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The Friends of McHenry County College Foundation has announced the Ervin J. LeCoque University Center Scholarship, a new opportunity that will award a full-tuition scholarship, currently up to $28,000, to an MCC graduate who plans to complete their bachelor’s degree through the University Center at MCC in Woodstock.
The scholarship honors LeCoque, a longtime supporter of MCC. As a former board member of MCC and the Friends of MCC Foundation, LeCoque was committed to expanding access to education for local students. This scholarship honors his vision of making a four-year degree attainable through MCC.
“Mr. LeCoque was deeply committed to expanding educational access for local students,” according to an MCC news release. “It was always his dream to make a four-year degree attainable through MCC, and this scholarship honors that vision by helping graduates earn bachelor’s degrees without leaving the county.”
LeCoque, who died in 2023, was the CEO and chairman of the Aptar Group. “[He] was instrumental in transforming a small local business into a global leader in dispensing technology,” according to the release, which also credited him with establishing the Lakeside Legacy Foundation and serving on its board to help save the Dole Mansion.
“Known for his warmth, mentorship and belief in the power of education, his legacy lives on through the students this scholarship will support,” according to the release.
To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must have completed an associate degree or at least 54 credit hours at MCC, hold a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program offered at the University Center at MCC. Financial need and community service may be considered but are not required.
Students must complete the general scholarship application at mchenry.edu/scholarships and upload a two- to three-minute video describing their career goals and ambitions. The application deadline for fall scholarships is June 11.