Going black-tie to raise green at Harper College
Will a black-tie gala help offset state funding cuts for a local community college?
Officials at Harper College in Palatine are banking on it.
They hope a large turnout at the school's 40th anniversary gala this weekend will make up for million of dollars in state funding shortfalls.
So far, the Palatine school has collected nearly $500,000 in ticket sales -- far beyond money raised at this annual event in past years.
Over the past five years, Harper has lost about $5 million in state funding, says spokesman Phil Burdick.
"The college has come to the conclusion that state funding is never going to come back," he said. "We have to look at creative ways to support the college."
The $500-a-head gala benefiting the educational foundation is Saturday at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center. Actor-comedian Kevin Pollak will headline the black-tie event.
Sales so far are about four times more than in the past, said Cathy Brod, executive director for the foundation.
The school usually clears $75,000 to $100,000 from these events, but this year more than $350,000 is expected, she said.
Big cash sponsors from the community include:
• $100,000 from Square D/Schneider Electric of Palatine.
• $50,000 from John and Rita Canning.
• $50,000 from Kimball Hill Organization.
• $50,000 from Northwest Community Hospital.
• 50,000 from Jim and Patti Lancaster.
Paddock Publications, which publishes the Daily Herald, also contributed $10,000.
All money raised will go toward educational scholarships.
"Community colleges now more than ever before are such an important and vital niche in the educational process," said Robert Fiorani, vice president of communications for Square D/Schneider Electric. "We feel they deserve corporate support."
Fiorani says the school is unique because it's serving everyone from high school graduates to single moms rediscovering their careers.
"I am always impressed every time I go over there," he said.
The event is co-chaired by Kimball Hill Homes Executive Chairman David Hill and his wife, Diane, who live in Barrington, along with Madison Dearborn Partners CEO John Canning and his wife, Rita, of Inverness.
"We are really looking to our future," said Rita Canning. "There's no better way to prepare for the future than to create as many scholarships as we can."
She added that the financial contributions show the amount of support the community has for Harper.
"I think people really recognize what a little gem they have," she said.
Donor Jim Lancaster, a retired banker from Barrington Hills, was one of the original members of the educational foundation in the '70s.
"I have a really soft spot in my heart for the job that Harper does," he said. "They clearly have a very difficult challenge when they don't get money that they are legally obligated to receive from the state."
He and his wife helped with the event fundraising and said it was important for them to step up and set an example.
What: Harper College Educational Foundation's 40th Anniversary Celebration; proceeds fund scholarships for Harper students
When: 6:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel and Convention Center, 1551 N. Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg
Tickets: $500 each. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Heather Engel-Zoldak at (847) 925- 6610 or hengel@harpercollege.edu.