ECC Founders' Day celebrates alumni, community members

Seven alumni and community members were recognized by Elgin Community College and the ECC Foundation during its 19th annual Founders' Day Celebration and Luncheon on Sunday, Feb. 12. The event commemorated the 1949 founding of the college, as well as recognized the distinguished achievements made by ECC students, alumni, employees, retirees and other community partners and supporters who have made an impact at ECC and played an integral part in fulfilling the college's mission.

The honorees included:

• Kenneth S. Hawkinson, Ph.D., received the Distinguished Alumni Award. A Carpentersville native and first-generation college student, he earned his ECC associate degree in 1976. He earned both a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in speech communication from Western Illinois University, and later earned a Ph.D. in speech communication and performance studies from Southern Illinois University.

Hawkinson began his tenure as the 12th president of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania in 2015. Under his leadership, the institution has made strides in academic excellence, student success, and expanding educational access.

• Phyllis Folarin, EdD, received the Elgin Community College Friend of Education Award. Her extensive career includes serving as an instructor and principal at Harriet Gifford Elementary School in Elgin, as dean of students at Elgin High School, and helping create Nature Ridge Elementary School in Bartlett. Upon retiring from Elgin Area School District U-46, she became the principal of her own company, Achievement Solutions, coaching individuals and organizations toward success through diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Folarin served on the ECC board of trustees for 12 years, a position she viewed as an extension of her lifelong passion-student success. She was vice chair, then board chair, and also served on several ECC committees. She later served as a director on the ECC Foundation board.

• Lawrence "Larry" Harrington received the Exceptional Friend of ECC Foundation Award. Born in Milwaukee, Wis., in 1927, Harrington worked as an usher at a city movie theater as a teenager before enlisting in the Navy during World War II. When he returned from the Pacific Theater, Harrington attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison with the help of the GI Bill and pursued a degree in political science, but left just three credits short of graduating. After retiring from his role as vice president, labor relations and human resources at the Milwaukee Railroad, Harrington decided to finish his degree. Needing to fulfill a foreign language credit, he enrolled in a Spanish language class at ECC. He so enjoyed that class that he later continued his education by taking Spanish history courses at the college. He returned to the UW in 2000 to complete his requirements and received his undergraduate degree.

The following honorees received the Lasting Impact Award

• Harry Seigle: A native of Elgin, Seigle graduated from Washington University in 1968 and Northwestern University Law School in 1971. He then went to work at the Chicago law firm of Chapman and Cutler. In 1974, he joined his family's building material supply company, Seigle's Inc. During his 30-year career, Seigle's grew to over 2,000 employees and engaged in manufacturing, retailing, distribution, and carpentry. Seigle was twice elected as an ECC trustee and served as board chair. He was chairman of the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce and ran unsuccessfully in 1998 for Illinois Comptroller. In 1995, Gov. Jim Edgar appointed him to serve as chairman of the Illinois Development Finance Authority, the state's major revenue bond issuer.

• Mark Seigle: Seigle is president of Elgin-based Seigle's Cabinet Center. He has helped grow his family-owned business that is more than 135 years old and is now the largest distributor of kitchen and bath cabinetry and countertops in the Chicago market. Seigle is also a partner in Seigle Investments LLC. He received his bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan. Civic involvement has been a cornerstone of Seigle's career. He is currently co-chairman of the Elgin Funders Forum, a board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Dundee Township, a member of the Kiwanis Club of Elgin, a trustee of the West Dundee Fire Protection District, and a member of the World President's Organization. He has served on the board of directors of numerous organizations including the Elgin Community College Foundation, Advocate Sherman Hospital, School District 300 Foundation, and First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Elgin.

• Julian and Cynthia Hernandez: The couple founded Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl which offers four levels of classes in traditional folkloric Mexican music and synchronized dance for students from age 5 to adult. Cynthia Hernandez, who was born and raised in Elgin, is the artistic director. She worked as a mechanical engineer before transitioning to dance as her full-time career. Starting as a student, she has become the heart and soul of Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl, with roles including dancer, teacher, treasurer, grant writer, seamstress, artistic director, and executive director.

Julian Hernandez received associate degrees in science and computer aided design from Elgin Community College and a bachelor's in business management from University of Phoenix. He studied folkloric dance techniques under Maestro Rafael Zamarripa, director of Ballet Folklorico de la Universidad de Colima, and attended workshops with Maestra Silvia Lozano, director of Ballet Folklorico de Mexico-Aztlan. In 2003, Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoyotl became an ECC Arts Center in-residence ensemble. The Hernandezes perform and compete with the adult group, which has won 40 trophies in 11 U.S. competitions over the past eight years.

The event's theme, "Some Dreams Just Need a Little Help," focuses on students who need assistance to make their academic dreams come true. The sold-out event was chaired by Michael Lee, president/CEO of KCT Credit Union, and David Pfeiffer, senior vice president of St. Charles Bank and Trust, both members of the ECC Foundation board of directors.

Also 13 scholarship recipients attended the event thanks to the generosity of student ticket sponsors. In sharing his ECC experience with attendees, student recipient Dominik Pabianczyk indicated his scholarship award serves as a vote of confidence and provides encouragement as he works toward his dream of becoming a firefighter and first responder.

All proceeds from the event benefit the ECC Foundation Resources for Excellence Annual Fund, which helps students start and stay in college, seed innovative ideas for educational excellence and effectiveness, and provide investment for other areas of emergent need to enable access to education and award excellence in our shared community.

For information about the ECC Foundation or to make a donation in honor of award recipients or to support student success, call (847) 214-7377 or visit www.elgin.edu/foundation.