Project

The Great Plains LIFE

Foundation is a 501
C3 non-profit
organization founded
by LiUNA Vice
President John Penn
in 2004. It brings
together the
charitable efforts of
the Laborers, Trades,
and Management.
Each year labor, management, the trades, and
friends are called on to support scholarships,
organizations, and people, as well as
volunteer for special projects.
Recognizing the importance of education to
the well being of Americas future, the Great
Plains LIFE Foundation Board of Directors has
adapted the Stay 4 Project as its priority
and major endeavor.

Stay 4 is designed to identify and support students

that demonstrate the ability to succeed, yet are
considered to be at risk for dropping out of high school.
Students are selected at the beginning of their junior
year and are required to maintain specific criteria in the
areas of academics, extra-curricular activities, and
community service.

The foundation will help provide each student with

opportunities to explore prospective colleges,
financial aid, and scholarships. Upon high school
graduation and enrollment in a trade school,
community college, or 4 year university, the student
will be awarded a minimum $1,000 support grant
from the Great Plains LIFE Foundation to help with
their continuing educational efforts.

Project

The late Dr. Alan Hickrod, distinguished Professor in the

Department of Educational Administration and
Foundations at Illinois State University, was
instrumental in laying the groundwork for the Stay 4
Project. Although there are numerous programs
which provide scholarships for low income students,
many of these students still face serious hardships and
challenges. Most scholarships do not cover registration
fees, down-payments for housing, textbooks, as well as
money for basic needs.
Dr. Hickrod encouraged the foundation to establish a
unique grant which would help fill this unmet need; one
that would offer the vital support these students
require in order to stay in school and pursue their
education.

Since the Stay 4 Project was established in 2008,

were proud to say that 97% of our students have
graduated from high school; most the first in their
families to do so. And, better yet, theyve continued their
education at the following schools and universities:
Eureka College
Florida A&M
Heartland College
Richland College
Bradley University
Black Hawk College
University of Illinois
SIU-Edwardsville
Purdue University
Rust College
Loyola University
Millikin University
Triton College
Eastern Illinois University
Roosevelt University
Parkland College
Southeastern Community College
Lincoln Land Community College

University of Houston
Benedictine University
Northern Illinois University
University of Chicago
University of ILSpringfield
Southern Illinois University
Arizona State University
Robert Morris University
Harvard University
Rock Valley College
Texas A&M
DeVry University
Illinois College
University of Louisville
University of Missouri
Illinois State University

Today there are currently 82 high school students

participating in the Stay 4 Project.

19 U.S. 2014

Every single day, over 7,000

students in America drop
out of high school; thats
more than 1.2 million every
year! Nearly one third of our
children are failing, and the
United States has fallen to
19th in the world for high
school graduation rates.
Even more alarming is that,
in our countrys 35 largest
cities, the graduation rate
may have fallen below 50%.
And because these figures
are compiled and reported
so differently from school
district to school district and
state to state, the crisis is in
fact much worse thus
earning the name,
the silent epidemic.

From the early inception of the Stay 4 Project, former

Illinois State University President, Dr. Al Bowman, made a
pledge and became a major supporter of the program. Thanks
to his efforts, each year ISU sponsors a day long Successful
Student Seminar designed exclusively for Stay 4 students. By
bringing them to campus, they have a chance to experience a
collegiate environment and learn about the resources available
to help finance a college education.
This tradition of commitment to the students in our program
carries on today with Dr. Larry Dietz. Because of the steadfast
resolve and friendship of the President and university, these
students continue to be inspired and come away with an
understanding of the opportunities within their grasp, and their
lives are changed forever.

Thank You!
Project

Great Plains LIFE Foundation

Board of Directors
DAVID RAIKES
Co-Chairman
Business Manager (Ret.)
Laborers International Union
of North America Local 393

RUSTY THOMAS
Co-Chairman
Chief Deputy
McLean County Sheriffs Office

LOWELL CHIP HALL

Field Representative (Ret.)
Laborers International Union
of North America Local 703

JERRY HARCHARIK
President
United Auto Workers Local 2488

BRENDAN HEFFNER
Chief of Police
City of Bloomington

GENE JONTRY
Superintendent (Ret.)
Regional Office of Education #17

FAYE FREEMAN-SMITH
Director of Student Support
Services
Heartland Community College

RICH VEITENGRUBER
Business Manager
International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers Local 197

Great Plains LIFE Foundation

The Crossroads Center
456 Wylie Drive
Normal, IL 61761
Phone: (309) 828-3406
Fax: (309) 807-5082
gplife@hotmail.com

Paul Segobiano
Director of Development
Liz Skinner
Director of Public Relations

www.stay4.org