HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Jonathan Porter, chair of the Birmingham World Games Foundation, presented a $10,000 check to Drake State on behalf of the Alabama Power Foundation to support scholarships and student services at the April 15 Jazz in the Garden celebration. Jazz in the Garden was the finale to a year of events celebrating the college’s 60^th anniversary.

Proceeds from the night of music, spoken word, and dancing will also go toward scholarships. The Drake State Foundation made a challenge to those in attendance and to the greater community to match the $10,000 donation. Donations can be made at drakestate.edu/donate.

Two new scholarships were also announced. Theta Lambda Education Foundation of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. announced the inaugural Dr. Theo Weir Scholarship. This scholarship is named in honor of a distinguished past faculty member of Drake State and dedicated member of Alpha Phi Alpha. The scholarship will cover tuition and fees for up to two semesters annually and interested students can contact the college for information on applying. Drake State alum Roy Cox, owner of Trav-Ad Signs, established The Roy Cox Trav-Ad Scholarship. This annual scholarship will cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies for students in the fields of engineering design, machine tool, welding, or electrical.

Volunteers, community partners, featured artists, staff, faculty, students, and guests made the night a tremendous success. Entertainment included Kayoband featuring Kelley O’Neal
Keiani Taylor, Devere Pride Quintet, and the Dazzlin’ Dymes Dance Team.

Sponsors for the event include the following:

Platinum Sponsors:
Meta Platform, Inc., Blue Water Industries, Regions Bank, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc., Landers McLarty Subaru – A Frank Williams Dealership, and Woody Anderson Ford

Diamond Sponsors:
Alabama A&M University Foundation, Bryant Bank, Nola VanPeursem Architects, Redstone Federal Credit Union, Truist Bank, AUM Foundation, and Trav-Ad Signs

Gold Sponsor:
Business Interiors

Blue Eagle Sponsor:
Mazda Toyota Manufacturing

Media Sponsors:
WJAB 90.9 FM and Huntsville Event Magazine

Event Partners:
The Masters Salon, PeopleTec, Inc., Progress Bank, Royal Funeral Home, Stanley Construction, Transcend, and Vulcan Materials Company