The Chicago State Foundation Celebrates honorees and students at the 1stGEN Scholarship Gala

CHICAGO (Oct. 17, 2023) - In partnership with Chicago State University, the Chicago State Foundation held its fourth annual 1stGEN Scholarship Gala: Elevate, presented by BMO, on October 6, 2023, at The Geraghty.      

The event was attended by more than 400 guests and successfully raised close to $600,000 for the 1^st GEN Scholarship fund which helps to support Cougar Commitment, Chicago State University’s student success strategy that focuses on innovative programs to support equitable student access and completion.

A highlight of the night was the presentation of the 2023 Cougar Servant Leadership Awards, honoring community champions making distinguished contributions in the fields of public service, education equity and alumni achievement.

• Karen Freeman-Wilson, President & CEO of Chicago Urban League was awarded for her leadership in Public Service.
• Liz Thompson, CEO of The Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group (CAFE Group) was awarded for her leadership in Education Equity.
• The Latino Policy Forum was awarded for its leadership in Education Equity.
• Cheryl Watkins, Founder & Lead Consultant at Monarch Education Consultants, LLC was awarded for her alumni achievements.
• Spark Foundry and Leo Burnett were awarded for their leadership as Corporate Champions to CSU students.

The emcee for the evening was Iisha Scott, an award-winning meteorologist for NBC Chicago. She recently earned the prestigious Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society. Iisha graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications from Norfolk State University. She also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geosciences and Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University.

As the presenting sponsor of the gala, BMO supports our community – especially for groups facing systemic barriers, including our Black, Latino, and Indigenous students.  BMO knows that by investing in Chicago State University (CSU) students’ lives, they are providing the opportunity to build and advance their careers, and ultimately build a stronger community.

For more information on our honorees, please visit Cougar Servant Leadership Awards | Foundation | Chicago State University (csu.edu) or call 773-995-5300.

About Chicago State Foundation

The mission of Chicago State Foundation (CSF) is to advance the interests and welfare of Chicago State University by building relationships, securing philanthropic support, stewarding assets, and otherwise procuring private support on behalf of the University.

As the chief fundraising partner of Chicago State University, CSF helps to identify strategic private support priorities, create suitable fundraising strategies and tactics, and implement and evaluate appropriate development programs designed to advance the interests and welfare of the University. In its role, CSF procures private support on behalf of the University and functions as the independent official fundraising and private gift-receiving agency for the University.

About Chicago State University

Chicago State University, founded in 1867, is the oldest public university in the Chicago Metropolitan area. The University’s four colleges offer over 70 undergraduate and graduate degree-granting and non-degree programs. CSU is committed to equity in education, serving as the only U.S. Department of Education-designated four-year Predominantly Black Institution in Illinois. The University’s continued value to students and the State of Illinois is demonstrated by the ranking by a Harvard economist that places CSU in the top 4 percent of public and private universities nationwide in supporting its graduates’ economic mobility. The University serves as a prominent community anchor and civic space on the greater south side of Chicago by leading a multitude of athletic, educational, cultural, and recreational activities.