The 33^rd Big Benefit Auction had the theme of “Salsa and Sombreros”, and was a huge success with over 350 guests in attendance.

Over 40 community volunteers assisted us in acquiring the auction items sold either by our silent or live auction process. This has become more than just a fund or friend   raising event for the Foundation because we involve so many people to prepare, and for those who attend the auction it has become a social event that many from the community anticipate year to year. The event began with everyone having time to enjoy the Mexican food buffet and look over the auction items.

This year we had 154 silent auction gifts and 45 live auction items. Our good friends from Carr Auction lead our live auction; it has always been enjoyable to watch them entice the bidders to give us the best results. They reminded our guests that this event is a “fundraiser” so they encouraged competition for each nice item. Over $75,000 was raised for scholarships and program enhancements.

Many things in our lives can be taken away, whether it is a privilege regulated by law or by our own choice, but education is the one thing that no one can take from an individual. Our purpose at Barton Community College is to give everyone the opportunity to be educated whether that be in a specialty field or for more long term educational pursuits. The Foundation’s purpose is to assist the college in meeting its mission of offering an excellent academic, cultural, and personal experience to each Barton student.

 

                          

 

2011 Auction Chairpersons

We are pleased to announce that the Ringwald Family will be our co-chairs this year. Mike and Linda and their three sons and families: Chad and Angie, Chris and Cari, and Justin. These family members have been friends of the college and supported the auction and other activities for quite some time. Chris was on the Foundation Board of Directors for six years serving as an officer for three years and leading the group for one year as Chairman of the Board. Cari served as Barton’s Admissions Director for several years so they all truly value education and realize the benefits that the college gives to the many communities of our region.

 

Hola amigos! Welcome to the 33rd annual big benefit auction with a celebration of “Salsa & Sombreros”. We are very excited to be a part of this fiesta to support students and the efforts of Barton County Community College.

As agricultural producers and entrepreneurs, we are firmly grounded in our Central Kansas roots and recognize the impact that Barton County Community College has on our local economy. Not only does the college provide associate degree programs on campus, outreach classes, concurrent credit classes, and workforce training, but it is also an important employer in the community. All of these are directly or indirectly impacted by the Foundation’s efforts to raise scholarship money and funds for program enhancements.

We would like to say Gracias to all of our generous donors and dedicated volunteers. These individuals and businesses do a wonderful job supporting the college, which is such an asset to our community. We also thank those of you who come to enjoy this evening and bid on all the outstanding items that have been assembled. Everyone associated with this event has shown a commitment to educational opportunities in Central Kansas.

It has been an honor and privilege to work with the Foundation staff and volunteers on this event. They are truly dedicated to making a college education possible for our students and work so hard to make this event a success. Please join us in enjoying the fruits of their labor, and have a great time for a tremendous cause.

Adios!

The Ringwald Family

 

2011 Auction Honorarium

For the past several years we’ve taken the opportunity to recognize an individual or couple who have played an important role in advancing the college and assisting the students. This year the Foundation Board of Directors has selected Roger and Mary Lou Murphy for our honorarium scholarship. Funds are raised by selling the “Old Bill” Buffalo during the auction. All the funds raised the night of the auction in the Murphy’s honor will be awarded in their name for the academic year of 2012/13.  Please read "The Legend of Old Bill" and note the past recipents of this award.

Roger and Mary Lou Murphy exemplify what it means to live in Great Bend and Barton County. They have been lifetime residents. Both graduating in 1957 from Great Bend High School, they have seen the area and community at its best and during its most challenging times. Never wavering their desire to live, work and support the area that they love.

Roger Murphy began grew up in an agriculture family with strong ties to both livestock and farming. His love of the land and cattle never changed when he and his stepfather, Pete Kirkman began Great Bend Feeding, Inc. in 1959. The business grew, as did the modern cattle feeding business. Great Bend Feeding stood at the forefront of an emerging industry and has survived to be one of the oldest feeding companies in the United States. Roger was very active in not only the business, but in the industry and the community and has played a key role in the growth of both.

Roger married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Fisher, on August 27th, 1960. She was the “city girl”. She was born in Great Bend and lived a portion of her childhood in Hays. Her father, Henry Fisher, owned a Western Auto store in Great Bend and worked there until his retirement. She was the constant support system and epitome of the homemaker for Roger and the entire Murphy family. They have two children Kayla and Andrew. From shuttle service to den mother to chief cook, she took care of things and provided for those she cared about.

Currently Roger and Mary Lou enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren. Steve and Kayla Fischer have two children, Bailey and Bryce and live in Wichita. Andrew and Megan Murphy have three children, Hadley, Owen and Emmett and live in Great Bend. Roger is a member of the American State Bank, NA board and also a board member for Innovative Livestock Services, Inc. Mary Lou is active with her friends.

Whenever an initiative or a need arises within the community, especially if it benefits education or young people; you can count on Roger and Mary Lou being the first to step up. They have and will continue to have an enormous impact on this community and their support of Barton Community College will benefit the lives of more students than they will ever know. We thank you for your attendance this evening and hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to show your gratitude to Roger & Mary Lou, not only for their contributions, but for the legacy their actions will ensure for the future of all the communities served by Barton Community College.

 

  The Legend of Old Bill

Once upon a time, (1977 to be exact), in a not too distant land, the Claflin Lions Club held a big community dinner to help the city's Fire Department raise funds for a new ambulance.

Buffalo meat was on the menu and an exceptionally fine beast from the Maxwell Game Preserve near McPherson was prepared for slaughter.

The buffalo's head was mounted and used as a drawing prize to further enhance the fundraising project.

Local Claflin resident Randy Oeser won the mount, which would later be known as "Old Bill." But upon arriving home, he was told by family members that such a trophy would not be allowed in the house.

As a return donation, Oeser took Old Bill to the Claflin Fire Station where a nice place was found on the wall in the main meeting room.

When some rearrangement within the station took place, Old Bill found himself in a new home among several other mounts at Miller's of Claflin, the local furniture store. Ducks, geese and deer decorate the walls at Miller's and a buffalo mount seemed to fit in nicely. Store owner Bob Miller agreed to display the head in hopes of attracting a prospective buyer. Miller recalls that during the time the mount hung in the store, there where many inquiries, but no serious buyers.

One day in 1981, Barton Foundation Director Frank Aydelotte spied Bill and asked Miller if he'd donate the head to the Foundation's Annual Benefit Auction as a compliment to the event's western theme. Miller agreed and Old Bill made his first auction debut on May 8, 1981.

S.J. "Butch" Peschka bought Old Bill that night for $700, and in a story similar to Oeser's, was informed by his wife June that such a creature would not be welcome in their home.

Alas, Old Bill's story is one of rejection, but it has a happy ending. Following the 1981 auction, Bill found the perfect home at Barton's Camp Aldrich Conference Center. He made his way back to the auction in 1982, where again he was bought and then rejected, but this time it was planned. You see, when Butch gave Bill back to the college, the Foundation realized it had an item of novelty on its hands and immediately created the Buffalo Club as a way to acknowledge all annual buffalo head buyers and the contributions they make to fund academic scholarships at Barton Community College.

This marks the thirty-first time that Bill will be sold to the highest bidder, sharing the auction block with other unique and varied items up for sale.

Old Bill's mystique has spawned a club of followers which annually persuades others to join its ranks by spending thousands of dollars - all to help students achieve a college education.

And everyone lived happily ever after. The end.

1981 Butch Peschka

1982 Bob & Dotty Keenan/ D.J. Iannitti

1983 Don & Delores Gibson/Don Kirkman

1984 Roy & Marcia Westhoff

1985 Ed & Bette Moses

1986 Maloy & Pauline Breitenbach

1987 Larry & Connie Shell/Danny & Darlene Biggs

1988 Keith & Pat Bell/George & Phyllis Miller/Virgil Belford

1989 Jerry & Lois Alban

1990 Chuck & Ellen Pike/Illa & Phil Grossardt

1991 Albert Gumbir

1992 W. R. & Yvonne Robbins

1993 W. R. & Yvonne Robbins

1994 Lynn & Nancy Fryberger

1995 M. E. & Margy Marmie

1996 Max & Rosie Bennett/Larry & Mona Keenan

1997 Dale & Yvonne Mitchell/Larry & Lynnae Partridge

1998 Commercial Federal/Jomax Construction/Straub International/Ward Fee Yard/L.D. Davis Drilling

1999 Rick & Lois Ball/John & Nancy Francis

2000 Phil & Kim Grossardt

2001 Alan Moeder & Gail Reser

2002 Friends of Jimmie L. Downing

2003 Friends of Jim & Jo Heaton

2004 Friends of Dale & Donna Oliver

2005 Friends of Don & Phyllis Whelan

2006 Friends of George & Frances Tregellas

2007 Friends of Keith & Marian Mull

2008 Friends of Dan & Nancy Peschka

2009 Friends of A. A. (Al) Yost

2010 Friends of M. E. “Eustace” Marmie

2011 Friends of Roger & Mary Lou Murphy

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