Dunham Fund Honored as Distinguished Contributor

Sugar Grove – Each year, Waubonsee Community College awards its Distinguished Contributor honor to an individual or group that contributes to the overall growth and expansion of the college’s mission. This year’s recipient, the Dunham Fund, has not only helped grow and expand the college’s mission but also the horizons and aspirations of 50 local high school students.

Until his death in 2006, Aurora business executive John Dunham worked tirelessly and contributed generously to better his local community. His spirit of philanthrophy lives on through the $70 million Dunham Fund, the largest charitable fund in the Aurora area. In keeping with the values of its namesake, the fund’s first approved grant was awarded in the field of education – the establishment of the Dunham Early College Academy at Waubonsee Community College.

Funded by the $1.1 million grant and officially begun in the fall 2007 semester, the Dunham Early College Academy targets underserved students from both East Aurora and West Aurora High Schools, with the aim of supporting their enrollment in, transition to, and success in college. These students take college-level courses at Waubonsee’s Aurora Campus every afternoon, giving them the opportunity to graduate from high school with nearly a year’s worth of transferable college credit.

“Generally, dual credit programs are aimed at high-achievers, those students who are clearly college-bound,” said Waubonsee’s Assistant Vice President of Community Development Dr. Bill Marzano. “Our approach is to connect with underserved students whose college prospects may be in doubt. For those students, early college could be the key to their success.”

Success does seem to be the theme as the academic year has drawn to a close for the first group of 50 Dunham Academy Scholars (25 from East Aurora and 25 from West Aurora). After the fall semester, the composite college grade point average for these high school juniors was a 3.1, which is a solid “B.” The academy helps produce such academic achievement in a variety of ways.

“The Dunham Academy has given me a reason to believe I can go to college,” said East Aurora student Mayra Almeraz. And for many students, seeing college as a real option provides the motivation they need. “It has made me a better student because it has made me care about school,” said West Aurora student Lisa Ann Partipilo.

In addition to providing students with the motivation to succeed, the Dunham Academy also provides the necessary resources, what is being called the “Dunham difference.” This difference comes in the form of extra services, including one-on-one academic mentoring, life skills development, career advising, financial aid counseling, and access to technology through a laptop computer and educational software the students will get to keep upon completion of the two-year program. These services are organized and provided by a dedicated Dunham Academy staff, including Heather Gates, manager; David Barreto, educational specialist; and Lucye House, secretary.

Another extra benefit is the chance for these students to learn how to learn. Each Friday the Dunham Scholars take a break from their two college courses to learn basic college skills such as time management, test taking, note taking and textbook reading.

But for all the resources the Dunham Fund has provided to these students, their most important resource may be each other.

“One of the program benefits that may not be readily apparent is the opportunity it creates for students to form bonds with members of their cohort and support one another as they begin to experience college,” said East Aurora Principal Sheila Conrad.

The Dunham Early College Academy is just that – a beginning. Through its generosity, the Dunham Fund has provided motivation, resources and support to local high school students, giving them the priceless gift of opportunity. For that, Waubonsee Community College is proud to name the Dunham Fund as its Distinguished Contributor for 2008.

Distinguished Contributor Award

The Distinguished Contributor Award is administered by the Office of the President. The Distinguished Contributor Award annually honors an individual who has made outstanding contributions or given exemplary support to Waubonsee Community College. The person has supported the general operation of the college in either a personal or professional capacity, which has contributed to the overall growth and expansion of the college’s mission. The nominee’s commitment has enhanced a program, the operation and/or future development of the college that went beyond the ordinary, and such results would not have occurred without that special effort. The college staff, community residents and officials or community college leaders must also recognize the person as having made an extraordinary commitment to promote the college and its mission. The nominee must have documented evidence of contributions to the community and/or the educational community. Employees and retirees of Waubonsee Community College are not eligible to receive this award.

Download a nomination form by clicking here.