Inspired by Family. Driven to Give.

Dr. William Hampes Honors His Family’s Legacy

In the early 1900s, Panagiotis Gatsos, a resident of a mountain village in Greece, aspired to become a teacher. However, family circumstances prevented him from attending university and realizing this ambition. More than a century later, his grandson, Dr. William “Bill” Hampes, supports students in achieving their educational goals at Black Hawk College.

Dr. Hampes, a retired psychology professor, is dedicated to supporting Black Hawk College students while honoring the educational legacy of his Greek immigrant grandparents, Helen and Peter Watson (formerly Panagiotis Gatsos) and George and Erasmia Hampes, as well as his parents, Mary and Louis Hampes. Dr. Hampes recently expanded the endowed scholarship established in 2020 in memory of his parents. The Mary and Louis Hampes Memorial Scholarship offers financial support to full-time Black Hawk College students who maintain a B average in any major.

“I established and named the scholarship to honor my parents, who supported my education and that of my sister, Mary Lou, and to pass on that support to those at BHC who need it the most,” Dr. Hampes said.

Dr. Hampes’s recent donation will significantly expand the reach of the Mary and Louis Hampes Memorial Scholarship, enabling additional students to benefit from this support.

“This [donation] will allow us to award another three scholarships annually in future years,” said Zenaida Landeros, executive director of the Black Hawk College Foundation. “Dr. Hampes has shown a remarkable commitment to our students and their futures,” she said. “His dedication and support are deeply appreciated and serve as an inspiration to our entire community.”

Mary Lou Hampes Schoenegge earned a bachelor’s degree from North Park University and dedicated 38 years to teaching in the Chicago Public School System. Her brother, Dr. Hampes, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology, followed by a Ph.D. in experimental psychology. He served as a professor at Black Hawk College from 1989 to 2014 and continues to support students as a part-time tutor in retirement.

Donations to Black Hawk College help create enduring educational opportunities that can transform students’ lives and honor the legacies of individuals who value education./p>