The Highland Community College Foundation (HCC Foundation), the oldest community college foundation in Illinois, announced today the public launch of the HCC Legacy Campaign and the College’s first ‘Day of Giving’ on May 9.
Celebrating the College’s 60th anniversary, sixty generous donors contributed nearly $4 million toward the $4.6 million goal. To engage the region in the campaign, an anonymous donor pledged to match up to $700,000 in support for the community to come together through this initiative. Each donor who makes a gift to the Legacy Campaign between now and May 9 will have their donation matched by this transformational $700,000 challenge grant.
The goal of the Legacy Campaign is to raise funds for scholarships, programming support, facility and laboratory upgrades, and technical equipment in six key areas:
• Agriculture
• Nursing
• Business and Technology
• Humanities, Social Sciences and Fine Arts
• Natural Science and Mathematics
• Student Services and Support
“We have an opportunity to reimagine how we engage our students in learning both in and out of the classroom. Additionally, our facilities and learning spaces need to be upgraded to ensure they support emerging technology and active learning,” says Chris Kuberski, President of Highland Community College. “By securing funding for these needs, Highland can continue to shape the future of northwestern Illinois by providing exceptional and transformational educational experiences and outcomes.”
In the last several years, generous donations to the college have led to state-of-art enhancements such as the opening of The Mildred S. Ferguson Simulation Hospital, a hands-on learning environment for nursing students, and a much-needed expansion of the welding program that has more than doubled the size of the lab with brand new welding stations, new welding machines, additional fabrication space and a separate simulation lab. In addition, classroom refurbishments and renovations in science labs, criminal justice, mass communications, theatre and music have immensely expanded the educational experience and enriched HCC’s legacy of offering high-quality, affordable and accessible education.
“As a community college, our mission is built around meeting the needs of our greater northwest Illinois community through quality educational, cultural and athletic programs,” says Dan Dick, Executive Director of the HCC Foundation. “Please consider supporting the vision of The Legacy Campaign as we set out to meet the needs of our community, students and College for the next 60 years.”
Donors may designate a specific area to support or elect their gift to meet the Legacy Campaign’s highest priority needs.
To make an online gift, please visit highland.edu/legacy. If you would like to donate via check, please mail your donation to Highland Community College Foundation, 2998 W. Pearl City Rd, Freeport, IL 61032.
About Highland Community College Foundation
Established in 1962, the Highland Community College Foundation is the first Community College foundation created in Illinois and just the second nationwide. The Foundation supports students through scholarships, direct services, classroom development and upkeep, and special projects. Since its inception, more than $9 million in scholarships has been awarded to Highland Community College students.