Chicago State University Foundation announces 4th Annual “Essence of An Angel” Honorees

CHICAGO - March 17, 2014 - PRLog -- (CHICAGO)  -- The Chicago State University Foundation today announced the honorees for its 4^th Annual “Essence of An Angel” Scholarship luncheon to be held on Sunday, April 13 at the CSU Academic Library at 12:00 p.m.  This one-of-a-kind event, which celebrates the achievements of some of Chicago’s most successful single mothers, also funds scholarships for single mothers who attend the University.

The 2014 honorees are Brenda Palms Barber, Executive Founder, North Lawndale Employment Network; Cristina Baines, Manager, Chicago State University Creative and Print Services; Aundrea Holland, CSU Student; Lisa Haley Huff, Senior Vice President, PNC Bank and Gwendolyn Mackel Rice, Non Profit Consultant.  Honorees will share their stories of success and speak about the importance of serving as an “Angel” and role model to CSU students and the community at large.

This award celebrates the talents and dedication of women who exemplify success and achievement in their careers and devote themselves to making their communities healthier, safer and more inspirational places to live while balancing the commitment of being a parent. Past honorees include Dorothy Brown, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County; Barbara Bates, noted fashion designer and philanthropist; Darlene Hill, Fox 32 Chicago and Amy Hilliard, newly named President of Fashion Fair Cosmetics. Most importantly the event raises funds to support single mothers who attend CSU and are in need of scholarship assistance. Presently, over 50% of students enrolled at CSU are single mothers. This year’s honorees bring to 20 the number of women leaders and CSU students who have received this special recognition.

“The “Essence of AnAngel” awards celebrate extraordinary leaders and role models,” says Katéy Assem, executive director of the Chicago State University Foundation.  These women show our students what is possible through education and hard work.”

The honorees were submitted through an open nomination process, and were selected by a panel of past honorees, CSU Foundation Board members and CSU staff and students.

Criteria included:

Commitment to serving others in the greater community;
Commitment to CSU and its mission;
Service as a role model for students, faculty, or staff;
Excellence in job performance or field of endeavor.

As in past years, three CSU students will receive The “Essence of An Angel” scholarships.  The luncheon will be held in the CSU Academic Library from 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm on Sunday, April 13, 2014.  The event is sponsored by Macy’s, UPS and the Chicagoland Regional College Program (CRCP).  Tickets are $75 and sponsorships opportunities are available.   The emcee for the event will be Dr. Garrard McClendon, Emmy Award winning talk show host, professor, and author. Special guests include R & B singer, Adam Emil, singer Senabella Gill, the Bronzeville Diva and poet Martin Grow.

To purchase tickets, make a donation or become a sponsor please call the CSU Foundation at 773.995.3839.  Follow the conversation about this event by using the hash tag #essenceofanangel on Twitter,        and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ChicagoStateUniversityFoundation

About “Essence of An Angel” Scholarship Luncheon

The “Essence of An Angel” Scholarship Luncheon’s purpose is twofold:  Celebrate the achievements of women in their professional and personal lives as single mothers, while acknowledging and supporting the impact single mothers have made on CSU and the Chicago community. Funds raised through the event provide financial support for single mothers attending CSU. Any full-time CSU student, who is a single mother and meets the grade point average and other criteria may apply.

About the Chicago State University Foundation

The Chicago State University Foundation was chartered in 1967 and incorporated in 1968 as an independent, charitable organization with the sole purpose of soliciting, receiving, and administering private gifts to the Chicago State University.  The CSU Foundation is committed to “helping one student at a time” by raising funds to support CSU students and programs.