McHenry County College (MCC) and the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation have named Erin Boerman as the recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award and John Morefield as the 2026 Rising Distinguished Alumni Award. The awards recognize MCC alumni who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities.
Boerman is the Human Resources Manager at Snap-on in Crystal Lake, where she has worked for nine years. She has more than 20 years of experience in human resources and previously served as Director of Human Resources at Medcor and Human Resources Manager at Vance Publishing. She is a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a SHRM Certified Professional.
After earning her Associate of Science in Business Management from MCC in 2001, Boerman went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Human Resources from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. She has remained actively involved with MCC since graduating, joining the Friends of MCC Foundation Board in 2022 and serving on the Education to Empowerment (E2E) Advisory Committee. She is a dedicated volunteer and contributor to Foundation events and has become a vocal champion for MCC in the community.
Morefield is an accomplished collaborative pianist and emerging professional in the field of opera and vocal performance. He earned his Associate in Fine Arts – Music from MCC in 2015 before transferring to Northern Illinois University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He went on to earn his Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano from the University of Michigan, where he studied under renowned pianist Martin Katz.
Morefield’s journey to MCC marked an important turning point in his education, where he found the support and mentorship that helped him regain his confidence and reconnect with his passion for music.
Since graduating from MCC, Morefield has received significant recognition for his work, including the inaugural Collaborative Pianist Prize in the George Shirley Vocal Competition. He was also selected for the Metropolitan Opera’s prestigious Lindemann Young Artist Development Program in New York, one of the premier training opportunities for emerging opera professionals.
MCC will honor Boerman and Morefield at a special reception with their families, friends, colleagues, and previous distinguished alumni.
“Our alumni take many different paths after MCC, but each of their stories reflects the impact of the relationships, experiences, and education they found here,” said Christina Haggerty, Chief Advancement and Marketing Officer at MCC. “Erin and John have each carried that foundation forward in meaningful ways, and we’re honored to recognize their accomplishments and celebrate all they have achieved.”
