Keith and Marian Mull

For more information, contact Dr. Gillian Gabelmann, 620-792-9303.   RELEASE: For more information, contact Darnell Holopirek, 620-792-9367. August 9, 2007 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Story by: Linda Dueser Old Bill Raises Funds for Scholarship Named in Honor of Keith and Marian Mull      The old buffalo head known as Old Bill will help raise funds this year for the Keith and Marian Mull Honorarium Scholarship. The Barton County Community College Foundation will auction Old Bill by asking for pledges for the honorarium during its 29th annual Big Benefit Auction set for Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Highland Hotel Convention Center.

     Old Bill has raised funds during the Big Benefit Auction for 27 years, and each year since 2003, the buffalo head has supported an honorarium scholarship at the auction. This year, the Foundation has named the scholarship in honor of Keith Mull and in memory of his wife, Marian, for their year of dedication, support and service to the college and the communities it serves.
      Keith was an early-day member of the BCCC Foundation Board of Directors. In 1997, the Mulls established the Keith and Marian Mull Endowment for Academic Studies providing academic scholarships through the BCCC Foundation. The scholarships benefit Pawnee and Edwards County students attending Barton. The Mulls also have donated to the Foundation’s Academic Enrichment Fund Campaign and the Library Renovation Project.
      In 2005, the Foundation honored the Mulls with the Distinguished Service Award, which was established to recognize individuals who have given outstanding service to the college.
      Keith Mull and Marian Schmitt grew up in the Pawnee Rock community and graduated from Pawnee Rock High School in 1941. They were high school sweethearts. Keith attended Emporia State University, Denver University and Kansas State University. He served in the European Theater of Operations in World War II. He later became a farmer-livestock producer in Pawnee, Barton, Edwards and Kiowa counties in Kansas, as well as a rancher in Oklahoma. The Mulls’ son, Glenn, has enhanced the success of these agricultural operations.
      Marian graduated from Colorado Woman’s College and later from Emporia State University. She briefly taught English, speech and history at Dodge City High School. She became a full-time farm wife and homemaker when she and Keith married on Dec. 27, 1945.
      Both Keith and Marian held offices in Pawnee County Farm Bureau; Keith as president and Marian as women’s leader. Both served on the Pawnee County Farm Bureau Board and they were 4-H leaders.
      Keith has been a member of the Kansas Livestock Association for 52 years. His non-farming activities have included serving as president and treasurer of the Pawnee Rock New Jerusalem Church, treasurer of River Township, commander and treasurer of the Pawnee Rock American Legion, president of the Pawnee Rock School Board, and member of the Board of Trustees of Urbana, Ohio University. He also served as a member of the Endowment Foundation of Kansas State University.
      In addition, Keith has served on the Larned Recreation Commission and as a member of the Prairie Arts Board, which brings cultural events to Larned. He also served as chairman of the Central Kansas Medical Center Foundation. Keith is a member of the Larned Rotary Club and is a past president of the organization. Marian also was a Rotary Club member.
      Marian was president of the New Jerusalem Church for 10 years. She also served on the boards of Sunflower Training Center, Golden Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross and CKMC Foundation. She was active in organizations in the Pawnee Rock and Larned communities, including Twentieth Century Study Club, St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary and Larned Garden Club. She also was a member of the Santa Fe Trail Center Board and the KSU Endowment Foundation.
      Over the years, the Mulls also enjoyed many trips with their son, Glenn, and his wife, Elaine, and family; and one daughter, Jeanine, her husband, Brad Haynes, and family.
      This year’s Big Benefit Auction will start with the silent auction at 6 p.m. followed by the live auction at 7 p.m. conducted by Carr Auction and Real Estate Inc. of Larned.
      The bidding for Old Bill for the honorarium will be conducted in a different way this year, said Darnell Holopirek, the college’s executive director of Institutional Advancement. The bidding will be done by donation levels beginning with $2,000. As the auctioneer announces the level of giving, all of those wishing to bid that amount will raise their bidder number and their bid will be recorded. Bidding levels will continue in descending order, $1,000, $500, $100, etc. With each bidding level having multiple donors, the new way of bidding will allow more efficiency for record keeping, Holopirek said.
      Tickets for the auction can be purchased now through Aug. 21 by contacting the BCCC Foundation Office, 620-792-9306. Prices are $25 per person, or $200 for a table for eight. Tickets will not be sold at the door on the night of the event. All proceeds from the auction go toward academic scholarships and program enhancements.
      Included in the live auction are 41 items. Auction-goers will have the opportunity to bid on 165 items in the silent auction. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served before the live auction begins. Following the auction, festivities will continue with a dance at 9 p.m. with music provided by Billy Wild of Garden City.
      Carrying out the theme, “Crazy for Christmas,” Santa will be on hand throughout the auction adding his jovial holiday spirit to the event and drawing names of lucky individuals to receive gifts out of his bag.