In the early ‘70s, Moraine Valley’s campus looked drastically different from what it is today, consisting of just two permanent buildings and several temporary trailers. Such was the campus that Moraine Valley alumnus Larry McGrenera encountered when he first took classes a few years after the college opened in 1967.
With a knack for science and innovation, McGrenera graduated from Moraine Valley in 1973 with an Associate in Applied Science, focusing on chemistry. After graduating, he attended the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and earned a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering in 1977. “Moraine Valley was a great base for moving on to UIC,” McGrenera said.
McGrenera’s career as a chemical engineer began while he was a student through a cooperative engineering position at Witco Corp. He worked his way up in the company and eventually became a plant manager before leaving in 1991. After Witco Corp., he worked for PQ Corp. in Chicago Heights, concluding his career in 2014 as the director of Zoetis Animal Health.
Following retirement, McGrenera remains active, giving back to the community by volunteering with Kiwanis International, a global nonprofit organization focused on serving children and improving communities. One of the main projects his Kiwanis Club manages is Orland Park bingo, held every Wednesday night at the Orland Park Civic Center, where community members come to play bingo and other games. Proceeds from bingo and queen of hearts support the community and a wide range of local charities.
“We support many local organizations that help people in need, as well as scholarships for Carl Sandburg High School, Lockport Township High School and Moraine Valley,” said McGrenera. “In just the last five years, the club has provided more than 100 Moraine Valley scholarships.”
The Kiwanis Club scholarships focus on providing the necessary tools, uniforms and supplies needed in the college’s Career Programs such as Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Heating and Air Conditioning, Welding and Health Sciences.
“Our Kiwanis Club has a very good program where our members and volunteers drive all the donations to our community,” McGrenera adds. “Ironically, I was not aware of our club until I was asked to volunteer through my church, St. Francis of Assisi, where I also volunteer.”
He added that the club is always looking for new volunteers to keep charity work moving forward.
