Elgin Community College Celebrates Founders’ Day with Awards and Scholarship Support

Elgin Community College (ECC) hosted its Founders’ Day Brunch on Saturday, September 13, at 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Ill., honoring exceptional individuals who exemplify service to education and the ECC community. This year’s theme, “There’s No Place Like ECC: A Celebration of Brains, Heart, and Courage,” recognized the impact of ECC alumni, community partners, and friends. 

The brunch not only celebrated the honorees but raised approximately $60,000 to support scholarships, helping to ensure that more students have the resources they need to pursue their educational goals. 

Around 298 ECC students benefited from scholarships during the 2024-2025 academic year, with a total of $367,215 awarded. On average, each student received $1,232, representing a 9% increase compared to the previous year.  

“We would be remiss if we didn't explicitly acknowledge that our students are living and working and trying to go to school in a very different national climate,” said Clare Ollayos, event co-chair and trustee emeritus of the ECC Board of Trustees. “And we're raising money in a very different climate this year than one year ago. It's more important than ever that our students know that we care about them and that we're going to continue to make them successful.” 

Meghan Early, ECC Foundation Board member, co-chaired the event alongside Ollayos. 

During the event, four honorees were recognized for their contributions: 

• Distinguished Alumni Award – Michael Storey (2003 and 2004): A longtime Elgin resident and Managing Partner of Beckatt Solutions, Storey has dedicated two decades to community service through the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and Food for Greater Elgin.  

• Esteemed Young Alumni Award – Brian Garbrecht (2019): A multidisciplinary artist and MFA candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Garbrecht explores themes of memory and identity through photography, video, and mixed media. He is a past recipient of the City of Elgin Cultural Arts Grant.  

• Friend of Education Award – Jaime Hjelm – Co-owner of Wicked Wrench Co. In South Elgin, Hjelm is a nationally recognized automotive expert and advocate for women in the industry. She also leads free automotive basics classes for young drivers.  

• Lasting Impact Award – Carolyn Kirk-Likou and Emmanuel Likou: Founders of Total Home Health, the Likoús partnered with ECC to train employees and helped develop the college’s Respiratory Care program. Carolyn, a former ECC faculty member, continues to serve on the Foundation Board.  

Events like the ECC Founders’ Day celebration serve as a tribute to those who have shaped the college and a vital fundraiser for student scholarships, reinforcing ECC’s ongoing commitment to education, equity for all, and the District 509 community.