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Adam Bartuzi
The Moraine Valley Community College Foundation has six new scholarships available during the spring and fall 2026 semesters. Eligible Moraine Valley students are encouraged to apply for these scholarships, ranging from $250 to $1,000.
“Foundation scholarships can help reduce students’ financial burdens thanks to the generosity of our donors — we cannot thank them enough for their support,” said Patti Mehallick, director of Alumni and Annual Programs for the Foundation. “For the students, it’s more than a gift of money; it’s confidence in their education.” The Foundation has more than 375 scholarships for Moraine Valley students.
A not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization, the Foundation provides scholarships to offset the cost of tuition, books, fees and supplies for new and current Moraine Valley students. Scholarship criteria are defined by the establishing donors of each; recipients can be selected based on financial need, field of study, academic achievement, career choice, personal accomplishments, community volunteerism and more.
The following are the Foundation’s newest scholarships:
- Adam Bartuzi Trades Career Programs Scholarship, $500
Offered by the Zopf, McNamara and Bartuzi families and their friends in memory of local tradesman Adam Bartuzi, this award will have multiple recipients from students enrolled in Trade/Career Programs classes (e.g. HVAC, welding, automotive or electronics). The deadline to apply is Dec. 31.
- Brand Family Firefighter Scholarship, $1,000
This scholarship was started by Daniel Brand and his family of firefighters. Designated for single parents with dependent children or the dependent child of a single parent in the Fire Academy or the Emergency Medical Services Program (EMS). The deadline to apply is Dec. 31.
- A. Schraffenberger Health Sciences Endowed Scholarship, $1,000
Sponsored by a retired Moraine Valley faculty member, this endowed award is open to students enrolled in one of the following health sciences associate degree programs: Addictions Studies, Health Information Technology, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Therapy or Sleep Technology. The scholarship will begin accepting applications on March 1.
- Patricia J. McNamara Scholarship, $1,000
Open to students currently enrolled in the Nursing Program, 24 years of age or older and returning to school after being away for five or more years. The scholarship will begin accepting applications on March 1.
- Patrick “Irish” Collier Scholarship
In memory of Pat Collier, an instructor in the Moraine Valley EMS Program for over 20 years, the scholarship recipient will receive the amount of donations collected annually. Eligible recipients must be enrolled in the EMS Program. The scholarship will begin accepting applications on March 1.
- Sullivan Paramedic Scholarship
Open to students enrolled in the first semester of the Paramedic Program who are, and will remain, within Moraine Valley’s district and who graduated from an in-district public or private high school. The Sullivan Paramedic Scholarship offsets the cost of the first semester. The deadline to apply is Dec. 31.
Donors interested learning more about how to start a scholarship for Moraine Valley students are encouraged to contact the Foundation at foundation@morainevalley.edu. Interested students can apply for these and other scholarships and learn more about scholarship opportunities at the college by visiting morainevalley.edu/cost-and-aid/scholarships or by contacting Mehallick at mehallickp@morainevalley.edu.
For news media inquiries, contact Joshua Lahey, Moraine Valley communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or laheyj5@morainevalley.edu.
