Pictured at the check presentation were McCoy; Cindy Rickard, 2015 Saddle Up For Scholarships Event Chair; Tonni Harrald, RSU Director of Development; Carlene Webber, RSU Foundation Executive Director; and Gregory.
The recent Rogers State University Foundation Scholarship Auction and Dinner raised a record $130,000 to fund unrestricted scholarships available for RSU students at the Bartlesville, Claremore and Pryor campuses during the coming year.
The western-themed event, “Saddle Up For Scholarships,” was held April 30 at the Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs Event Center and featured a musical performance from former American Idol finalist Lindsey Cardinale and her band. Presenting sponsors for the event were Key Construction and Pelco Structural, LLC.
This is the 11th year the RSU Foundation has held its auction and dinner, and this year’s event set records for attendance, sponsorships, raffle sales, and silent and live auction revenue. Kristen Glover Galyean emceed the event, and Brian Marlin served as the auctioneer.
Bob Sherrer, Chair of the RSU Foundation, praised area business, industry and community leaders for their support of RSU students.
“More than 70 percent of RSU students will need some sort of financial assistance to be able to attend college,” he said. “The RSU Foundation is committed to making scholarships available to deserving students, and the money we raised will go directly to helping students earn their degree at RSU.”
A highlight of the evening was a raffle for a new pickup or $20,000 in cash. The winning ticket was held by Jerry McCoy and Len Gregory, who opted to split the cash prize.
Dozens of area companies and individuals donated auction items and made contributions to make the evening possible.
The auction committee members included: Cindy Rickard (Auction Chair), Heather Isaacs (Silent Auction Chair), Travis Farbro (RSU Student Chair), Tonni Harrald (Event Coordinator), Tracey Dean, Lou Flanagan, Kathy Glover, Jim Harrison, Sharon Holm, Bobbye Mooney, Peggy Rains, Dr. Judy Riley, Ginny Sherrer, Lynsey Simmons, Brandi Sutherland, Carlene Webber and Martha Blackburn.
During the past 11 years, the auction has raised more than $700,000 for scholarships that would not be possible without continued support from area businesses, industries and individual sponsors.
Distinguished Sponsors were Tom Giles and Fonda and Williams Construction. University Sponsors were Jim Glover Chevrolet, Jack Kissee Ford, RCB Bank, and Jack and Bobbye Mooney. Hillcat Sponsors were Win and Kay Ingersoll, St. John Clinic and Walmart Distribution Center.
Table Sponsors were AXH air-coolers, Bombshell Salon, BancFirst, Bank of Commerce, Martha Blackburn, Todd and Tammy Cauthron, Cherokee Nation Businesses/Will Rogers Downs, Community Home Health, D&S Building Company, Farbro Cattle Company, Mayor and Mrs. Bill Flanagan, Goodies Café & Deli, Hillcat Athletics, Hillcrest Hospital-Claremore, HydroHoist Marine Group, Inola Storage, LLC, Nash and Dana Lamb, OK Cross Timbers Homes, OMA Alumni Association, ONEOK, P&W Builders, Inc., Rogers County Abstract, RSU Public Television, SolidRock Realtors, SUMMIT Physical Therapy, Jack and Mary Lee Spinks, Janees Taylor-Cherokee Nation Tribal Council, Trust Company of Oklahoma, Terra Nitrogen and Carlene Webber.
For more information, contact Tonni Harrald, RSU Foundation Director of Development, at 918-343-7767 or email [email protected].