Lindsey and Justin White (from left), Starlinda Sanders, Keith Smithpeters and Amber Roth, Diana Johnson, Alex Vasquez, Brooke and Grant Brewer and Megan Bolinder gather at the Plant a Seed Soiree benefit May 2 at Heroncrest in Springdale. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Let us read it for you. Listen now. Your browser does not support the audio element.
The 2025 Plant-a-Seed Soiree, hosted by the NWACC Foundation and emceed by KNWA's Jaclyn House, raised approximately $125,205 for Northwest Arkansas Community College student scholarships. The sold-out benefit took place on May 2 at Heroncrest Event Center in Springdale.
Over the course of the 2024-25 academic year, the foundation awarded more than $230,000 in scholarships to a total of 220 students.
"This evening is not just about raising dollars, it's about futures changed," said Mat Mozzoni, foundation president. "About creating opportunity, not just for today, but for years to come. The seeds of education we plant today will bear fruit of stronger families and better communities tomorrow."
Liz Anderson, executive director of advancement and the NWACC Foundation, said community is an apt descriptor of both the college and the foundation's purpose, not only because it's in their names, but because it so accurately describes the feeling of fellowship and belonging among those at NWACC.
Dick Trammel gave the very first scholarship at NWACC when he helped a young, single dad in the registration line, Anderson said. That can-do spirit is still alive and stronger than ever in burgeoning programs and the sense of belonging hard to miss in classrooms all over campus.
Rachel Schaap, an NWACC nursing student who would soon graduate, shared her personal experiences on stage at the soiree. "I knew (NWACC) had the early college education program where high school students can go and get their foot in the door on careers," Schaap said.
NWACC President Dennis C. Rittle, Ph.D. said the 2024-25 academic year was a notable one. The college opened a trails construction program that is a first-of-its-kind in the U.S.; it began Artificial Intelligence workforce training; and opened The Butcher's Larder, a student-operated butcher shop at Brightwater, he said.
"We've unveiled a jaw-dropping, state-of-the-art, no-holds-barred campus master plan for the Bentonville campus," Rittle said, thanking Lake Flato Architects for its design services and the Walton Family Foundation for the design grant that funded the plan's creation.
The past academic year also brought big challenges, such as tornado damage to campus buildings in May 2024 just two days before the summer semester began.
Despite that, "the college managed to set historic enrollment records in headcount and it saw growth in every demographic area that we measure with an astounding 28% enrollment increase in workforce training," Rittle said.
The 2025 Northwest Arkansas Community College Graduation Commencement took place May 14 at the Walmart AMP in Rogers and 419 graduates walked the stage -- the most in the college's 35-year history. NWACC anticipates awarding 2,000 degrees and certificates this academic year.
For more event photos -- nwaonline.com/photos/society.
Columnist Carin Schoppmeyer can be reached by email at [email protected].
Nicole and Mat Mozzoni, NWACC Foundation president (from left) and Liz Anderson, NWACC Foundation executive director of advancement, and Aaron Anderson gather at the Plant a Seed Soiree to benefit the foundation on May 2 at Heroncrest in Springdale, (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Ed and Carol Clifford (from left) and Christy and Dennis C. Rittle, Northwest Arkansas Community College president, visit at the Plant a Seed benefit May 2 at Heroncrest. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Molly and Chris LaFata (from left) and Jaclyn Henderson enjoy the NWACC Foundation benefit May 2. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Jacqueline Jones; Marshall Shafkowitz, Brightwater executive director (center); and Rob Earp visit at Plant a Seed. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Rachel Schaap and Ruben Nino stand for a photo at the Plant a Seed Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Rachel Schaap and Ruben Nino stand for a photo at the Plant a Seed Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Raymond and Jaclyn House, Plant a Seed emcee, help support NWACC on May 2. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) April and Sam Wallace enjoy the Plant a Seed Soiree. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer) Kelly Carlson (from left), Jene Huffman-Gilreath and Chris Gilreath help support NWACC at Plant a Seed. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Carin Schoppmeyer)
At a GlancePlant a Seed SoireeWho: Northwest Arkansas Community CollegeWhat: The annual fundraiser for scholarships brought in $125,205.When: May 2Where: Heroncrest Event Center in SpringdaleInformation: (479) 619-4184 or nwaccfoundation.org