The 38th Annual Friends of MCC Foundation Golf Invitational recently raised $120,000 for student scholarships and programs. The event, held June 9 at Bull Valley Golf Club, takes place annually to further the Foundation's mission to provide financial support to MCC students, making education accessible and attainable through student scholarships.
“We deeply appreciate the continued generosity of our sponsors and golfers,” said Brian DiBona, Executive Director of the Foundation. “Thanks to our community’s participation in events like this, we’re able to provide critical support that truly transforms students’ lives.”
The Foundation has budgeted to award over $1.3 million in scholarships and program funding in the coming fiscal year.
“This level of success is a testament to what’s possible when a community invests in education,” DiBona said. “Each scholarship we provide has a ripple effect—not just for students, but for their families, employers, and our region as a whole.”
College president Dr. Clint Gabbard opened the event with some welcoming remarks, then scholarship recipient Juan Carbajal (Woodstock High School) spoke about the impact of receiving support from the Foundation.
The outing included lunch, 18 holes of golf in a scramble format, and a reception featuring prizes, auction items, and an awards presentation. At the reception, MCC scholarship recipient Emily Willis (Huntley High School) also shared how scholarships have made a positive impact in her life.
122 golfers participated in this year’s event. The winning foursome from Demonica Kemper Architects was comprised of Zach Bunjan, Josh Bunjan, Nick Sabol, and Brant Takmajian. They were awarded the Associated Electrical Contractor’s Champion’s Trophy at the reception to recognize their tournament win.
The Presenting Sponsor of the event was the Foglia Family Foundation. Also supporting the event were the following organizations: 365 Equipment and Supply, Pepper Construction, Old National Bank, and Robbins Schwartz as Reception Sponsors; Demonica Kemper Architects as Breakfast Sponsor; AptarGroup and Scot Forge as Player Gift Sponsors; Associated Electrical Contractors, LLC as Champions Sponsor; Coilcraft, Crystal Lake Community Bank & Trust, HRGreen, Home State Bank, the LeCoque Family Foundation, Miller Verchota, Inc., and Old Second National Bank as Tournament Sponsors; TC Industries as Cart Sponsor; Snap-on and The Harvard State Bank as Beverage Cart Sponsors; American Community Bank & Trust, AptarGroup Charitable Foundation, Eccezion, Lo Destro Construction Company, Sikich, and Weiler Engineering as Hole Sponsors; Harvard Ford as Hole-in-One Sponsor; 20/10 Engineering Group and Mercyhealth as Driving Range Sponsors; 20/10 Engineering Group as Putting Green Sponsor; Stryker as Golf Invitational Sponsor; and Sponsored Foursomes by Alliance Contractors, Chicago Title, Coilcraft, Demonica Kemper Architects, Express Employment Professionals, LRS, Mike Klingenberg, Pam Cumpata, Prairie Community Bank, Sikich, TC Industries, and William Blair & Company. Many other local organizations donated auction items, food, or beverages.
Thanks to the generosity of their sponsors and donors, the Friends of MCC Foundation has recently been able to award more scholarships than ever. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Foundation has awarded more than $830,000 in scholarships to over 950 students.
For more information on the event, call the Friends of MCC Foundation Office at (815) 479-7803 or visit the website.