Help ECC students 'Dare to Dream' at the ECC Foundation Gala Sept. 23

The Elgin Community College Foundation invites the community to celebrate the achievements of students, faculty, and staff at the ECC Foundation Gala "Dare to Dream" event on Saturday, Sept. 23.

"ECC and our exceptional community has so much to be proud of and to celebrate - and that's what our annual Gala is all about," said Susan Taylor-Demming, executive director of institutional advancement and the ECC Foundation. "We are always excited to have our donors join us, as we celebrate our students' successes and honor those who have made a difference in the ECC community."

The gala fundraiser, presented by Otto, will be 5 to 8:30 p.m. at The Q Center, 1405 Fifth St. (Route 25) in St. Charles.

The 2023 honorees include Distinguished Alumni of the Year - state Sen. Cristina Castro, Class of 1998; Esteemed Recent Alumni - Meagan Schwartz, NP; ECC Friend of Education - John Regan, Elgin Rotary Club; Exceptional Friend of the ECC Foundation - Suncast Corporation; and the Lasting Impact Award Winners - Laura Anderson; Eric J. Fernandez, CPA; James Harvey; and Jerry Turnquist.

Proceeds from the gala go directly toward the Resources for Excellence Fund, which supports the areas of greatest student need, including emergency assistance and scholarship awards.

Event co-chairs for the 2023 Gala are Robin Seigle, secretary of the ECC Foundation Board, and Linda Hefferin, Ed.D., ECC retiree, and professor emerita.

Tickets for the gala include an ECC student showcase, a live auction, and dinner. Tickets are $150 per person or $1,400 for a table for 10.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit elgin.edu/gala.

The deadline is Friday, Sept. 1.

You also can donate $100 for a congratulatory message in the program; $150 to provide dinner for a student or adjunct faculty member, or make a donatiion to provide additional support to student scholarships.