South Plains College to present ‘An Intimate Evening with Josh Abbott’ on Feb. 22

 

LEVELLAND – South Plains College will present “An Intimate Evening with Josh Abbott” during the 20th Annual Scholarship Gala on Feb. 22 (Thursday). The event will be held in the Mallet Event Center. 

In celebration of the Scholarship Gala and the 60th anniversary of South Plains College, this annual event will have a fresh feel. While maintaining the traditions of the Gala, patrons will enjoy the new setting on a new day and a new format for the featured entertainment.  In addition, beer and wine will be available for purchase. 

This year’s entertainer is Josh Abbott and members of his band that are South Plains College alums. 

While attending Texas Tech University in 2006, Abbott and three fraternity brothers formed a band. JAB has become one of the leading acts in Texas music, winning four trophies in the inaugural Texas Regional Radio Awards. The band had three singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart – including “Oh, Tonight,” the first charted track to feature Grammy-winning Kacey Musgraves – and nabbed a Top 10 album with the 2012 release Small Town Family Dreams and reached No. 12 with the 2014 EP Tuesday Night. 

In August 2017, the band released its fifth studio album titled "Until My Voice Goes Out" which included a string and horn section on. The string and horn section were also incorporated on the national "Until My Voice Goes Out" tour. The album reflects Abbott’s life experiences ranging from the birth of his daughter to the sudden and heartbreaking death of his father one month into the album-making production. 

Other gala events will include a live and a silent auction raffles as well as raffles. One hundred percent of the proceeds go directly to student scholarships. Scholarships have helped generations of families attend South Plains College. Supporting the Scholarship Gala will help ensure that generations to come will have the same opportunity. 

“The purpose of the Scholarship Gala is to raise funds for scholarships,” said Julie Gerstenberger, director of Development and Alumni Relations. “More than 800 South Plains College students are receiving scholarship support from the SPC Foundation this academic year. Our guests will have an enjoyable evening in support of this wonderful cause.” 

Another highlight of the gala is the recognition of the 2018 Pacesetter Award winner.

Established in 2003, the Pacesetter Award is presented annually by the South Plains College Foundation Board of Directors to recognize philanthropy that set the pace and inspire others to support higher education. This is the 16th year the SPC Foundation has identified benefactors to receive the Pacesetter Award.

 

Gerstenberger said there are opportunities for community involvement now and until the event itself. Interested patrons can purchase tables and tickets now. All sponsorships are different this year with a couple featuring a VIP Meet and Greet immediately preceding the event. The sponsorship levels are Underwriting Partner – $7,500; Diamond Sponsor – $5,000; Ruby Sponsor – $2,000; Sapphire Sponsor – $1,000; and Gold Sponsor – $125. Payment may be made by check or credit card, and is due by April 1, 2018. In addition, both live and silent auction items are needed as well as cash donations. For assistance, call Bessie Costilla at (806) 716-2019 or email bcostilla@southplainscollege.edu. 

Attendee should consider purchasing their tables before this year ends. Credit Card payments may be made until the College closes for Christmas break on Dec. 15 (Friday). Payments by check may be made if dated and postmarked by Dec. 31, 2017. 

SPC will open Jan. 2, 2018 at which time sponsorship reservations can resume. Detailed information and a printed invitation will be mailed shortly thereafter.