“Students in our Career Programs are using fewer typical classroom supplies and more on-the-job tools. While this prepares students for the working environment right away, they often bear the financial burden upfront, which can make students hesitant to pursue these programs,” said Patti Mehallick, director of Alumni and Annual Programs for the Foundation. “Donations like this help students surmount the costs of the program and give them confidence to succeed.”

Devoted to supporting children in the local community, the Orland Park Kiwanis Club is a volunteer service group that organizes multiple fundraising initiatives in the area. In addition to funding scholarships, the Orland Park Kiwanis Club supports the Crisis Center for the South Suburbs, Ronald McDonald House Charities, the VIP Service Dog Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and more.

Over the past eight years, the Orland Park Kiwanis Club has provided similar donations to the Foundation, helping more than 100 students through scholarships. This donation will fund scholarships for 28 Career Programs students beginning in the fall 2026 and spring 2027 semesters.

鈥淥rland Park Kiwanis Club鈥檚 donations focus on where we can have the greatest impact on people or organizations with the greatest needs,鈥� said Larry McGrenera, president of the Orland Park Kiwanis Club. 鈥淲e hope that the scholarships we provide to Moraine Valley students hit that target and look forward to the students growing our gift to pay it forward in the future, once they land a job in their chosen field. We would love to see them become the next generation of Kiwanians at our club or other ones throughout the world.鈥�

Scholarships through the Moraine Valley Foundation are awarded based on a variety of qualifications, including outstanding academic or personal achievement, financial need, leadership skills and community involvement.

For more information, contact Mehallick at (708) 974-5551 or mehallickp@morainevalley.edu.

For news media inquiries, contact Joshua Lahey, Moraine Valley communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or聽laheyj5@morainevalley.edu.

The post Orland Park Kiwanis Club invests in future Moraine Valley students appeared first on 好色先生.

Each year, the Hall of Fame recognizes four alumni who have made an impact in their professional and personal lives. Inductees are selected by the Hall of Fame selection committee comprising college faculty, staff and alumni. Awardees will be notified by Oct. 31.

Nominations can be made by anyone; however, individuals may not nominate themselves. Nominees must have attended 好色先生 10 or more years ago and received a degree or certificate or completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at the college. Nominees not selected into the 2027 Hall of Fame will be considered for up to three years.

For additional details on nomination qualifications for the Alumni Hall of Fame and the nomination process, visit .

Nomination forms can be submitted online at or mailed to the Moraine Valley Alumni Office, 9000 W. College Parkway, Room M220, Palos Hills, IL 60465.

For additional information, contact Patti Mehallick, director of Alumni and Annual Programs for the Foundation, at (708) 974-5551 or alumni@morainevalley.edu.

For news media inquiries, contact Joshua Lahey, Moraine Valley communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or聽laheyj5@morainevalley.edu.

The post Moraine Valley Alumni Hall of Fame nomination deadline approaching appeared first on 好色先生.

鈥淢any students face financial struggles as they pursue their dream of getting a college education,鈥� said Patti Mehallick, director of Alumni and Annual Programs. 鈥淭hanks to our generous donors, we can help students with this situation by offering many different scholarships so they can complete their studies. I am pleased we have many generous donors who provide students with much-needed help.鈥�

Scholarships through the Moraine Valley Foundation are awarded based on a variety of qualifications, including outstanding academic or personal achievement, financial need, leadership skills, community involvement or program/field of study. Select scholarships also are available for students who have not completed or are not eligible to complete the FAFSA.

鈥淭he scholarship application takes less than an hour to complete, and when students complete it, the application automatically will be applied to any scholarships the students may qualify for,鈥� Mehallick said. Scholarships are available for full- and part-time students, regardless of financial aid; all students are encouraged to apply.

For more information, contact Mehallick at (708) 974-5551 or mehallickp@morainevalley.edu.

For news media inquiries, contact Joshua Lahey, Moraine Valley communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or聽laheyj5@morainevalley.edu.

The post Application window for Moraine Valley Foundation scholarships closes end of May appeared first on 好色先生.

鈥淲e had an exceptionally large number of outstanding nominees this year, further demonstrating how well our alumni do after leaving Moraine Valley,鈥� said Patti Mehallick, director of Alumni and Annual Programs for the Foundation. 鈥淎ll of our 2026 inductees have excelled in their careers and given back to their communities. We are so proud to have them represent our college in our Alumni Hall of Fame.”

Swift was the 2026 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner. Swift is a motivational speaker, author and founder and president of Swift Outdoor Accessible Recreation, a nonprofit organization that offers equipment, programs and services for individuals with disabilities to help them enjoy the outdoors.

Swift enrolled at Moraine Valley in 1980, less than one year after sustaining a spinal cord injury and becoming a C5/6 quadriplegic. After graduating from Moraine Valley and Saint Xavier University, he attended DePaul University College of Law, where he received his juris doctor.

After spending 20 years in corporate sales and developing employee training initiatives, Swift turned his focus to helping others. As a certified motivational speaker, he delivers keynote addresses and provides executive coaching. He has authored nine motivational books, including a series called 鈥淪wift Fixes.鈥�

As this year鈥檚 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner, Swift is the college鈥檚 nominee for the Illinois Community College Trustees Association statewide contest.

Fernandez is a physical therapist, philanthropist and public speaker. He specializes in sports rehabilitation, orthopedics and workplace health.

Fernandez has used his education to heal injuries and restore physical function, and teach the next generation. He has delivered more than 200 presentations on physical therapy and has traveled across the world to provide pro bono physical therapy.

Fernandez is a volunteerism advocate. He has worked with the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project for Habitat for Humanity to build homes for those in need and served as a guardian on multiple honor flights, bringing over 2,500 veterans to Washington, D.C.

Joseph enrolled at Moraine Valley in 2014 after graduating from high school in Nigeria. While at Moraine Valley, she was a conversation partner, orientation peer, student tutor and president of the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Club. After graduating with honors, she attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for molecular and cellular biology.

Joseph has amassed multiple recognitions from the Mayo Clinic, the National Institute of Mental Health and the National Science Foundation. She is a graduate student researcher at Brown University conducting research in immunology, neuroscience, multiomics and epidemiology.

O鈥橲hea serves as the alderman of Chicago鈥檚 19^th Ward and has represented the communities of Mount Greenwood, Morgan Park and his hometown of Beverly since 2011. After transferring from Moraine Valley, he attended Saint Mary鈥檚 University of Minnesota, earning his bachelor鈥檚 degree in political science.

O鈥橲hea worked as an aide for several politicians, including state Rep. Kevin Joyce and former 19^th Ward Alderwoman Ginger Rugai. He is passionate about public safety and is an advocate for volunteerism, specifically with local nonprofit organizations.

For information about the Alumni Hall of Fame, contact Patti Mehallick at (708) 974-5551 or mehallickp@morainevalley.edu.

For news media inquiries, contact Joshua Lahey, Moraine Valley communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or聽laheyj5@morainevalley.edu.

About the Moraine Valley Foundation
The Moraine Valley Foundation was founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and emergency assistance to 好色先生 students, fund innovative programs at the college and offer financial support to its Fine and Performing Arts Center. As a 501(c)3 entity, the Foundation partners with corporate and individual donors and has awarded over $1 million to support the college鈥檚 mission. In the last fiscal year, over $325,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to students pursuing a better life through higher education. Please help make our students鈥� dreams possible through a donation to the Foundation at .

The post Moraine Valley Foundation inducts four new members into the Alumni Hall of Fame appeared first on 好色先生.

• 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

• 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 鈥淚rish鈥� 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鈥檚 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.

The post Moraine Valley Foundation adds six new scholarships appeared first on 好色先生.

Limited tickets for golfing are available. Individuals also can contribute to student scholarships by purchasing tickets to the post-golf dinner and awards ceremony at Cog Hill for $75, buying split-the-pot tickets or bidding on items in an online silent auction, which runs from Sept. 9 to 18 at .

Returning this year is the opportunity to participate in All-in-FORE-Fun activities on the course to play games and win prizes. All-in-FORE-Fun wristbands can be purchased online for $50.

Sponsorship opportunities for businesses and individuals still are available. These include the Dinner and Awards Ceremony Sponsorship for $1,500, Refreshment Cart Sponsorship for $1,250, Beverage Cart Sponsorships for $1,000, Lunch Sponsorships for $600, and Hole Sponsorships for $350. Additional event sponsorship information is available at morainevalley.edu/golf.

鈥淓ach year, the Moraine Valley Foundation is proud to host our golf outing to help deserving students with scholarships that are supported by the funds raised at this fun event,鈥� said Kristy McGreal, executive director of the Foundation. 鈥淲e are grateful for the support we have received from our community over the years. Special thanks go to our sponsors for their generous contributions. We look forward to another successful event.鈥�

This year鈥檚 outing is presented by Live Right Senior Care. 2025 Golf Outing Sponsors include Pepper Construction, All-in-FORE-Fun Sponsor; Anchor Mechanical, Beverage Cart Sponsor; Stogie Life Cigar Shop, Cigar Sponsor; PepsiCo, Course Refreshment Sponsor; Noral Jewelers, Golf Awards Sponsor; and Cintas and Kerlin Walsh Law, Lunch Sponsors. The Foundation鈥檚 2025 Annual Event Sponsors include Demonica Kemper Architects, Platinum; Old National Bank, Gold; PepsiCo, Silver; ComEd, Heide Wealth Management Group and UPS, Supporting. To purchase tickets, become a sponsor and view all event details, visit morainevalley.edu/golf or contact Kalynn Duggan at (708) 608-4178 or duggank6@morainevalley.edu for additional information.

For media inquiries, contact Madisson Younglove, assistant director of Communications, at (708) 974-5281 or younglovem2@morainevalley.edu.

About the Moraine Valley Foundation
The Moraine Valley Foundation was founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and emergency assistance to 好色先生 students, fund innovative programs at the college and offer financial support to its Fine and Performing Arts Center. As a 501(c)3 entity, the Foundation partners with corporate and individual donors and has awarded over $1 million to support the college鈥檚 mission. In the last fiscal year, over $300,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to students pursuing a better life through higher education. Please help make our students鈥� dreams possible through a donation to the Foundation at morainevalley.edu/donate

The post Moraine Valley Foundation hosts 44th annual golf outing appeared first on 好色先生.

The Hall of Fame recognizes alumni who have made an impact in their professional and personal lives. New inductees are chosen by the Hall of Fame selection committee, which comprises college faculty, staff and alumni; awardees are notified by Oct. 31.

Nominations can be made by anyone; however, individuals may not nominate themselves. Nominees must have attended 好色先生 10 or more years ago and received a degree or certificate or completed a minimum of 30 credit hours at the college.

For additional details on nomination qualifications for the Alumni Hall of Fame and the nomination process, visit聽morainevalley.edu/alumni/hall-of-fame.

Nomination forms will be accepted until June 30, 2025, and can be submitted online at聽morainevalley.edu/alumni/hall-of-fame聽or mailed to the Moraine Valley Alumni Office, 9000 W. College Parkway, Room M220, Palos Hills, IL 60465.

For additional information, contact Patti Mehallick at (708) 974-5551 or聽alumni@morainevalley.edu.

For media inquiries, contact Madisson Younglove, assistant director of Communications, at (708) 974-5281 or聽younglovem2@morainevalley.edu.

The post Moraine Valley Alumni Hall of Fame nomination deadline June 30 appeared first on 好色先生.

Through the Mark Sebby Memorial Nondestructive Testing Scholarship and The American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT) Scholarship, the Moraine Valley Foundation is awarding scholarships to new or current students taking NDT courses at the college. The Mark Sebby Memorial Scholarship awards eligible students up to $500. The ASNT scholarship also offers scholarships, ranging from $500 to $1,000, to current students taking NDT courses at Moraine Valley. Students must be in good standing.

While the deadline to apply for Foundation scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year has passed, NDT scholarship applications will remain open until awarded.

Patti Mehallick, director of alumni and Annual Programs, shared, 鈥淭hese scholarships are offered only to students taking these specific courses. The application is very easy to complete and requires the student to answer a few questions about their college goals and interests in taking part in this program. The scholarships are made possible by generous donors and may be used for tuition, fees and books.鈥�

Moraine Valley offers an eight-course NDT certificate program that can be completed in as little as one semester. 聽NDT is a growing field that plays a critical role in assuring that structural components and systems perform their function in a reliable and cost-effective fashion. NDT technicians and engineers define and implement tests that locate and characterize material conditions and flaws that might otherwise cause less visible but troubling events.

In fall 2024, Moraine Valley used a $500,000 grant from the Congressional Funded Community Project to upgrade its NDT laboratory. The facility features cutting-edge technology, including a magnetic particle inspection machine, phased arrays ultrasonic testing devices, eddy current scanners and probes and digital radiography tools.

Interested students can apply for these 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.

The post Moraine Valley Foundation invites applications for Nondestructive Testing scholarships appeared first on 好色先生.

The Foundation hopes to raise $100,000 to support Moraine Valley鈥檚 Health Sciences programs by funding scholarships and purchasing necessary supplies for students in the programs to successfully complete their education in an in-demand field.

鈥淢oraine Valley has an excellent reputation for training future health care workers and we鈥檙e proud that this year鈥檚 Gateways Gala will spotlight the college鈥檚 health sciences programs. We know many students struggle with paying for things like lab kits, textbooks, stethoscopes and uniforms, so we want to help make it easier for them to focus on their studies rather than their finances,鈥� Kalynn Duggan, special events and donor relations manager, said.

The evening will feature a live performance by the band Tony & The Tunas; a live auction for trips, dining and entertainment experiences; a silent auction featuring weekend trips, restaurant gift baskets and family fun packages; games; a photobooth and raffles. Raffle prizes include a $1,500 Southwest Airlines gift card, Chicago Cubs tickets, a R. Whittingham & Sons deluxe grill package and more. Attendees will enjoy food prepared by Country House and an open bar.

Michelle Relerford, weekday morning co-anchor for NBC 5 News Today will be the gala鈥檚 emcee.

Moraine Valley alumni can purchase tickets for a discounted price of $99. The regular ticket price is $125. To purchase event tickets and raffle tickets, and learn about available sponsorships, visit morainevalley.edu/galatickets.

The Foundation is grateful to this year鈥檚 Gateways Gala Event Sponsors, including Rivers Casino, Entertainment Sponsor; ComEd and Nox Medical, Culinary Arts Sponsors; and Advocate Health Care, ComEd, Dennis Shannon and Silver Cross Hospital, Table Sponsors. The Foundation鈥檚 2025 Annual Event Sponsors are Demonica Kemper Architects (DKA), Platinum; Old National Bank, Gold; PepsiCo Food Service, Silver; and ComEd, Heide Wealth Management Group and UPS, Supporting.

For more information about the event or to become a sponsor, contact the Foundation Office at (708) 974-5480.

For media inquiries, contact Karen Town, communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or town@morainevalley.edu.

About the Moraine Valley Foundation
The Moraine Valley Foundation was founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and emergency assistance to 好色先生 students, fund innovative programs at the college and offer financial support to its Fine and Performing Arts Center. As a 501(c)3 entity, the Foundation partners with corporate and individual donors and has awarded over $1 million to support the college鈥檚 mission. In the last fiscal year, over $325,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to students pursuing a better life through higher education. Please help make our students鈥� dreams possible through a donation to the Foundation at .

The post Moraine Valley Foundation鈥檚 gala invites community to support Health Sciences programs appeared first on 好色先生.

The evening will include live entertainment, interactive art displays, a live auction, games and raffles with prizes, including exclusive travel and sought-after event experiences. Attendees will enjoy food prepared by Country House and an open bar. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit morainevalley.edu/gala.

鈥淭he Fine and Performing Arts Center is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and we are proud the Foundation has been able to support its programming over the years,鈥� said Kristy McGreal, executive director of the Foundation. 鈥淲e are excited this year鈥檚 gala will raise money to allow professional performers to bring their talents to area schools so young children who might not have the opportunity to attend shows at a professional theater can experience the magic of live music and theater.鈥�

The Foundation is grateful to its 2024 Annual Event Sponsors, including Demonica Kemper Architects (DKA), Platinum; Old National Bank, Gold; PepsiCo Food Service, Silver; and ComEd, Heide Wealth Management Group, Legat Architects and UPS, Supporting.

For more information about the event or to become a sponsor, contact the Foundation Office at (708) 974-5480.

For media inquiries, contact Karen Town, communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or town@morainevalley.edu.

About the Moraine Valley Foundation
The Moraine Valley Foundation was founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and emergency assistance to 好色先生 students, fund innovative programs at the college and offer financial support to its Fine and Performing Arts Center. As a 501(c)3 entity, the Foundation partners with corporate and individual donors and has awarded over $1 million to support the college鈥檚 mission. In the last fiscal year, over $300,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to students pursuing a better life through higher education. Please help make our students鈥� dreams possible through a donation to the Foundation at morainevalley.edu/donate.

The post Moraine Valley Foundation鈥檚 gala will raise funds to bring the arts to children appeared first on 好色先生.

Susan Wade, vice president of Public Fund Banking at Old National Bank, said the bank wanted to help support the fund because it provides valuable aid for students pursuing a college education.

鈥淲e hope this donation will enable students to persist and complete their education when unforeseen financial barriers become obstacles. In addition to the affordability Moraine Valley offers, these wrap-around services can be critical to a student鈥檚 success,鈥� Wade said.

The bank also donated $20,000 in 2020 to support the same fund. 鈥淭his is the second emergency fund donation Old National Bank has given to the Foundation because it impacts so many students from so many backgrounds,鈥� Wade said.

鈥淲e are so grateful to Old National Bank for its generous donations that allow us to help many students facing financial challenges,鈥� said Kristy McGreal, executive director of the Moraine Valley Foundation. 鈥淪tudents who receive emergency funds always express how much this assistance means to them. Some would not be able to continue their studies if they did not receive these funds. The significant investment Old National Bank made in Moraine Valley students will truly make a difference in their ability to complete their college degree or certificate.鈥�

Over the past year, the Moraine Valley Foundation funded over $50,000 in crisis needs by helping students cover utility bills, handle child care emergencies, pay for public transportation to campus and more.

Wade, who has served on the Foundation鈥檚 Board of Directors for seven years and is currently serving as its treasurer, noted that Old National Bank and its predecessors, First Midwest Bank and Standard Bank, have been very active in volunteering their time to support the Foundation over the years because they share a commitment with the college to make a positive impact on the community.

鈥淧artnerships like ours make our communities stronger and, in turn, make our organizations stronger. Workforce development is integral to building our communities. When we can support students in achieving their dream of a college education and foster their ability to adapt to the needs of a changing workforce, lives are improved and communities are stronger,鈥� she said.

For media inquiries, contact Karen Town, communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or town@morainevalley.edu.

About the Moraine Valley Foundation

The Moraine Valley Foundation was founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and emergency assistance to 好色先生 students, fund innovative programs at the college and offer financial support to its Fine and Performing Arts Center. As a 501(c)3 entity, the Foundation partners with corporate and individual donors and has awarded over $1 million to support the college鈥檚 mission. In the last fiscal year, over $300,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to students pursuing a better life through higher education. Please help make our students鈥� dreams possible through a donation to the Foundation at morainevalley.edu/donate.

The post Old National Bank donates $10,000 to Moraine Valley Foundation appeared first on 好色先生.

More than 620 employees made contributions, with 96% of full-time faculty members donating. This year鈥檚 campaign, entitled 鈥淯nstoppable,鈥� raised the largest amount of money since the campaign began over 10 years ago.

鈥淲e are thrilled such a high number of employees donated to the campaign. Having 96% of our full-time faculty contribute is truly a testament to their dedication to their students,鈥� said Kristy McGreal, executive director of the Moraine Valley Foundation. 鈥淚t is rare to see this level of participation in an employee giving campaign, and it is inspiring to see the staff and faculty increase their contributions each year to support the work we do in the Foundation.鈥�

For information on donating to the Moraine Valley Foundation, contact McGreal at mcgrealc2@morainevalley.edu.

For media inquiries, contact Karen Town, communications specialist, at (708) 974-5652 or town@morainevalley.edu.

The Moraine Valley Foundation was founded in 1982 to provide scholarships and emergency assistance to 好色先生 students, fund innovative programs at the college and offer financial support to its Fine and Performing Arts Center. As a 501(c)3 entity, the Foundation partners with corporate and individual donors and has awarded over $1 million to support the college鈥檚 mission. In the last fiscal year, over $300,000 in scholarship funds were awarded to students pursuing a better life through higher education. Please help make our students鈥� dreams possible through a donation to the Foundation at morainevalley.edu/donate.

The post Employees again donate a record amount to the Moraine Valley Foundation appeared first on 好色先生.