Illinois Valley Community College celebrated its 100th anniversary with a lively Roaring Twenties-themed gala this weekend. The event brought together 165 supporters, alumni, and community members, raising an impressive $70,000 for the IVCC Foundation. Highlights of the evening included energetic live music, spirited auctions, and a generous matching donation from Larry and Christine Huffman, who contributed $30,000 specifically for student scholarships. All funds raised will go towards scholarships and support programs, helping to ensure future generations of students can achieve their educational goals at IVCC. The college credits community partners for making the milestone celebration so memorable.
“The event was beautiful from beginning to end and will be remembered for years to come! What stood out for me was the generosity of the guests, the incredible music and how many people danced and truly enjoyed themselves!” said Tracy Beattie, executive director of the IVCC Foundation.
The evening included live and silent auctions, live music from the IVCC Jazz Combo and the band Harmonix, dining and dancing. “The entertainment and the cause were a perfect way to cap off the anniversary year,” Beattie said.
One highlight of the evening came when Larry and Christine Huffman issued a challenge to match
donations. The proposal exploded to a $30,000 grand total to be allocated to general scholarships for
IVCC students. According to President Tracy Morris, “One of my most special moments was during the
Fund a Future paddle raising. To see the number of paddles raised at all different levels was incredible and heartwarming! The gift by the Huffmans set the tone for the evening. What a generous community we are blessed with!”
Champion Sponsors for the evening included Hometown National Bank, Maze Lumber, Senica’s Oak Ridge Golf Club, and Thee Ultimate Party.
