Blinn receives large endowed scholarship donation

The Blinn College Foundation recently received a sizable donation for the establishment of two endowed scholarships at the college.

Through his estate, Mr. Wilburn H. Bohne established the Wilburn “Bill” Bohne Academic Scholarship in the amount of $628,009.10 and the Wilburn “Bill” Bohne Technical Education Scholarship in the amount of $300,000. The scholarships will be awarded to Washington County residents with the academic scholarship being awarded to students majoring in math, engineering or science.

“We’re extremely grateful to the Bohne family for their generosity,” said Joe Al Picone, Blinn College Foundation executive director. “Mr. Bohne was a strong advocate of education and had a special desire to help students attend Blinn College.”

Mrs. Irene Bohne Schroeder, sister of Mr. Bohne emphasized the importance of supporting higher education, particularly the education offered to our community through Blinn College.

“I feel that it is vital that people give to the Blinn Foundation,” Mrs. Schroeder said. “It helps so many young people get a start in their education by allowing them to attend Blinn College.”

About the Blinn College Foundation: Established in 2000, the Blinn College Foundation, Inc. is organized for the sole purpose of providing support for programs and activities which enhance the quality of education for Blinn College students and expand the educational opportunities for the entire community. While raising funds is an important function, Blinn College Foundation also seeks to heighten community awareness of the mission and accomplishments of the college and to promote excellence in education.

December 2, 2010

Gift Gives Local Name to Blinn Band Hall

Longtime Blinn supporters and Brenham residents J. Hal and Allyne Machat recently presented a donation of $300,000 to the Blinn College Foundation in support of renovations underway at the college’s Band Hall in Brenham. In recognition of their generosity, the facility will be named the J. Hal and Allyne Machat Music Facility.
Joe Al Picone, Blinn College Foundation executive director accepted the gift and thanked the Machats for their generosity.

“We’re deeply touched that the Machats chose Blinn for this gift,” Picone said. “We just can’t express enough thanks. The future is in education and this goes a long way to help Blinn continue to meet our students’ needs. We have a first-rate music program and now it’s going to be even better.”

Brenham native, Allyne Machat, graduated from Blinn College in 1952. It was there she met her future husband, J. Hal Machat, who came to the college on an athletic scholarship. They credit the time they spent at Blinn for their education and for giving them an opportunity to meet and fall in love. After Blinn, they married and moved to Waco, where Hal continued his education at Baylor University, then later in Fort Worth at Southwestern Seminary. They lived for 30 years in Houston before retiring near Brenham.

“We are always the first to get tickets when concerts are announced at Blinn,” Hal said. “We can’t wait to see what’s to come. We both love music, and we love Blinn, of course.”

Citing her community involvement and support for her alma mater, the Blinn College Ex-Students Association honored Allyne by inducting her into the 2007 Hall of Honor.
“Blinn is so important to us,” Allyne said. “My dad attended Blinn. So did our son. We have a real warm spot in our hearts for Blinn.”

The Band Hall construction, set for completion in August 2011, will add 9,515 square feet and will allow for two additional classrooms, a piano lab and two more rehearsal halls – one for percussion and one for general practice and rehearsal. Five practice rooms will be created with the expansion as well as three new storage rooms. A new musical equipment locker room will complete the new space.

Blinn College President/CEO Dr. Daniel J. Holt also commented on how grateful the college is to local donors.

“Support from our donors and dedicated alumni allows Blinn to advance at a pace that would otherwise not be possible,” said Holt. “We are honored to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of our students. When our former students give back to Blinn, they in turn make a positive and enduring difference for us.”

June 3, 2010

Local Group Makes Donation to Blinn Agricultural Facility

Ed Kruse, Bill Rankin and Friends today presented a $450,000 check to the Blinn College Foundation for the agricultural facility that Blinn College is building on the Brenham campus.

The new facility will be named the W.J. “Bill” Rankin Agricultural Complex in honor of Rankin and his longtime service to the community.

“Blinn College has always been a great value to Washington County and the surrounding communities,” said Blue Bell Chairman of the Board Ed Kruse. “Likewise, Bill has played an integral part in our community by being very active in a variety of aspects, so we feel this is the perfect partnership.”

Rankin, a lifelong resident of Washington County, is a CPA and is the Chief Financial Officer at Blue Bell Creameries. He has served on numerous civic boards including the Brenham Independent School District, Lutheran Social Services of the South, the Boys and Girls club of Washington County and the Brenham Noon Lions Club. He graduated from Brenham High School, then went on to earn his bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M University and MBA from Sul Ross State University. After graduation he was an Air Force pilot for 6 years, spending his last year at Keflavik , Iceland. Rankin’s grandfather, Albert Stone, was the State Senator who was instrumental in the legislation that enabled Blinn to become the first county-owned junior college.

“It is a great honor to be associated with the Agricultural Complex,” said Rankin. “Blinn College has always provided excellent learning opportunities and the complex will further enhance that. I greatly appreciate Ed Kruse , Paul Kruse, Blue Bell Creameries and the others I am joining with in making this gift to Blinn College.”

The 20,200 square foot complex will house classrooms, laboratories, offices and additional space for a shop and livestock show arena. Phase one includes the construction of an 11,200 square foot Ag shop that will house welding, small engine repair, woodworking and CAD drafting, and is scheduled for completion in December. Scheduled for completion in August 2011, phase two will comprise of a 9,000 square foot Ag building, which will include classrooms, offices and a livestock show arena.