Parkland College Foundation

The Women of Impact community came together to celebrate the collective difference they make for Parkland College students through scholarships. Every conversation, connection, and act of generosity helps create opportunities for students to achieve their goals.

A special thank you to Holly Birch Photography for generously capturing the evening and helping us preserve these memorable moments. Take a look back at this year's celebration!

Thank you Henderson Family!

For the Henderson family, Parkland College isn’t just a campus, it’s home. 💚
Triss Henderson first came to Parkland as a student more than 30 years ago. Since then, Parkland has shaped her education, career, family, and lifelong connections. Her husband, Andy, has worked across campus for 15 years, and their children, Ava and Cole, grew up exploring Parkland through Bring Your Kids to Work Day, College for Kids, campus jobs, and Parkland College Community Education. 🌎

This year, the family celebrated a full-circle moment when Ava graduated with honors and Triss and Andy presented her diploma on stage. 🥹

As Parkland celebrates 60 years, stories like the Hendersons’ remind us what the promise of Parkland is all about: opportunity, belonging, and generations of community. 🐍

Read more at parkland.edu/60years. 🗞️

Thank you to our Foundation board who approved using Creating Impact funds to purchase new servers for the William M. Staerkel Planetarium at Parkland College. This “where the need is greatest” project is how our donors help Parkland and our community thrive.

Parkland College Board of Trustees approves new servers for planetarium The Board of Trustees approved a $186,000 purchase Wednesday for th...

As we gather tonight for the 2026 Parkland College Foundation Women of Impact Scholarship Celebration, we are reminded that every scholarship awarded is made possible by individuals and organizations who believe in the transformative power of education.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our Success Sponsors for their commitment to Parkland College students:
RedFire CPA LLC
Littlefield Group: Keller Williams Realty, TREC
Downtown Development Group
Spitfire Chicken
MH CPA PLLC
Starcrest Cleaners
Elevated Events
Divine Consign of Illinois
Tamala's Therapeutic Massage

Thank you for helping us invest in dreams, remove barriers, and create lasting impact through the Women of Impact Scholarship program.

To learn more about Women of Impact or to support scholarships please visit www.parkland.edu/WomenofImpact

We're just hours away from the 2026 Parkland College Foundation Women of Impact Scholarship Celebration!

Tonight, community members, alumni, donors, and friends of Parkland College will come together to celebrate the remarkable students pursuing their educational goals and to help select this year's scholarship recipients.

As we prepare to welcome our guests, we want to thank our sponsors for believing in the power of education and investing in the future of Parkland College students.

Please join us in thanking:
That's What She Said
Busey Bank
Christie Clinic
Henneman Engineering Inc
Pavlov Media
Altrusa International of Champaign-Urbana, IL, Inc.
Michaels' Catering
The Main Scoop Ice Cream

Your support is helping students overcome barriers, pursue their dreams, and create brighter futures for themselves, their families, and our community.

We are grateful for every sponsor, donor, volunteer, and attendee who has helped Women of Impact continue to grow and make an even greater impact each year.

To learn more about Women of Impact or to make a gift to support scholarships visit www.parkland.edu/WomenofImpact

Tonight 2026 the Parkland College Foundation Women of Impact Scholarship Celebration takes place at Parkland College. We are looking forward to an inspiring evening of celebrating students, hearing powerful stories, and awarding life-changing scholarships.

A special thank you to our Parkland College Foundation Premier Partners. Your commitment to Parkland College is creating opportunities, opening doors, and helping students throughout our community pursue their educational dreams.

Please join us in recognizing and thanking our generous partners:
Gibson Area Hospital
Mid Illinois Concrete & Excavation, Inc.
U of I Community Credit Union
Heartland Coca-Cola
Illinois American Water
Meyer Capel, A Professional Corporation
FedEx
Black & Company Industrial and Safety

To learn more about Women of Impact or to make a gift to support scholarships please visit www.parkland.edu/WomenofImpact

What an incredible evening celebrating entrepreneurship, innovation, and community impact at the 2026 Parkland College Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year Banquet presented by Cozad Asset Management, Inc.!

Congratulations to Linda Davis Ballard and Courtney McKay, owners of Art Mart, on being named this year's V. Dale Cozad Entrepreneur of the Year recipients. Their vision, leadership, and commitment to our community continue to inspire and strengthen Central Illinois.

We were also honored to recognize Marc Chagnon for his outstanding dedication to Parkland's CobraVenture program. Through his leadership, countless students have gained valuable entrepreneurial experience, confidence, and the opportunity to turn ideas into action.

For 15 years, the Entrepreneur of the Year program has celebrated exceptional business leaders while supporting entrepreneurship education at Parkland College. Because of our generous sponsors, donors, and attendees, programs like CobraVenture continue to prepare the next generation of innovators and community leaders.

A special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Cozad Asset Management, and all of our sponsors for making this event possible.

We are less than a week away from the 2026 Parkland College Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year Banquet, presented by Cozad Asset Management, Inc., and we are incredibly grateful for the generous sponsors helping make this special evening possible as we honor Courtney McKay and Linda Davis Ballard, owners of Art Mart, with the V. Dale Cozad Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Please join us in recognizing and thanking our Venture Capital, Enterprise, Vision and Start Up Sponsors for their continued investment in future leaders and in strengthening our community:

Robert & Sondra Libman
Hickory Point Bank
Rick & Jeanene Stephens
Champaign Ford City & Illini Nissan
Busey Bank
Tom & Erin Tracy Family
MH CPA PLLC
BankChampaign, NA
Bodine Electric Company
Old National Bank
The Atkins Group
Taylor Studios
Carl R. Meyer Family

A heartfelt thank you to our incredible sponsors for supporting the 2026 Parkland College Foundation Entrepreneur of the Year Banquet presented by Cozad Asset Management, Inc. as we present the V. Dale Cozad Entrepreneur of the Year Award to Courtney McKay and Linda Davis Ballard, Owners of Art Mart.

Your partnership helps celebrate innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship while supporting opportunities for Parkland College students and programs. We are grateful for your commitment to strengthening our community and investing in future leaders.

Please join us in recognizing and thanking our incredibly generous Presenting and Premier Sponsors:

Cozad Asset Management, Inc.
Gibson Area Hospital
Mid Illinois Concrete & Excavation, Inc.
Illinois American Water
U of I Community Credit Union
Black & Company Industrial and Safety
FedEx
Meyer Capel, A Professional Corporation
Heartland Coca-Cola

🎟️ Tickets are still available to the Entrepreneur of the Year Banquet on June 3 at www.parkland.edu/EOTY

Join us for an inspiring evening of connection, generosity, and impact at the Parkland College Foundation Women of Impact event on June 16!

Women of Impact brings our community together to support scholarships that help Parkland College students pursue their goals and dreams — creating a ripple effect that strengthens families, workplaces, and our entire community.

🎟️ Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now: www.parkland.edu/WomenofImpact

🎥 Watch how Women of Impact is changing lives through education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDy7bBAnilk

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