FREEPORT — It was an evening of celebrating Highland Community College, thanking corporate sponsors and donors, and recognizing individuals at the Legacy Gala on Oct. 2 at the Wagner House in Freeport.
Highland’s rich history was celebrated through video and the presentation of the Delbert Scheider Legacy Gala Lifetime Achievement Award to Marjorie Phillips. Marjorie, and her late husband, Spencer, have the distinction of giving out the first scholarship to Highland students in 1966 through the Foundation.
Saying, “Giving is a part of living,” Phillips remains a key player at Highland Community College by serving on the Foundation board and giving two scholarships each year to top male and female students. Her focus is to make sure students at the top of their class are rewarded for their hard work. Phillips said she wants to encourage students to excel at the next level of academia beyond Highland.
“This second Legacy Gala allowed us to recognize and thank our donors and Corporate Partners who have supported HCC the past couple years,” said Jeff Reinke, Executive Director of the Highland Foundation. “In addition, presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to long-time HCC Foundation Board member Marjorie Phillips was something we had planned for a long time and were finally able to have that happen. It truly was a tremendous evening for all.”
More than $32,000 was raised through the silent auction, including $10,000 raised for the H.O.P.E. (Helping Overcome Personal Emergencies) fund, which assists students dealing with unexpected financial emergencies. H.O.P.E. was created to help students stay in college and meet their educational goals.
Money generated through the dinner and fundraiser goes to directly support HCC students (student worker program, student activities, student recruitment, and retention) and instructional equipment.
Eyewitness News Chief Meteorologist Candice King, an alum of Highland Community College, was the guest host for the Gala. Entertainment was provided by the Highland Music Department, and Justin Ebert, an agriculture instructor at Highland, brought two students to present to the crowd how the agriculture program is thriving due to generous donations through the Foundation.
For more on the Highland Foundation visit
highland.edu.
