Reagan, (second from right) commercial banking officer of Great Lakes Bank and a member of the Great Lakes Bank Foundation, and Anthony Carollo,(far right) vice president of Great Lakes Bank and a member of the Great Lakes Bank Foundation, also took part in the presentation.

Great Lakes Bank Foundation Endows College Scholarship Fund

The Great Lakes Bank Foundation has granted $125,000 to the Moraine Valley Community College Foundation to establish an endowed scholarship fund that will help parents with dependent children achieve their dreams of a
college education and a career in business, healthcare or education.

Beginning this year, the Great Lakes Bank Foundation Endowed Scholarship fund will provide five $1,000 annual scholarship awards for local students who are also raising families while they pursue their college studies.

Monies for the newly endowed scholarship fund will be provided over a period of five years, with the first $25,000 contribution to the fund made in December 2008. Endowed scholarships provide the monies needed to fund annual scholarship awards in perpetuity. A minimum gift of $25,000 is retained as principal. The principal is placed in
a permanent investment fund for perpetuity, and a percentage of the interest earned from the principal each year is then available to fund the scholarship award. Since the principal remains untouched, the endowment lasts forever.

The Great Lakes Bank Foundation Endowed Scholarship fund reflects its commitment to the local communities served by the college district. The five annual scholarship awards provide critically needed funds to help local residents prepare for employment and upgrade skills needed for better paying positions or to change careers.

Each of the five $1,000 annual awards can be applied to the costs of tuition, fees and textbooks purchased at the Moraine Valley Bookstore for the academic year in which the award is made.

To be eligible for this scholarship, a student must have a dependent child and must be currently enrolled in one of the college’s business, nursing, allied health or education programs and plan to pursue a career in the field of study. Scholarship applicants must have completed 12 credit hours
of college-level work and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, carry a minimum of six credit hours in their program of study during the term in which the scholarship is awarded, demonstrate financial need, and
submit a short essay describing the impact the scholarship will have on the student and his/her family and the student’s career goals.

For more information about this award or application procedures, contact the Foundation Office at (708) 974-5335 or linns@morainevalley.edu.

The best kept secret about Moraine Valley? It's the total package, says a former student who now serves on the Board of Trustees.

"When folks think about a community college, it's
not always looked at the same as going away,"
says Mark Weber, a 2003 Moraine Valley graduate who was appointed to the board in June 2008. "But once
they’re here, I think people realize and can see the college is the total package."

"I was very involved while I was attending Moraine Valley," said Mark, who in addition to his club affiliations on campus served as a student trustee. "I really enjoyed my time here and I found it very unique to find an organization like this college that truly values people—whether it's students or staff."

After earning a bachelor's degree in political science with a concentration in business from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Mark began working for the State of Illinois in Springfield, but never lost sight of his first alma mater. "I always wanted to maintain that connection to Moraine Valley, so when I heard about the referendum, I would drive back every weekend just to help out with phone calls, pass out literature, whatever was needed," he said. Mark’s volunteer efforts in 2006 helped the college earn voter approval for new instructional buildings, technology
upgrades and other enhanced student services.

Mark’s career with a management consulting firm brought him back to Chicago to work. As a consultant with a focus on finance strategies that help governmental units improve their efficiency, Mark brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that make him an asset to the board.

His profession finds him primarily working with governments across the country for Accenture, a Fortune Global 500 company, to help them become high performance by becoming more efficient in all aspects, including day-to-day operations and financial reporting. “I primarily work with state and local governments, like the city of New York and the city of San Francisco. We help governments learn how to improve their efficiencies. I absolutely enjoy my work,”
said Mark. “Having a meaningful impact on my client—
that’s the value.”
 

Speech Team Takes Home the Gold

The Moraine Valley Community College speech team took first place at the recent College of Lake County Forensics Tournament. Every member of the team also made it to the final round in their category.

“We won because our team made key revisions to their
previous performances,” said Krista Appelquist, assistantprofessor of Communications and coach of the speech team. “When you focus on your craft, the trophy always comes. Watching their performances made me so proud. I have no doubt they will have a strong showing at the state and national tournaments.”

Highlights of the individual competitions included first place honors for Kim Saltin, of Alsip, in Speech to Entertain; Brittany Bollito, of Orland Park, in Poetry Interpretation; Tommy Molloy, of Oak Lawn, in Impromptu Speaking; and Matt Weibel, of Oak Lawn, and Antonio Zhiurinskas, of Chicago Ridge, in Duo-Interpretation. Weibel and Moe Adas, of Burbank, took first and second place respectively in Programmed Oral Interpretation.

Enjoy reading about former students?
Tell us about what you and other former students have been doing so we can share more great stories! Contact Sue Linn at (708) 974-5740 or linns@morainevalley.edu.

We look forward to hearing from you!

STARRY, STARRY NIGHT GALA CELEBRATING
15th Anniversary of Fine and Performing Arts Center

Legendary Chicago entertainer Ron Hawking is back by popular demand after a well-received 2008 gala performance. With a live orchestra and back-up vocalists, Hawking treats listeners to stylings of iconic songs by music legends Frankie Valli, Bobby Darrin, Ray Charles, Lou Rawls, Burt Bacharach, Johnny Mathis, Nat King Cole, Andrea Bocelli, and others. The gala also features foods from Chicago’s ethnic communities and decadent desserts, as well a silent
auction.

Tickets for the evening are $100 per person, and a portion of the ticket price is tax deductible as a charitable donation. Proceeds from this event benefit the Fine and Performing Arts Center, an important community attraction that provides a showcase for professional entertainment, a catalyst for budding artists, and a community and regional resource for the performing arts. Monies raised at the annual gala
are vital in keeping ticket prices to performances affordable for area residents and families.

The 2009 Starry, Starry Night committee includes Noreen Ligino-Kubinski, community affairs manager for Comcast, Barry Gaw, broker associate RE/MAX 10, Oak Lawn; Dick Post, broker and broker/owner of R.M. Post Realtors; and civic leader Carolyn Viverito.

To purchase tickets or obtain more information about event sponsorships, contact Christine Bennett, Foundation coordinator at (708) 974-5480 or bennettc@morainevalley.edu.

Bill Mahoney keeps a fast pace both at the office and at home.

As a senior researcher and global applications manager, Bill's work often has him running around the world. As a dad, one of his favorite activities is chasing his three young kids around the house. And if he gets a little extra spare time, he heads outside to jog around the neighborhood.

Bill, whose degrees include an Associate in Science from Moraine Valley, a bachelor’s in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a master’s and a doctorate in chemical engineering from Purdue University, has been working in various capacities for the past 13 years at Praxair Inc., a company that produces, distributes and sells gases like hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, and even neon found in electric lights. “We sell gases at all scales from cylinders for welding and medicinal oxygen, to large plants for steelmaking that can consume a thousand tons of oxygen per day and more,” said
Bill, who’s mainly involved in the technical area of gas applications.

It was during his time in Champaign that he was exposed to the entire process of research and development, including laboratory set up, experimental designs and problem formulation.
“I naturally enjoyed the entire process and still do
beyond expression. I cannot picture myself doing anything else except exploration, research and technical development,” Bill said.

Bill is now working at the Praxair Technical Center in
Tonawanda, NY (near Buffalo). “It’s an amazing laboratory
with scientists and engineers from all over the world,” he
said, adding that his job also takes him to places like China, India, Scandinavia, Brazil, Europe, Mexico and Canada. “The creative processes involved in invention are the most enjoyable part of my job, from conceiving basic ideas, to the construction of physical equipment for laboratory studies supporting R & D, all the way to the commercial demonstration of new technology,” Bill said.

While Bill has several schools to thank for fine educations
that led to a successful career, he says his years at Moraine Valley really helped to shape his future. “I had chosen to go to Moraine Valley for many reasons. Financially, it was a great deal. And, frankly, for not being the most focused of high school students—and that is an understatement—I needed the classes to help boost up my record and to help me develop my interests and abilities,” Bill said.

“Moraine Valley helped guide me to who I am today.
I learned stronger study habits and eventually came to be
a stronger student,” he said. “In all aspects, Moraine
cleared the path and opened my eyes to a different future.”

Scholarship Makes It Possible For Mom to Reach Her Goal

When life happens, sometimes goals and dreams have to take a back seat to other priorities and responsibilities.

For Kristin Walsh, a single mom of three children, circumstances in her life changed and it seemed like her goal to finish school with a nursing degree was going to have to go to the back of the line. That was until she was awarded the 2008 Illinois Health Improvement Association Scholarship
at Moraine Valley.

“As a single mother of three young children, this scholarship means more to me than you will ever know,” said Kristin, who plans to become a registered nurse in the field of obstetrics.

Kristin decided on this career after witnessing the fast actions of the attending nurse when her son was born. “This nurse saved both my life and that of my son’s. And I knew right then and there that this was the field I wanted to go into,” she said.
Kristin currently works in an OB-GYN office and says she loves it, so she knows it is the right career choice. “I wish I could work more, but because of how intense the nursing program is, I can only work one day a week,” she said.

Moraine Valley’s nursing program was Kristin’s first choice for her education. “Moraine Valley has a great reputation academically for their nursing program, as well as for their general core classes, and they are reasonably priced,” she said. However, a life-altering event made her concerned and worried about her future. Now, she says, she doesn’t need to be.

“This scholarship alleviates a lot of stress for me,” Kristen
said. “Now I can focus on my studies instead of my finances. Not only has the scholarship provided financial help, it has allowed my children to believe that the goals that they set for themselves should never go unattained. They have witnessed my hard work and have incorporated that into their own studies, and now they do this with more enthusiasm knowing that anything is possible.”

So many students, like Kristin, are faced with challenges that make continuing their education difficult, but a scholarship can make all the difference. For more information on how you can help make the difference in the life of a student, contact the Moraine Valley Foundation Office at (708) 974-5335 or linns@morainevalley.edu.

• Second largest community college in Illinois

• Nearly 48,000 students enrolled annually

• Top 8 percent in the nation among community
  colleges in degrees conferred

• 97-100% percent of transfer graduates would
  recommend Moraine Valley

• 93 percent of graduates employed or continuing
  their education

• Average age of credit students is 26; average age of noncredit students is 49

• 111 degree and certificate programs; 140 online
  courses

• More than 1,200 current Moraine Valley students
  have a bachelor’s, master’s, first professional or
  doctoral degree

Some of the LEED features in the building design and surrounding site include a geothermal heating and cooling system to reduce the building’s overall energy consumption, and daylighting, sun harvesting and lighting controls. These daylight compensating controls will reduce the need for artificial lighting. There will be water-efficient landscaping, which utilizes native plant species, vegetative bio-swales, porous paving materials and two water retention ponds. Recycled materials will be used throughout the building wherever possible.