Rinaldi Family Donates $10,000 to Support PSC Students

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL - Prairie State College (PSC) Professor Paul Rinaldi and his family have donated $10,000 to the PSC Foundation to increase the endowment of the Nicholas & Jacqueline Rinaldi Award in the Arts, honoring his late father, poet and novelist Nicholas Rinaldi, who passed away in 2020.

Nicholas and his wife, Dr. Jacqueline Rinaldi, dedicated decades to teaching, with Jacqueline retiring last year at 89. The award reflects the Rinaldi family's commitment to the arts and education and will support multiple recipients, encouraging students to explore their creative voices.

Professor Rinaldi, who joined PSC in 2000, emphasizes the transformative power of the arts in his teaching, inspired by his family's legacy.

“Both of my parents spent a lifetime in education," Paul said. “We’re a family that believes in the transformational power of the arts to lift people up." Now in his 25th year at PSC, he continues to inspire students.

Paul's mother, Jacqueline, and sister Tina Banas, who contributed to the donation, are proud of his work at PSC.

“Our parents helped shape our view of the world, looking to help others and the underserved,” Banas said. “Paul is making a difference with his students, connecting all the hands touching these young people navigating through life.”

Paul teaches Drawing I, Drawing II, and Art Appreciation at PSC. He presents the Nicholas & Jacqueline Rinaldi Award at the annual Humanities Day event, which will be held this year on April 23, in the PSC Conference Center, located at 202 South Halsted in Chicago Heights. 

“I hope to see continued engagement in whatever direction the students choose,” Jacqueline said. “Receiving an award like this empowers them and enhances their ability to think about themselves.”

To learn about the PSC Foundation and how to contribute to student success, visit www.thepscf.org. 

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