The Darton State College Foundation will host its annual Scholarship Gala on May 15, 2014. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. and will take place at the Darton State College Area, 2400 Gillionville Road in Albany.

The Gala is an evening of dinner, dancing, and fun. It is the foundation’s largest fundraising event, raising scholarship money to support general scholarships, including the Dean and Merit Scholarship programs. “These programs were established for the purpose of recruiting the best and the brightest students in Southwest Georgia, across the country, and around the world,” said Tracy Goode, Dean for Institutional Advancement and Public Relations. “It is the desire of the foundation to continue promoting higher education in the Southwest Georgia Community.”

The foundation awards some $300,000 in general scholarships to more than 125 exceptional students each year, according to Goode. “It is our desire to continue our mission of promoting higher education and creating student scholarships,” he said. “There are more students than ever that need financial assistance to continue their education.”

The annual Gala is now in its 7^th year. In its history, the largest turnout was over 500 participants. Goode and his team are hoping to have just as many this year. The Gala is a black-tie optional event, and will include open bar and a silent auction, including a quail hunt in Argentina to lake house getaways. 

“This is a celebration of higher education at Darton and the donors who support it,” said Goode. “As the foundation can provide scholarships for hard working and well deserving students, it increases our ability to recruit talented individuals to Darton from our region and across the country.”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this high-profile event in Albany. “To help ensure the success of the Gala, we are seeking corporate sponsors,” said Glenn Tennyson, chairman of the foundation. The sponsorship levels and benefits are:

DEAN SCHOLAR $5,000 

• 2 reserved tables of 8 at the event with name recognition 
• Sponsor recognition on event program and arena video screen 
• Billboard listing in Gala reception area 
• Sponsor recognition on media promotions, as time permits 

MERIT SCHOLAR $2,500 

• A reserved table of 8 at the event with name recognition 
• Sponsor recognition on event program and arena video screen 

HONORS SCHOLAR $1,500 

• A reserved table of 8 at the event with name recognition 
• Sponsor recognition on event program 

The foundation’s Gala goal this year is to raise $60-70,000 from sponsorships, auction proceeds and ticket sales, according to Goode. 

Darton State College Foundation was established to raise dollars for scholarships for the college. The traditionally two-year college was established in 1966 and the foundation, in 1973. 

The student population at Darton is about 6,300. There are two fully-functional dorm buildings with over 500 beds, and Goode said the dorms are at capacity, and the campus plans more growth.