Steven R. Agee II Foundation Partners with Dolton Park District for Fundraiser

Lee Edwards | As of Friday, November 7, 2014

Slain Northern Illinois University senior student, Steven R. Agee II, left a lasting impression on his family, friends, fraternity, and educational institution.
Slain Northern Illinois University senior student, Steven R. Agee II, left a lasting impression on his family, friends, fraternity, and educational institution.

In honor of Steve R. Agee II, a Northern Illinois University (NIU) senior student who was killed by gun violence in Nov. 2011, the Dolton Park District (DPD) is hosting a Greek Step-Off Tribute to benefit, the Steven R. Agee II Foundation at the Dorchester Banquet Hall, 1515 E. 154th St., Dolton, IL, on Nov.7.

The Steven R. Agee II Foundation a nonprofit entity, was established to provide financial support to graduating seniors from various high schools, according to its website.

“With the foundation one of my ultimate goals is to be able to not just assist a child in attending their final obligations of going to college but one of my ultimate goals is to be able to provide a full four year scholarship for a child to go to college,” said Kimberly Agee, the mother of Steven R. Agee II and founder of the foundation. “Right now we’re doing the ground work and have been able to assist a child in meeting the basic financial obligations. This is the last event of the year 2014. Next year we’ll be onboard for doing such things as we’re going to sale raffles, bowling events and then there will be another event or two.”

When asked how the foundation continues her son’s legacy, Agee responded, “Steven believed in education, higher education, he believed in putting forth the best that you have in order to become a better person.”

The Greek Step-Off Tribute – which will not be a competition – was inspired by Agee’s time as the president of NIU's Epsilon Omicron chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc., an international Black Greek Letter Organization.

Dolton Park District officials committed to fund at least one $1,500 scholarship.

To apply for the scholarship, students must meet these requirements:

· 350-400 word count essay

· 3.25 GPA or better

· Extracurricular activities:

· Sports

· Chess club

· Debate club

· Mentoring

· Volunteering

· Two letters of Recommendation

· A letter of support on letterhead for each activity mentioned in the essay

· All letters must be on original Letterhead H.S. Transcript

Although it has been several years since his murder, Agee II has not been forgotten by his fraternity or his university.

“The Chicago Alumni Chapter and the Edward G. Irvin Foundation has supported Mrs. Agee and the Steven R. Agee Foundation prior to its inception and will continue to offer support,” said Eric J. Lindsay, Polemarch, Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity Inc., Chicago Alumni Chapter.

“I feel honored to have known Steven for over 20 years and hold dear those memories,” said NIU Student Trustee Elliot Echols, who was president of the NIU Student Association during the 2011-12 academic year. “He had a way of helping people around him that made all of us want to step up and contribute. Honoring his legacy through this award is one way to remember his spirit.”

“We will forever remember Steven’s spirit and dedication to the NIU community, qualities that move us to honor his life and contributions. He wanted to improve the lives of everyone he met, to raise their aspirations for education and encourage their motivation,” said Eric Weldy, vice president for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management at NIU.

“At the institution we work really hard to work with our students to honor the memories of students we lost,” said Kelly Wesener Michael, Associate VP for Student Affairs and Dean of Students. “The lasting memory that Steven has at this institution is that we’ve dedicated a conference room in the student association office suite that will be forever memorializing him as a student leader on our campus.”

For more information on the Greek Steppers Tribute call 708-841-2111. For more information about the Steven R. Agee II Foundation visit http://stevenrageeii.org/index.html.

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