It may have been people contributing to Woodland Community College who were honored at the Eagles of Excellence Celebration this past week, but it was an "eagle" which also drew a lot of attention.
The College Fund Committee hosted the event as a way of raising money for school scholarships benefiting students and activities. The primary beneficiary this year were the college men's and women's soccer programs, which are in their inaugural year.
The amount of money raised through ticket sales, sponsorships and silent auction sales won't be known for some time.
The 2023 honorees were all recognized for their service to the school, its students and staff.
Honored were Yolo County Supervisor Gary Sandy, a former college trustee and Woodland City Councilman and mayor; Yolo County Farm Bureau, college alumni Edwin Ortega-Beltran, college classified professional Tracy Williams and faculty member Aracely Ruiz.
Sandy, Ortega-Beltran, Williams, Ruiz and the Farm Bureau were nominated by college faculty and staff, as well as Fund Committee of Woodland College. Receiving the award for the Farm Bureau was President Garrett Driver, a sixth general Yolo County farmer.
Accolades were bestowed on all the honorees for their personal and professional achievements, as well as their contributions to the college. All received personalized bags containing items created by the school's Library and Makerspace staff and students along with succulent plants gathered and arranged by agriculture students.
But it was another visitor which also drew a lot of attention: An eagle carved out of wood that has been located at the Woodland Library for decades and was just recently donated to the college.
The carving – which measures about four feet in circumference and stands about five feet tall – was created by Robert George and delivered by Friends of the Woodland Library.
Eventually, the wooden carving will be displayed at the college's Performing Arts Center when it opens to the public in early 2024.
According to Fund Committee member Cherie Schroeder, George died on May 30, 2011, after he donated his work to the library in 1996. He was 83 years old at his death in Shingletown, located east of Redding.
George was born in Woodland on Oct. 16, 1927, to Thomas and Lillian A. Mumma George and attended Filmore Elementary School located at the corner of county roads 97 and 24.
After serving in the Army in 1945, George later tried his hand at cattle ranching and then real estate. Still later, he took up chainsaw sculptor projects and wildlife photography, especially taking photos of grizzly bears, making several trips to Alaska to make movies of the bears.
Interestingly, Schroeder reported the library was also gifted a bear carving by George. However, no one at the library knows where it is.
Featured speaker at the fundraiser was Woodland College Interim President Dr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay thanked those who attended the affair, saying they were supporting local education and local students.
He also praised the honorees, noting their dedication over the years to both the college and students would resonate into the future.
Also attending the event were members of the men's and women's soccer teams, who talked to people about\ the program and showcased a signed soccer ball and jerseys used in the silent auction of around 30 individual donations.
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