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April 2015

Employee Giving Newsletter Scholarships Help Students Attend COD

What is COD4COD?

What is COD4COD? It is the College’s Employee Giving program, run through the COD Foundation, and it allows you to donate to any part of COD that you feel most passionate about, including faculty grants, the MAC and student scholarships to name a few.

It is the College’s Employee Giving program that allows you to give to the area of COD that you are most passionate about. There are more than 200 different scholarship options and programs for you to choose from and if you cannot find one that suits you, there is a way to create your own!

Last year more than 100 employees supported scholarships, which made attending COD possible for students like Ivonne Hernandez.

“Whenever someone asks me what school I attend, I proudly say College of DuPage. And whenever I meet someone who is planning to attend college, I recommend COD.”

Employee donations can be made any time of year through COD4COD, but we encourage gifts during the campaign from April 15 to May 15, 2015. View our COD4COD FAQs! Visit www.cod.edu/cod4cod

—Ivonne Hernandez

As a working adult, Ivonne knew it would not be easy returning to school. She received financial help through the COD Foundation Scholarship program—made possible by donors like you! In 2014, Ivonne received the Jill Johnson Hall Memorial Scholarship. She didn’t even live in DuPage County when she began researching colleges. But after looking into College of DuPage, Ivonne decided it was a school worth moving for. She also discovered she could earn a bachelor’s degree through the 3+1 program.

For questions or to learn more contact the COD Foundation at (630) 942-2462 or foundation@cod.edu.

“This type of program fits my needs as a working adult going back to school, and I no longer need to worry about finding another school after COD,” she said. “After I first started looking into COD, all of the pieces fit into place like a puzzle. I needed a school that I could afford, that would also allow me to keep my current job and that would fit my schedule.” Donate to scholarships today! Visit www.cod.edu/cod4cod

Your Donation Makes a Difference! Last year you raised almost $33,000 for student scholarships and programs! Remember, every donation makes an impact on the lives of students. Our goal is for every COD faculty and staff person to make a donation each year. Please print a form and make your gift today! Visit www.cod.edu/cod4cod for details.

Scholarship Support: $18,106.51, 55%

For questions about COD4COD contact the COD Foundation at (630) 942-2462 or foundation@cod.edu. Or contact a 2015 COD4COD Chair:

Program Support: $14,763.17, 45%

Mark Collins Associate Dean of Adjunct Faculty collinsm152@cod.edu Tracey Frye Student Affairs Administrative Assistant fryetr@cod.edu Robyn Johnson News Bureau Manager johnsnro@cod.edu

Program Support Scholarship Support

Diana Martinez McAninch Arts Center Director martinezd59@cod.edu

Last year, the top 10 funds employees supported included:

Lauren Morgan Speech Communication Professor morgan@cod.edu

· Resource for Excellence Fund · General Scholarship Fund · Catherine M. Brod Scholarship for Speech and Theater · Donald Carter Memorial Scholarship Fund · Healthcare Instructional Support · MAC General Fund · G.E.D. Scholarship Fund · Margarita Salazar Respiratory Therapy Scholarship · Dr. Joseph and Donna Collins Student Success Scholarship · College of DuPage Faculty Association Scholarship

Resource for Excellence Spotlight: Jane Smith The work of Jane Smith, Director of Enrollment Services, is a wonderful example of the innovative, collaborative, interdepartmental efforts on campus to benefit students. Jane and a campus-wide team identified a way to streamline the student enrollment process through a series of seminars on campus. Funding for the project was secured through the College of DuPage Foundation Resource for Excellence Grant. As a grant recipient, Enrollment Services was awarded $17,480 by the Foundation to be used throughout the development and implementation phases of the program.

What are Resource for Excellence Grants? Resource for Excellence is an internal grant program designed to foster innovation by providing seed money to test new ideas, pilot new programs or services, or conduct research. The Foundation recognizes that given the resources, all COD employees have the capacity to contribute to the improvement of instruction and support given to the students and community we serve. Learn more at www.cod.edu/ foundation.

“Don’t be afraid of a big idea, think in terms of a pilot program upon which you can build,” —Jane Smith In summer of 2014, the program was implemented and 178 students attended the grant-funded New Student Enrollment Seminars, which gave them an opportunity to complete multiple enrollment tasks such as registering, academic advisement, time management and financial assistance. From the beginning to the end, “connection” opportunities with student leaders, staff and counselors were created to make the interaction easy and fun. A couple student comments from the experience: “I learned a lot today and feel better about attending in the fall” and “very helpful and highly recommended.” The success and results can be seen in higher credit hour registration, higher GPAs and a higher overall percentage of student registrations. The plan moving forward is to follow the students that participated and make a concerted effort to continue to interact. Research has proven that continuous engagement activities have a positive influence on student success, which also impact completion rates and provide a comprehensive student experience from the very start.

For questions or to learn more contact the COD Foundation at (630) 942-2462 or foundation@cod.edu.

What is Jane’s advice to other departments when starting a new program? “Don’t be afraid of a big idea, think in terms of a pilot program upon which you can build,” she said. To learn more about the Resource for Excellence Grant program, go to: www.cod.edu/foundation. Way to go Jane and to all that made this idea a reality! 3

May 2015

Employee Giving Newsletter COD’s Brian Kleemann Names Scholarship After Father

Three Steps to Set Up a Scholarship

For years Brian Kleemann of the COD Marketing and Communications Department attended the Foundation’s annual Scholarship Reception, where student scholarship recipients meet their donors and share their heartfelt gratitude. Every year he thought to himself, “Someday, I will do something to help a student!”

1. Identify someone or something that you are passionate about. 2. Consider making a $1,000 commitment per year for a three-year period (about $40 per paycheck). 3. Contact the Foundation at (630) 942-2462 to begin the easy process.

“I am so glad that I took the step to make a difference in the lives of future students ...”

Join Other Colleagues by Starting a Named Scholarship

—Brian Kleemann

Academic Support H.D. McAninch Presidential Endowment Accounting Kathy Marszalek Memorial Scholarship

Brian’s “someday” was two years ago when he decided to take action. He contacted the Foundation and worked with Ellen Farrow to set up a fund in honor of his father, a WWII vet who attended the University of Illinois on a G.I. Bill and enjoyed a long career as an engineer as a result. Brian named his scholarship the H.J. Kleemann Engineering Scholarship.

Anthropology Ellen Johnson Memorial Scholarship Athletics Herb Salberg PE Scholarship Julie Svec Memorial Scholarship

This fall Brian attended the Scholarship Reception as a donor and felt a great sense of pride in speaking with his scholarship recipient, Zachee—a COD student whom Brian had interviewed for a press release he wrote.

Culinary and Hospitality Christopher and Karen Thielman Culinary and Hospitality Scholarship George Macht Endowed Scholarship Fund

“It feels great to become more than an observer at the Scholarship Reception,” Brian said. “I am so glad that I took the step to make a difference in the lives of future students following the same career path as my dad. It was easy to set up the scholarship and I encourage others to consider doing the same.”

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There are close to 50 scholarships that have been established by current and retired COD employees (view list to the right). It is another way to make a difference in the life of a student today and tomorrow. Contact the Foundation at (630) 942-2462 for more information on how to get started. Brian’s lifelong commitment to education continues as not only a scholarship donor but as an adjunct faculty member teaching the occasional Continuing Education film appreciation class in the evening. Hats off to Brian for all that you do each day for COD!

Make a donation today! cod.edu/cod4cod (630) 942-2462 foundation@cod.edu

RESOURCE FOR EXCELLENCE Your Donations Make Student Projects Possible Thanks to your donations, College of DuPage architecture students added their touch to the renovated campus by providing an outdoor gathering pavilion.

Cultural Arts Glenn and Anita Dickson Fine and Applied Arts Scholarship Ronald Lemme Lecture Series

The project was funded by a $15,000 grant through the COD Foundation’s Resource for Excellence program designed to foster innovation in all aspects of operations at the College by providing seed money to test new ideas, pilot new programs or methods, conduct research, or try new services.

Diversity Mary Daly Endowed Scholarship

“I wanted to see what would happen in a design studio class when students needed to build what they designed,” said Mark Pearson, associate professor of architecture.

Employee Classified Personnel Committee (CPC) Scholarship Fund Engineering Donald Carter Memorial Scholarship H.J. Kleemann Engineering Scholarship Troy Scholarship for Engineering William W. Steele Memorial Endowed Scholarship General Dr. Joseph and Donna Collins Student Success Scholarship Dr. Robert Frank Endowed Scholarship Faculty/Staff Memorial Fund Greg Joos Memorial Scholarship History Carter Carroll Excellence in History Award Homeland Security Chief George Graves Scholarship Fund International Education Christopher and Karen Thielman International Field Studies Scholarship

“It’s a valuable educational tool to simulate a real-world activity with a real-life project that includes a site and a budget.” —Mark Pearson

Liberal Arts Catherine M. Brod Scholarship for Speech and Theater Nursing Troy Scholarship for Nursing

Sixteen students enrolled in the summer Architecture 2840 Design Build class. As part of the course, they designed, built and installed the temporary pavilion just south of the Technical Education Center (TEC). The wooden structure consists of five bays that form a unique and inviting space on the west side of campus.

Parents Alice Giordano Alumni Scholarship Textbook Eileen Ward Textbook Scholarship

“It was important to create something that would be entertaining and eyecatching,” said student Francois EI-Bittar of Oakbrook Terrace. “We wanted to frame the views, especially the lake and the fountain.” The COD Foundation recognizes that, given the resources to proceed, all COD employees have the capacity to contribute to the improvement of instruction and support given to the students and community members served by the College.

Make a donation today! cod.edu/cod4cod (630) 942-2462 foundation@cod.edu

July 2015

Employee Giving Newsletter The COD4COD Committee co-chairs thank you for your participation.

Thanks for Your Support The generosity of COD employees has been remarkable and contributions continued to come in as the campaign drew to a close on June 30. To date, through your incredible commitment, COD students will benefit from your support of $35,211! This represents 103 donors and a 12 percent participation rate. The top funds supported in 2015 to date: • General Scholarship Fund • Resource for Excellence • MAC General Fund

Mark Collins Assistant Dean of Adjunct Faculty Tracey Frye Student Affairs Administrative Assistant

COD4COD Donor Appreciation Reception and Concert

Robyn Johnson News Bureau Manager

The College of DuPage Foundation and the committee co-chairs invite COD4COD donors to this special event on Friday, Aug. 14, at the MAC Lakeside Pavilion.

Diana Martinez McAninch Arts Center Director

Please join us for a social hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by a concert featuring The Magic of Motown at 7:30 p.m.

Lauren Morgan Speech Communication Professor

You are welcome to bring a guest. Be sure to check in at the information table outside the southwest MAC entrance to pick up your special pass for the VIP tent area and reserved seating. RSVP by Aug. 4 to the Foundation at (630) 942-2462 or email foundation@cod.edu. We hope to see you there!

Make a donation today! cod.edu/cod4cod (630) 942-2462 foundation@cod.edu

Scholarships Allow COD Students to Continue Adriana Mendez was 15 years old and living in a small town in south Mexico with a family of 10. “It was where few had an education and getting an education was not an important goal,” she said. “My parents wanted me to quit school at the age of 16 to stay home and help my mother with the chores. But what my parents wanted for me was not what I wanted for my life. Life wasn’t easy, but I was hungry to learn more and more.” Mendez never lost that spirit and knew her life would change someday. She came to the U.S. at the age of 17, but instead of attending school she had to work to help her parents support two younger siblings.

Donations Always Welcome Although the campaign closed on June 30, if you still would like to contribute you can! Remember COD4COD allows you to donate to any part of the College that you feel most passionate about—including student scholarships, the MAC or faculty grants to name a few. There are more than 190 funds from which to choose.

“Life wasn’t easy, but I was hungry to learn more and more. ...”

Make an online donation today!

—Adriana Mendez

For details or questions, please contact us at (630) 942-2462 or foundation@cod.edu.

More than a decade later, at the age of 28, Mendez finally had her chance. A mother for the first time, she found in her daughter the motivation to continue dreaming. “When she was 1 year old, I started taking GED classes at College of DuPage,” she said. “For one year, I had to study until 3 in the morning. It was the only time that I had available to study because I had to work 40 hours a week and take care of my daughter. It was not easy at all, but I never complained. I didn’t care how tired I felt. I never gave up.”

“Getting these types of awards makes me feel that I am not as alone as I always thought. They motivate me to continue my studies.” —Adriana Mendez

Mendez earned her GED in 2012 and then enrolled in an ESL program at COD. “I thought that English was a big obstacle in my life, but after a couple of years of study, and thanks to the teachers at COD, I have learned a lot of English, enough to start taking college classes,” she said. In addition to her studies, Mendez has earned two scholarships through the COD Foundation: The GED Scholarship and the Danny Young Memorial Scholarship. Both have helped with the costs associated with college, as she continues to work 40 hours a week and take care of her daughter. “Getting these types of awards makes me feel that I am not as alone as I always thought. They motivate me to continue my studies.” The possibility of a better life begins with higher education. The College of DuPage Foundation nourishes students of promise who, with determination and perseverance, transform their lives through education. The College of DuPage Foundation awarded more than $450,000 in academic scholarships to about 800 students last year. Your support makes the difference to students who have the ambition to realize their goals. Please consider supporting the GED Fund or another scholarship to help future students like Adriana.

Make a donation today! cod.edu/cod4cod (630) 942-2462 foundation@cod.edu 2

Engineering Students Thrive on Competition With financial assistance from the COD Foundation, the COD Engineering Club, led by Professor Scott Banjavcic, had a remarkable opportunity to participate in two highly competitive robotics competitions this spring. College of DuPage was one of only two community colleges invited to participate in the 2015 NASA Robotic Mining Competition held at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and earlier this spring, the team was awarded Best Design at the Jerry Sanders Creative Design Competition.

“Competitions like this one are a fantastic opportunity for our students to get unmatched hands-on experience that mimics a real-life design-build project,” said Engineering Club advisor and COD Engineering instructor Scott Banjavcic. “The teamwork, time management and real world skills gained by the students during this process are incredible and we are proud of their performance at the competition. We look forward to see what they can accomplish in the future.”

—Tom Beardsley

“The competition component is fun, but the real value of a project like this is the invaluable experience working as a team on an engineering project that is similar to something we would do in the business world,” Tom Beardsley, team co-captain said. Beardsley has just completed COD’s Engineering Pathways program and will transfer to UIUC this fall to complete his bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He emphasized the importance of the multidisciplinary nature of the NASA Robotic Mining Competition project and emphasized the impact groups such as the Robotics Team and the Engineering Club have had on his educational experience at COD. “While the classroom is important for obtaining a solid knowledge base, learning how to successfully work with and manage a team can only be acquired through experience and practice,” he said. “My work with the Robotics Team at COD has taught me more than any class alone ever could.”

Make a donation today! cod.edu/cod4cod (630) 942-2462 foundation@cod.edu

Congratulations to Scott, staff and students who have had a part in this tremendous effort. You may choose to support the Engineering Club by making a donation through COD4COD to the Engineering Program Fund.