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Sept. 16, 2003

Blinn Foundation awards more than $70,000 to college programs

Teddy Boehm, front left, a member of the board of Blinn College Foundation Inc., presents a check to Blinn College president Don Voelter as a gift from the foundation to the college's fine arts program. The contribution will be used to purchase side curtains for the stage in the Dr. W.W. O'Donnell Performing Arts Center and for risers for the choral and theater arts programs. It will also underwrite the cost of the orchestras for the Blinn College Choral Union and Brenham Chorale concerts on Nov. 10 and Dec. 6. The total amount of the gift was $33,077. Others attending the presentation are left to right, Bradley Nies, theater arts director; Dean Birkes, technical theater director; and Larry Campbell, director of bands and chairman of the division of fine arts.

Blinn College Foundation Inc. recently awarded $71,077 in gifts to various programs of the college in its first major contribution since the nonprofit corporation was reorganized in 2000.

The foundation provides support for programs and activities to enhance the quality of education for the students and to expand educational opportunities for the community through scholarships, capital projects, programs and other activities.

The recent contributions include $5,000 for faculty development scholarships; $20,000 for endowed scholarships for students on the Brenham and Bryan campuses; $41,077 for program needs on the Brenham campus; and $5,000 for a community project at Hohlt Park in Brenham.

Approximately $50,000 in additional gifts are pending for the Bryan campus.

“The foundation exists for the sole purpose of supporting the college in its programs and activities on its three campuses,” said Paul Kruse, outgoing chairman of the foundation board. “With the support from the community, alumni, employees and other friends of the college, through their donations, memorials and honorary contributions, we are able to make these gifts.”

Contributors may make donations to the foundation for non-specific use or they may make designated contributions, said Jackie McKee, executive director for the foundation.

“It is also important for donors to know that contributions that are received in Brenham will be used for the Brenham campus,” McKee said. “Those in Bryan-College Station will be designated for the Bryan campus and, likewise, those received for the Schulenburg campus will be expended there.”

Bryan businessman Ron Schmidt takes over for Kruse as chairman of the board this year. Other officers are: Lynn Stuart of Bryan, vice chairman; Ray Rodenbeck of Brenham , secretary; and David Sommer of Brenham, treasurer.

Other board members are: Elton Anderson Jr., Bill Betts, Teddy Boehm, Tiemann H. Dippel Jr., Bob Handley, Lois Kolkhorst, Kruse, Willie Mae Lueckemeyer, Eddie Van Dyke and Nathan Winkelmann, all of Brenham, and Charles Schwartz of Houston.

To learn more about Blinn College Foundation Inc. call 979-830-4147.

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