New College of Florida’s 41st Clambake Raises $318,000 for Student Scholarships

MaryAnne Young, executive director of the New College of Florida Foundation, announced that proceeds from the 41st annual Clambake, the College’s signature fundraising event, reached $318,000. Nearly 400 people attended the fundraising event on November 7 on the New College campus. 

According to Young, one hundred percent of the funds raised are directed to student scholarships.

“Scholarships are vital in making New College attractive to the best and brightest students, regardless of financial status,” says Young, adding 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 more than $2 million annually for student scholarships, faculty and student research, and campus enhancements. 

At the event, New College President Donal O’Shea introduced Jas Marie, a third-year biology/sociology student at New College, who spoke about how scholarships made secondary education possible for her as a first-generation college student and proved that her past doesn’t define her future. 

“Education wasn’t supposed to be attainable for me. To understand what I mean by this requires a deeper explanation of who I am and where I come from,” Marie told the audience. She then recounted the arduous path she took to get to New College.

“I’m astonished at how far New College pushes me to succeed. Without its unique academic program, I wouldn’t have dreamed of being an intern at Cornell,” said Marie. “The support I’ve received here has helped my dreams come true. So, if the question ‘Am I making a difference?’ ever crosses your minds, the answer is a solid yes. I wouldn’t be standing here before you without scholarships. Scholarship made secondary education possible and proved that my past doesn’t define my future. Because my future? Oh, it’s looking pretty bright!”

Robert Blalock, a former Foundation board member and the person who thought up and created Clambake over four decades ago, was honored at the event for providing the inspiration to establish Clambake and his extensive service to New College of Florida.

The evening concluded with remarks from co-chairs Pam Daniel, special projects editor for Sarasota Magazine, and George Augustin, a member of the Foundation’s board of directors. Both said they were thrilled to co-chair “Sarasota’s longest-running and most beloved fundraiser, especially since every penny we raise tonight goes toward scholarships for New College students,” said Daniel.

“Some of the most gifted students in the country—and the world—choose to attend New College, and about 90 percent of them receive financial aid. The scholarships you fund enable them to embark upon lives of intellectual curiosity and groundbreaking careers,” said Augustin.

For more information, contact New College Foundation at 941-487-4800 or via email at foundation@ncf.edu.