Human Resources Administrative Assistant Sarah Ozment gets ready to pose for the 360-degree video camera. Organizers gathered ‘80s-themed props for guests to use while recording.
On the evening of Sept. 29, the Georgia Highlands College Foundation, in conjunction with the inauguration of Mike Hobbs, celebrated its 50th anniversary with the first inaugural Highlands Scholarship Gala.
The event, held at the Clarence Brown Center, located just across from the Cartersville campus, brought together supporters, community members and college faculty to commemorate a half-century of supporting students in northwest Georgia.
The gala, a vibrant affair that followed the investiture ceremony, began at 6:30 p.m. and featured a popular live band, The Guardians of the Jukebox, after dinner.
The evening was marked by enthusiasm as attendees gathered to support the foundation’s mission of providing financial assistance to students pursuing their college degrees at GHC.
Chairman and Treasurer of the Foundation Board of Trustees, Randy Quick, took to the stage to express gratitude for the enduring impact of the foundation’s work.
Guardians of the Jukebox, known for their music covers, enhanced the ‘80s theme and encouraged attendees to flock to the dance floor with crowd favorites like (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.
“They wanted to make an impact on the lives of students in northwest Georgia. Little did they know the impact they would have a half-century later,” Quick said. He emphasized the importance of continuing support, recognizing the foundation board members and sponsors who were instrumental in organizing the gala.
GHC President Mike Hobbs, the man of the hour, expressed his surprise and delight at the gala, mentioning that he had initially thought the bobbleheads were birthday gifts for him but soon discovered they would be raffled off.
He was ecstatic about the event and described it as “one of the best nights of my life,” stating that he was “walking on cloud nine.”
Dean Leslie Johnson of the Cartersville campus shared her excitement about the smooth execution of the gala. She mentioned that the event had reached its capacity with around 460 attendees and featured bobbleheads for auction just outside the ballroom.
Guardians of the Jukebox, a lively band known for their renditions of 1980s hits, had the crowd dancing at GHC Foundation’s inaugural Highlands Scholarship Gala. Their music added a nostalgic touch to the celebratory evening, taking attendees on a musical journey back to the 80s.
Executive Director of Advancement, Sarah Bradfield, explained that the gala marked a new direction for GHC.
“We’re taking it to the next level. This will become an annual event for GHC where it supports student scholarships,” Bradfield said. “So all money raised will go directly back to student scholarships and supporting students at Georgia Highlands.”
Liz Jones, director of foundation services, also shared her excitement and mentioned that the gala had drawn immense support, reaching capacity in terms of food, tickets, and seating. She looks forward to the venue for next year’s gala, indicating that there are promising ideas in the works.
Custom Funko Pops, inspired by President Hobbs, were set up outside of the ballroom for guests to bid on in the scholarship auction. The five brought in nearly $1,000, with “80’s Mike” selling for $320.
“Next year I’m not sure where the venue is going to be, so it’s going to be exciting to find that out,” Jones said.
The Highlands Scholarship Gala not only celebrated the rich history of the GHC Foundation but also laid the foundation for future generations of students and leaders in northwest Georgia.
With the event’s success and the enthusiastic support of the community, the foundation continues to make strides toward its mission of empowering students to achieve their educational goals.
