June 2007

Foundation
Board of Directors
President
David C. Heide

Executive Vice President
Cheryl Wilson

Treasurer
Bruce G. Nawara, C.P.A.

Secretary
Margaret Lehner, Ed.D.

Brian Andersen
Frank R. Barre
Marguriet Bobb
Hon. Irene H. Brodie
Vernon Crawley, D.Ed.
Maria DeCaprio-Sunta
Anthony Q. Drake
Philip T. Foster
Barry Gaw
Noreen Ligino-Kubinski
Egon J. Menker
John Moore
Susan Murphy
Omar Najib
William J. Opelka
Debra Piscola
Maureen Ryan
Dennis Shannon
Carolyn Viverito

Executive Director
Sue Linnn

Campus Expansion Moves Ahead
Planning and design work continue on the campus expansion projects with a hopeful eye on breaking ground in late fall on three major projects. But before that can happen, preparation work will need to be completed, including a major parking lot and electrical work.

Final building designs on the science building, instructional and job training center, and the renovation and expansion of the College Center are expected to be presented to the Board of Trustees this summer.

In the meantime, work has started on a new parking lot that will be located in the southwest area of the campus. The parking lot will provide 630 spaces for the science building and the instructional and job training center. Some parking spaces at the existing lot west of the Fine and Performing Arts Center will be lost because the job training center will be built next to the arts center. The new lot is expected to open in August in time for the start of the fall semester. Work on another parking lot that will provide 250 spaces is scheduled to begin this summer. It will be located in front of the main entrance to the Fine and Performing Arts Center. That lot is expected to be completed in the fall.

Electrical work in anticipation of the renovation of the College Center also will begin this summer and will necessitate closing the west and south entrances to the building.

To find out more about exciting changes on campus, check out www.morainevalley.edu/bondprojects.

Message from the College President
DWhat an exciting time for Moraine Valley and everyone connected with the college. As we observe our 40th anniversary, it makes us proud to reflect back upon our modest beginnings.

Thanks to the foresight of the Oak Lawn Rotary organization, the southwest suburban area became home to a much-needed institution of higher learning—a college that opened with an enrollment of roughly 1,200 students in leased warehouse space.

Today, with a 294-acre university-like campus, enrollment has grown to more than 48,000 students a year.

While much has changed as we progressed over the years, the one constant has been the college’s commitment to our students and the communities we serve. This commitment has been and will continue to be our first priority.

As always, I invite you to take time to reconnect with Moraine Valley. If it’s been awhile since you’ve been on campus, plan to visit soon. I think you’ll be pleased to see the great strides we’ve made. And, there are many opportunities for you to participate in college life again. We’d welcome that on behalf of our students.

Sincerely,
Dr. Vernon O. Crawley
President

Dr. Patricia Bauhs may have retired from her long-time service to Moraine Valley, but her commitment to student success hasn’t, thanks to a scholarship being offered in her name.

The Dr. Patricia M. Bauhs scholarship, created by colleagues and friends to honor her dedication to the college’s mission, will be awarded to a currently enrolled Moraine Valley student who is at least 24 years of age. The scholarship recipient also must:

• have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher
• carry a minimum of 12 credit hours in the academic year in which the scholarship is awarded, and
• submit an essay describing the applicant’s adult responsibilities, career aspirations and plans to achieve these goals.

Students interested in applying for the Dr. Patricia M. Bauhs scholarship can contact the Foundation office at (708) 974-5335 or e-mail linns@morainevalley.edu.

Save the Date: Golf Outing
Grab your clubs and tee off for a good cause at the Foundation’s golf outing, Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Silver Lake Country Club in Orland Park. Why not get a foursome together for a day on the links and a great meal with friends! Proceeds benefit student scholarships. To obtain tickets or for more information on special sponsorship opportunities, call (708) 974- 5480 or visit www.morainevalley.edu/foundation.

Moraine Valley Observes Milestone
Moraine Valley Community College was founded in 1967 to offer students a quality and affordable college education.

In the 40 years since, Moraine Valley has gone from offering classes in a leased warehouse to providing students exceptional teaching in state-of-the-art facilities on a beautiful 294-acre campus.

When the college opened, approximately 1,200 students walked through our doors—eager to start their college education close to home. Moraine Valley now is the second largest community college in Illinois with over 18,000 students enrolled for spring 2007.

In addition to providing career training and assisting students in completing the first two years of their bachelor’s degree, Moraine Valley offers classes for personal and professional development. The college truly embraces our role as a community college by offering programs for everyone from preschoolers to active retirees.

Moraine Valley’s faculty and staff look forward to the next 40 years of helping people improve their lives, prepare for fulfilling careers, and expand their horizons through our many educational and cultural opportunities.

Take a look back at our past 40 years of success!
www.morainevalley.edu/40

Moraine Valley Experience Leads to
Eventful Career in Radio

Moraine Valley graduate Melissa Kennedy is now promotions manager at WBBM Newsradio 780.

Moraine Valley wasn’t part of Melissa Kennedy’s original plan, but as we all know, plans change.

“I heard so many good things about Moraine Valley that I moved into the district,” said Melissa, who earned an associate’s degree from Moraine Valley and her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College Chicago. She now works as promotions manager for WBBM Newsradio 780.

Her success in a fast-paced career comes as no surprise to those who knew her as a student at Moraine Valley. Staff comments depict Melissa, who was named the 2007 Pacesetter Award recipient, as hard-working and dedicated, traits she has carried into her professional life. While at Moraine Valley, Melissa worked as a reporter, features editor and editorin-chief for the Glacier student newspaper. “I went to the Glacier office for a meeting, and I never left,” she said.

Melissa believes Moraine Valley was the right choice for the foundation of her college education. “People genuinely cared about me succeeding,” she said. “The faculty—they’re like cheerleaders for us. This college is worth its weight 10 times over. It’s a tremendous school.”

“One of the best things about Moraine Valley is the general attitude throughout campus that makes students succeed,” she said. “Staff members want you to leave school with the tools you need to have a great life.”

And that does appear to be the case for Melissa in her marketing career. “My job is the best,” she said. “I work with a great group of people and there’s always something new happening. Plus, I’m a news junkie, and my office is across the hall from one of the most respected newsrooms.”

Giving Back to the Community
Preserves environment; mentors students
Lori Potter has gone far since her days at Moraine Valley—both geographically and in her career. Now a prominent environmental attorney with a prestigious firm in Colorado, Lori’s path to her successful career began with a Moraine Valley education.

She remembers being attracted to Moraine Valley because of the ability to earn college credits through CLEP tests. “I was impressed by the multiple ways Moraine Valley offered to turn one’s practical knowledge into college credit,” she said.

“That simply created more options in terms of a college timetable and the economics of college.”

Armed with an Associate in Arts degree from Moraine Valley, Lori transferred to the University of Illinois where she completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She went on to earn a law degree from Harvard.

The westward move brought her an opportunity to serve as regional director of the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund’s Rocky Mountain Office, where she supervised high-profile environmental litigation throughout the western states. She also was a Fulbright Professor of environmental law in India and an adjunct professor at the University of Denver College of Law.

Now in private practice in the Centennial state, Lori’s expertise in environmental law has brought her the distinction of being named by her peers in the Best Lawyers in America publication for the past six years. Her work goes beyond the court room and out into the community where she volunteers as a mentor and tutor for students. “I stay involved in these kinds of programs to give others the chance to experience the relationships I have had and benefited from myself,” she said.

The relationships Lori refers to are those she had with her professors while she was a student, especially at Moraine Valley where she said she enjoyed dedicated teachers and small classes. “Whether it’s a one-on-one mentoring or tutoring relationship, or the quality interaction of small classes at a community college, this is a rich and rewarding learning opportunity,” Lori said.

Destination: Fine and Performing Arts Center
___________________________________________________________________

In the Mood—a 1940s Musical Revue
Thursday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.

Second City “One Nation, Under Blog”
Saturday, Nov. 17, 7:30 p.m.

Christmas with the Kingston Trio
Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7:30 p.m.

Late Nite Catechism II
Saturday, Jan. 19, 7:30 p.m.

Natalie MacMaster
Sunday, Jan. 27, 7:30 p.m.

The Mystical Arts of Tibet: Sacred Music Sacred Dance
Saturday, Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.

Count Basie Orchestra
Saturday, March 1, 7:30 p.m.

Thodos Dance Chicago
Saturday, April 5, 7:30 p.m.

Aladdin
Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m.

Art Exhibits
James White and Joseph Milosovitch
Aug. 13-Sept. 23

Kyle Brian Webb
Oct. 1-Nov. 9

Moraine Valley Faculty Exhibit
Nov. 13-Dec. 10

Lloyd Wassenaar
Dec. 12-Jan. 31

Academic Theater
Buried Child
by Sam Shepard
Nov. 1-4

Barefoot in the Park
by Neil Simon
Feb. 29-March 2
March 7-8

Boy Gets Girl
by Rebecca Gilman
May 1-4

Jazz Ensemble Winter Concert
Friday, Nov. 30, 7:30 p.m.

Moraine Chorale and Chamber Singers Merry Christmas Music!
Saturday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.

Concert Band Winter Concert
Sunday, Dec. 2, 3 p.m.

Percussion Ensemble Winter Concert
Thursday, Dec. 6, 7:30 p.m.

Box Office Hours
Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
(708) 974-5500
The Box Office opens one hour prior to any performance. Theater doors open approximately 30 minutes prior to any performance. Summer and holiday hours vary.

www.morainevalley.edu/fpac

E-mail millerb@morainevalley.edu to request a complete 2007-08 season brochure. We will mail the brochure in August.

Performances will be held in the Dorothy Menker Theater or the John and Angeline Oremus Theater. Exhibits can be viewed in the Robert F. DeCaprio Art Gallery.

Graduate Wears Several Hats
Eight-point police hat by day—thinking cap by night
The tools of the trade for Michael Black depend on the time of day.
If he’s wearing a badge and has a weapon at his side, he’s at the Matteson Police Department where he serves as an administrative sergeant and firearms instructor. If he’s got on his thinking cap and his hands are tapping a keyboard, he’s churning out another fiction crime novel.

A graduate of Moraine Valley’s Criminal Justice Program, Michael’s desire for solving crimes and his passion for writing about them have turned out to be a winning combination, careers both fueled while he was a student at Moraine Valley.

“The teachers in the Criminal Justice Program were excellent,” Michael said. “Many of them also were police officers with substantial hands-on experience. They distilled the kernels of knowledge from their experiences and translated them into classroom lessons. I learned so much from those pros that my abilities as a cop increased dramatically. I have no doubt their wise counsel helped me succeed as a police officer.”

One of Michael’s teachers at Moraine Valley was the motivation behind a successful writing career. “Professor Leonard Jellema is without a doubt one of the finest teachers and men I’ve known. He learned about my background and became my mentor. We reunited in his creative writing course and after the semester, the class formed a writers’ group called, ‘The After Seven Club.’ I look back on this period as the beginning of my professional writing career.”

Michael, who is the 2007 Distinguished Moraine Valley Alumnus Award recipient, has published six fictional crime novels, two nonfiction books and more than 70 articles and short stories, many of which revolve around the mysteries of crime. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in English from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Columbia College Chicago.

When not involved with his police administrative work or immersed in his writing, Michael mentors other unpublished writers, teaches writing seminars, speaks to the youth at local schools and brushes up on his martial arts skills.

“My Moraine Valley experience continues to enrich my life to this day,” he said. “Whenever I find myself driving past it, I turn in and swing around the perimeter road, reveling in the memories.”

Thanks to the commitment of generous individuals, businesses and alumni, the Foundation is able to help students continue their education.

Share a Favorite Memory

We’re compiling stories from current and past students, faculty and staff, and from community members about their experiences with or at Moraine Valley. Do you have a favorite memory you’d like to share? Or, perhaps you’d like to congratulate the college on its 40th anniversary.

Submissions are for the college’s 40th anniversary Web site. We’d love to hear from you!
www.morainevalley.edu/40.

With a focus on fads, fashion and music from the 1960s, the event was an extraordinary observance of the college's 40th anniversary that included special recognition of the Oak Lawn Rotary, the group responsible for spearheading the referendum to create the college. The evening also was a celebration of the Foundation’s 25th anniversary.

Moraine Valley President Dr. Vernon Crawley, a proud member of the Oak Lawn Rotary, expressed appreciation for the initial and continuing support of the college. "The original steering committee envisioned a college that would eventually accommodate 3,700 students.

I am extremely proud that the Moraine Valley community has grown to more than 48,000 students annually. Without the support of the community and the Foundation, this would not have been possible."

The evening's excitement offered entertainment by Rich Daniels and the City Lights Orchestra, food favorites from Bertucci's, Ciao's. Henry's Pizza, Hong Min, and Julianni's, and beverages from Espresso Love, Jamba Juice and Pepsi. Guests also had opportunities to bid on silent auction items and win raffle prizes that included a trip to Las Vegas, a one-carat diamond necklace and a $1,000 Walter E. Smithe gift certificate.

 Foundation Board of Directors President David Heide was especially grateful to the evening's sponsors— epsiAmericas, event sponsor; UPS, gold sponsor; Teng and Associates, silver sponsor; and Comcast, Delmonica Del Muro Associates LLC, IHC Construction LLC, and Legat Architects, bronze sponsors. "Their generous support has made this evening possible," he said.

Sue Linn, executive director of the Foundation, noted Starry, Starry Night has raised $1.3 million over the years. "The generous support of the local”

Foundation Board member Dr. Irene Brodie (center), with members of the college’s 24 Karats dance team.

community in making this event a success is nothing short of amazing," she said. Foundation Executive Vice President Cheryl Wilson thanked the college community members who worked diligently on this event. "We would not be this successful without their support," Cheryl said.

Proceeds benefit several college programs, including the Fine and Performing Arts Center and student scholarships.

 Fast Facts about Moraine Valley

• Second largest community college in Illinois
• Nearly 48,000 students enrolled annually
• Top 8 percent in the nation among community colleges in degrees conferred
• 100 percent of transfer graduates would recommend Moraine Valley
• 93 percent of graduates employed or continuing their education
• Average age of credit students is 27; average age of noncredit students is 40
• 109 degree and certificate programs; 131 online courses
• 1,290 current Moraine Valley students have a bachelor’s, master’s, first professional or doctoral degree

To view more photos from the past 40 years, visit www.morainevalley.edu/40