The DeKalb County Community Foundation is honored to announce the Brian D. Slavenas Memorial Scholarship Fund. The Fund honors Brian D. Slavenas, a DeKalb High School graduate who was killed in Iraq (2003).

The scholarship is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior who is a resident of DeKalb County, IL and going on to either major or minor in music. Preference is given to applicants who were involved in music during at least the last two years of high school. Applicants are encouraged to use the Community Foundation’s Universal Scholarship Application process. Visit dekalbccf.org/scholarships for more information or to apply. Applications are open February 1 – April 1, 2024.

Brian was born on December 19, 1972, in DeKalb, Illinois, and graduated from DeKalb High School in 1991. He was a well-rounded young man with a variety of skills and interests. Brian was a runner in middle school, threw discus in high school, and won a weight-lifting contest in college. In 1996 he was security for the torch at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia.

He was a classical pianist, starting lessons at age sixteen. While working towards his degree in industrial engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (UIUC), Brian auditioned for and received acceptance into the music school as a classical pianist. He also worked to obtain licensing as a pilot, a flight instructor, and a commercial aircraft pilot, and taught flight. Brian graduated in December 2002 and was called to active duty shortly after. He was a Company F. First Battalion member, 106th Aviation Illinois National Guard in Peoria.

“We are grateful to be entrusted with this endowed Scholarship Fund that celebrates Brian’s musical accomplishments while helping future musicians with their ongoing musical studies and development,” said Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin.

Donations to any Fund at the Community Foundation, including the Brian D. Slavenas Memorial Scholarship Fund, can be made online or by mail to the DeKalb County Community Foundation, 475 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL 60178. For questions or to discuss setting up a Fund that honors someone you love and admire, please contact Executive Director Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.