The theme for Denmark Technical College’s third annual Presidential Scholarship gala Feb. 3 was “Celebrating Our New Beginning…Exceeding Expectations.”

Those expectations were exceeded as DTC surpassed its goal of $25,000 for the scholarship fund. More than $30,000 was raised in contributions during the fundraising campaign, which culminated at the semi-formal fund-raiser held on the DTC campus. The fund is used to give DTC students who might otherwise not be eligible academic assistance with books and tuition.

The biggest gift came at the end of the night as Savannah River Nuclear Solutions committed a $100,000 welding curriculum to DTC. Cliff Webb, the vice president of public affairs for SRNS made the announcement at the close of the gala to Dr. Michael M. Townsend Sr., the DTC president. Additionally, SRNS presented DTC with a $10,000 check for the scholarship fund.

Webb is also a DTC Foundation board member and had committed SRNS to making a contribution to the scholarship gala.

“I was still surprised,” Townsend said of the $100,000 technology gift.

“The key was our goal of $25,000 was met as the night ended and donations are still coming in. As the evening closed, donations for the scholarship were more than $30,000. Plus the National DTC Alumni Chapter gave a $5,000 donation and the Bamberg-Hampton DTC Alumni Chapter gave $5,000 as well as ABL Enterprises gave $5,000,” Townsend said.

More than 300 guests attended the gala, which included business, industry and community leaders from the region, especially DTC’s service area of Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties, as did the DTC’s academic partnership with TCEBA. TCEBA is the Tri-County Education Business Alliance consisting of the kindergarten through 12th grade districts of Bamberg School Districts #1 and #2, Allendale County School District #1, Barnwell 45 School District and the Blackville-Hilda School District.

The gala included special recognition of the DTC Foundation board members, DTC alumni chapters, dinner, a silent auction and dancing. The DTC Foundation is an auxiliary organization of the college that supports DTC programs and academics through fund-raising and other means. The gala was held during DTC’s homecoming week of festivities from Jan. 30 through Feb. 5.