The association began humbly enough with a treasury of $681. It’s first meeting was March 7, 1967 in the basement of Calkins Hall on the old campus at eighth and Jones, Edwin Hooper then chairman of the colleges board of trustees presided over the 12 member endowment board all Garden City residents. in 1969 they decided to expand the board of representatives to include more of the service area as we had more successes through the years more people were agreeable to join the board. It just kept growing, today’s board of 20 volunteers represents surrounding counties, as well as Finney county. The associations fundraising has evolved from its first drive in 1969. It was a month-long drive that was kicked off with an invitational dinner. The first full-time Director was hired in 1978 and in 1980 a secretary was added to handle the growing volume of paperwork associated with the operation. the first scholarship auction took place during the 1978-79 school year at the Hilton Inn. It brought in $4142. The original phonathon took place during the 1980-81 school year with 40 volunteers. They reached their goal collecting $10,000 from college alumni and friends.