Bruin Open raises record $105,000 for student scholarships

Bruin Scholarship Open volunteers and sponsors pose for a group photo outside at the main entrance to KCC's North Avenue campus in Battle Creek.
Representatives from Laborers' Local 355 present Teresa Durham, executive director of the KCC Foundation, and KCC President Mark O'Connell with a donation in support of student scholarships for the Bruin Open earlier this month.

Representatives from Laborers’ Local 355 present Teresa Durham, executive director of the KCC Foundation, and KCC President Mark O’Connell with a donation in support of student scholarships for the Bruin Open earlier this month.

A record amount of $105,000 in scholarship money was raised for Kellogg Community College students during the KCC Foundation’s 20th annual Bruin Scholarship Open in September.

The annual event – held Sept. 8 at Binder Park Golf Course in Battle Creek – is the largest fundraising event of the year for the Foundation and has raised more than $1 million over the past 20 years.

A full roster of 60 teams participated and 140 sponsors were represented in the Bruin Open this year, which included an 18-hole scramble, prize raffle, 50-50 raffle, special hole contests including a Money on the Green Putting Contest, live music, lunch and dinner. The event was coordinated by more than 70 members of KCC’s staff, retirees, volunteers and more than three dozen KCC student-athlete and honor student volunteers.

Representatives from IBEW Local 445 present a donation in support of student scholarships for the Bruin Open in 2016. The group made a similar donation for this year's event.

Representatives from IBEW Local 445 present a donation in support of student scholarships for the Bruin Open in 2016. The group made a similar donation for this year’s event.

Teresa Durham, executive director of the KCC Foundation, said this year’s event was a great success.

“The Bruin Scholarship Open has been and continues to be a key contributor to the educational enrichment of this community,” Durham said. “The many golfers, sponsors and dedicated volunteers who help to make this event a growing success each year demonstrate time and again the Battle Creek area’s commitment to education and student success in the classroom, and we’re grateful for such strong community support.”

Funds raised at the event this year will help support approximately 90 student scholarships.

Team event winners, listed by division, are as follows.

Men’s Division winners representing Team Schweitzer include:

• Drew Schweitzer
• Jon Davis
• Corey LaGro
• Craig McKinnon

Tied with Team Schweitzer in the Men’s Division was Team Knight Watch, including:

  • Ben Tappenden
  • Ryan Vliek
  • Jason Peck
  • Andrew Saylor

Mixed Division winners representing W. Soule include:

  • Dave Pierce
  • Greg Linker
  • Theresa Johnson
  • Michelle Hull

Women’s Division winners representing Southern Michigan Bank & Trust include:

  • Lisa Walker
  • Deb Davis
  • Laurel Walkup
  • Sarah Headley

For more information about the KCC Foundation or to donate to student scholarships online, visit www.kellogg.edu/foundation.

For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.