The 46th annual Big Benefit Auction for the Barton Community College Foundation is coming up on Aug. 23 at the Great Bend Events Center, so Barton hosted this week’s Great Bend Chamber of Commerce Coffee.
“If you’ve never come to the auction, it is a lot of fun,” Foundation Director Lindsey Bogner said. There is a meal of chopped beef steak or honey pecan chicken catered by Great Western Dining and free beer until the live auction, with wine for every table.
“Every dime that comes from the auction goes into programs and scholarships for the college. Through the Foundation, last year, we were able to provide $986,000 in grants to the college and over $200,000 in scholarships to Barton students.”
Old Bill Honorarium
“Our big announcement today, our Old Bill Honorarium this year is Marian DeWerff of Ellinwood. We are really excited to be able to recognize her and how amazing she is and her support of our communities,” Bogner said.
The Old Bill Honorarium is a Foundation tradition, she explained. During the Big Benefit Auction, attendees are given a chance to recognize and honor the designated person by making donations that go directly to scholarships. Next year, the Barton Foundation will award the Marian DeWerff Old Bill Honorarium Scholarships to students.
This year the silent auction will use a mobile app called Hand Bid. Tickets to the event are easy to buy. Past attendees have been sent an invitation with a QR code and when they buy tickets they will automatically be registered for the auction. This can also be found on the Foundation’s Facebook Page.
There are 22 auction items, with an emphasis on experiences over items, such as a chance to drive a race car on the Kansas Speedway. Sponsors are working on details for a trip.
Bogner said her favorite auction item is called, “Diner’s Choice,” sold at the beginning of the evening. “Whoever wins that one gets to pick who goes first through the dinner line and who goes last.”
Barton President Dr. Marcus Garstecki talked about other things going on at the college.
“When I was interviewing for the job and when I first got here, I was absolutely blown away by the amount of community support for the college across the board,” he said, thanking those in attendance for all they do.
“If you’ve been out on campus over the last couple of months, you’ll see one of the big projects that’s happening. We are doing a $3 million renovation to the gym in the Physical Education building, and some of the locker rooms, all funded by private donors. Again, we can’t do those things without that support. We’re going to have an amazing facility for our student athletes, but also for community members.” That will include a new VIP Room that will be available for meetings.
“When you walk around our campus and see some of our facilities – our technology (and the) equipment and tools that are in our classrooms (and) labs it’s all what makes the educational experience for our students so wonderful.”
Barton just finished a year of exceptional enrollment, with a 12% increase in head count, he continued. “What that means to me is that we’re making an even bigger impact on students who are trying to get an education and do something great with their lives.” Many stay in Barton County or come back to contribute to the workforce, he said.
It was also noted that the Cougar Corner Campus Store in the Student Union will have a “grand re-opening” from Aug. 25-29. Formerly the campus bookstore, this shop offers Barton apparel and merchandise, as well as other items.
Chamber announcements
• Stuff the Bus in Great Bend will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Walmart and both Dillons stores. Donations may also be dropped off at the United Way of Central Kansas office, 2000 Washington St., Great Bend.
• Golden Belt Community Foundation “On Tap” will be from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Dry Lake Brewing, 1305 Main. It will start with a social hour at 5 p.m., followed by a taco bar at 6 p.m. Guests will enjoy two complimentary drinks.
• The Blessed Biker Rally will start at 10 a.m. on Aug. 16 at Jack Kilby Square.
• Iron Therapy has moved to a new location, 2317 Washington St. (formerly ResCare Community Living Great Bend).
• The next Chamber Coffee will be at 9 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo, 2123 Main, hosted by the Zoological Society. It will be followed by a ribbon cutting at Kansas Pro Wash, celebrating their five-year anniversary of offering power washing and cleaning services. That will take place in the zoo parking lot.
