Friends of MCC award third scholarship

Submitted by McHenry County College

Due to the success of McHenry County College’s Education to Empowerment recent scholarship launch, the Friends of MCC Foundation was able to award a third recipient last week.

Anna Gallagher of Union, is the third recipient of the new scholarship program that promotes educational empowerment for female students. She will receive a full-year scholarship at MCC as well as financial assistance when she transfers to a four-year school next year.

Education to Empowerment is a new women’s scholarship program presented by the Friends of MCC Foundation. The goal of the program is to bring together 100 influential women in the community who will commit to raising a total of $100,000 annually. The effort will make scholarships available to eligible female students at MCC and will include a mentoring component as the students complete their final year at MCC and advance to four-year schools and professional careers.

“The heart of the program is a desire to empower women to reach their fullest potential and achieve economic independence through education, mentoring and financial support,” said Erin Smith, chair of the Education to Empowerment Committee.

“But this is more than just a needs-based scholarship,” Smith said. “It closes the gap between getting access to education and getting support along the way. It also connects students to successful women in a variety of fields, so we’re helping to develop the successful leaders of tomorrow.”

Gallagher graduated from Pine Grove Christian Academy in Union. She began her MCC career in Fall 2010 when she was 16 years old. Anna has participated in MCC student organizations including Big Impact, Fitness Club, Future Engineers and Scientists Society and Campus Christian Fellowship. She is a student receptionist in the Advising and Transfer Center and is an Orientation Student Leader. Anna is also very involved in the McHenry County 4-H organization. She has volunteered at Clearing House, Relay for Life, Salvation Army and Adopt-a-Family. She is pursuing an Associate in Science degree from MCC and will transfer next year to a university to pursue a degree in mathematics. She plans to become a math teacher.

Two other women, Amberley Kowalski of Hebron and Brianna Carli of Woodstock, are also recipients of the Education to Empowerment scholarship.

The Friends of McHenry County College Foundation was founded in 1967 as the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of McHenry County College. MCC provides educational opportunities for more than 300,000 residents and 28,000 businesses in the area. The Foundation’s programs and scholarships are made possible through the generosity of its donors and supporters.

For more information about Education to Empowerment or other giving opportunities, contact the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation at (815) 455-8721 or visit the Foundation website at www.mchenry.edu/supportmcc.