Spring Gala Set for March 11
Spring Gala Set for March 11
Spring Gala Honors Two Outstanding Alumni of the Year
Butte College's largest fundraising event, the Butte College Spring Gala, will honor two outstanding alumni of the year on Saturday, March 11, 2017 at the Sierra Nevada Big Room, 1075 E. 20th Street in Chico, beginning at 6 p.m.
The two outstanding alumni of the year include Berton Bertagna, owner of Almendra Winery and Distillery, and Nate Parks, co-owner of Pro Pacific Fresh.
Berton Bertagna has a strong family background in agriculture that dates back four generations. Growing up in Chico, Bertagna attended Butte College and earned a degree in agriculture business, graduating in 1993. Berton owns several agricultural businesses including Bertagna Orchards, Bertagna Son Kissed Vineyards, Long Creek Winery, and Almendra Winery and Distillery. Giving back to the community for more than 20 years is very important to Berton. He has been active with the California Wine Institute, Butte College Wine/Viticulture Committee, North Valley Hockey, Chico High agriculture, local FFA and 4H.
Student athlete Nate Parks attended Butte College from 1991 to 1994 and led the Roadrunners to several championships and two bowl game wins. He transferred to Stanford University where he played football for three years and graduated with a degree in economics and minor in sociology. He was a 7th round pick of the Kansas City Chiefs and played for two years, later played in NFL Europe, and played three years with the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. Upon retiring from the NFL, Nate worked in the financial field and then went to work in his family business as the vice president with Pro Pacific Fresh produce company. He later purchased the company with his brother and has worked to grow the family-owned business, which has received a number of awards.
The event is hosted by the Butte College Foundation and benefits scholarships, athletics, and Foundation endeavors that benefit Butte College and its students. The evening includes dinner, a silent auction, dessert auction, and live auction. Tickets are $100 each.
“Butte College has continued to provide an educational experience for over 500,000 alumni. This event not only recognizes two outstanding alumni but also supports the efforts of the Foundation to serve 13,000 students a semester with scholarships and services, in addition to raising funds for our athletics program," said Samia Yaqub, Butte College President.
The event's title sponsors include Tri Counties Bank, R& R Horn, and the Steve Harrison & Linda Zorn Endowment; KHSL/KNVN Stations, and Gold Sponsor, Recology, and more.
For sponsorship information, auction item donations, or ticket information, please call 530-895-2359 or email foundation@drsarabar.com.
