BEDS Plus Care board member at large Mark Laubacher was recently named to Crain’s 2021 Notable Nonprofit Board Leaders list.
Laubacher, who served as board president for a three-year term at BEDS that ended in June, was honored for his leadership and work to advance BEDS Plus Care’s mission. He was one of 70 nonprofit board leaders recognized by Crain’s.
He chairs a $1.4 million capital campaign at BEDS to match $1.5 million public funding for the Linda Sokol Francis Summit Service Center, a medical respite facility for adults with disabling conditions who are experiencing homelessness. Laubacher, who also serves as co-founder and vice chairman of Silver Birch Living, personally raised more than $125,000 for the project. Anticipated to open in third quarter 2022, the Summit facility will have 10 rooms for 24 people.
Laubacher also has been instrumental in BEDS’ successful COVID-19 response and helped to restructure emergency shelter services as well as spearheaded fundraising efforts that generated $250,000 in private support for pandemic-related services.
He also has served as a 2 a.m. shelter volunteer at BEDS for 15 years.
Moraine Valley president wins regional Pacesetter Award
Sylvia M. Jenkins, president of Moraine Valley Community College, accepted the 2021 Pacesetter of the Year Award from District 3 of the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations at the district’s annual conference on Oct. 4.
The Pacesetter of the Year Award recognizes a community college president or CEO who has demonstrated special leadership and support in college communications and marketing. Each of NCMPR’s seven districts chooses a regional winner who then competes for the national award presented in March at the national conference.
“I have seen our honoree in action,” said Jeff Julian, secretary-treasurer of the Board of Directors for NCMPR. “She’s a fantastic president, and she is an absolute champion for students and student success, and a fierce advocate for the work that we do as marketing and PR professionals.”
Jenkins’ nomination highlighted her accomplishments on the national, state and local levels as well as how she has significantly positioned and advanced both Moraine Valley and community colleges in general, the many ways she garners support from the college community, and how she supports marketing/PR practices at the college and NCMPR.
“This is truly a wonderful surprise and very humbling,” Jenkins said. “As an educator, our priority is keeping our campuses open, safe and accessible to all who desire to be a part of the educational opportunities we have to offer. To do so, we need many talented and committed individuals to work as a collaborative team. I am fortunate to have such a team at Moraine Valley. It is because of the work they do we are able to continue to do the work community colleges were founded to do.”
Monee’s Asia receives nursing scholarship
Monee’s Noredia Asia received the Anderson and Luxton Memorial Funds Scholarship from the Lakeview College of Nursing in Danville.
Manhattan’s Ruble playing football at Monmouth College
Dean Ruble of Manhattan is a member of the Monmouth College Fighting Scots football team.
Palos Heights’ Lang bowling at Whitewater
Alyssa Lang of Palos Heights is competing for the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater bowling team during the 2021-22 season.
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