2016 Annual Report single page nov 18

Letter from the Executive Director

Friends of the Wentcher Foundation,

We are delighted to share some of the Foundation’s 2016 accomplishments
in our first Annual Report available on our website. A few highlights:

The Foundation continued to grow and develop in 2016, including the size
of our endowment — up 24% due to Ernie’s generosity. We hope that the
selection of a new investment manager this year will help the Foundation
maintain the resources needed to continue its work in perpetuity.

The number of Scholars served in the 2015-2016 school year grew to 169
— up by 44 (35%) over the prior year.

We made new commitments to 78 Wentcher Scholars selected this spring
— 60 Chicago Public Schools seniors, 10 students who joined Oakton
Community College, and 8 new Oakton Transfer Scholars.

Of the four 2016 Presidential Scholars named from Illinois, two are
Wentcher Scholars - Madeline Poole, Chicago High School for Agricultural
Sciences, and Samuel Detmer, Walter Payton College Preparatory School.
Detmer now attends Harvard; Poole attends UIUC.

Our scholarship programs matured and grew in expertise and size:

 Researched, selected, and launched a new online application system.

 Led an enhanced CPS scholarship selection process including a
thorough review of 789 applications conducted by a team of reviewers
and interviews of 100 finalists.

 Worked with university financial aid departments to more precisely
identify the amount that will help Wentcher Scholars and avoid
negative displacement (replacement of other gift aid dollars),
preserving more than $200,000 to help named Wentcher Scholars.

 Changed scholarship coverage to include study abroad and eliminate
coverage of for-profit universities.

 Enhanced our knowledge of the challenges our Scholars face and
began to develop new strategies to identify and serve at-risk Scholars.

 Continued the development of a new website and database.

—1—

 Used National Student Clearinghouse graduation data to better
understand the actual graduation outcomes of Wentcher Scholars,
especially those with whom we had lost contact.

 Overall, developed a much deeper understanding of and processes for all
aspects of scholar selection, financial aid calculations, working with
financial aid offices, and high school counselors.

We expanded our staff and welcomed Theresa Pfister as our new Program
Associate in February 2016. Theresa helps ensure that our Scholars are well-
supported.
The Foundation continued to build a wonderful group of talented, passionate,
and inspired supporters who reviewed and interviewed our candidates.
Thank you!
To date, 451 students have become Wentcher Scholars and over $6.5M has
been invested in their educations. Reflecting on how far the Wentcher
Foundation has come, I am reminded of early conversations with Ernie when
he was considering how he could best impact children’s lives. Now, 15 years
of operation later, his generosity has profoundly changed hundreds of lives
and we are still in the process of ramping up the Wentcher Foundation to its
full capacity!
Sincerely,

Brian Fitzpatrick
President and Executive Director

—2—

Our Mission

Our mission is to provide college scholarships to Chicago area high school
seniors based on academic merit, financial need, and character.

Our Founder

Ernest “Ernie” Wentcher was born in Siberia
in 1914. After fleeing the
Russian Revolution in a boxcar,
Ernie spent his youth in the United States,
Belgium, and England.
When he was 21, he moved to
Chicago and began his career in the insurance
industry. He was also a successful
entrepreneur in real estate
and an astute investor in the stock market.

Our History —
Ernie’s Legacy

Ernie began his foundation in 2001 with the goal of giving students “a helping
hand.” The Foundation chose its first ten Wentcher Scholars in 2002 — all of
whom graduated four years later.
Ernie never thought of his scholarships as charity. He always considered his
Scholars to be an investment. That investment paid off. To date, more than
150 CPS and Oakton Wentcher Scholars have graduated from colleges and
universities across the country.

—3—

Our Programs

CPS Wentcher Scholars

The CPS Wentcher Scholars Program awards 50+ scholarships to Chicago
Public Schools seniors each year. Valued at up to $10,000 per year, these
scholarships are intended to help high-performing CPS students with financial
need pursue higher education at an accredited, not-for-profit college or
university of their choice located within the United States. Wentcher Scholars
who continue to meet the Foundation's guidelines may renew their
scholarships for up to four years of undergraduate support, totaling up to
$40,000.

Oakton Wentcher Scholars

Ten entering Oakton Community College students are selected each year to
receive a scholarship valued at up to $3,500. With successful participation,
the scholarship is extended for a second year. The Oakton Wentcher Scholars
Program is coordinated in partnership with the Oakton Community College
Educational Foundation and the Oakton Community College Office of Student
Financial Assistance.

Oakton Wentcher Transfer Scholars

Oakton Wentcher Scholars who have completed at least 48 credit hours with
a 3.0+ GPA are invited to apply for the Wentcher Transfer Scholar Program to
continue their studies at four-year university programs. Transfer Scholars
receive up to $10,000 per year to attend an accredited, not-for-profit college
or university of their choice located within the United States.

Those We Serve

Wentcher Scholars are selected on the basis of academic merit, character,
and financial need. The vast majority of Wentcher Scholars come from low-
income families. The Median Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for Scholars
selected in 2016 is $1,788.

—4—

Why It Matters

Illinois has committed to a goal of increasing the proportion of Illinois adults

with a postsecondary credential from 41% to 60% by 2025. Low-income

students, in particular, are at the most risk of not completing college. As of
2011, only 11% of the lowest quintile of Illinois students completed a college
degree. In response, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission has a special
focus on raising the attainment rates for low-income students to 45% over the
next decade.

In the Chicago area, we have begun to see some improvement. In 2006, the
University of Chicago Consortium on Chicago School Research reported that
only 8% of CPS ninth-graders would earn a bachelor’s degree by their mid-
twenties. By 2014, degree attainment had increased to 14%. This research is
in line with trends witnessed in other major urban areas, which have
attainment rates of 4-13%. While we have a long way to go, these figures
point to progress.

While the Wentcher Foundation is not directly involved in statewide higher
education completion initiatives, we share the state’s commitment to help
more Illinois young people, especially those with limited financial resources,
graduate with a college degree. We are proud to be in a position to help our
Scholars reach the finish line.

In the first ten years of the
CPS Wentcher Scholars Program,

109 Scholars graduated with
bachelor’s degrees —

a completion rate of 89%

For more information, click:
Illinois 60 x 25 Network

“Moving Forward” by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission
“The Educational Attainment of Chicago Public Schools Students”

by the University of Chicago CCSR

—5—

Extending Our Impact in 2016

We're Growing!

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
2002

WENTCHER FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP DOLLARS GIVEN BY FISCAL YEAR

$1,400,000

$1,200,000 $1,168,411

$1,000,000 $917,422
$800,000

$600,000 $534,566 $509,072

$400,000 $446,223 $452,985

$200,000 $338,750 $363,735
$36,000
$304,500 $320,000
$0
$254,750 $250,765

$223,950

$146,250

$78,795 $72,198

$45,250

—6—

Congratulations to the Class of 2016!
Chicago Public Schools Wentcher Scholars

Congratulations to the CPS Wentcher Scholars Class of 2012-2016
on four fantastic years — we wish you luck in your next pursuits!

Pooja Agarwal Sierra Clark
Illinois Institute of Technology Lake Forest College
B.S. Biochemistry B.A. Business and Communication
cum laude

Abisayo Ariwoola Sierra Davis
University of Wisconsin—Madison Vanderbilt University
Biology with certificates in B.A. Medicine, Health, and Society
entrepreneurship and global health

Marrsail Bailey Billy Leung
Howard University University of Michigan
B.B.A. Finance B.B.A. Accounting and Finance
with High Distinction

Carlos Ballesteros Erik Martinez
Claremont McKenna College DePaul University
Journalism B.S. Elementary Education, with
Bilingual Education and ESL
summa cum laude

Jasmine Breeding José Muñoz

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Denison University

B.S. Psychology B.A. Spanish

Airis Cervantes
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
International Business

—7—

Congratulations to the Class of 2016!
Oakton Wentcher Transfer Scholars

Congratulations to the Oakton Wentcher Transfer Scholars
Class of 2014-2016 on reaching your goals!

Rona Bassala Luiza Prodan
University of Illinois—Chicago Elmhurst College
B.A. Psychology B.S. Biology
summa cum laude cum laude

Paul Chiero Nickey Sadeghi
DePaul University DePaul University
Business Administration Business

Michael Jeske Karen Torres
Northeastern Illinois University Elmhurst College
Social Work B.S. Communication Sciences and
Disorders
Nikita Patel cum laude
University of Illinois—Chicago
B.S. Nursing Grace Waldschmidt
cum laude California State University—Fullerton
Phi Kappa Phi Radio-TV-Film

Demir Prasko
Northeastern Illinois University
Business Management

—8—

Congratulations to the Class of 2016!
Oakton Community College Wentcher Scholars

Congratulations to the Oakton Wentcher Scholars Class of 2014-2016 on
completing their studies at OCC — we look forward to your next steps!

Catherine Cangelosi Simone Montgomery
Pursuing management at Pursuing English and political science
Northeastern Illinois University at University of California—Los Angeles
Oakton Transfer Scholar Class of 2018 Oakton Transfer Scholar Class of 2018

Dianna Fulea James Payne
Pursuing biology at the University of Pursuing culinary arts at
Illinois Urbana-Champaign Kendall College
Oakton Transfer Scholar Class of 2018 Oakton Transfer Scholar Class of 2018

Sydney Geiger-Bryce —

Brandon Kabat Joseph Pineda
Pursuing logistics and supply chain Pursuing computer science at the
management at Elmhurst College University of Wisconsin—Madison
Oakton Transfer Scholar Class of 2018 Oakton Transfer Scholar Class of 2018

Olivia Kisielewski Stephanie Warda
Pursuing integrative biology at Pursuing secondary education and
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign English at
Oakton Transfer Scholar Class of 2018 Northeastern Illinois University

Kevin Kowalski

—9—

Introducing the Oakton Wentcher Scholars Class of 2018

Romeo Abregana Spencer Kabat
Maine East High School Kabat Homeschool Academy

Sheryl Lhei Cabading George Lucaciu
Niles West High School Maine East High School

Kathryn Christopher Eliza Palarz
Niles North High School Maine West High School

Jessica Dirkis Margaret Stangel
Niles West High School Willows Academy

Alex Gruezo Johnathan Yenter-Briars
Niles West High School Yenter-Briars Homeschool

Oakton Wentcher Scholars Class of 2018
Average Weighted GPA: 3.73

Average Unweighted GPA: 3.38
Average ACT: 25.8

— 10 —

Introducing the Chicago Public Schools
Wentcher Scholars Class of 2020

Jubril Adeagbo Victoria DeLira
South Shore International College Prep Lane Tech College Prep
Emory University Northwestern University

Alejandro Aguilar Samuel Detmer
Perspectives Charter School—Joslin Payton College Prep
Northwestern University Harvard College

Esther Ajayi Jonathan Diaz
Chicago Math & Science Academy Prosser Career Academy
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois—Chicago

Miguel Aponte Anna Espinosa
George Washington High School Social Justice High School
Northwestern University Benedictine University

Victor Becerril Cynthia Estrada-Diaz de Leon
Lane Tech College Prep Lindblom Math & Science Academy
University of Washington University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Trevon Bosley Muzna Fatima
Brooks College Prep Senn High School
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Denison University

Guillermo Camarillo Matteo Geatti
Westinghouse College Prep Westinghouse College Prep
Stanford University University of Pennsylvania

Maria De Leon Kennedy Graves
Von Steuben Metro Science Center Lindblom Math & Science Academy
Harvard College Cornell University

— 11 —

Introducing the Chicago Public Schools
Wentcher Scholars Class of 2020

Garvey Gregory Carianna Juliano
Lindblom Math & Science Academy Noble Street College Prep
Vanderbilt University University of Wisconsin—Madison

Jessica Hannsberry Lina Kapp
King College Prep Northside College Prep
Spelman College Yale University

Gregory Harris Leah King
Noble—Gary Comer College Prep Lincoln Park High School
Brown University University of Southern California

Nia Harris Charles Kotrba
Whitney Young Magnet High School Whitney Young Magnet High School
New York University Vanderbilt University

Kaylen Herring Justin Lam
Lindblom Math & Science Academy Whitney Young Magnet High School
Howard University University of Southern California

Amanda Hoyne Kevin Lee
Whitney Young Magnet High School Northside College Prep
New York University Northwestern University

David Jeffries Jerry Limon
Mather High School Phoenix Military Academy
Morehouse College University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Tommy Johnson Alex Macedo

Chicago Tech Academy Hubbard High School

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Northwestern University

Takyla Jones Anthony Martinez
King College Prep Chicago Academy High School
Spelman College University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

— 12 —

Introducing the Chicago Public Schools
Wentcher Scholars Class of 2020

Susana Martinez Ester Perez
Chicago Academy High School Lincoln Park High School
DePaul University Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Veronika Matsuk Janaei Phillips
Taft High School Jones College Prep
University of Wisconsin—Madison Loyola University Chicago

Ida Maung Madeline Poole
Noble—Muchin College Prep Chicago HS for Agricultural Sciences
Colorado College University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Michael Mills Sulaiman Raji
Whitney Young Magnet High School Phillips Academy
Brown University Illinois Institute of Technology

Alberto Montes Leonardo Rivera
Lane Tech College Prep Lane Tech College Prep
University of Wisconsin—Madison Northwestern University

Devin Montgomery Taja Robertson
Lindblom Math & Science Academy Kenwood Academy
Dartmouth College Hampton University

Khyla Morgan Jocelyn Rodriguez
Orr Academy High School Bogan Computer Technical High School
Agnes Scott College Knox College

Vanessa Ocampo Kyle Rodriguez
Solorio Academy High School Clemente Community Academy
Denison University University of Illinois—Chicago

Michael O’Sullivan Jordi Rosado
Payton College Prep Infinity Math, Science & Technology
Pomona College DePaul University

— 13 —

Introducing the Chicago Public Schools
Wentcher Scholars Class of 2020

Zachary Sebek Amy Tan
Whitney Young Magnet High School Whitney Young Magnet High School
Tufts University Harvard College

Adelina Socite Christopher Wilson
Rickover Naval Academy Von Steuben Metro Science Center
University of Illinois—Chicago University of Wisconsin—Madison

Oumar Soumare Nova Xu

King College Prep Payton College Prep

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Sobia Sultana Jennifer Zhuo
Northside College Prep Whitney Young Magnet High School
Illinois Institute of Technology University of Chicago

CPS Wentcher Scholars Class of 2020
Average Weighted GPA: 4.81

Average Unweighted GPA: 3.81
Average ACT: 28.1

— 14 —

Dollars Pledged to Scholars Selected in 2016

CPS Wentcher Scholars $2,400,000
Class of 2016-2020
60 Scholars x $10,000 x 4 years

Oakton Wentcher Scholars $70,000
Class of 2016-2018
10 Scholars x $3,500 x 2 years

Oakton Transfer Scholars + $160,000
Class of 2018-2020
8 Scholars x $10,000 x 2 years $2.63 million

Total

— 15 —

2016 CPS and Oakton Scholars

Oakton Scholars CPS Scholars

— 16 —

Thank you to our 2016 Reviewers, Interviewers, and Volunteers

Stephanie Agnew Maria McNitt

Rachel Allmen Tramell Moore
Marilyn Appelson Geoff Nixon
Treasure Ballard Kay Nixon
Rhonda Bell Jasmine Omeke
Judy Bourn Joe Palencia
Walter Burke Ekta Patel
Josepha Conway Theresa Pfister
Paul Davidson Ray Pollina
Laura Farr Nyla Rease
Annie Fitzpatrick Kelsey Riley
Brian Fitzpatrick Dwayne Simmons
Laurie Fitzpatrick Robert Slay
Emma Guzman Catherine Sullivan
Maryam Hanif Lucy Tuck
Lisa Helford Frank Valadez
Linda Hoffmann Cleary Williams
Kristina Jarosik Dan Williams
Crystal Johnson Laura Wise
Renee McClendon Robert Wise
Will McLean Aaron Wolfe
Bill McNitt Kenyatta Young
Jim McNitt LaShawn Young

— 17 —

Staff
Brian Fitzpatrick
Executive Director
[email protected]
Linda Hoffmann

Accountant
[email protected]

Crystal Johnson
Program Director
[email protected]

Theresa Pfister
Program Associate
[email protected]

Board of Directors
Brian Fitzpatrick
President
Marilyn Appelson
Richard Helmholz
Lucy Tuck
Daniel Williams
Robert Wise

Founding Board
Vincent Agnew
Norma Berfield

— 18 —

1000 Skokie Blvd., Suite 250
Wilmette, IL 60091
Tel: 847.256.4800

www.wentcherfoundation.org