Three winners announced in MCC recognition program

Submitted by McHenry County College

McHenry County College has announced three winners of the 2011 MCC Alumni Awards Recognition program. The winners include Edward Saunders, Ph.D., Alumni Career Distinction Award; Frances Mai-Ling, Alumni Excellence in Community Service Award; and Coy McQueen, Alumni Triumph Award. All three will be recognized at MCC’s fall graduation ceremony on Dec. 15.

The alumni awards program started in 2003 to acknowledge the fine accomplishments of MCC alumni. MCC graduates include inventors, award-winning community and business leaders, and tireless volunteers.

Highlights of this year’s alumni award winners follows.

Ÿ Alumni Career Distinction Award, for making a difference in his chosen career field or helping a fellow employee to excel: Edward (Ed) Saunders, Ph.D. of Coralville, Iowa.

Saunders graduated from McHenry County College with an associate in arts degree in 1971. While attending MCC, he developed an appreciation for higher education and personal responsibility; was active in student government, the student newspaper, the first Earth Day committee, and a referendum committee to secure a permanent site for the college.

Saunders has been a social service worker with several agencies and has published numerous works. In 1985, he joined the faculty of the University of Iowa, School of Social Work, and he became its director in 2005. In 2008, he was named “Public Health Social Worker of the Year” by the American Public Health. He is currently working with the Des Moines Area Community College to partner in the development of a new bachelor of arts degree program in social work for place-bound students in Central Iowa. His vision is for all community college students to have access to higher education.

In addition to receiving his associate degree from MCC, Saunders holds a bachelor’s degree, two master’s degrees, and a Ph.D.

Ÿ Alumni Excellence in Community Service Award, for serving her community, various community organizations and the McHenry County College: Frances Mai-Ling of Spring Grove. Mai-Ling completed an associate in science, an associate in general education and an associate in applied science in accounting at McHenry County College (Class of 1995 and 1997). Her involvement with MCC began through work with the College’s Music Department when she was just 15 years old. Mai-Ling has always had a passion and for the arts, specifically music. After experiencing a tragic family event, she began to give back to the community by providing stroke information through the use of her music. She now holds therapy concerts to work with memory care and dementia patients. Mai-Ling was awarded a Hero’s Award by the American Heart Association, has been featured in a local newspaper for her volunteer efforts, and was featured in the annual report for Stroke Connection. By connecting her love of music and her business sense, Mai-Ling is able to further her advocacy efforts and create a better and more informed community.

Ÿ Alumni Triumph Award, for his perseverance overcoming obstacles that could have prevented him from obtaining higher education: Coy McQueen of Harvard. McQueen graduated from MCC with an associate degree in applied science in 2004. He first attended MCC in fall 1972 and then in 2001, enrolled in Fast Track, an accelerated degree program for the adult learners. He worked as a plant manager while attending MCC, and graduated with his AAS degree in 2004 and an associate in general education in 2005. Even though challenged with a chronic neurological movement disorder for over 50 years, McQueen is an adjunct professor at MCC, a volunteer and contributor in his hometown of Harvard and has contributed to the success of many area companies. He is recognized as someone who collaborates well with both traditional and returning adult students. McQueen also holds a bachelor of science degree, a master of science in industrial management and an MBA degree. He is currently finishing is doctoral degree in instructional technology at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.