The Illinois Valley Community College Foundation recognized 159 students and donors on Oct. 18 during the fourth annual Scholarship Recognition Dinner at Starved Rock Lodge in Utica.

"You all know you're the most important people. We would not be here without all the contributors and without the scholarship recipients. With the events of Sept. 11, education is going to be much more important than it has ever been before," said Ralph Bowermaster of Ottawa, who serves as Foundation president.

Bowermaster thanked the donors for their generosity and recognized the students for being "the cream of the crop."

Overall, $61,000 in scholarships was awarded to approximately 125 students for the 2001-2002 academic year through the Foundation's efforts.

The banquet gave benefactors the opportunity to meet the students who benefit from those scholarships.

IVCC president Jean Goodnow also spoke of the Sept. 11 tragedy and the faith in the human spirit found in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.

"Tonight we have the opportunity to celebrate the heroes that bring us that renewed faith in the human spirit. Our heroes are our donors who give of themselves to bring opportunity to others. Our heroes are also our students whose hard work and determination bring them to IVCC," said Goodnow.