Alumni

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.

Nominations for the 27th Annual Distinguished Alumni Awards are due July 15, 2023.
Nomination Form

The Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients – alphabetical order
The Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients – by year

 

 

Your support continues to make a difference for students at Highland Community College. Last year, you and your peers provided overwhelming support for our 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 a 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 the 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

“My husband and I feel that is very important to give back to the community. Highland is a wonderful asset to the region and provides great opportunities for the students who attend to continue to grow and pursue their goals/dreams. Highland sees the needs of their students/community and works to fulfill those through the programs and classes they offer.”
– Candice King – Class of 2002 – Chief Meteorologist, WTVO

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 here! Thank you for your tax-deductible charitable gift!

All alumni are given a free membership to the Highland Community College Alumni Association and have access to special members-only deals, discounts and privileges. Anyone who has earned credit at HCC and/or Freeport Community College is encouraged to register here.

Nearly 16,000 graduates
Highland has surpassed the 15,000 graduates milestone, and has served thousands more at the main Freeport campus and satellite locations.