K-Staters raised $404,770 to be applied toward scholarship funds for Kansas City-area students at the sixth annual Wabash CannonBall March 2 at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel.

Since the inaugural Wabash CannonBall in 2007, more than $1.4 million has been raised. Twenty-five students were awarded $2,500 scholarships. Five eligible students will have the opportunity to renew the scholarship for the 2013-2014 school year.

"We are excited about the tremendous success of this gala event," said Amy Button Renz, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. "In addition to scholarship funds, the Wabash CannonBall provided a wonderful venue to showcase the university and afforded more visibility for the more than 30,000 alumni living in the Kansas City area."

Funds raised at the event were a result of the "Fund a Wildcat" program. Each attendee had the opportunity to donate to the scholarship endowment. The total donation from each table determined their eligibility in the prize drawing, which included iPads, flat-screen televisions, Kindle Fires, digital cameras, Bill Snyder autographed footballs, hotel packages, restaurant gift certificates and more.

"K-Staters never cease to amaze me with their generosity and loyalty to this great university," said Andrea Bryant Gladin, director of alumni programs, who serves on the Wabash CannonBall planning committee.

The program included a welcome from committee chair couple Dick and Gloria Anderson. Greg Musil kept the crowd entertained for the sixth consecutive year as the master of ceremonies. Karmen Harris, senior in industrial engineering, and Wabash CannonBall scholarship recipient returned to speak from a senior student perspective and share how the scholarship made a difference in her collegiate career at K-State. The crowd also watched a video (view video above), showcasing the first five years of the CannonBall.

The gala could not have happened without the 49 generous sponsors, including underwriters Paul and Sandy Edgerley, Cereal Food Processors, Inc., and Regnier Family Foundations/Bank of Blue Valley.

The band Atlantic Express, invited back for the sixth year, entertained the Wildcats with tunes from Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and other favorites all through the night. 

2012 Wabash CannonBall Chairs
Dick '67 and Gloria Anderson

View photos from the event on Facebook