The Chadron State Foundation’s annual Fall Fund Drive raised $202,534 toward student scholarships and college programs at the college.
Foundation Development Officer Brandon Davenport coordinated the drive, which involved over 100 volunteers on 10 campus teams and 9 teams from the community.
He was hoping the 3-week active phase in October would bring in at least $150,000 and was pleasantly surprised when the total topped $200,000 – something that hadn’t happened the past few years.
      Davenport calls the results “fantastic” and gives the credit to the volunteers and to the many individuals and businesses in “an amazing community” who gave to the Fall Drive.
Davenport says the scholarships and other support provided from this year’s Fall Fund Drive will have a lasting impact on students and the college.
As always, the Fall Drive included a good-natured competition to see which teams could bring in the most donations with extra points for donors who increased their gifts.
The winning campus team was Rob Stack, Cassie Ritzen, John Ritzen, Lorie Hunn, Jordan Haas, and Willie Hoffman while community honors went to the team of Jim Gardner, Vince Ryan, Julie Duncan, Eliza Hare, and Tyler McCarthy.
Serving as the Co-Chairs this year were Shaunda French-Collins and Tena Cook for the campus side and Trisha Martens and Bobby Griese for the community. Martens and French-Collins and Martens have now finished their 2-year terms.
This year’s theme, Giving Toward Success, and accompanying artwork were created last fall by 3 members of the Communication Campaigns course taught by French-Collins: Kyle Rayl, Emily Hansen, and Paige Seidler.