Panama City, FL – The Gulf Coast State College Foundation and Alumni Association are excited to host their Annual Dinner and Distinguished & Rising Star Alumni Awards fundraiser on Thursday, May 17 at the Edgewater Beach Resort. Two of GCSC’s outstanding graduates, Michael Papajohn and Timothy Garner, will be honored during the celebration. The event will kick off with a reception and a silent auction at 5:30 p.m. followed by the presentation of awards and dinner at 6:15 p.m. All proceeds will help support the “Thanks a Million Campaign” for military and veteran students who face unforeseen hardships to ensure they don’t suffer negative impacts on their path to higher education.
Papajohn, the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year, is a successful Hollywood actor and stuntman with roles in countless movies including “Spider-Man,” “Titanic” and “Deepwater Horizon.” He played baseball for Coach Bill Frazier while at Gulf Coast before being drafted to LSU. During his final semester at LSU, he went on a casting call and discovered his true calling. Papajohn has returned to the College on several occasions to speak to student-athletes and actors and has taught an acting for the camera master class.
Garner, the 2018 Rising Star Alumnus of the Year, graduated with an AS in Computer Integrated Manufacturing Technology and an AS in Electronics Engineering in 2008. He is a co-founder of Garner IT Consulting where he uses his knowledge of automation and programming to help small businesses effectively manage their IT infrastructure.
Event Details:
· Date: Thursday, May 17
· Time: Reception begins at 5:30 p.m.; program and dinner begin at 6:15 p.m. (media advised to arrive at 6:15 p.m.)
· Location: Edgewater Beach Resort
Reservations and sponsorships for the dinner and awards ceremony are available by contacting Lori Eldridge at 769.1551, ext. 6010 ormeldridg2@gulfcoast.edu.
ABOUT THE GCSC FOUNDATION
The Gulf Coast State College Foundation, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarship opportunities and program support for students enrolled at Gulf Coast State College. The Foundation is committed to the belief that every deserving student merits a chance to continue his or her education regardless of cost.
The Foundation, with the support of individuals, businesses, other foundations and grants, has created and endowed hundreds of scholarships. For 50 years, the Foundation has served Gulf Coast State College by donating more than $13 million for scholarship and program support.