New College Clambake set Nov. 1
New College of Florida will celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Annual Scholarship Clambake on November 1, 2018, at 6 p.m. The event will take place on the New College Bayfront behind College Hall, 5800 Bay Shore Road in Sarasota. All proceeds benefit student scholarships.
Hosted by the New College Foundation and featuring cocktails at sunset, New England fare and a live auction, Clambake has been the College’s major scholarship fundraiser –and one of Saraosta’s most appealing philanthropic events– for four decades. Last year’s Clambake raised a record $250,000 for New College scholarships.
“Scholarships are vital in making New College attractive to the best and brightest students, regardless of financial status,” states MaryAnne Young, executive director of the New College Foundation. “Clambake is an opportunity to invest in a student’s future while enjoying a glorious sunset, fabulous food, good company, and the opportunity to get to know our students and faculty personally.”
Young points out that while New College is public, state funding covers only a portion of what is needed to preserve it as an exemplary institution. “The New College Foundation raises private funds through philanthropy, providing over $2 million annually for student scholarships, faculty and student research, academic excellence, and campus enhancements,” she says.
For Clambake’s 40th anniversary, the co-chairs, Foundation Board vice president Sue Jacobson and alumnus Charles Hamilton, hope to raise the bar significantly.
“New College graduates consistently go on to make remarkable contributions in our community and beyond,” they state. “With every accomplishment by a New College graduate, scholarship donors can feel pride and a sense of participation in having made that possible. We invite the community to support this amazing college and its equally amazing students by helping us reach a new record in scholarship support.”
Scholarship recipient Caitlyn Ralph, a May 2018 graduate, shared her own story at last year’s Clambake.
“I was the first in my family to attend college, thanks to my scholarship,” stated Ralph. “As a result, I was able to leave college with little to no debt, and also with money saved up from various paid internships.”
Individual tickets are $250, and sponsorships begin at $500. Leading the Clambake sponsors to date is a $25,000 gift from the Zella I. and Junius F. Allen Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Media sponsors are SRQ Media Group and The Observer Group.
For more information, visit ncf.edu/clambake. Tickets and sponsorships may be purchased online at donate.ncf/edu/clambake2018. To receive an invitation or a sponsorship brochure, call 941-487-4800.