Foundation Gala Raises $146k for Student Success
More than 200 people gathered for "One Night in Old Hollywood,” the LBCC Foundation’s
first-ever Gala dinner and auction to benefit student scholarships and success programs
held April 6.
With the help of more than 250 businesses and caring individuals, the event raised
$146,000 in total revenue – a record for a single fundraising event for the LBCC Foundation.
Celebrating the Golden Age of movies, guests donned their red-carpet best and gathered
at the historic Flinn Block Building in downtown Albany to turn the spotlight on higher
education. The event featured live music and Hollywood-themed entertainment, as well
as a live auction that focused on raising critical funds to remove barriers to college.
Mark Wiebe, a second-year LBCC student majoring in mechanical engineering, gave the
keynote address. Wiebe overcame incredible obstacles to attend LBCC, even homelessness.
He now serves as president of the LBCC Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and
plans to transfer to a university next year.
“I know now that there is a purpose for me,” said Wiebe. “I cannot say it more plainly
than this. . . I am here because of you.”
Jennifer Boehmer, executive director of the LBCC Foundation, shared with the audience
the importance of supporting education, noting that when students succeed, the entire
community benefits.
“The tremendous gift of generosity shown by our community through this event will
mean even more people like Mark will come to know their purpose in life too,” said
Boehmer.
Many students struggle with paying for college. Requests for scholarships at LBCC
have risen by 300 percent over the past few years. The LBCC Foundation works closely
with local community members to help students overcome barriers to a college education.
Governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees, the LBCC Foundation is a non-profit entity
serving the college and the community. Funds raised by the Foundation support academic
and job training programs, student scholarships, improved and expanded facilities,
and student support services to increase student success.
Special thanks to LBCC Foundation Gala sponsors: Papé, champion sponsor this year;
CoEnergy Propane, Samaritan Health Services, KGAL/KSHO Radio, Snap-on, Brown and Brown
Insurance Northwest, Deluxe Brewing, Central Willamette Credit Union, Edward Jones,
Madison Avenue Collective, Consumers Power Inc, Corvallis Knights, Peak Internet,
Pioneer Connect, RBC Wealth Management, Rosemary Bennett, Corvallis Clinic, James
and Nancy Goode, LBCC Faculty Association, Pacific Power, and Liz and Dale Stowell.
For more information about how to join this event next year, please contact foundation@linnbenton.edu.
Photos, top, and left to right: Top - LBCC President Greg Hamann; LBCC student keynote speaker Mark Weibe; Foundation donors hold up bid cards during live auction; LBCC student sells Gala Golden Tickets.
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About the LBCC Foundation: The LBCC Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and is a legally separate entity from the college. Through the passionate support of community members and business partners, the Foundation raises funds to help students achieve their dreams by supporting academic and job training programs, providing scholarships, improving and expanding facilities, and by providing student support services to increase student success, among many other things.