Fundraiser For CBC Student Scholarships On October 16. Tickets On Sale Now For The Game-Show-Themed Event (Photo) - 10/01/25

October 1, 2025

For Immediate Release

Contact: Elizabeth Burtner, cell 509-975-6882, eburtner@columbiabasin.edu

 Fundraiser for CBC Student Scholarships on October 16
Tickets on Sale Now for the Game-Show-Themed Event

PASCO, Wash. – Community members can help Columbia Basin College students reach their educational goals by supporting student scholarships this month. The CBC Foundation’s annual Power of Connection dinner and auction will take place on Thursday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Pasco Red Lion.

Tickets are available through Oct. 7. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit columbiabasin.edu/powerofconnection2025.

Funds raised will allow the CBC Foundation to award more scholarships to CBC Hawks this fall. Every gift makes a difference, helping students bridge financial gaps so they can stay on track and in school.

“We’ve seen an increase in students applying for scholarships,” said Erin Fishburn, CEO of the CBC Foundation. “Unfortunately, each year, we run out of funds before we can give every student in need a scholarship. Our generous donors truly do change lives.”

This is no ordinary fundraiser. Attendees will participate in a live, interactive game show experience, either as contestants or audience members, and are encouraged to wear game-show-themed attire. Guests can also test their skills at games set up around the room before the main event begins.

A highlight of the evening will be a story from a student, sharing how CBC has been the ideal place for her and several family members to pursue their degrees.

Dozens of silent auction items will be available for online and in-person bidding, making it easy for the entire community to participate, even if they can’t attend.

For those at the event, there will also be an opportunity to bid on live auction items, including a weekend escape to Suncadia, a magical night on Broadway in Spokane to see The Lion King, a Tri-City Americans private suite experience for 10, an artisan evening at Non-Fiction Pasco, and other sought-after packages.

For more information about this event or to speak to the CBC Foundation, contact Sarah Murphy, 509-430-2608, smurphy@columbiabasin.edu.

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The Columbia Basin College Foundation was established in 1984 to give individuals, organizations and businesses the opportunity to invest in the college’s educational mission. Through the generosity of its donors, the Foundation awards student scholarships, provides academic and program support and helps fund capital projects and student support services like the CBC Cares Emergency Fund and CBC Food Pantry.

Columbia Basin College is a public community college serving the Tri-Cities and surrounding communities since 1955. CBC’s mission is to inspire, educate, and support all students in an environment of academic excellence leading to the completion of degrees, certifications, and educational transfers, while fostering meaningful employment, engaged citizenship, and a lifelong joy of learning. CBC offers both two-year and four-year degrees, as well as one-year Certificates. Bachelor of Applied Science degrees are offered in Applied Management, Applied Management in Agriculture or Healthcare Administration, Cyber Security, Dental Hygiene, Information Technology, Health Physics, Teacher Education and Project Management. CBC also offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.