Celbrating Two
Decades of impact
at Oakton College
For more than twenty years, the Wentcher Foundation proudly invested in and supported talented scholars attending Oakton College in the northern suburbs of Chicago.
This period marked a special chapter in the Wentcher Foundation’s history and reflects our deep commitment to increasing educational and economic opportunity and stewarding the legacy of our founder, Ernie Wentcher.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors decided to begin sunsetting the Oakton program in 2025 and is no longer accepting new applicants. Since its inception, this partnership has helped hundreds of students pursue their dreams by beginning their higher education journey at Oakton College and successfully going on to graduate from four-year institutions. Our Oakton Scholar’s impressive achievements serve as living tributes to Ernie’s vision and set a high bar for future generations of Wentcher Scholars. While this program’s time has come to an end, our commitment to engaging and supporting our Oakton alumni remains strong as ever.
Oakton Alumni!
Stay connected with the Foundation through LinkedIn and update your contact information here.“Thank you so much for supporting me on my academic journey. From Oakton to graduating ISU I couldn’t have done it without your help. Just as you’ve positively impacted my life, I hope to follow in your footsteps and do the same for my patients as a nurse.”
“I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me and my family. I never thought that I would walk across the graduation stage as a summa cum laude scholar. The Wentcher Foundation’s guidance, support, and gratitude not only gave me an opportunity to excel as a student, but it also helped me grow immensely as a person.”
Michael Abregana
Oakton College 2021-2023,
Illinois State University, 2023-2025.
Joseph Skolak
Oakton College 2017-2019,
Illinois State University 2019-2021.