Colby Community College Endowment Foundation

Save the Date! Our scholarship benefit auction for next year will take place on April 3, 2027, at the Colby Event Center. Doors will open at 5:00 PM CST.

We hope to see everyone there! Stay tuned for more details as the date approaches.

This year, the Colby Community College Men's Wrestling team received several awards thanks to the Wayne Williams Wrestling Memorial Fund, generously endowed by the Steve and Becky Lampe Family! Check out the list of award winners, and keep an eye out for a feature in the High Plains News. Go Trojans! We hope you have a great summer!

The Award for Outstanding CCC Wrestler of the Year goes to Cah’mari Johnson, a sophomore from Kingsland, Georgia! Before joining the Trojans, he attended Camden County High School. Way to go, Cah’mari!

The Most Inspirational CCC Wrestler of the Year is Savieon Garrison, a sophomore from St. Petersburg, Florida. Before his time as a Trojan, Savieon attended Gibbs High School!

The Most Improved CCC Wrestler of the Year is Kash Alley, a Freshman from Las Cruces, New Mexico. Kash made his mark at Las Cruces High School before joining the Trojan family!

Lastly, there were two CCC Wrestling Fans of the Year: Joy Engle, mother to Scotty Engle, from Venango, Nebraska, and Shellie Suttles, mother to Talon Suttles, from Winfield, Kansas! Both of these moms are rockstars & we appreciate you being such great fans!!

Thank you to the Lampe family as well as the Men's Wrestling Team. Congrats to all the wrestlers graduating today!

It's graduation day!! We want to extend our heartfelt congratulations to all of the CCC Grads today & celebrate your accomplishments 🩵

If you'd like to watch the ceremonies, they will be at the Colby Event Center at the times listed, or you can watch the livestream from www.colbytrojans.com/livestreaming

Thank you so much to Norton Correctional Facility and Resident Juan for all you do!! It was such an amazing work of art, and we are so grateful for your help 🩵

Today is International Nurses Day!!

We love our nurses, as well as our scholarship donors who are nurses or have a very personal connection to nursing. Here are some photos of our nursing donors as well as a blurb about them (we do not have photos for all donors):

​Arlo Edwards (Arlo and Margaret Edwards Memorial Scholarship):
While serving in WWII, Arlo was injured in the back by a piece of shrapnel and spent a significant amount of time in an infantry hospital. He often expressed his gratitude to the dedicated nurses who cared for him and the other injured soldiers, recalling that when he went down, all he wanted was a clean, white bed, and then he woke up in a hospital!

Mary Herbel (Mary Herbel Memorial Scholarship):
Mary earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Kansas in 1965 and began her career at KU Medical Center. In the early 1970s, she moved to Colby, where she worked at the hospital and nursing home before pausing to raise her children. Once her children reached school age, Mary returned to nursing education at Colby Community College, teaching CNA courses and supporting continuing education programs.

Rodenbeck Family (Rod and Shelly Rodenbeck Scholarship):
Rod and Shelly are proud longtime residents of Colby, having founded the Colby Glass Company, which they continue to run with dedication and passion. Their son, Russell, embodies the spirit of service as an EMT, and his late fiancée, Teri, also served as an EMT in Colby. Rod's sister, Rhonda, contributes to the community as a nurse in Oakley, showcasing a legacy of compassion and commitment to helping others. The Rodenbeck family is full of healthcare professionals, and they have a long family history of serving the community and lending a helping hand whenever needed.

Regan Lewis (Regan Lewis Memorial Scholarship):
Regan grew up on the family farm, where she loved being around animals. She enjoyed training horses, barrel racing, and working and sorting cattle. She was active in 4-H and FCCLA as president. One of her favorite FCCLA projects was training her cat, Tigger (Tubby), to become a service cat, which she took to the state level. Along with caring for animals, Regan was good at caring for people, which led her to pursue a career in nursing. Regan worked her way up from a CNA to a CMA, and then in May of 2022 became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She worked at Colby Health and Rehab and was continuing her studies at Colby Community College to receive her Associate's Degree in Nursing and to become a Registered Nurse.

Helen Frahm (Helen Frahm Memorial Nursing Scholarship):
Helen (Schnellbacher) Frahm was valedictorian of the 1931 Thomas County High School graduating class, and later that year married Albert Frahm. They were closely connected to the Methodist Church and active in the Colby community. They fundraised for or founded nearly every part of early Colby, including Citizens Medical Center when it was first established. Helen was a champion of education and raised her five children to live life to its fullest potential.

Amber Sponsel (Amber Sponsel Memorial Scholarship):
Amber was a Registered Nurse Resident in the Cardiovascular Step-Down Unit at Alaska Regional Hospital. She graduated from Goodland High School in 2002 and went on to get degrees in massage therapy and nursing. Her joy in helping others was evident throughout her life.

​David, Rose, and Kathleen Kreller (Kathleen A Kreller Nursing Scholarship):
Kathleen was a nurse in Sedalia, Concordia, and Plainville and was a member of the Catholic Church and the Nurses Association. Kathy was a member of the first graduating class of the nursing program here at CCC. David and his wife, Rose, who is a nurse practitioner, established this scholarship in his sister's memory to continue supporting young nurses on their educational journey.

Vesta and Flerry Shea (Vesta and Flerry Shea Estate Scholarship Fund):
Vesta and Flerry were lifelong members of Sheridan County, and Vesta taught for 10 years at schoolhouses in Sheridan, Decatur, and Norton counties. Flerry was a farmer and stockman who enjoyed woodworking, collecting fossils, and working with barbed wire. He was a US Army Veteran, and he and Vesta were lifelong members of the Methodist Church. Vesta loved continuing education and felt the need to support young nurses as they continued their education.

The Schnellbacher Family (Claude P. Schnellbacher Memorial Nursing Scholarship):
Claude and Augusta Schnellbacher were early members of Thomas County. Augusta passed away when their daughters were only 7 and 2 years old, so Claude relied on the help of family to raise his girls while working the farm. Claude's daughters had a strong appreciation for nurses and enjoyed the camaraderie and strength of women in the workforce and education. Claude's eldest daughter, Helen, was instrumental in fundraising for several aspects of the Colby community, including CCC and Citizens Medical Center. His youngest daughter, Clara, was a member of the Homemaker Units and was the first off-campus re-entry student to graduate in the history of Colby Community College or Kansas State University.

Maxine Neville (Maxine Neville Nursing Scholarships):
Maxine was born and spent her entire life in rural Thomas County. She graduated from Gem Consolidated School in 1932, and began her adult life farming with her husband. Following his passing in 1967, Maxine took on the task of managing their farm alone, and as a pioneering woman farmer, she understood the value of hard work and perseverance. Even at 94, Maxine loved to take rides through her farmland, admiring the landscape. Maxine left behind a legacy of strength and dedication to her community and the nursing field.

James and Betty Secrest (James and Betty Secrest Scholarship Fund):
James served in the US Air Force, and he and his wife, Betty, were longtime supporters of nursing and education.

Pete Henry (Pierre C. Henry Scholarship Fund):
Pierre C. “Pete” Henry was a farmer for many years in the Brewster, Kansas area. Pete had an inquiring mind and knew the value of hard work, thrift, and good management. Pete spent his young adult life learning engineering skills, working with the Civilian Conservation Corps, Douglas Aircraft Company, and the Army Air Corps, with only an eighth-grade education. His dream was to assist local students in furthering their education. Pete had a profound appreciation for health care and saw the ever-growing need for nurses throughout Kansas.

Eldon Van Campen (Eldon Van Campen Nursing Scholarship):
Eldon moved to Colby when he was 5 years old, in 1918. His father was a carpenter who built many homes, as well as the First Methodist Church. He had two children, of which he was very proud: His daughter, Vicki, graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing, served in the Army Nursing Corps during the Vietnam War, and became a Lieutenant Colonel after a successful nursing career. His son, Mike, graduated from K-State and worked in different businesses. Eldon valued nursing, inspired by the care his first wife, Phena, received and the nurses who cared for him.

Betty Howard (Frank and Betty Howard Scholarship Fund):
Betty graduated from Colby High School and was the top student at Grace Hospital School of Nursing. Betty and her husband, Frank, lived on a wheat and cattle farm seven miles north of Oakley, raising five children. Betty worked as the director of nursing at Logan County Hospital for 30 years and was an active member of the United Methodist Church and various community clubs.

Linda B. Gaines (Marvin O. Gaines and Linda B. Gaines Scholarship):
Linda was a devoted mother and caretaker who worked beside Marvin in the family's custom harvesting business, always there to brighten the day and offer a helping hand. This scholarship helps to honor Linda's legacy of care and commitment to others.

Shad Ray Clymer Obituary May 1, 2026 - Baalmann Mortuary & Crematory View Shad Ray Clymer's obituary, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

We still have not been able to find the owner of the purse!

If you know someone who lost their bag at our auction, please encourage them to reach out to our office right away!

‼️PLEASE READ‼️

Did you or someone you know leave a purse at the Colby Event Center following our Scholarship Benefit Auction on March 28th?

A Coach brand purse was found and is safe in our office. To claim, please correctly identify the color/design of the purse and its contents.

You can contact our office at 785-460-5504 or by emailing [email protected]

Thank you!!

We want to give a big thank you to Derek and The Sunflower Standard for their generous support and for shining a spotlight on our auction! The event was an absolute blast, filled with excitement and many memorable moments. We’re already looking forward to next year!

CCC Endowment Dinner & Auction Breaks Records, Raises $158,000 for Students The Colby Community College Endowment Foundation’s annual dinner and auction delivered a record-setting night on March 28, as the community came together in a powerful show of support for local students and the future of the college.

‼️PLEASE READ‼️

Did you or someone you know leave a purse at the Colby Event Center following our Scholarship Benefit Auction on March 28th?

A Coach brand purse was found and is safe in our office. To claim, please correctly identify the color/design of the purse and its contents.

You can contact our office at 785-460-5504 or by emailing [email protected]

Thank you!!

WOW!

Every year, we are overcome with emotion at seeing just how many people in our community come together to support Colby Community College Students. This year was no different, as we broke our record and raised over $158,000!! A huge thank you to our great auctioneer, Clay Patton, with Marshall Land Brokers & Auctioneers! Clay is a CCC Alum and was a member of the Livestock Judging Team while he was a student here. This night also would not have been possible without the help of MC Entertainment, the Colby Event Center, and Kenny Hernandez for keeping the evening running smoothly with audio and visuals. We had a fantastic meal in the evening, as well as stunning decor, all thanks to Dana Broeckelman and the team at the City Limits Convention Center! The beautiful canvas was painted by a CCC graduate, and it truly enhanced the atmosphere!

We also want to thank all of the CCC teams that helped out before, during, and after our event! It couldn't have happened without you all!
Colby Community College Livestock Judging Team
Colby College Trojan Volleyball
Colby Community College Softball
CCC Trojan Cross Country Team
Colby Community College Women’s Wrestling
Colby CC Wrestling
Colby CC Women’s Basketball “WE DO”
CCC Men's Basketball
Colby Trojan Baseball

And finally, a HUGE thank you to our sponsors for the evening, Outdoor Bank, Foote Cattle Company, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Triple R Insurance Company, and Colby Glass and Sign Company!