WEST PLAINS, Mo. – Nearly $30,000 was raised during Missouri State University-West Plains’ 18th annual auction held Friday, April 13, at the West Plains Civic Center.

Auction organizers said 220 people attended the “April in Paris”-themed event, which included silent and live auctions and a meal.  Proceeds from the live auction, which featured two trips to Antigua and a diamond and sapphire necklace, set a record of more than $20,000, said Elizabeth Grisham, director of development at the university.

“Once again, the community generously gave and made the university’s signature fund-raising event extremely successful,” Grisham said.  “A special thank you goes to the volunteer auction committee, which worked for nearly a year planning the event, and the many merchants and individuals who donated items to be auctioned.”

Among the items offered for sale at the auction were those donated by 11 departments and offices at the university as part of a departmental contest.  For the third consecutive year, the student services division won the “Highest Dollar Amount Raised” Award.  The total amount raised for the three items the division donated was $825.  The history department won the “Top Auction Booster” Award, which is a per capita award.  The submission offered by the two people in that department brought $110 into the coffers.  The total amount raised from all departmental donations was $1,970, organizers said.

THE STAFF of Missouri State University-West Plains’ Department of Student Services won the “Highest Dollar Amount Raised” Award in the departmental contest at the university’s 18th annual auction April 13. This is the third consecutive year the department has won the award. On hand for the plaque presentation were, front row from left, Food Services Manager Mozella Jett, Student Life & Development Coordinator Rogers Taylor, Drago College Store Manager Kathy Schloss, and Director of Development Elizabeth Grisham. Back row: Coordinator of Financial Aid Donna Bassham, Coordinator of Admissions Melissa Jett, Grizzly Volleyball Head Coach Paula Wiedemann, Registrar Shanna Dale and Dean of Student Services Dr. Herb Lunday. (Missouri State-West Plains Photo)

Members of the annual auction planning committee included Ruby Collins, Bob Eckman, Nancy Franz, Tracy Grigsby, Jackie Grisham, Dennis Lancaster, Cindy McFarland, Haley Mitchell, Amanda Niemotka, Kathi Rumbaoa, Kathy Schloss, and Valerie Williams, as well as Missouri State-West Plains development office staff members Grisham, Joe Kammerer, Debbie Martin, Debra Mosley, Jessi Long and Terry Hampton.  Other auction volunteers from the community were Bev and Rick Hamby and Vicki Kimes.

Flowers for the event were donated by Rosemary Burk of Landscape It.  Entertainment was provided by the West Plains Youth Symphony under the direction of Tammy Spratley, with local resident Nathan Boys providing accordion music during the silent auction.

Proceeds from the auction are used to support and enhance property growth within the university’s master footprint, organizers said, adding that a portion of the proceeds also will be donated to the Tuttle Amphitheater Building Project.

For more information about the auction, call 417-255-7240.

Filed Under: Auction · Development