Gala Auction raises $38,000

 Proceeds will help fund $1,000 Alumni Scholarships for 30 to 35 students next year, the $1,500 Northwestern College Teaching Excellence Award, a fall workshop for faculty, and student life programs.

More than 600 people attended the nautical-themed event. Bids were submitted on nearly 500 items.

Online bidding was up dramatically in the 2006 auction. “Our number of Internet bids was up from 88 last year to over 800 this year,” said Karen Woudstra, director of alumni and parent relations.

The most popular items for online bidding were a TV, which recorded 24 bids, and the yearlong movie passes, which secured 18 bids.

“The spirit the night of the auction was wonderful too,” Woudstra added. “A lot of new people came this year and told me, ‘This is a lot of fun.’”

Woudstra also praised the generosity of Northwestern’s supporters. “Our auction succeeds because of the giving nature of our alumni, friends and area businesses.”