Moraine Valley Alumnus Establishes Scholarship In Mom’s Memory

PALOS HILLS, IL — A recent inductee into the Moraine Valley Community College Hall of Fame has established a scholarship in memory of her late mother. Beverly Keehn was a student at the college in the 1970s. The inaugural scholarship, which can be used toward tuition, fees and/or textbooks purchased at the Moraine Valley Bookstore, will be awarded for the fall 2019 semester.

The Beverly Keehn Scholarship was created by Holly Bartecki and Barteck’s fiance, Steve Pappageorge, executive director of Corporate, Community and Continuing Education at Moraine Valley. Bartecki, who was inducted into Moraine Valley’s 2019 Alumni Hall of Fame, said her mother passed away suddenly in May 2018, and her family had been discussing ways they could honor her.

“We wanted to do something that captured what we loved so much about her and who she was as a person,” Bartecki said, noting Keehn was a single mom who took classes at Moraine Valley to advance her career. “She was always there to help someone in need and worked hard to make a wonderful life for us.”

To be considered for this scholarship, the student must be the first generation in their family to enroll in college courses, the child of a single parent, or suffered the loss of a parent. The scholarship is also open to a single parent with dependent children, who has enrolled at Moraine Valley after being away from the academic environment. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is March 31.

“We are thrilled to honor the memory of a beloved mom, grandmother and friend,” Bartecki said. “My mom was a compassionate, thoughtful and generous woman who was an avid reader and gardener, and her good humor, friendship, love and candor are missed by the many friends and family who loved and respected her.”

The scholarship will be administered through the Moraine Valley Foundation.

“We are incredibly grateful to Holly and Steve for making this generous scholarship available to our students,” said Kristy McGreal, executive director of the Moraine Valley Foundation. “Ensuring student success is at the forefront of our mission, but we can’t do it alone. It is this type of support, especially coming from a Moraine Valley alumnus, that enables us to help our students keep their dreams within reach, and for that we are extremely appreciative.”

For more information on additional criteria for the Beverly Keehn scholarship or to apply, contact Patti Friend, director of Alumni and Annual Programs, at 708-974-5551 or
friendp5@morainevalley.edu, or visit Moraine Valley Scholarships online.