PLAIN AND FANCY BALL EMBRACES TEXAN ROOTS FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

February 10, 2006 – The Plain and Fancy Ball – Texas Style is going country to raise money for scholarships.

The second annual Collin County Community College District Foundation, Inc. fundraiser is roping in money for college scholarships by combining boot-scootin’ dance moves, Texas Hold ‘em tables, food and much more 7 p.m., Saturday, March 4, 2006, at the Spring Creek Campus Conference Center, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway in Plano.

“Scholarships are imperative for today’s students in higher education,” Collin President Cary Israel said. “A $1,000 scholarship pays for tuition and books for one student for one semester. These scholarships pave the way for the nurses, teachers, respiratory therapists, business leaders, firefighters and police officers of tomorrow.”

About 80 percent of Collin students are working 20-40 hours a week, which does not include familial and academic responsibilities. More than $12.5 million in scholarships and federal financial assistance was awarded to Collin students. In addition, more than 2,000 requests for scholarships and financial aid were denied.

Plain and Fancy 2006 sponsors to date include:

Philanthropist Sponsor
Senator Florence Shapiro;

High Society Sponsors
FISHER and Medical Center of Plano; Jet Set Sponsors Chartwells, Comcast, Exide Technologies, David & Genie Hammel, Medical Center of McKinney, PBK Architects, Inc., Pogue Construction, Tenet Healthcare/Centennial Medical Center;

In-Crowd Sponsors
Atmos Energy, The Botsfords, Milton & Mary Kate Buschbom, Carolyn & Mark Speese, Comerica Bank, DART/Lamar Transit, Dental Careers Foundation/Dr. Wayne Goodowitz, Farmersville Economic Development Corporation, F&S Partners Incorporated, Gay, McCall, Isaacks, Gordon, May & Roberts, P.C., Hunt Construction Group, Inc., Legacy Texas Bank, MultiView, Inc., Sam Roach Business Center and The Spencer Group;

Hipster Sponsors
Abernathy, Roeder, Boyd & Joplin, P.C., Laura & Chris Curran, Collin Academic Deans, Collin Faculty, Collin Human Resources Office, Continuing Education and Workforce Development Division, Course Technology/Thomson Learning, Darling Homes, FC Dallas, First Bank – Farmersville, First Southwest Company, Frisco RoughRiders, Geo-Marine, IKEA, Inside Collin County Business, Cary A. and Trudy Israel, Toni P. Jenkins, Junior League of Plano, Kiwanis Club of Greater Plano, Steve & Libby Maus/New York Life, Belinda Newman, Rex Parcells & Kim Zeh, M.D., Plano Economic Development Board, James & Marilyn Rice, Tom & Beverly Rodgers, Southern Vanity Magazine, Telecom Electric Supply Company, Tomden Engineering, L.L.P., Vinson & Elkins, LLP and Vision Wealth Management, Inc..

Plain and Fancy Ball sponsorship levels include “Hipster” at $1,000, “In-Crowd” at $2,500, “Jet Set” at $5,000, “High Society” at $10,000 and “Philanthropist” at $20,000.

The Plain and Fancy Ball will include two-step, waltz and tango dancing lessons, food, games, a live jazz band, Texas Hold ‘em tables and more. Like last year, the dress will be all fancy, or individuals can mix and match fancy attire with a pair of sneakers, jeans or any other “plain” dress.

To become a Plain and Fancy Ball sponsor or for more information, contact the Collin County Community College District Foundation, Inc. at 972.881.5611. View the Plain and Fancy website at http://www.ccccd.edu/plainandfancy/ .

Collin County Community College District serves more than 40,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs. The only public college in the county, Collin is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development.