The Kitchen Family Scholarship
The Kitchen Family Scholarship, given by Dennis Kitchen to honor his family’s rich legacy, provides $5,000 for a student who has demonstrated a high level of leadership within the classroom and community throughout their high school tenure.
Dennis Kitchen is a Class of 1984 Proviso East alumnus. As a high school student, he graduated at the top of his class and participated in various clubs throughout his time at Proviso. After graduation, Dennis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Northern Illinois University and a Master of Science degree in Management from National Louis University.
Throughout his illustrious career, he has assumed challenging human resources (HR) leadership roles including: senior VP and chief human resources officer (Ret.) of The AZEK Company, VP for BWAY Corporation, VP for Griffin Pipe Products, HR Director at Alcan Packaging, varying HR roles serving thirteen years within Borg Warner — namely director of human resources Americas, and eighteen years in the automotive and aircraft industries. After retiring, Dennis founded and serves as the president of Lee Pearl & Associates, LLC, a real estate investment company serving the Western Suburbs of Chicago.
Being notably committed to the community is a trait Dennis has demonstrated throughout his years since Proviso. Some of his community involvement includes: board of directors president for the Boys and Girls Club of West Cook County from 2006-2010 and currently an active board member, Life Member of The Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., board of directors of Companions Journeying Together, and Mu Alpha Lambda Leadership Foundation. Most notable of all is he, along with his family, created The Kitchen Family Foundation in 2021. Dennis’s siblings – Willie James Underwood (℅ 69), Joyce Kitchen Davis (℅ 81), and Connie Kitchen (℅ 90) are also Pirates. Together, they use their family’s foundation to support local organizations and provide academic scholarships to youths in need.
Scholarship Criteria:
1. Must be a Proviso East High School graduating senior.
2. 2.9 or higher grade point average.
3. Essay or a short video highlighting your financial need and how this scholarship will enhance your future goals.
4. Proof of community service/volunteer hours.
5. Letters of recommendation (1 each: teacher and community leader).
6. Proof of acceptance and registration in an accredited college or trade school STEM major or field of study in trade school.