“Old Bill” Honorarium

Over the last 40 years, Barton students have been the beneficiary of the generosity of over 350 individual and corporate donors whose support of academics has netted over $186,000 for scholarships through the Honorarium.

In 2002, Old Bill the buffalo was retired, and a new tradition was born, honoring loyal supporters and donors to the Barton Community College Foundation through the Old Bill Honorarium. Each year, the Foundation Board of Directors takes the naming of this honorarium very seriously and selects a deserving donor and friend that goes above and beyond to support the mission of the Foundation.

You can still find Old Bill on campus in the Fine Arts Building, with the names of all those that have been recognized by the Honorarium.

Legend of Old Bill

The Barton Community College Foundation is proud to honor and celebrate individuals who exemplify extraordinary support and service to Barton Community College, its students, and the communities we serve. At the heart of this tradition is the “Old Bill” Honorarium—a unique and meaningful way to recognize our most loyal supporters while raising crucial scholarship funds.

Over the last 40 years, Barton students have been the beneficiary of the generosity of over 350 individual and corporate donors whose support of academics has netted over $186,000 for scholarships through the Honorarium.

“Old Bill” is the name of a stuffed buffalo head first donated to the Foundation in 1981 by Claflin Fire Department. It was sold at that year’s auction and then donated back to the Foundation the next year to be auctioned again to continue to raise funds. This continued year after year for over two decades.

In 2002, Old Bill the buffalo was retired, and a new tradition was born, honoring loyal supporters and donors to the Barton Community College Foundation through the Old Bill Honorarium. Each year, the Foundation Board of Directors takes the naming of this honorarium very seriously and selects a deserving donor and friend that goes above and beyond to support the mission of the Foundation.

You can still find Old Bill on campus in the Fine Arts building, near the east entrance to the auditorium, with a plaque listing the names of all those that have been recognized by the Honorarium.