Palatine chamber donates $5,000 to 'Harper's Promise'

The Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce recently donated $5,000 to the Harper College Promise Scholarship, which offers incoming public high school students from Districts 211, 214 and 220 the opportunity to earn up to two years of tuition at Harper College.

The Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce donation was matched by the Harper Foundation, bringing the total amount benefiting the scholarship program to $10,000.

"The Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce is honored to contribute to such a worthy endeavor," said Shawn Jackson, president of the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce and vice president of Vicarious Productions.

"We admire and support Harper's Promise Scholarship for what it offers to deserving students who are working to obtain a college education to contribute to our future workforce."

Among the requirements are that Promise Scholars have good attendance, maintain solid grades, graduate on time, and serve the local community. Harper College developed the Promise Scholarship in partnership with local high school districts, area businesses and community leaders to remove financial barriers for students, while encouraging responsibility and life skills.

"We appreciate the support of the Palatine Chamber and their members," said Laura Brown, vice president and chief advancement officer at the Harper College Foundation.

"For many students, the Promise Program makes the difference in a student earning a college education. Our donors understand the value of an educated workforce for economic growth and the overall community."

More than 80 area employers have endorsed the program, and many of them are committed to providing mock interviewing, job shadowing, information on career options and special consideration for graduates when they are hiring.

Promise Scholars sign up as high school freshmen, and there is no commitment to attend Harper. The first class of Promise Scholars will graduate in the spring of 2019 and attend Harper that fall. Three classes of high school students (classes of 2019, 2020 and 2021) have signed up for Harper's Promise, totaling nearly 10,500 students.

On average, 20 percent of 211, 214 and 220 students enroll full-time at Harper College in the fall after graduating from high school.

To date, more than $11,000,000 has been raised from private funds and matching dollars from the Harper Foundation.

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