Dr. Michael Chipps, president of Northeast Community College, and Dirk Petersen, chairperson of the Northeast board of governors, accepted a $16,000 check from Cathy Kathol, account manager with Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD), and Kurt Dostal, business relationship manager for Wells Fargo Bank, at the regular monthly meeting of the Northeast Board of Governors Thursday in Norfolk.
The funding, which is used for scholarships awarded to students enrolled in the state’s community college system, was part of $80,000raised during the 27th annual Wells Fargo Nebraska Open golf tournament held at the Elks Country Club in Columbus in September. Scholarships are distributed to eleven college campuses in the Central, Mid-Plains, Northeast, Southeast, and Western Nebraska community college systems that are within NPPD’s service area. Each year, sponsorship money and entry fees from golfers are divided between the tournament purse and the colleges.
Chipps said the funding will assist several Northeast students in meeting their career objectives.
“These scholarship dollars will certainly impact many of our students in achieving their academic goals and professional ambitions. We would like to extend our gratitude to Wells Fargo and all of the other sponsors in providing these funds, and to Nebraska Public Power District for coordinating the tournament. These generous people certainly understand the importance of making these scholarship dollars available to our students.”
“Support from sponsors, across the United States, has continued to grow in the 27th year of the tournament. The scholarship funds raised will help community college students get started on their path towards earning a degree, or will help already enrolled students get closer to completing their education,” said Pat Pope, NPPD president and chief executive officer. “The Nebraska Open is one of the state’s largest golfing events, and has provided NPPD a great opportunity to work with the Nebraska Section of the PGA, the Nebraska Golf Association, and the Central Community College Foundation, towards a great cause.”
The tournament was endorsed and administered by the Nebraska Section of the PGA as well as the Nebraska Golf Association, and has been held at Elks Country Club all 27 years. Wells Fargo was the title sponsor of the tournament for the 15th straight year. Area sponsors for the tournament included Behlen Manufacturing Co., Eakes Office Solutions, Mike’s Auto Sales, Nebraska Energy Federal Credit Union, U.S. Bank, Kelly Supply Co. and Hughes Brothers, of Seward.
Since its beginning, the Open has raised $1.5 million for students across Nebraska. Northeast Community College has received $314,510 over the 27 years.
--###--
PHOTO CUTLINE
Representatives of Nebraska Public Power District and Wells Fargo Bank present a check of $16,000 to Northeast Community College officials. The scholarship funds come from proceeds from the 2018 Wells Fargo Nebraska Open golf tournament, coordinated by NPPD. Pictured (from left) are Kurt Dostal of Wells Fargo, Cathy Kathol of NPPD, Dirk Petersen, chairperson of the Northeast Board of Governors, and Dr. Michael Chipps, president of Northeast Community College.