ECC Foundation Gala encourages community involvement to support Student Success Fund

The Elgin Community College Foundation invites the community to celebrate the achievements of students, faculty and staff at the ECC Foundation's "Gala Virtual Mas'k'erade: Dare to Dream" event at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.

The online event will showcase the incredible tapestry of talent and resiliency found throughout the ECC community, as well as highlight several 2020 award winners and scholarship recipients.

Given the pandemic and resulting cancellation of previously scheduled in-person events such as the annual Founders' Day Celebration and the annual Golf Classic, the ECC Foundation has been hard at work developing an engaging experience that will include various presentations, entertainment, social interaction, and even a face mask contest.

"ECC is an incredible asset to Elgin and the larger community," said David Davin, ECC's executive director of advancement and foundation. "The ECC Foundation exists to support those that are striving to build a bright future for themselves, their family, and their community. The accomplishments of the students, faculty, staff, and community supporters that we are celebrating through this event make us all proud. It also serves as a reminder that our mission to support our deserving students - who will one day be proud alumni and community leaders - is more important than ever."

The 2020 honorees include ECC Friend of Education Award winner Robert Malm; Exceptional Friend of the ECC Foundation Award winner Adrienne Butler; ECC Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award winner Linda Deering Dean (Class of 1981); and ECC President's Lasting Impact Award winners Mike Shales and Ed Hunter.

Organized by the Elgin Community College Foundation, proceeds from the event are directed to the Student Success Fund, which provides critical support for the areas of greatest need impacting student success.

Event co-chairs Robin Seigle, ECC Foundation board member, and Linda Hefferin, Ed.D., ECC retiree and professor emeritus, have seen the impact of these investments firsthand.

"The ECC Foundation awarded more than $52,000 in the Spring of 2020, enabling over 65 students to continue to achieve their educational goals despite the catastrophic effects of the pandemic," Seigle said. "We want students to 'Dare to Dream,' and events like the ECC Foundation "Virtual Mas'k'erade" will help us grow these funds to serve even more students."

Hefferin is also committed to the foundation's purpose; she established an endowed scholarship in memoriam of her late husband, Thom.

Participants will have the opportunity to socialize, hear from President Dr. David Sam about the state of the college, learn how students are persevering during challenging times, enjoy special performances from students and make a direct donation to the foundation's student success fund during the event's "paddle raise."

Registration is free but required to attend at elgin.edu/gala by Friday, Oct. 7.

For more information, contact the ECC Foundation at (847) 214-7377 or foundation@elgin.edu, or visit elgin.edu/gala.