The Progress Club met on Jan. 4, at the Presbyterian Church.  Hostesses were Judy Fox, Donna Oliver and Jeanne Gotsche. Fourteen members and one guest, Nancy Wiebe, were present.  
A motion was made by Judy Fox to send a memorial contribution to the San Juan Medical Foundation in honor of former long-time member Arlene Miles, who recently passed away at the age of 100. Kathy Schugart seconded and the motion carried.
The program was changed from “St. Rose Update” to “BCC Foundation” and Judy Fox introduced Nancy Wiebe, the new Director of Institutional Advancement at Barton Community College. She has journalism and MBA degrees from KU, and a background of working for non-profit organizations in Wichita. Nancy read a letter from actor Tom Hanks regarding his positive experience as a community college student. The college does present a tax burden, but in return offers many benefits to the county. The Foundation oversees the Shafer Art Gallery which greatly impressed the new director. Barton now has 17,000 total students in all areas. Class delivery methods are changing and online courses are important. There are 20 workforce advisory boards. The new welding lab will have a ribbon cutting on Jan. 28, at a Chamber of Commerce coffee. The eight-week Commercial Drivers License training program has 60 on a waiting list. Barton is a leader in the nation with its prison inmate education programs at Ellsworth and Larned. The Clay Shoot scheduled for April 17 at Camp Aldrich is an important fundraiser for the Foundation.
The next meeting will be held at 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 1, at the home of Sharon Mauler. Co-hostesses are Judy Turner and Norma Ward. Sharon Mauler will present the program, “Prairie Godmothering.”