IMA Education Foundation Presents Scholarship Award to Kankakee Community College

Kankakee, IL – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) Education Foundation awarded Kankakee Community College $25,000 in scholarship funds for meeting a series of set standards and performing at a high level of active engagement to foster greater educational opportunities within the field of manufacturing. Kankakee Community College is one of six institutions across the state that is receiving a scholarship from the IMA Education Foundation this summer.

In 2013, KCC renovated an empty warehouse to create a Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center which offers courses in welding, fabrication, millwright and machine tool. It has four classrooms, reception and office spaces, and open instructional areas.

“The Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center is an excellent example of how KCC turns community needs into educational opportunities,” said Kankakee Community College President Dr. John Avendano. “Several of our local manufacturers had vacancies for welders, millwrights and fabricators and they turned to the college to help fill the positions. Earning this award means the college performed at a high level and was actively engaged in fostering greater educational opportunities within the manufacturing field. We are grateful to the IMA for their generous gift.”

“It is so important for local employers to be engaged with our community colleges to ensure a robust source of skilled workers, said Andrew Faville, chairman, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association; CEO, Falex Corporation. “This scholarship will allow students to focus on their education and training by helping to alleviate the costs of tuition, fees, books and other expenses.”

“One of the main objectives of the IMA Education Foundation is to provide scholarship opportunities for deserving students following a pathway of study leading to a manufacturing career,” said Ron Bullock, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Education Foundation; CEO, Bison Gear. “Kankakee Community College is an institution that displays all the qualities for which this scholarship program is intended.”

Community colleges receiving funding must demonstrate active engagement with the manufacturing community by meeting certain set standards demonstrating their commitment to education and training focused on the manufacturing and technology sector.

“The students at Kankakee Community College have the potential to ensure our state will continue to build a strong pipeline for the workforce and fill the skills gap that is facing our industry,” said Greg Baise, president and CEO, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We hope to continue broadening participation and working with these institutions to increase success across the board for students pursuing opportunities in the manufacturing sector.”

The IMA Education Foundation Board of Directors has endowed an annual scholarship to six schools this summer and will make a second round of endowments in 2016-2017 to help students for years to come.

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PHOTO (left to right):

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Michael Van Mill, president and CEO, Economic Alliance of Kankakee County; Dr. Michael Boyd, KCC vice president for instructional and student success; Kelly Myers, director of the KCC Foundation; Ron Bullock, IMA Education Foundation; CEO, Bison Gear; Dr. John Avendano, KCC president; Paul Carlson, KCC associate dean, Business/Technology Division; Andy Faville, chairman, IMA; CEO, Falex Corporation; Greg Baise, President and CEO, IMA; Mark Anderson, coordinator, KCC manufacturing technology program; Kate Cloonen, Illinois State Rep., 79th District; Steve Smith, chairman of the KCC Foundation Board; and Dennis Hess, vice chairman of the KCC Foundation Board.