Held at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma, The Evergreen State College Foundations’s annual Art of Giving Gala and Auction raised a record-breaking amount–more than $200,000 for scholarships at Evergreen, surpassing their goal of $155,000.
The Art of Giving is The Evergreen State College Foundation’s largest annual fundraiser, benefiting scholarships and educational opportunities for Evergreen students across Olympia, Tacoma and Western Washington.
“I dream of changing the world. Evergreen has helped me become the kind of person who stands a chance to turn that imagined world into a reality,” said Chelsea Rabourn ’17, who received the Girvin Family Scholarship, Fred Goldberg Scholarshipand Faculty Union Solidarity Scholarships.
Congressman Denny Heck ’73 was in attendance, as were Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby, Tacoma mayoral candidate Victoria Woodards, and Superior Court Judge Stan Rumbaugh, among other important alumni, donors, and friends.
Master of ceremonies, Jaime Méndez ’95, and auctioneer Laura Michalek kept the night rolling, helping secure funds through popular auction items such as an 18-course organic farm dinner, vacation home getaways, and student-donated art. ‘New this year was an opportunity to raise-the-paddle for an emergency scholarship fund for students who need to pay for car repairs, incur unexpected medical expenses, or face other unanticipated financial burdens.
Evergreen President George Bridges spoke to varyious elements of the college’s mission and successes, highlighting students involved in the Legislature and students who are veterans–many of whom have overcome considerable financial burdens and personal obstacles, yet continue to act as civil servants, gaining self-reliance and leadership skills in the process.
Since 1976 the Evergreen Foundation has supported student scholarships by raising private gifts from remarkable and generous donors. While public funds tuition maintain the college, private gifts provide an additional margin of excellence through donor-funded scholarships, fellowships, program endowments, and other opportunities that enrich the Evergreen experience.
SOURCE
http://evergreen.edu/news/post/evergreen-scholarships-continue-flow-thanks-record-breaking-art-giving-event
