August 9, 2023
Story by Lindsey Bogner
Photo by Maggie Harris听
The SWAG合集 Foundation Board has chosen to recognize Larry and Jan Westfall with the 鈥淥ld Bill Honorarium鈥 at its 44th Annual Big Benefit Auction, which is set for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Great Bend Events Center and is themed 鈥淐asino Royale.鈥 The Honorarium allows auction attendees to donate to a scholarship in the honoree鈥檚 name to be awarded for the 24-25 academic year.
Jan has had a love of SWAG合集 since attending to get her associate鈥檚 degree.
鈥淪WAG合集 has a special place in my heart because of the experiences I had there,鈥 Jan said. 鈥淚 will never forget the way I felt supported at SWAG合集 and I know that鈥檚 just what SWAG合集 does and how they operate, they care.鈥
Larry cares for the students and their future, as individuals, and in our communities.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all about paying it forward. If we can help one student, it鈥檚 worthwhile,鈥 Larry said. 鈥淎nd the economic impact on Great Bend and the surrounding communities is essential. It's affordable to students and helps them on their path in the workforce.鈥
Lindsey Bogner, Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, said the Foundation was excited to honor the Westfalls for their years of positive influence and involvement with the college.
鈥淛an has been such an influential piece of the Foundation, serving on our board multiple times. She is always a leader in action through all of the events and campaigns, and Larry has been there every step of the way, supporting our initiatives,鈥 said Bogner. 鈥淚t is such an honor to recognize both of them for all of their years of dedication to our cause.鈥
Jan has been involved for many years, but her driving reason today is the quality of leadership across SWAG合集鈥檚 many campuses.
鈥淪WAG合集 has always been innovative 鈥 ahead of the curve. We鈥檝e been on the forefront of educational excellence with online, with vocational technology, with programs that cater to the SWAG合集 student whoever and wherever they are. That鈥檚 a testament to the forward-thinking leadership and the dedication to quality and accessibility, no matter a student鈥檚 educational goals.鈥
Those wishing to contribute to the honorarium in the name of the听Westfalls but cannot attend this year鈥檚 event may do so by contacting the Foundation office at (620) 792-9306, or by sending an email to foundation@bartonccc.edu.
Auction Details
Tickets for the SWAG合集 Foundation鈥檚 44th Annual Big Benefit Auction, themed 鈥淐asino Royale,鈥 are available through Aug. 13. The auction will take place on Aug. 26.
Tickets are $50 each or $400 per table of eight. No tickets will be sold at the door. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center with complimentary beer and food available until 8 p.m.
The live auction will begin at 8 p.m. This year鈥檚 auction is underwritten by UMB Wealth Management, Craig & Jolene Biggs, Nex-Tech, Spectrum CPA Partners, LLC, and Eagle Radio and Hull Broadcasting.
The Big Benefit Auction is the most successful and longest-running fundraiser for the SWAG合集 Foundation. The money raised from the event supports academic scholarships, along with enhancements to programs and facilities that positively impact the learning experience of SWAG合集 students.
Tickets can be purchased and a select auction preview can be viewed online, or tickets can be reserved by calling the SWAG合集 Foundation office at (620) 792-9306 or sending an email to foundation@bartonccc.edu.
About the Old Bill Honorarium
In 1981, the Claflin Fire Department donated a stuffed buffalo head to the Foundation auction. This unique item was christened as 鈥淥ld Bill鈥 and quickly became a mainstay of this annual event being auctioned off each year since. To date, Old Bill has netted nearly $175,000 in support of academic scholarships. Since 2002, the money generated from the sale of Old Bill has taken on an additional purpose 鈥 to honor loyal supporters and donors to SWAG合集 Foundation.听