$67K+ Raised for North Chicago College Scholarships at Lake Forest Church’s Weekend Golf Outing

As the sun broke through the clouds on Saturday morning, the golf cart rumbled across Foss Park Golf Course in North Chicago. Close to 60 golfers teed up in a shotgun start at the 5th annual Faith on the Fairway event, and by early afternoon $67,369 had been raised to send North Chicago Community High School students to the College of Lake County on full ride scholarships. Faith Lutheran Church of Lake Forest, Illinois, has been instrumental in delivering on the commitment of Dr. John Price, Superintendent of North Chicago School District 187, that, “Every home in North Chicago comes with a promise of cost-free college.”

Over the past five years, the congregation of Faith and its pastor, Rev. James Buckman, have come alongside Price and the North Chicago Public Education Foundation to bring that promise to fruition.

Saturday’s golfers got to witness firsthand the enthusiasm of students who have been blessed by the Warhawk Lancer Scholarships granted to them through the joint partnership between Faith Lutheran and the foundation. Nine recent North Chicago Community High School graduates, now in classes at College of Lake County, were on hand to greet golfers and volunteer in various capacities.

At the 11th hole, one group of young women visited with Stan Pasiewicz, a 1970 alumnus of North Chicago. They shared their hopes for the future with Pasiewicz. Edith S., studying psychology, acknowledged that she was in for a long course of study in order to qualify for a career in her desired field, while Yasmin F. is pursuing a nursing degree. Melany M. wants to be an accountant, while Melani M. has begun her training as a dental hygienist and Diana V. is taking early childhood education curriculum. Pasiewicz shared how he raised his family in North Chicago and encouraged the girls to do the same when they reached that point in life.

Among the golfers at Faith on the Fairway was Kristen Skinner, Lieutenant Commander, Retired, who served in the U.S. Navy as a trauma and flight nurse. Skinner and her friend, Jenny Tobin, were in the first group to take on Buckman in the Pastor’s Best Ball competition. As a return golfer, Skinner is a favorite with the North Chicago Public Education Foundation. Executive Director Tracey Horwich explained how Skinner, a member of Faith, has taken time to meet with scholarship students seeking a career in nursing. She has invited the young people to visit her at her workplace, the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, and introduced them to coworkers in various medical specialties.

Upon arrival, many of the students sought out Mary Kenney, Director of Student Success at the North Chicago Public Education Foundation. It was clear that the young people look up to her, and that Kenney enjoys working with them, providing support through their academic journey.

“Faith on the Fairway is really what drew me to the foundation,” said Kenney, explaining how the golf event fostered “the desire to work with this program – to benefit the students. The relationship with Pastor Jim [Buckman] and the members at Faith – it’s amazing how many of them really care about the students and their stories.”

Horwich and Kenney both spoke of the joy in seeing the personal transformation in the students they’ve worked alongside, watching as they are becoming adults and taking concrete steps to achieving their vision for life.

Cooperation with the scholarship program by College of Lake County has been integral to its success. Vice Chairman of the Board, Dr. William Griffin, has been instrumental in making that happen. Griffin, as in previous years, was on hand to golf and support the event. This year, however, for the first time, Dr. Lori Suddick, President of the College of Lake County, came to address the Faith on the Fairway participants. She expressed appreciation for the support of the scholarships and shared about some of the many new initiatives at the college.

A nascent College of Lake County urban farming enterprise was of particular interest to Buckman, whose church recently acquired four and a half acres of flat green soil in nearby Waukegan – close to the college’s Urban Farm Center, currently under construction at its Lakeshore Campus. The congregation, he explained, has minor experience with small community gardens, but the new property’s potential is virtually untapped.

“It was a wonderful, exhilarating day,” agreed Buckman, noting that the $67K+ proceeds from the 2025 Faith on the Fairway amounted to the top funding raised by a single event over its five-year existence.

Volunteers from Faith Lutheran Church, who staffed the event, wore big smiles, testifying to the day’s success.

About Faith on the Fairway

A charity golf outing created to support college scholarships for the students of North Chicago, Faith on the Fairway is operated by Faith Lutheran Church of Lake Forest, Illinois, as a ministry to the community. For more information about Faith on the Fairway, please visit faithonthefairway.org.