What happens when 135 Black Hawk College alumni, their families and friends get together?
They raise more than $68,000 for BHC East Campus agriculture programs!
On July 28-30, the Agri-Business Club Alumni (ABCA) hosted its annual fundraiser known as Aggie Weekend. The goal was to raise $50,000. Before the weekend even started, $39,344 had been raised in monetary sponsorships.
“The ABCA board would like to thank all of our sponsors, alumni and the Black Hawk East family for helping us achieve our goals and make Aggie Weekend a HUGE success!” said Brandon Hall, ABCA board chair.
More than 190 donors and sponsors contributed to the success of the weekend.
2023 Outstanding Alumni State Rep. Dan Swanson with Dr. Jeremy Thomas, BHC president, and Brandon Hall, ABCA board chair
Here are the highlights:
- Friday – Social at the Colony Inn with the In-Laws and Outlaws Band and the Henn House BBQ food truck. There was a silent auction and a live auction with alum State Rep. Dan Swanson doing the live auction. Amount raised – $3,990.
- Saturday – Fundraising banquet at Midland Golf Club with a silent auction and a live auction. Gold Star FS was recognized as the Friends of the Alumni and State Rep. Dan Swanson (Class of 1984) was honored as the Outstanding Alumni. Amount raised – $15,826.50.
- Sunday – Golf outing with 23 teams. Between registrations, mulligans, a 50/50 raffle and one last silent auction, the golf outing raised $8,939.50.
Carli Wright, Future Alumnus Award recipient
The banquet also included:
- Honoring the anniversary classes of 2018, 2008, 1998, 1988 & 1978.
- Presenting nine ABCA Scholarship Awards totaling $5,500 to:
- Jonwyn Ayres – Agri-Business Club Alumni Freshman Spirit Award
- Andrew DeSplinter – ABCA Skilled Trades Scholarship
- Emily Jessen – ABCA Equine Scholarship
- Klara Leach – ABCA Ag Transfer Scholarship
- Kassie Maas – Agri-Business Club Alumni Legacy Scholarship
- Gabrielle Olson – Agri-Business Club Alumni Incoming Freshman Scholarship
- Jazmine Ralston – ABCA Vet Tech Scholarship
- James Tibbits – ABCA Ag Business/Production Scholarship
- Carli Wright – ABCA Future Alumnus Award (pictured)