1. education
2. graduate school
3. college

LINK UNLIMITED SCHOLARS 2014 ANNUAL REPORT
Options. Opportunities. Outcomes.
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 1
link unlimited scholars Class of 2014 achievements
Hello friend of LINK Unlimited Scholars,
The average ACT score for LINK’s seniors is 24.
Providing options, creating opportunities and delivering outcomes is what we do here at
That is 3 points higher than the overall state
consecutive years we have produced a 100% graduation rate, but even more significant,
average and 7 points higher than the national
LINK, and we do it well because of unwavering support of stakeholders like you. For 14
100% of the 2014 graduates have enrolled in selective colleges or universities such as
Paul Crimmins
Harvard, Pomona, Colgate, Northwestern, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
Vanderbilt and Howard—all with your help. This class also produced Gates Millennium,
Ron Brown and Posse scholars.
average for African American students. 100% of
This has been a transformative year for LINK Unlimited Scholars. Four positions were filled
the Class of 2014 has been accepted into a 4-year
with seasoned team members in their respective fields—Director of College Counseling
college or university. This marks 14 years of
Lynette Johnson and Erica Thompson. After 14 years of dedicated service and advocacy on
Pamela Brown; Associate Director of Development Katie Roth; and Program Managers
behalf of LINK Unlimited, Virgil Jones, Jr. resigned as President. He left behind a legacy
of leadership, strong programming and financial stability for us to continue to build on,
100% college acceptance for our scholars! The
and we are grateful to him for all that he has accomplished. Torrence Moore, LINK alum ‘88
and long-standing board member, agreed to be our Interim President. LINK engaged the
Class of 2014 has 1 Gates Millennium, 2 Ron Brown
services of Koya Leadership Partners in a national search for our new president, Dr. Roslind
Blasingame-Buford, who will be joining the LINK family on January 12, 2015.
and 4 Posse scholars. 100% of the graduates
This year has also been a pivotal year of welcoming back many of our alumni to the fold,
who serve as mentors, LINK Associate Board members and workshop and career facilitators,
enrolled into a 4-year college or university. 70%
while also serving as a constant example to our scholars that being a member of LINK is a lifelong commitment of giving back and engagement. We’ve expanded our summer enrichment
of the graduates have received enough scholarship
and financial aid to cover the full cost of tuition.
90% of the Class of 2014 achieved honor roll
status. The average GPA for the senior class is
3.5. The graduating class of 2014 was awarded
$8 million in scholarships and financial aid over
4 years.
programs to include additional opportunities for our scholars’ engagement in global experiences. Our scholars spent the summer developing leadership skills, networking and volunteerTorrence Moore ‘88
ing in the USA and internationally in Ireland, Italy, Nigeria and Spain. In summer 2015, we
will launch a new relationship with the US Department of State National Security Language
Initiative for Youth, sending scholars to language immersion programs across the globe.
LINK continues to set the standard for best practices in mentoring through our service on
the Illinois Mentoring Partnership Program Leadership Council and the Quality Assurance
Committee. This year, we achieved the IMP’s Gold Star status—the highest level—as part of
its process to assess the effectiveness of mentoring programs throughout the state, an award
that recognizes the excellent policies and practices infused in the LINK mentor program.
Finally, we would like to thank all of you for your continued engagement, whether it be as
a donor, mentor, board member, volunteer, or an advocate for providing options, creating
opportunities and helping our scholars deliver measurable outcomes, and we are grateful
that you’ve chosen to do it with us.
Wishing you the very best,
2 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
Paul Crimmins
Torrence Moore ‘88
Chairman, Board of Directors
Interim President
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 1
We create solutions.
options. opportunities. outcomes.
LINK Unlimited Scholars Class of 2014
The formula for success at LINK Unlimited Scholars is clear,
and more importantly, is clearly working! For the 14th straight
year, 100% of LINK scholars were admitted to four-year colleges and
universities. The Class of 2014 were all admitted to selective institutions.
The Class of 2014 scholars adds to our proud tradition of achievement
and our growing group of alumni, poised to be tomorrow’s leaders.
At LINK, we offer more than scholarships, more than mentoring and
more than internships. What sets our organization apart is the
comprehensive range of services and the continuous support provided
to young scholars from the day they are accepted into our competitive
program through their acceptance into college and beyond.
LINK offers our scholars exposure to a world beyond their own
neighborhood and a world of possibilities for their own future. In the
words of Class of 2015 scholar Jessika Jackson, “LINK finds young,
driven students and offers them all of these resources to help turn
them into young adults who can be whatever they wish to be.”
Jessika’s story, as well as those of LINK alumni on the following pages,
reflects the heart and soul of this organization and demonstrates our
success.
2 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
LINK
LINK Unlimited
Unlimited Scholars
Scholars 2014
2014 Annual
Annual Report
Report 3
3
high school
JESSIKA JACKSON is a
Class of 2015 LINK Unlimited
Scholar poised for a successful
college experience and an
exciting future in healthcare.
OPT IONS
A senior at Nazareth Academy, Jessika
Jackson has already experienced life on
a college campus as a participant in a
Harvard Medical program last summer,
which both strengthened her desire to
pursue a career in medicine and motivated
her to continue working hard to achieve
her dreams.
“I was nominated for a Harvard Medical program and
LINK was instrumental in making that happen,” said
Jackson. “It was an extreme honor, and because of all the
ways LINK has helped prepare me over the years I didn’t
feel intimidated. I worked hard and I felt I deserved it as
much as any of the other students there.”
As the President and Founder of the Health Careers Club
and the co-founder of the Black Student Association at
Nazareth Academy, Jackson has clearly benefitted from
LINK’s leadership training, as well as the constant encouragement and support from mentors Jane and Joe Gaffigan.
“One of the biggest benefits of LINK is the mentoring.
They are not just donating their money, but also their time,
wisdom and caring,” said Jackson. “There’s always another
family who has your back.”
LINK’s mandatory ACT preparation helped Jackson raise
her score two points, expanding her options for selective
college enrollment. Beyond her goal to become a physician,
Jackson hopes someday to work for Doctors Without
Borders and to care for patients at an inner-city clinic in
“A Public high school would not have challenged Jessika at all
Chicago. “I’ve watched my mom work so hard all my life;
and I did not have the resources to put her through private school. LINK was a
I want to make it easier for people like her.”
blessing and I think it has been a tremendous help guiding her in a direction
gwendolyn mccaskill
Mother of LINK Unlimited scholar
Jessika Jackson
where she can really blossom. Jessika’s involvement in LINK drives her to be
the best that she can be.”
4 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 5
“LINK IS ABOUT PEOPLE who have a sincere desire to help other people in a
manner that’s sustainable. Generation after generation and scholar after scholar,
helping people gain access to education and relationships has worked . . . Yohanna
wanted a lot for herself, and I think the support of LINK helped her see what she
was capable of . . . People rise to the occasion when they have opportunities.”
KEVIN PRICE, who with
his wife Myra Price mentored
Yohanna Gaim, their fifth
LINK mentee.
OP PORTUNI T I ES
Yohanna and Solomon Gaim are both
strong, independent individuals, but the
siblings have each drawn strength from
their peers and the many opportunities
they took great advantage of as LINK
Unlimited scholars.
A senior and junior at University of Rochester, respectively,
the siblings are both pursuing science-related careers as
Yohanna is majoring in biology with plans to become a
physician assistant, while Solomon is studying chemical
engineering.
Both incredibly active on campus, they credit LINK for
opening their eyes to greater possibilities and preparing
them for the rigors of a challenging academic future.
“We were young, driven African American students and we
fed off each other’s drive. It made us more ambitious being
around each other,” said Yohanna Gaim about the community of LINK scholars she still misses. “Being a part of
this program changed the way I viewed so many things, it
helped me see what I can achieve.”
Graduates of St. Ignatius College Prep high school, the
Gaim siblings were both tutored, then became tutors at
LINK. They recognize their mentors and the program for
providing tremendous support and helping them stay on
track.
“LINK is always there to keep us on point and make sure
we don’t fall off the path. I am just very, very grateful that
I experienced LINK and I wish more kids could have that
experience,” added Yohanna Gaim.
6 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
college
Brother and sister solomon
and Yohanna gaim
personify the drive and
academic distinction of LINK
alumni attending colleges
across the nation.
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 7
alumni
ALEX ECHOLS continues
to accomplish his dreams, only
to aspire to more, setting a
great example for future and
fellow LINK alumni.
OUTCOM ES
A successful serial entrepreneur, author,
public speaker and blogger, Alex Echols
realizes now more than ever the power
of the network and relationships LINK
created for him.
“When I think back to high school and all the amazing
people I had in my life through LINK— the program
directors, sponsors, people I met at events and retreats —
everybody was a mentor at some level,” Echols said. “The
friends I made, other LINK scholars from the South Side of
Chicago who wanted something bigger and better in life,
are still people I am connected to today.”
A 2009 Vanderbilt University graduate, Echols earned a
coveted position with DreamWorks Animation and
continued to build experience and expertise in marketing,
global brand strategy and creative direction before launching his own innovative entrepreneurial journey helping
others build highly profitable brands, with a particular
focus on companies that strive to pay it forward for social
benefit and progression.
“LINK opened doors for me and allowed me to see how
much I could accomplish in life,” he said. “The retreats
were hands down among the best things LINK bestowed
upon so many of us. They allowed us to retreat from the
everyday hustle and bustle and positioned us to think
about personal growth and what we wanted for ourselves.”
Echols, who is currently based in Australia and Asia, has
“AS AN ORGANIZATION, LINK UNLIMITED SCHOLARS HAS A HOLISTIC
APPROACH, supporting young people from beginning to end of college
preparation . . . one of the things that sets LINK apart is that it
connects people with the wider world around them, and the beauty of it
BILL GEE
LINK mentor and donor
already achieved many of his dreams, but says his journey
of self-discovery and desire to give back is never ending.
“I am still learning and growing and I will always keep
moving forward; LINK is a big part of that.”
is that it’s a two-way street, a positive for both sides — scholars and mentors.
I hope to see LINK grow and make this kind of a difference for more people.”
8 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 9
Summarized financial statements
“It has been a rewarding experience to see Amir
grow both as a student and as an individual.
I’m thankful that LINK Unlimited Scholars
provides opportunities and resources so she
can excel inside and outside the classroom.”
kate faems, grandniece of LINK co-founder
Carolyn Parmer, with her mentee Amir Brown,
Marian Catholic High School Class of 2016.
As of June 30, 2014
Support and revenue
Statement of financial position
Current assets — cash and receivables $ 736,910
Office furniture and equipment (net) 12,428
Facility headquarters — land, building and improvements (net) 1,216,909
Investments — endowment 3,101,365
$5,067,612
Total assets Current liabilities 16,600
$
Total liabilities Net assets — unrestricted 16,600
4,704,367
Net assets — temporarily restricted 346,645
Total net assets $ 5,051,012
Total liabilities and net assets $ 5,067,612
For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014
Mentor/benefactor/individual
giving contributions
50%
Foundations/corporations
22%
Special events
20%
Allocation from investments
7%
Student program services
1%
Expenses
Statement of activities
Support and revenue
Mentor / benefactor / individual giving contributions $ 1,439,045
Student program services 34,575
Foundations / corporations 618,661
Allocation from investments 200,000
Special events (net)
581,444
Total support and revenue 2,873,725
Expenses
Scholarships, mentoring and academic enrichment programs
Administration 361,248
Development and fundraising 313,413
Total expenses Balance of return on investments 10 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
2,559,556
Scholarship, mentoring and
academic enrichment programs
79%
Administration
11%
Development and fundraising
10%
3,234,217
228,350
Change in net assets $ (132,142)
Net assets — end of year $ 5,051,012
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 11
Partners
College visit hosts
and partners
Albion College
Amherst College
Augustana College
Ball State University
Bates College
Beloit College
Boston University
Bowdoin College
Brown University
Bryn Mawr College
Bradley University
Calvin College
Carleton College
Carnegie Mellon University
Colgate University
College of the Holy Cross
College of Wooster
Colorado College
Colorado State University
Columbia University
Connecticut College
Cornell College
Cornell University
Creighton University
Davidson College
Denison University
DePaul University
DePauw University
Dominican University
Drake University
Elmhurst College
Elon University
Emory University
Grinnell College
Hamilton College
Hope College
Howard University
Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois State University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Indiana University
Johns Hopkins University
Kalamazoo College
Kenyon College
Knox College
Lake Forest College
Lawrence University
Loyola University Chicago
Marquette University
Miami University of Ohio
Middlebury College
Millikin University
Monmouth College
Morehouse College
Mount Holyoke College
North Carolina A&T State University
North Central College
Northeastern University (MA)
Northwestern University
12 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
Oberlin College
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Pomona College
Purdue University
Quincy University
Rice University
Roosevelt University
Smith College
St. Ambrose University
St. Leo University
St. Louis University
St. Mary’s University (MN)
St. Norbert’s College
St. Olaf College
St. Xavier University
Stanford University
Southern Illinois University–
Edwardsville
Syracuse University
Texas Christian University
Trinity College
Tufts University
Union College
University of Chicago
University of Dayton
University of Iowa
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois at
Urbana–Champaign
University of Miami
University of Michigan
University of Missouri
University of Northern Iowa
University of Notre Dame
University of Pennsylvania
University of Pittsburgh
University of Rochester
University of Texas–Pan American
University of the Arts (PA)
University of Virginia
University of Wisconsin–
Madison
Valparaiso University
Vanderbilt University
Wake Forest University
Wartburg College
Washington University
in St. Louis
Wellesley College
Wesleyan University
Williams College
High school partners
Brother Rice High School
Chicago Academy for the Arts
Chicago Hope Academy
Christ the King Jesuit College
Preparatory High School
De La Salle Institute
Fenwick High School
Francis Parker
Gordon Tech High School
Guerin College Preparatory
High School
Holy Trinity High School
Illiana Christian High School
Immaculate Conception
High School
Latin School of Chicago
Loyola Academy
Maria High School
Marian Catholic High School
Marist High School
Mother McAuley Liberal Arts
High School
Mount Carmel High School
Mt. Assisi Academy
Nazareth Academy
Providence St. Mel School
Queen of Peace High School
Regina Dominican
Seton Academy
St. Francis De Sales High School
St. Ignatius College Prep
St. Joseph High School
St. Patrick High School
St. Rita of Cascia High School
Timothy Christian High School
Trinity High School
The University of Chicago
Lab School
Walther Lutheran High School
Scholarship and business
programs
100 Black Men of Chicago Inc.
Chicago Business Institute
Chicago Scholars
Evanston Scholars
Farther Foundation
George M. Pullman Foundation
Google, Inc.
Law Camp
Oak Park River Forest,
Crystal Charitable Foundation
The Posse Foundation
Study abroad program
partners
American Field Services
Road Less Traveled
Summer school and academic
enrichment programs
Educational Endeavors
Fenwick High School
One-To-One Learning Center
Revolution Prep
Internships
BMO Harris Bank
Fifth Third Bank
Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Mayer Brown, LLP
McDonald’s Corporation
Winston & Strawn, LLP
Facilities and services
Boston Consulting Group
Cornerstone Counseling
Center of Chicago
De La Salle High School
FAST
Fenwick High School
Loyola University–Chicago
Naomi Tours
New Beginnings Church
of Chicago
Old St. Patrick’s Church
Phantom Ranch Bible Camp
Ransom Transportation
St. Columbanus Church
St. Ignatius College Prep
St. Sabina Church
thank
you
Food service
Bon Manger Catering
Karen Huff Catering
Quest Foods Management Services
Photography and videography
Hype Media
Tim Hicks
Dan Kasberger
Mike Lavoie
Ollie Photography
Dot Ward Photography, Inc
Anjail Wilson Photography
Design, printing and
communication services
CMO Graphics
Creative Promotions
FAME Clothing
Generation Copy Printing Services
M&G Graphics
National Student Clearinghouse
Naviance
Les Petites Choses
Robertz & Kobold Inc.
Tallulah Group
Teen worship service
contributors
Reverend William Hall
Walter Whitman & The Soul
Children of Chicago
Retreat consultant
and facilitator
Pastor David Marreo and
The Masters Commission
Our sincere gratitude
and appreciation to our
partners and donors who
have helped ensure the
success of LINK scholars.
christian campbell
LINK Unlimited scholar
St. Rita of Cascia High School
Class of 2015
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 13
Donors
Mentors and benefactors
$25,000 and above
Anonymous
David & Suzu Neithercut
$10,000-$19,999
Jerry Azumah
Jack & Cori Chandler
Paul & Idele Crimmins
John & Patrice DeCorrevont
Lawrence & Deidre Desideri
Jerome & Linda Girsch
Stephen & Allison Hackney
Wallace & Sheila Harris
George & Abby Lombardi
Bill Lutz
Ken & Susan Morrison
Jack & Cheryl Neal
Michael & Suzanne Nelson
Stephen & Linda Patton
Thomas Wilson & Jill Garling
$5,000-$9,999
Michael & Laura Allen
William Barry
Nathan & Barbara Brown
Ron & Kathy Butkiewicz
Christopher Butler
Vincent Connelly
Michael & Julie Conway
Hank & Maren Deaver
John Donley
Bill Drehkoff & Kate Protextor
Thomas & Martha Durham
Michael & Becky Elrad
Scott Epskamp & Nancy Baker
William M. & Mary Ellen Fausone
Daniel Favero
Mary Gail Fitzpatrick
Patrick & Alice Flynn
Joseph & Jane Gaffigan
Mark & Sheila Gartland
James & Shawn Gavin
Steven Gavin
John & Ann Gearen
Patricia Gentry
Peter Giangreco & Laura Tucker
Michael & Connie Gill
Leslie Girsch
David & Carol Golder
Richard Greenberg &
Katherine Friedman
Charley & Jill Gross
Jeff Hammes
John & Mary Frances Hass
Seth & Dorothy Hemming
Roger & Karen Jones
Ronald & Gail Kahn
Jerry & Julie Kane
Patrick & Kathryn Kennedy
Ross Kwasteniet
Timothy & Mary MacKenzie
14 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
Tim & Patti Malloy
Brian Massengill
Mark & Sandra McLaughlin
Stanley Meadows
Jonathan & Rosanna Medow
Brian & Catharon Miller
David & Christine Murdoch
Richard & Mary Beth Murphy
Steven Napolitano
Patrick Nash, Jr.
Reed Oslan
Mark & Daphne Pals
Joe Peterchak & Jeanne Picerne
L. Richard Petracca
Holly Pierce & Maria Gandarez
Jack & Vicki Potts
Victoria Priddy & Mark Fromm
Gerald & Sharron Putnam
Andy & Jenn Rachmiel
Paul & Karen Roy
Thomas & Bonnie Sampson
Joseph Schorer & Mildred Calhoun
Timothy Sherck
Ira Shulman
Leslie Smith & Michael Uzer
Matthew Steinmetz
Phil & Kerry Suse
Edward & May Swan
Mark & Rita Tresnowski
A. Coleman Tuggle &
Deborah Daro
Brian & Jennifer Van Klompenberg
Marty Whalen &
Kathleen Kennedy
Robert & Erin Wilson
Helen Witt
Craig & Heidi Woods
$2,500-$4,999
Dr. Maria Ashley
Susan Asiyanbi
Cass & Jennifer Baker
Richard & Laura Becker
Natalie Bennett
Catherine Bernard
Robert & Sheila Berner, Jr.
Todd & Erin Bloomquist
Howard & Barbara Blumstein
Gregory & Ann Bynan
Craig & Caryn Caffarelli
Kimberly Capizzi
Brett Carlson
Michael & Bonita Cho
Amy Crawford
Dave & Elyse Cutler
Thomas & Joleen Dimond
Guy & Susan Eisenhuth
Diana Ferguson
F. Conrad & Sonja Fischer
Paul Garcia
Charlie Gardner & Patti Eylar
Keith & Avis Gibson
Greg & Katie Girsch
Rebecca Girsch
William & Leona Gleason
Robert & Lynne Heskett
Stacey & Sara Huels
Thomas & Colleen Huffman
William Hutchins
Paul Hybel & Libby Raymond
Dennis & Susan Jones
David & Julie Larson
Patrick & Dania Leemputte
Eugene & Kandace Lenti
Michael & Michelle Lynch
Terry & Kathy Lynch
Mary Anne Lynskey &
Frank Mullins
Bruce Martin
John McKinnon
Mindy Mercaldo & Steve Chychlyk
Alexandra Mihalas
Torrence Moore & Jamie Horn
Grant Mulvey
Richard & Dorothy Nopar
Frank & Mary Oelerich III
Chris Olson & Dr. Erin Arnold
Matthew Panzica
Mason & Abby Phelps
Richard Porter
Carr & Marcia Preston
Matt Provance
Dennis Quinn
Arthur Reliford, Jr.
Sarah Roberson
Edward & Nancy Ryczek
Diane Sabol
Stacey Simmons
Sherina Smith
Julie Stagliano
Jeffrey Steigelman
John Stickney
Matthew Twetten &
Patricia Petrowski
Albert Weiss
Julie Welborn
Dr. Jan Willer & Mark Osing
Mark & Vicki Witt
David & Elizabeth Zott
$1,000-$2,499
Jim & Betsy Benoit
William Berndt & Shima Roy
Willie & Nicole Bobbitt, Jr.
Dwain & Elizabeth Celistan
William Cordes
Adrienne Curtis
Jason & Heather DeJonker
Jeff Devine
Cynthia Dickens
Todd & Shanda Dokes
Alexander & Frances Domanskis
Maria Domanskis
Caleb Donnell
Matthew Doucet
John Dragic & Linda Straube
Barack & Heidi Echols
Richard Eck
Patrick & Nicole Fisher
Norman Geller
Robert & Julia Girsch
David Haymes & Leslie Winter
Elizabeth Hess
Justyn Howard
Daniela Kole
Victoria Lautman
Duffy Lorenz & Tim Bakke
Matthew Martin
Britt Miller
Scott & Margie Morris
Brandon & Carly Moseberry
Malik Murray
Chuoh Ngeh & Ben Davis
John & Denise Noell
Michael & June Parks
Bill & Claire Ragen
Joseph Seliga & Vanessa Vergara
Stanley & Angela Smith
Michelle Speller-Thurman
Judith Spry
Jaclyn Tenzillo
Rachel Thomas
Kila Weaver
Mark & Stacey Williams
Jeff Wynn
Rhonda Young
$500-$999
Ama Acquah
Nick & Melissa Allchin
Charles Asiyanbi & Joycelynn
Watkins-Asiyanbi
Expedeme Bassay
John & Christina Bullock
Dr. Carla Carpenter
Robert Earls
Emily Emerson
Christopher & Betsy Fahey
Patrick & Jenny Fisher
Tally George
Stephen Griesemer
Joseph Harrington
Sarah Harris
Anastasia Jimenez
Bruce & Marcia Johnson-Reid
Lindsay Kessler
James & Susan Lucci
Michael McCutcheon
Yvonne McLeod
Daniel Monico
Chanda Rice
William Rowe & Maryann Zglajic
Toyia Rudd
Jason & Kara Schmitz
Keith Sams
Jason & Kara Schmitz
Individual donors
$10,000 and above
Tom & Julie Scott
$5,000-$9,999
Matt & Elizabeth Connelly
Warren Hayford
Robert & Sandra Marjan
Art & Karen Massolo
Paul Purcell
Joe & Judy Scully
$2,500-$4,999
Veranda Dickens
Rick & Patrice Frazier
Norman & Marsha James
Thomas & Susan Moran
David & Stacy Purcell
Ted Purcell
$1,000-$2,499
Anonymous
Alfredo & Ada Capitanini
Steven Faigan
Paul Gearen
Mike & Kelly Girsch
Ray & Lorraine Gusé
Fleming & Velvelean Harvey
Dan & Kate Hillegass
Andrew & Sheree Johnson
Robert Kolodgy
James & Celeste Kramer
John Linnen
Patrick McGrath
John & Denise Meyers
Kathryn Montgomery
Raymond C. Parmer &
Moira A. Harding
Scott Pickens
Joel Rubin
Daniel & Donna Weaver
Ted Wolff
$250-$999
Charles Allen, Jr.
Jon Ballis
Carmelo Barbaro
John & Vivien Barkidjija
Dean & Rosemarie Buntrock
Fred & Mary Campobasso
Paul Carbone
Sam Coady
Guy Crane
Keafta Dokes
David Dugan
David & Gina Duxbury
Jim Ertmann
Robert Fliegelman &
Margaret Dickerson
Ben Foster
William & Barbara Haljun
Patrick & Louise Hillegass
Karron Hurks
William & Joan Kelley
Iqbal Khan
Jules Knapp
Brian Lewis
Steven Louis
John Mackey
David Matlock
Patricia Mausell
Russ Mayerfeld
Clayton & Colleen McCaffery
Michael McLaughlin
Kimberly Metzner
Patrick & Teresa Mulcahy
Kay Nalbach
Greald & Mary Lee Noonan
Robert Patterson
Don Pinchot
Neal Prendergast
Alice Rappaport
Daniel & Elizabeth Ring
David Rosen
William & Kathleen Schirmang
Stephanie Simmons
Calvin Spann
Eddie Stephens
Travis Swoope
Richard Tulloch
O. Mikki VanWinkle
TK & Padmavati Venkatesan
Paul & Mary Ann Weir
Edward Weil, Jr.
Wayne West
Foundations and corporations
$100,000 and above
Chicago Housing Authority
Citi Foundation
JP Morgan Chase Foundation
$50,000-$99,000
Allstate Insurance Foundation
Anonymous
Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation
Baker & McKenzie LLP
The John C. & Carolyn Noonan
Parmer Private Foundation
US Bank
Wintrust Financial Corporation
$20,000-$49,999
Anonymous
CA Development Management,
LLC
Lloyd A. Fry Foundation
Manaaki Foundation
McNamara Purcell Foundation
Steans Family Foundation
UPS
$10,000-$19,999
Antunovich Associates, Inc
Fifth Third Bank
GEM Realty Capital, Inc.
Golder Family Foundation
Kirkland & Ellis Foundation
Mayer Brown, LLP
McCaffery Interests
Northern Trust Company
Perry Family Charitable Foundation
Schiff Hardin LLP
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
TCF Capital Funding
TCF National Bank Illinois
The Coca-Cola Company
The Richard H. Driehaus
Foundation
W.E. O’Neil Construction Co.
$5,000-$9,999
BDO USA, LLP
BMO Harris Bank
Crowe Horwath, LLP
CS Associates, Inc
Garvey’s Office Products
Goldberg Kohn
KPMG LLP
McDermott Will & Emery, LLP
Morgan Stanley Foundation
Old Fifth
Plante Moran
Prairie Capital
Spaceco, Inc.
Walton Street Capital
Wells Fargo Foundation
WHI Real Estate Partners
Whitaker & Company
Winston & Strawn, LLP
$1,000-$4,999
Aldine Capital Partners, Inc.
Aon Foundation
Bank of America
Barrett & Porto
Beam Suntory Inc.
CAPX Management Corp.
Colliers International
Connelly Electric Co.
Core Campus
First Bank & Trust
Forsythe Technology, Inc.
GE Antares Capital
Gurtz Electric Co.
Hayward Baker
Huen Electric Inc
James Huntington Foundation
JCA FUND LLC
Latz & Wall, Inc.
Lehman Design Consultants
Leopardo Companies, Inc.
Libertyville Bank & Trust
Macquarie Group
Mansur & Company
MB Financial Foundation
Merrill Corporation
Mid-States Glass & Metal
Midwest Applied Solutions
Muller & Monroe Asset
Management, LLC
National Multi Housing Council
Northern Bank & Trust
Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete, Inc.
Pfizer Foundation Matching Gifts
PNC Bank
Redefined Fitness
Schaumburg Bank & Trust
Sharlen Electric Co.
Siemens Industry, Inc.
Starshak, Winzenburg & Co.
Tandem Construction, Inc.
Taxman Family Foundation
TGRWA, LLC
The Comcast Foundation
The Jordan Company
The Private Bank
Thomas & Marianne Zidar
Foundation
Twin Orchard Country Club
USA Fire Protection
Weiss & Company LLP
Wind Point Partners
Up to $999
American Chartered Bank
American Junkie River North
BP Fabric of America Fund
Brandenburger Plumbing, Inc.
Clark Maple, LLC
Construction Services Associates
Counsilman–Hunsaker
Craven Closeouts
De Giulio Family Charity
DLA Piper
DN Partners
Fitness Formula Clubs
Focus Development, Inc.
Glass Solutions, Inc.
Grant Thornton LLP
Great Lakes Plumbing & Heating
Halvorson and Partners, P.C.
ICCNexergy
Kenig, Lindgren, O’Hara, Aboona
Inc.
Kenneth Douglas Foundation
Laube Companies
Microsoft MGP
Nazareth Academy
Polk Bros. Foundation
Robertz & Kobold Incorporated
Rosset Electric Co.
Scott Steel Services
Seaway Bank & Trust Company
The Metropolitan Club
The Movemakers
The Seaton Group, Inc.
The Walter & Mary Tuohy
Foundation
Truist
Turano Bakery, Inc.
West Monroe Partners
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 15
Darryl Auguste
Board of Directors
Staff
●
‘07 BA History, UIC / ‘11 JD The John Marshall Law School
Circuit Court of Cook County
●
Tanya Auguste
Dan McCaffery
Jacoby Dickens†
Willie C. Bobbitt, Jr.
Chairman
Seaway National Bank
Chief Financial Officer
Partner, Mayer Brown, LLP
Chairman & CEO
McCaffery Interests, Inc.
Mindy Mercaldo
Patrick J. Flynn
Retail President Illinois
Citibank
Retired Executive Vice President
McDonald’s Corporation
Torrence Moore ‘88
Steven J. Gavin
Interim President
LINK Unlimited Scholars
Attorney, Winston & Strawn, LLP
Paul Crimmins
Interim President
Torrence Moore ‘88
LINK Unlimited Scholars
Board Members
John R. Berner
Senior Vice President
Merrill Corporation
Howard Blumstein
Chicago Managing Partner
BDO USA, LLP
Michael L. Boykins
Partner
McDermott Will & Emery, LLP
James C. Collins
Senior Vice President,
Restaurant Support Officer
McDonald’s USA, LLC
Billy Dexter
James J. Morgan
COO, PSA Solutions, Inc.
David Neithercut
President & CEO,
Equity Residential
Executive Vice President
LKQ Corporation
Lynette Johnson
Program Manager
Torrence Moore ‘88
Partner, CIVC Partners
Retired President
FBOP Corporation
Interim President
Michael Revord
Founder & Managing Partner
Aldine Capital Partners, Inc.
Philip F. Suse
Jonathan T. Swain
President & Principal
Kimbark Beverage Shoppe
Arthur J. Massolo
President, Straticon International
Founder, President & CEO
NIA Enterprises
Katie Roth, CFRE
Kenneth R. Meyer
Retired Investment Management
Lincoln Capital Management
Company
John E. Neal
Kevin A. Price
Dr. Maria Ashley, DDS, PC
Wallace Harris, Jr.
Robert L. Berner, Jr.
Cordell Reed
Regional President
BMO Harris Bank
Partner, Baker & McKenzie, LLP
Retired Director, Citigroup, Inc.
Patrice P. DeCorrevent
Senior Vice President
J.P. Morgan
Associate Development Director
Khair A. Sadrud-Din
College Years Counselor
Erica Thompson
Program Manager
Partner, Linden, LLC
Emeriti
B. Victoria Cook
Director of Development
President, PartScription
Retired Senior Vice President
Commonwealth Edison
Thomas A. Reynolds, III
Partner, Winston & Strawn, LLP
Joseph C. Scully
Retired Chairman
Charter One Bank
† Deceased
Outside Back Cover
Jim Lucci, along with his wife
Susan, is mentor to Jhordan
Howard, St. Ignatius College
Prep Class of 2017.
16 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report
’10 BA Psychology UIC / ’12 MA Clinical, Counseling & Applied Psychology,
●
●
Our alumni reflect
College / ‘10 MBA Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern
University
Chicago
●
●
Senior Business Consultant, City of
Shaneria Harris
●
‘07 BS Public Health & Business
LINK Unlimited Scholars’
commitment to excellence
Administration, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign / ‘14 Pharm D,
Chicago State University
Director of Mentor
Recruitment & Relations
Marcia A. Preston
Attorney, Office of the Chief Judge,
Child Assessment Specialist,
The University of Chicago Keith Chamberlin ‘08 BA Economics, Grinnell College ● NBA-D League ● Ariel Dade
● ‘12 BS History, Purdue University / ‘15 JD Candidate, Marquette University Law School ● Marquette University Law Clinic
Volunteer ● Dr. Adrianne Flynn Dade, MD ● ‘00 Doctor of Medicine, University of Illinois, College of Medicine ● Physician,
OB/GYN, Assistant Professor, University of Chicago ● Porschia Davis ● ‘08 BA Communications, DePauw
University / ‘12 MA School Counseling, Concordia University–River Forest ● Assistant Program Manager, City of Evanston
● Aquee Easley ● ‘07 BS Industrial Engineering, Project Management and Logistics, Northwestern University ● SC Manager,
Displays / Special Packs, Novartis Consumer
Health ● Anuolu Fasoranti ● ‘06 BA Political Science,
University of Chicago / ’12 JD DePaul College of Law ● Attorney,
Potestivo & Associates ● Rocky Gray ● ‘12 BEng
Computer Science, Vanderbilt University ● Software Engineer,
Capital One ● Robert Griggs ● ‘01 BA Psychology, Williams
Margie Morris
Cheryl E. MayberryMcKissack
Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP
Senior Vice President – Private
Client Advisor
Wells Fargo Private Bank
Maintenance Engineer
Robert M. Heskett
Leona A. Gleason
Colleen McCaffery
Charlie Jiles
Chris Perry
President, TCF Capital Funding
Partner, Winston & Strawn, LLP
Director of Educational Programs
Partner, The Pritzker Group
North American Managing
Partner, Baker & McKenzie, LLP
George C. Lombardi
Alpachino Hogue
Mentor Relations & Development
Associate
William M. Fausone
Stephen C. Hackney
Office Manager / Program Associate
Sharon Brownlee-McGrown
Senior Vice Presiden,
Deputy General Counsel
Allstate Insurance Company
EVP & Chief Administrative
Officer, Wintrust Financial
Corporation
Jerome D. Girsch
April Day-Mason
Vice President
EYES for Learning, LLC
Gilda Livingston Spencer
Joseph P. Gaffigan
Partner, Mayer Brown, LLP
Director of College Counseling
William R. Haljun
Michael Nelson
Partner, Heidrick & Struggles
President & COO
Colliers International Chicago
John J. Gearen
Pamela M. Brown
●
Roosevelt University / ’17 Doctoral Candidate, Clinical Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology
●
Chairman
●
Pharmaceutical
●
●
Pharmacist, Walgreens
Shaun Harris
●
‘09 BA Business
Instructor,
Leadership Studies, Computer Systems Institute
Administration, Morehouse College
●
Kristin Hayes
●
●
’11 BA Philosophy, DePauw University
and ability to develop
the leaders of tomorrow.
●
Associate Financial Consultant, Charles Schwab
●
Karron Hurks
●
‘03 BS Mathematics, University of Illinois at
neTworking solution architect for the department of defense, cdw ● Natasha
● Assistant Attorney, Office
of the Illinois Attorney General ● Byron Johnson ● ‘09 BA Psychology, Hamilton College ● Lead Financial
Crimes Compliance (fcc) advisor, GE ● Ghiane Jones ● ’07 BA Economics, Hamilton College ● Associate Business
Development Executive, Northern Trust Bank ● Ronald Maheia ● ‘12 BA American Studies, Kenyon College ●
Corps Member, City Year ● Torrence Moore ● ‘92 BA Economics, Hamilton College / ‘01 MA Urban Planning & Policy,
University of Illinois at Chicago ● interim president, link unlimited Scholars ● Mwanga Mtengule ● ‘01 BA Sociology,
Harvard College / ’07 JD Duke University ● legal, vice president, market / JDExcel, LLC / Alumni President,
Jackie Robinson Foundation ● Nino Parker ● ‘07 BA Economics, Grinnell College ● Assistant Director Alumni
Relations, Grinnell College ● Dartesia Pitts ● ‘00 BA History, Kenyon College / ’05 JD Northern Illinois University ●
Attorney, Greene & Letts ● Arthur Reliford, Jr. ● ‘96 BA History, Hamilton College / ‘99 JD DePaul University College of Law
● Equity Partner, Swanson, Martin & Bell, LLP ● Franklin Reynolds ● ‘02 BA Economics, Williams College / ‘09 MEM,
Northwestern University / ‘10 MBA, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University ● Commercial Operations Leader,
GE Transportation ● Angela Rudolph ● ‘93 BA History–Classics, Union College / ‘97 MEd, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
● executive director, Hadiya’s foundation / hadiya’s Promise ● Samantha Simpson ● ‘06 The Johns Hopkins
University ● Product Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ● R’iele Sims ● ‘11 BA Sociology, Vanderbilt
University / ‘15 JD Candidate, Child & Family Law, Valparaiso University ● Law Clerk, EEOC ● Laura Smith ● ‘11 BA Africana Studies /
Theatre, Hamilton College ● Assistant Dean of Admission & Coordinator of Diversity Recruitment, Hamilton
College ● Jourdan Sorrell ● ‘06 BA Anthropology, University of Notre Dame / ‘16 AM Candidate, University of Chicago, School of
Social Service Administration ● President, 100 Black Men of Chicago / project & executive assistant, The
Chicago Community Trust ● Roger Steele, Jr. ● ‘11 BS Civil Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ●
Engineer, The Roderick Group, Inc. ● Yodit Twelde ● ‘10 BS Aerospace, Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering /
‘13 MS Planetary Astronomy & Science, MIT ● The Field Museum ● Ashleigh Watson ● ‘09 BA History, DePauw University /
’10 MA Documentary Film & History, Public Communications, Syracuse University ● Customer Support Associate, Aerotek
● Erin Watson ● ‘11 BA Political Science, Beloit College / ‘13 MS Business Enterprise Fordham University ● Pension Analyst,
Segal Consulting ● Tiffany Williams ● ‘09 BA Computer Science, Denison University / ‘14 MA Higher Education,
Higher Administration, Chicago State University ● financial aid counselor, iit ●
Urbana-Champaign
Jenkins
●
●
‘07 BA History / Government, Hamilton College / ‘12 JD The John Marshall Law School
LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report 3
2221 South State Street
Chicago IL 60616
312.225.5465
www.linkunlimited.org
4 LINK Unlimited Scholars 2014 Annual Report