The Friends of McHenry County College (MCC) Foundation recently recognized two retiring members of its Board of Directors—Cole Breese, Director of Operations at 365 Equipment & Supply, and Steve Rankins, Senior Vice President/Senior Managing Director at Old Second National Bank. Each director started in 2020 and completed six years on the board.
“We are deeply appreciative of the time, talent, and commitment our board members bring to the Foundation,” said Brian DiBona, Executive Director of the Friends of MCC Foundation. “Their support helps strengthen our mission every day and has a real, meaningful impact on the students we serve.”
At the last Board meeting, a special recognition was given to Rankins, who completed his second six-year term on the Foundation Board and served as Board President for the past three years. During the tenure of Rankins, Breese, and their fellow board members, the Foundation achieved significant growth in donations and expanded its capacity to support students. In addition to increasing scholarship opportunities, the Foundation broadened the types of funding available to meet a variety of student needs and now impacts more than 1,200 students annually through scholarships and other financial assistance.
The Foundation also recently welcomed a new board member, Nancy Merkling, owner and producer of Nancy Merkling Productions. An MCC alumna and Distinguished Alumni honoree, Merkling has spent more than a decade connecting and elevating creative voices throughout the region through her work as executive producer of the 4th Fridays Art Event at The Dole. She currently serves on Crystal Lake's Public Arts Commission and was recognized with the 2025 Robert O. Covey Award for her impact on the community.
“Given MCC's rich history in the arts and the strength of its creative programs, we are thrilled to welcome Nancy to the Foundation Board,” said DiBona. “Her passion for the arts, commitment to mentorship, and deep connection to both MCC and the community will be tremendous assets to our organization.”
Foundation board directors are elected for an initial three-year term and can be elected to serve one additional three-year term. After two consecutive terms, directors must leave the board for one year. They are then eligible to return to the board for another two consecutive terms.
Learn more about the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation.
