Phyllis and Don Whelan

For more information, contact Darnell Holopirek, 620-792-9367.

August 15, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Story by: Linda Dueser

Old Bill to Raise Funds for Don and Phyllis Whelan Honorarium at Big Benefit Auction

The old buffalo head known as “Old Bill” again will help raise funds for an honorarium scholarship at Barton County Community College. The BCCC Foundation will seek donations to this honorarium through bids for “Old Bill” during the 27th Annual Big Benefit Auction Sept. 10.

Each year for the past three years, the Foundation has chosen to honor individuals who have generously supported the College.

This year the Foundation established the honorarium recognizing Don and Phyllis Whelan, lifelong residents of Great Bend, who have continued faithfully to support all of the College’s fund-raising efforts and have helped nurture the community and College through their time and talents as well.

In 1982, the Whelans established the Don and Phyllis Whelan Academic Award, which has provided scholarships to Barton students for more than 20 years.

“But Don’s belief in the College dates much further back than 1982,” said Darnell Holopirek, executive director of Institutional Advancement at Barton. As one of the founding 12 members of the Foundation board when they met for the first time on May 5, 1967, he was instrumental in laying the ground work that resulted in the formation of the College. He also was elected to the first 30-member Foundation board of directors.

“It has been a real thrill for me to see the College and its Foundation grow through the years,” Don said, recalling his early years on the board of directors and the College’s development in more than three decades. “I’m proud of the College and know it will continue to do well.”

Both professionally and personally, Don has always taken an interest in his community and has always had a hand in helping it grow. He was an associate with First National Bank of Great Bend for 45 years and was a member of the board of First United Bank of Great Bend. He also served on the board of Cedar Park Place the advisory board of Golden Belt Home Health and Hospice. In addition, he was a member of the advisory boards of St. Rose Hospital, Central Kansas Medical Center, Barton County Drug and Alcohol Advisory Council, and Commission on Aging.

He served as an associate with the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce as public relations representative for 10 years. He also is a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Elks Lodge and American Legion, and he has served as a volunteer fund-raiser for many other organizations

Phyllis, a homemaker for more than 50 years, is a member of First Presbyterian Church. She shared her time and talents as a Girl Scout leader and a volunteer for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and always supported her husband in his endeavors for serving the community and the College.

“It’s hard to imagine a more respected, community-minded, generous couple,” Holopirek said.
In 1997, Don and Phyllis Whelan received the BCCC Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award honoring them for showing genuine regard for Barton through their service and philanthropy. This year, the Foundation again is recognizing the Whelans for their generosity, their commitment to Barton’s mission, their devotion and unfailing loyalty and support.

“We want them to know their altruism, love and pride for this community have not gone unnoticed,” said Foundation board chair Rob Dove.

The auction is set for 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, followed by a dance at the Highland Hotel and Convention Center.

The Whelan honorarium will be used for one-time academic scholarships for Barton students in 2006-2007. In keeping with Old Bill’s successful push in the past to raise funds for the honorarium scholarship, bids will be accepted in increments of $50 or more, Holopirek said.

All of the money raised will go into the general fund to be used for academic scholarships to help students in the same spirit the Whelans have shown in their support of the college, Holopirek emphasized.

Other community members honored in the two previous years with the honorarium scholarship include Jim and Jo Heaton and Dale and Donna Oliver. The first “Old Bill” honorarium in 2002 was an endowment honoring the late Dr. Jimmie Downing, past Barton president, with earnings from his endowment used for future Shafer Gallery endeavors related to education, art acquisitions and upgrading technology.