The Hillsdale College Women Commissioners raised approximately $75,000 at its fourth annual Charger Derby on Saturday evening.
All proceeds from the event will go toward the Hillsdale College Women Commissioners’ scholarship fund, which supports Hillsdale students with financial need, according to board member and event co-chair Sue Zbozen-McAlpine ’86.
“Our whole purpose is to raise money for our scholarship fund, but it’s also to bring together the community and the alumni and the parents to support the college,” Zbozen-McAlpine said.
More than 230 people attended the event in the Searle Center, which included a simulated horse race, silent auction, and cash bar. Participants could donate before or during the event by sponsoring races, buying horses, or bidding on items donated by members of the college and local community.
Those who bought horses named them and cheered them on in pre-recorded races screened and commentated live at the event. Three of the attendees who chose a winning horse earned prizes.
“If you were to sit in the room and close your eyes, you would think you were at a racetrack,” Zbozen-McAlpine said.
The Hillsdale College Women Commissioners have supported the college since their founding in 1892 and started a scholarship fund in 1979. The group now includes approximately 80 members, both local and remote, and offered 42 scholarships this year to returning students, totaling almost $27,000.
The auction included gifts from local businesses such as Maggie Anne’s Clothing and Gift Boutique, a painting by Professor of Art Sam Knecht, and an autographed helmet from Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, which sold for more than $2,000.
“We try to have things that are college related, some things for your home and your family, for entertaining and sports,” Zbozen-McAlpine said.
This year, the commissioners also gave away a three-day cruise and a trip to see a taping of the game show “Wheel of Fortune.”
Because the college does not accept federal or state aid, many students rely on privately funded endowed scholarships – such as those from the Women Commissioners scholarship fund – to help pay for their education, according to Financial Aid Director Rich Moeggenberg.
Several students who receive the Women Commissioners scholarship volunteered to help set up and run the event. According to Moeggenberg, the event emphasizes the culture of gratitude among Hillsdale students.
“From my point of view, it’s fun when it’s organic and students freely volunteer their time to help for this cause, helping raise money for future Hillsdale students,” Moeggenberg said. “It epitomizes what having privately funded scholarships are.”
Junior Hope Canlas, a recipient of the Women Commissioners scholarship, helped check guests into the event.
“There is something heartwarming about seeing firsthand the copious amount of work others put into volunteering to ensure that my college education is funded,” Canlas said. “These women put a lot into making sure the derby runs smoothly as mere volunteers, not paid employees. I am forever thankful for their generosity.”
