Donations from an anonymous alumna inspired the establishment of two innovative scholarships offered by the Moraine Valley Foundation. The addition of a child care rider to the Arlene Spiros Academic Scholarship and the establishment of the John A. Weber Electric Vehicle Scholarship aim to meet student needs in innovative ways.
The Arlene Spiros Academic Scholarship was established about 15 years ago and awards $1,500 to as many as five single parents pursuing a program in STEM or health care at Moraine Valley. This scholarship is awarded annually and will be endowed.
New to the scholarship is the addition of a child care rider – a first for the Moraine Valley Foundation. The rider, totaling $800 to be divided between two of the scholarship recipients, will be applied to child care costs at the Children’s Learning Center at the college. The scholarship donor shared that she hopes the rider inspires future donors to consider similar initiatives.
Bayan Ahmad, recipient of the Arlene Spiros Academic Scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year, shared, “When I heard I was getting the Arlene Spiros Academic Scholarship, I was so happy because life is not easy for me right now. This scholarship gives me hope and power. It helps me feel less stressed about money and focus more on my studies. I am a hardworking woman, and I love education because it gives me freedom and helps me grow.”
Gisel Zuniga, a student in the Nursing Program who plans to graduate this fall, received the scholarship last year. Following graduation, she plans to work as a registered nurse, ideally in the Emergency Room or ICU, prior to continuing her education. “Between the costs of tuition, books and supporting my daughter, finances were stretched thin,” Zuniga explained. “The Arlene Spiros Academic Scholarship lifted a significant burden and allowed me to devote more time and energy to my studies instead of taking on extra work hours.”
Another recipient of the scholarship, who wished to remain anonymous, said the scholarship provided the relief she needed from financial pressure as she pursued her degree, “The Arlene Spiros Academic Scholarship provided funding specifically for textbooks, which allowed me to purchase the materials I needed for my courses without added stress. That financial relief gave me more room to focus on my studies and stay on track toward earning my degree. It reminded me that I’m not alone on this journey and that there are people and programs out there who believe in students like me.”
The anonymous donor and her husband also established the John A. Weber Electric Vehicle Scholarship at Moraine Valley for the 2025-26 academic year. The scholarship is for students in the EV Service and Repair Certificate Program and was established in memory of the donors’ father and father-in-law, John Albert Weber. “He was a World War II veteran and somebody who gave back to his community and supported his family. He epitomizes hard work,” she shared, adding that he championed the phrase, “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”
Zuniga expressed her gratitude for the scholarship and encouraged other students to apply, sharing, “Students should apply because this scholarship is more than just financial assistance – it is a vote of confidence in your abilities and your future. It’s a reminder that there are people who believe in your potential and want to see you succeed. For me, it reinforced that my hard work and resilience were seen and valued, and I believe it can do the same for many others.”
To learn more about the Moraine Valley Foundation, visit morainevalley.edu/foundation.
For news media inquiries, contact Madisson Younglove, Moraine Valley assistant director of Communications, at (708) 974-5281 or younglovem2@morainevalley.edu.
