Distinguished Alumni
Highland Community College takes great pride in the achievements of its graduates and former students. To recognize their outstanding accomplishments, the HCC Foundation sponsors an annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Program.
Nominate a deserving alumni! The deadline to nominate the 2025 Distinguished Alumni is September 13, 2025.
Deontae Collier, Sr., Matt Bordner, Tamisha Bonvillain, Darrel Wichman, and Delbert Bunker, III
The Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients in alphabetical order
The Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients by year
Alumni Association
Highland Community College offers more than just an excellent education. All alumni automatically become members of the HCC Alumni Association! There are exclusive campus discounts available to all who have earned credits at Highland. With nearly 16,000 Highland Community College graduates since its founding, this association helps connect alumni far and wide!
Alumni Association Benefits
- Themed Alumni nights at select HCC sporting events
- 20% discount on apparel at the HCC Bookstore
- Reduced admission to Fine Arts events, excluding Summerset. Please contact the box office directly
- Half-off one service per week at the HCC Salon. Please call 815-599-3544 to book your service
- Complimentary beverage at the Cougar Cafe with a purchase
- Access to HCC Library resources
- Free career planning and resume writing with the HCC Career Services
HCC Alumni Scholarship
Generous Highland Community College Alumni have provided support to current students through the HCC Alumni Scholarship. Thanks to 123 generous donors and a matching gift, $29,660 has been contributed to the fund, enabling us to present our first Alumni Scholarship to sophomore Meredith Janssen.
“I initially chose to attend Highland because it would allow me to play basketball at the collegiate level. Now that my freshman year has almost come to a close, I have learned that Highland offers many opportunities to learn more and to better yourself; all you have to do is look for them. I cannot wait to see what my sophomore year has to offer at Highland, and hope that many other students enjoy it as much as I have so far. To current seniors coming to Highland next year, I urge you to participate in extracurriculars and make the most of your years at Highland. Before you know it, your time will be over and you will only have memories and the friends you made along the way. Again, thank you so much for this opportunity!”
Meredith M. Janssen, Class of 2022
We are asking that you continue to build upon this effort again this year for this unique scholarship giving opportunity. Please help us meet our $50,000 goal to help fund this permanent endowment and offer additional student scholarships for the next academic year.
Highland Community College is committed to shaping the future of our communities by providing quality education and learning opportunities through programs and services that encourage the personal and professional growth of the people of northwestern Illinois.
“HCC has given me so much and it has always been a priority in my life to give back when I can. I want others to be able to have the same memorable experience as I did at HCC. HCC has provided lifelong connections to so many near and far, and I am so proud to be a Highland Cougar. I encourage anyone to give back to HCC to provide this same opportunity for our future leaders.”
Jolene Bohnsack, Class of 2003 Executive Vice President of Solutions Bank
“As an alumna and former Adult Ed. instructor, I believe it is essential to support HCC to better our community. My children, numerous family members, and I all began our education at HCC, then went on to attain 4-year degrees. As an Adult Ed. Instructor, I witnessed first-hand benefits of scholarships given to students who might not otherwise been able to attend HCC.”
Sally Wagner, Class of 1976 Co-Owner of Jansen Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electrical
At Highland, we are encouraged every day by stories like these of the impact our scholarships have on our students and our community. Your own experience as an alum is part of the wonderful Highland legacy of changing lives.
Your gift will play a vital role in directly helping students in need by funding the Highland Community College Alumni Scholarship!
Make a gift online! Thank you for your tax-deductible charitable gift!