August 9, 2024
Story by Lindsey Bogner
Photo by Maggie Harris
The Barton Community College Foundation Board has chosen Barry and Monica Bowers to receive the prestigious “Old Bill Honorarium” 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 Barton Community College 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.
“Sometimes we forget the size of the impact that the Barton Foundation has,” Barry said. “I 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.”
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 Barton County campus.
“As we have been served, we serve and as we have been loved, we love,” Monica said. “With 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.”
Barton Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Lindsey Bogner expressed the Foundation’s excitement in honoring the Bowers for their years of positive influence and involvement.
“Barry and Monica are people that care about our community,” she said. “They have dedicated their lives to service, and we are honored to recognize them for their exemplary support of Barton and our students.”
Barry hopes the Old Bill Honorarium will inspire future generations to support the community.
“I remember being inspired by the people being recognized in the past as great community leaders, and I respected them,” he said. “I 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.”
Those wishing to contribute to the honorarium in the name of the Bowers, but cannot attend this year’s event, may do so by contacting the Foundation office at (620) 792-9306 or by emailing foundation@bartonccc.edu.
Auction Details
Tickets for the Barton Foundation’s 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’s 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 Barton Foundation. The money raised from the event supports academic scholarships, along with enhancements to programs and facilities that positively impact the learning experience of Barton students.
Tickets can be purchased online or reserved by calling the Barton 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 “Old Bill” 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 Barton Community College Foundation through the Old Bill Honorarium. To date, Old Bill has netted nearly $186,000 in support of academic scholarships.