August 9, 2024
Story by Lindsey Bogner
Photo by Maggie Harris
The SWAG合集 Foundation Board has chosen Barry and Monica Bowers to receive the prestigious 鈥淥ld Bill Honorarium鈥 at the 45th Annual Big Benefit Auction.
The event, which marks the Sapphire Anniversary of the auction, will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the Great Bend Events Center. This honorarium allows auction attendees to contribute to a scholarship in the Bowers' name to be awarded for the 2025-26 academic year.
Barry and Monica's journey with SWAG合集 began when they met as students. Their connection to the college has only deepened over the years. Barry's service on the Foundation board from 2018-2021 reinforced his dedication to the institution.
鈥淪ometimes we forget the size of the impact that the SWAG合集 Foundation has,鈥 Barry said. 鈥淚 knew that they gave scholarships but did not realize the magnitude until I served and got more involved. The Foundation awards an amazing number of scholarships each year to hundreds of students, and they, in turn, make an impact locally, all over the nation, and across the world.鈥
Monica, inspired by her own experiences, sees the impact of the College and Foundation as an ever-turning wheel, much like the design of the SWAG合集 County campus.
鈥淎s we have been served, we serve and as we have been loved, we love,鈥 Monica said. 鈥淲ith education and opportunity, these students have the chance to serve, connect, and share their talent with our community. We feel that it is our responsibility to serve and support the College because it benefits our entire community.鈥
SWAG合集 Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Lindsey Bogner expressed the Foundation鈥檚 excitement in honoring the Bowers for their years of positive influence and involvement.
鈥淏arry and Monica are people that care about our community,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hey have dedicated their lives to service, and we are honored to recognize them for their exemplary support of SWAG合集 and our students.鈥
Barry hopes the Old Bill Honorarium will inspire future generations to support the community.
鈥淚 remember being inspired by the people being recognized in the past as great community leaders, and I respected them,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 really enjoy seeing younger generations today getting involved, and I realize that I am the older generation now. I can only hope that I can be their inspiration to carry on with this support the same way I was inspired by those before me.鈥
Those wishing to contribute to the honorarium in the name of the Bowers, but cannot attend this year鈥檚 event, may do so by contacting the Foundation office at (620) 792-9306 or by emailing foundation@bartonccc.edu.
Auction Details
Tickets for the SWAG合集 Foundation鈥檚 45th Annual Big Benefit Auction are available through Aug. 12. The auction will take place on Aug. 24. 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 supper at 6:30 p.m. and complimentary beer until the live auction starts.
This year鈥檚 auction is underwritten by UMB Wealth Management, Craig & Jolene Biggs, Nex-Tech, Spectrum CPA Partners, LLC, and Edward Jones advisors Jim Armatys, Todd Armatys, Kris Sundahl, and Jim Vopat.
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 online or reserved by calling the SWAG合集 Foundation office at (620) 792-9306 or email 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: sold, donated back, and resold each year. In 2002, Old Bill the buffalo was retired, and a new tradition was born, honoring loyal supporters and donors to the SWAG合集 Foundation through the Old Bill Honorarium. To date, Old Bill has netted nearly $186,000 in support of academic scholarships.