The College of Lake County (CLC) Foundation celebrated a continued commitment to student success on Oct. 23, 2026, as Meridian Group International, Inc. donated 100 Dell laptops and backpacks, valued at more than $40,000. Awarded to 100 eligible students, the devices provide essential technology for completing coursework, accessing online learning resources and pursuing academic and career goals.
The donation builds on a partnership between Meridian and the CLC Foundation that began in 2023. Through continued laptop donations, Meridian is helping address a practical barrier to student success: access to reliable technology. This ongoing investment demonstrates how corporate philanthropy can translate into meaningful, tangible support for students and strengthen educational opportunity across the community.
“The power of philanthropy is realized when a community comes together to create opportunity and remove barriers to student success. Through strong corporate partnerships like ours with Meridian, we can help ensure students have the tools and resources they need to learn, thrive, and achieve their goals. These 100 laptops represent more than technology—they represent the power of philanthropy and the strength of community working together to open doors and build brighter futures. We are deeply grateful to Meridian for its continued investment in CLC students and their success,” said Leigh Ann M. Jacobson, CFRE, executive director and chief development officer of the College of Lake County Foundation.
Representatives from Meridian Group International, Inc. and the CLC Foundation joined students during the event, celebrating the partnership and the opportunities made possible through access to technology. CLC IT representatives were also on hand to assist students with receiving and setting up their laptops, helping ensure the devices were ready for academic use.
A College of Lake County IT representative assists a student with receiving and setting up a new laptop during the CLC Foundation and Meridian Group International, Inc. laptop giveaway on Oct. 23, 2026.
“At Meridian, we believe success requires more than opportunity – it requires the right tools. Access to technology can open doors, remove barriers, and give individuals the ability to learn, grow, and achieve their full potential. We are proud to partner with CLC to help provide these essential tools, and we hope this investment will make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of those who receive them,” said Jason Carver, chief financial officer of Meridian Group International, Inc.
Among the recipients was May Chung, a CLC student pursuing an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing and a member of the Class of 2027. She shared how receiving a laptop will support her educational journey.
“Between balancing nursing school, homework assignments and just balancing life in general, having a reliable laptop is really important. So I'm so grateful for the Meridian Group for this laptop scholarship,” Chung said.
Together, the CLC Foundation and Meridian Group International, Inc. continue to demonstrate how corporate philanthropy can help expand educational opportunities and support student success.
Representatives from the College of Lake County Foundation and Meridian Group International, Inc. gather during the Oct. 23, 2026, laptop giveaway celebrating Meridian's donation of 100 laptops and backpacks awarded to CLC students.
About College of Lake County
College of Lake County is a comprehensive community college committed to equitable high-quality education, cultural enrichment and partnerships to advance the diverse communities it serves in northeastern Illinois. Offered at three campuses in Grayslake, Vernon Hills and Waukegan or online, college classes are affordable and accessible to help each student achieve academic, career and personal goals. The college opened an Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee in 2022 and Prairie Restaurant at Brae Loch in 2023. The College of Lake County is a national leader in many areas, including sustainability and conservation. Call (847) 543-2000 to learn more.
About College of Lake County Foundation
The College of Lake County Foundation inspires philanthropic giving to support student scholarships, college programs and capital projects that create life-changing opportunities for Lake County residents. Learn more at www.clcillinois.edu/foundation.
About Meridian Group International, Inc.
Meridian Group International, Inc. is a privately held organization headquartered in Deerfield, IL. Operating since 1979, Meridian Group International is an award-winning and leading IT service provider across four continents, focused on Infrastructure and Platform Solutions and Services for premise-based, private, and hybrid cloud hosting for x86 and IBM Power environments. A solutions provider offering a full spectrum of IT infrastructure, platform, contact center, and security solutions that help businesses thrive. To learn more about the company and how our solutions help businesses solve problems, visit www.themeridian.com www.meridianitinc.com or contact us at contactme@themeridian.com.
