Temple College Foundation Kentucky Derby Event Raises more than $128,000 to Support Students
The final results are in, and the Temple College Foundation is excited to share that its recent Race for a Cause: 2025 Kentucky Derby event raised $128,333.
More than 300 people attended the May 3 event at the Frank W. Mayborn Civic and Convention Center, where they watched the annual running of the Kentucky Derby, enjoyed dinner and drinks, and participated in numerous activities, including a stick-horse race, best-hat contest and live auction.
“Watching our community have a ball while supporting Temple College students made for an unbelievable evening,” said Dana Riegel, Executive Director of the Temple College Foundation. “We are extremely grateful to everyone who participated, contributed and volunteered to make this an incredible event. Many Temple College students will benefit from the generosity of this community.”
“Temple College programs continue to grow and thrive, and we are so grateful to members of this supportive community who do so much to support student success,” said Dr. Christy Ponce, President of Temple College. “The Temple College Foundation Board and staff work hard each year to engage with the community and supporters, with big goals of supporting the College and helping thousands of students access and graduate from Temple College. We are thankful to every person, every family, every business and every organization that invests in Temple College and our students.”
The Kentucky Derby fundraiser is a biennial event, which began in 2023. This year’s fundraiser, co-chaired by Temple College Foundation board members Sharon Walzel and Kelly Nix, included more than 50 volunteers from Temple College, the Temple College Foundation and the community.
The Temple College Foundation, established in 1982, serves as a bridge between the College and its service-area communities. The Foundation creates opportunities, like the Kentucky Derby and the annual Johnson Brothers Golf Tournament, that support the growth of Temple College, with the primary goal of providing student scholarships.
In 2024, the Temple College Foundation awarded $373,350 in scholarships to nearly 400 students.
The next Temple College Foundation event is the Johnson Brothers Golf Tournament, scheduled for Oct. 27. More information will be available in the coming weeks.
Learn more about the Temple College Foundation and how to help support students at foundation.templecollege.edu.
ABOUT TEMPLE COLLEGE
Temple College is “Your Community’s College,” a dynamic and growing community college that equips thousands of Central Texas students with the knowledge and skills for 21st-century success. Temple College, which has campuses in Temple, Hutto, Taylor and Rockdale, offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs to students who seek to earn credits for transfer, graduate with an associate degree or complete a certificate for fast entry into the workforce.
Founded in 1926, Temple College has enjoyed a reputation for academic excellence for 99 years. It is nationally recognized for its exceptional programs, from visual and performing arts to competitive athletics. The College has become one of the state’s premier institutions for healthcare providers’ education and training, advanced manufacturing, and workforce development programs. The faculty and staff are committed to providing exceptional quality instruction.