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Two PSC Graduates Receive General Assembly Scholarships


Lesliefaye Gogins

Lesliefaye Gogins of Park Forest was one of two recipients of Illinois General Assembly Scholarships. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Chicago Heights, IL—(ENEWSPF)—Two Prairie State College graduates are recipients of Illinois General Assembly Scholarships. Lesliefaye Gogins, of Park Forest, received a scholarship from Representative Al Riley (D-38th District) and Eric Marshall, of Chicago Heights, received a scholarship from Representative George Scully (D-80th District).

Gogins and Marshall will each receive one full year of tuition to attend the Illinois university of their choice. Gogins will attend the University of Illinois at Springfield to pursue a dual bachelor’s and master’s degree in public administration. Marshall will attend the University of Illinois at Chicago to major in biology.

Gogins “screamed with excitement” when she found out she was the recipient of the scholarship. A returning adult student with two children, Gogins said paying for her education has been a challenge.

“When I left the workforce to pursue my education, I was presented with some unforeseen economic devastation,” said Gogins. “As a recipient of this scholarship, I am thrilled to be able to continue my education so I can create a better life for my family.”

Eric Marshall

Eric Marshall of Chicago Heights was awarded an Illinois General Assembly Scholarships. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Marshall, like Gogins, also was excited to receive the scholarship. Because he wants to be a doctor, and he is paying for his own education, this scholarship allows him to continue his education and save for medical school.

“This scholarship is an amazing gift, and I am very lucky to have received it,” said Marshall. “Prairie State College provided me with leadership skills that I will use as I pursue my dream of becoming a doctor.”

Illinois State Representatives can award up to two individual full one-year tuition waivers to participants who live in their district. Each waiver is good for one full year of tuition, beginning with the fall semester of 2008 and includes summer sessions. Students were judged on academic achievement, community involvement, school activities, personal essay, and financial need.

Siblings Start Near and Go Far at Prairie State College

catherine mark, and gina biagi

Eric Marshall of Chicago Heights was awarded an Illinois General Assembly Scholarships. (PHOTO SUPPLIED)

Prairie State College also reported last week on three siblings who continued their education at the college.

Before Mark Biagi graduated from Homewood-Flossmoor High School, he had a decision to make about college. He didn’t think about it for long; he enrolled at Prairie State College.

Following in his big sisters’ footsteps Mark is the third Biagi to attend Prairie State College. Catherine took her general education requirements at Prairie State and transferred to Northern Illinois University to major in Marketing and Business. She is now employed as an office manager. Gina recently graduated from Illinois State University with a degree in Human Resources after attending Prairie State for her general education classes. She recently got a job in a human resource department as a payroll analyst.

“Everyone needs to take the same general education classes,” said Ruth Biagi, mother of the three. “Prairie State is affordable, close to home, and a great place to start.”

Gina agrees that Prairie State College is a great place to start a college career. She credits the college for preparing her for a smooth transfer to Illinois State.  

“The professors at Prairie State College give you the full college experience in what they teach in the classroom; it was an easy transfer,” said Gina.

Gina also liked that the classes she took at Prairie State were small in size, rather than held in a big lecture hall with hundreds of students.

“Not only did I learn from the professors, but I learned from the students in the class. It was not just traditional age college students, but a cross-generation of learners,” said Gina.

All three Biagi students were recipients of the Prairie State College Board of Trustee Scholarships. These scholarships are open to high school graduates residing in the Prairie State College Illinois Community College District 515. Students must apply for the scholarship while they are seniors in high school through their high school counselor. For more information, call the office of financial aid at (708) 709-3562.

Prairie State College fall classes begin August 25. Registration is ongoing until classes begin. All new students must register in person. Registration hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Continuing students may register online at prairiestate.edu or in person. Course listings are available on PSC’s Web site through the WebAdvisor link on the homepage. Print versions of the fall schedules are available on campus. For more information about registering for courses, contact the Counseling & Academic Advising Center at (708) 709-3506.


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