Foundation Mini Grant Helps Students
Helping First-Generation Students
Sixteen TRIO students will be better prepared to start classes this fall, thanks to a $2,384 mini-grant from the Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Foundation.
The TRIO Student Support Services program at the Quad-Cities campus serves first-generation students, low-income students and students with a documented disability who plan to transfer to pursue a four-year degree.
"These groups tend to have lower graduation and retention rates," said Lisa Hansen, director of tutoring and TRIO Student Support Services.
College Experience and Success (CES 100) can help students prepare for college classes. Hansen applied for a mini-grant to cover the cost of tuition for 16 new TRIO students to take the one-hour class this summer. "The hope is this class will ramp up the skills they need to complete their degrees at Black Hawk College then continue on at a four-year college/university to finish their bachelor's degree," Hansen said.
"The CES course has assisted me in many ways," she said. "Many of the skills I learned in class, I still use today." While the Foundation is known for providing scholarships to students, it also helps support innovative projects that encourage student success through the mini-grants program. "The TRIO staff, students and I would like to extend our deepest thanks to the BHC Quad-Cities Foundation for this tuition mini-grant," Hansen said. "We greatly appreciate the continued gracious support of the TRIO program."
Mini-grants from the Foundation range from $500–$2,500. Applications are accepted four times a year. For more information, contact us.
Leaders in Business Scholarship
Leadercast makes a $10,000 donation
A new Leaders in Business Scholarship has been established thanks to a $10,000 donation to the Black Hawk College Foundation. Leadercast Quad Cities registrations and sponsorships generated the donation.
Leadercast is the world's premier leadership development conference. Black Hawk College began hosting the simulcast in 2018. More than 70 BHC students in leadership positions have participated in Leadercast in addition to many Black Hawk College employees and more than 100 area business leaders and community members.
The new endowed scholarship will be available to business majors at the Quad-Cities Campus. The first scholarship will be awarded in Fall 2022.
Commemorative Tree Ceremony
QC Vintage Rods donates $5,000
Quad City's Vintage Rods car club recently donated $5,000 to the Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Foundation for student scholarships.
Vintage Rods members presented the check to Tim Wynes, Black Hawk College president, and Zenaida Landeros, the BHC QC Foundation executive director.
Since 1984, the car club has given more than $85,000 to the QC Foundation and has donated to the college for more consecutive years than any other organization. Gate admissions generated the funds to the group's September car show held on the Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Campus.
The generous donation goes toward a scholarship that is available to Quad-Cities Campus students who demonstrate academic success. For the 2021-22 school year, seven students were awarded a Quad City's Vintage Rods Scholarship.
"We couldn't be more grateful to the QC Vintage Rods for coming together to invest in our students," Landeros said. "They are as passionate about giving back to Black Hawk College as they are about their cars."
Commemorative Tree Ceremony
Celebrating The Life of
Imelda (Imee) Crinklaw
You are invited to a Commemorative Tree ceremony to celebrate the life of Imee Crinklaw, featuring the dedication of a bench, a tree, and a special plaque. Join us on Saturday, August 28 | 5:00PM, outside Building 1 on the northeast side (to the right of the main entrance). Guests may park in Lot 1 off 70th Street in Moline.
Sadly, in January of this year, Imee passed away. She was an advocate for marginalized individuals—giving voice to those who were voiceless in this society. She helped immigrants apply for citizenship, translated for them in the Social Security office, in court, in hospitals and in school offices. She helped Dreamers renew their documents.
Imee welcomed newcomers to the Quad-Cities and enthusiastically participated in the Black Hawk College International Festival, bringing the world to Moline. She organized fundraisers for many people when disaster struck. Wherever she was needed, Imee gave of herself without expectation. She did much of that work while an advisor in the Academic English as a Second Language Program at Black Hawk College.
Black Hawk College is honoring her on campus by creating a peaceful space for the diverse community at the college. There will be time during the ceremony for family and friends to share a favorite story about Imee.
The ESL Student Scholarship through the Black Hawk College Foundation was close to Imee's heart. To make a donation to the Imee Memorial/ESL Scholarship Fund, then under "Location" select "Other" and specify Imee Memorial/ESL Scholarship. Donate today
NEW scholarship for jazz students
Retired Professor Creates Scholarship for Jazz Students
For nearly three decades, Dr. Edgar Crocket, an acclaimed trumpeter, and his students played numerous venues and events throughout the Quad Cities area—they also aside the proceeds from these events to create a scholarship for students majoring in music who are also enrolled in the BHC Jazz Ensemble.
"We wanted to help students while helping to build the jazz program at Black Hawk College," he said. "Since it is an endowment, we hope the scholarship will assist students for generations."
The first scholarship will be awarded in 2023. The Black Hawk College Foundation has three scholarships for students who are majoring in music but this is the first scholarship specifically for jazz musicians.
"The BHC Jazz Ensemble adds so much to our community," said Zenaida Landeros, executive director of the BHC Foundation. "Dr. Crockett's years of work and commitment have built a legacy here at Black Hawk College and beyond." Read more
NEW PARTNERSHIP with AUGUSTANA COLLEGE
Black Hawk College and Augustana College Team Together
Black Hawk College and Augustana College have formed a partnership to offer students a clear path to an affordable, high-quality education close to home.
Black Hawk College has transfer agreements with more than two dozen schools, both big and small, private and public, in the Midwest and beyond. This new partnership with Augustana College will open up even more possibilities for Black Hawk College students.
Students who are interested in transferring to Augustana College to earn a Bachelor of Arts may apply to Augustana at the same time they begin working on their Associate in Arts at Black Hawk College. Each student will have a designated BHC advisor to help them map out their educational plan.
Students also will benefit from the variety of resources available at Black Hawk College, including the Career Services Center, Disability Services, the Hawk's Cupboard food pantry, the Lane Evans Veterans Resource Center and the Tutoring Center. Read more
Helping Students Succeed
Laptop Loan Program
Enrolled Black Hawk College students may borrow a laptop for the fall semester. (While supplies last.)
Simply complete the online technology loan application.
(TRIO students should contact their advisor by calling 309/796-5138 or e-mail triosss@bhc.edu)
Scholarship for nontraditional students
Family Honors The Life Of Their Father
Rob Murphy (pictured) served in the U.S. Air Force for four years then worked in a tire factory for 19 years. At age 42, he decided to do something different—he enrolled at Black Hawk College. For two years, Murphy commuted more than an hour from Savanna, Illinois, to attend classes at the Quad-Cities Campus and work as a machinist at the Rock Island Arsenal. He balanced school, apprentice work, volunteer firefighting and family.
"There were many sacrifices made to accomplish it, but ultimately it was one of the best decisions he ever made," daughter Catie Campbell said.
In December 2009, he earned a Machinist Apprentice Certificate from Black Hawk College. "He was so proud of his accomplishment and we, his family, were just as proud," Campbell said.
Murphy died in July 2019 after a long fight with chronic liver disease. To honor his memory, his family has established the Rob Murphy Memorial Scholarship. Read more
Dr. Xixuan Collins
Retiring Professor Creates Scholarship For Students With Disabilities
Biology professor Dr. Xixuan Collins is retiring from Black Hawk College but she and her family will be connected to the college and BHC students for years to come.
Dr. Collins and her husband created an endowed scholarship fund through the Black Hawk College Foundation at the Quad-Cities Campus. Once fully endowed, the ABC All-Star Scholarship will be awarded to students with disabilities.
"Having a child with disabilities has taught me so much about the challenges students with disabilities face each and every day," she said. The Collins' 12-year-old son, Ari, was diagnosed with autism and ADHD at age 7. The scholarship name is both a tribute to Ari and to Dr. Collins' Chinese heritage. "ABC is our son's initial, and it also stands for American-Born Chinese, and all students can be stars and shine," she said. Read more
Dr. Diana Corley Schnapp
Former Speech Instructor Creates New Scholarship
Dr. Diana Corley Schnapp taught speech at Black Hawk College for 22 years and touched the lives of hundreds of students. "The best part of my experience was getting to work with the wide variety of students," she said.
Now she hopes to touch the lives of even more Black Hawk College students with the new Dr. Diana Corley Schnapp Endowed Scholarship. "I am hoping that the scholarship will make it possible for many to reach the goal of obtaining a quality education," she said.
The need-based scholarship is open to Quad-Cities Campus students in any major.
"Because Black Hawk serves a broad range of students with differing social, educational, cultural and financial backgrounds, it makes possible the chance for people who could not attend four-year schools to begin their education and perhaps go on to other higher degrees beyond the associate," she said. Read more
2021–22 Student Scholarships
Scholarship Applications Now Being Reviewed
We are currently reviewing scholarship applications with announcements to be made in early July.
The majority of scholarships are awarded for the fall semester of the entire year—though some exceptions may exist. General eligibility criteria is listed for each scholarship, though additional terms and conditions may affect eligibility.
Scholarships are based on some or all of the following criteria: academic performance, financial need and/or area of study.
Grants for student laptops and Internet Access
Vital Grants—Helping Students Succeed
In recent months, the Black Hawk College Foundation has received three grants totaling $21,250 for the Bridge to Technology Assistance Program. The grant money is being used to help BHC students who need a computer and/or internet access so they can take college-credit classes.
In an effort to keep students safe, the college converted its courses to online except those that required face-to-face instruction. Those classes are being offered as a hybrid with online lectures and face-to-face labs.
The grant money allowed the college to purchase laptops and routers with internet service that were loaned to more than 140 students for the Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 semesters. The grants also will allow the program to continue and expand to help more students in Spring 2021.
Through these grants, we are able to empower students to continue pursuing their educational goals," said Zenaida Landeros, executive director of the BHC Quad-Cities Foundation.
Special thanks to The Quad Cities Community Foundation, The Moline Foundation, and United Way of the Quad Cities for these grant awards.
BHC receives $1 million gift from alumni Bob & Blenda Ontiveros
Alumni Bob & Blenda Ontiveros Donation
Black Hawk College is excited to announce that it has received a $1 million gift from BHC alumni Bob and Blenda Ontiveros. (Pictured above: Anne Calder, Quad Cities Community Foundation; Maria Ontiveros; Jon Looney, BHC Board of Trustees; and Tim Wynes, BHC President)
The donation—from the Bob and Blenda Ontiveros Fund at the Quad Cities Community Foundation—is the largest monetary gift ever donated to the Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Foundation.
Maria Ontiveros spoke on behalf of her grandparents announcing the gift. She noted, "We win because of the opportunities provided here at Black Hawk." "I look forward to seeing how the seeds planted here today grow."
"With this gift, the largest in the foundation's history, we set a new course of giving students a hand up in pursuing their dreams at Black Hawk College," said Tim Wynes, Black Hawk College president.
International student excels far from home
Meet C. Blaise Kinto
When C. Blaise Kinto arrived in the United States from Togo in 2016, he had trouble communicating. For a self-confessed social butterfly, it was rough.
He was fluent in French and Ewe, an African language, and he knew some English, but not enough to make understanding or speaking it easy.
“Being at home all the time and not being able to socialize was hard for me,” Kinto said.
Soon, though, things began to change. He started at Black Hawk College and focused on learning as much as possible.
Kinto moved to East Moline to study at Black Hawk College because his brother, Yawovi, recommended it.
New Foundation Executive Director Announced
Alumna Landeros New Black Hawk College Foundation Executive Director
Black Hawk College alumna Zenaida Landeros is the new executive director of the Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Foundation.
Landeros has more than eight years of experience in fundraising, community outreach and nonprofit administration. She previously worked for the Greater Quad-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce since 2012, becoming its executive director in 2018.
She graduated from Black Hawk College in 2005.... Read more
Four inducted into BHC Alumni Hall of Fame 2019
Recognizing Outstanding Individuals For Their Professional And Community Service
Four outstanding Black Hawk College Quad-Cities Campus alumni were inducted into the 2019 Alumni Hall of Fame at a September 25 ceremony.
Rick McGrath of Moline, Dan McNeil of Moline, the late Alan Perley and Tim Stout of East Moline joined 34 members of the Black Hawk College Quad Cities Foundation Alumni Hall of Fame.
"These alumni all took diverse career paths yet each achieved exceptional accomplishments in their respective industries. We proudly welcome them to the Alumni Hall of Fame!" said Maureen Dickinson, former executive director of the Black Hawk College Quad Cities Foundation. Read more or learn about the Alumni Hall of Fame.
