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Sounds of ‘Tropical Paradise’ welcome you to 2004 Scholarship Gala
August 3, 2004 | |||||||
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KOKOMO, Ind.—A garden of bright blossoms and a double helping of music will enliven the Ninth Annual Scholarship Gala, planned Saturday, September 18, at Indiana University Kokomo. Complementing the 2004 Gala theme of “Tropical Paradise,” guests will enter to strains of island music played by Billy Wooten Music Royale. The duo—which performs on steel drums, vibes and other instruments—has played several times as an opening act for Jimmy Buffett at Verizon Wireless Music Center. The Gala will start with a 6 p.m. silent auction and reception, followed by dinner. Cool City Swing Band returns for its fourth consecutive Gala, with music for the 9 p.m. “Decadent Dessert Bar” and dancing through midnight. Amber Stearns of Z92FIVE will emcee the evening. Proceeds benefit scholarships for students of IU Kokomo and Purdue University School of Technology Kokomo. Guests of Honor at this year’s Gala are Hilda and John Hingst of Kokomo. Owners of Mid America Beverage, the Hingsts have distinguished themselves both locally and nationally through dedicated volunteerism and generous philanthropy, said Gala Chairman Walter Brown II, D.D.S. “The Hingsts are an extremely modest couple who have given their time and talents to several worthy causes, including encouraging the growth of IU Kokomo and the Purdue programs in Kokomo,” Dr. Brown said. “Both alumni of Purdue University, Mr. and Mrs. Hingst believe in the transforming power of education. They have backed that belief by endowing a scholarship for local Purdue students and helping generate more scholarships through the Purdue 400 Club. It is very fitting that we honor them during the Scholarship Gala.” Other volunteers on the Scholarship Gala Planning Committee include Barb Angel, Linda Bielewicz, Judy Buck, Anna Chaplin, Cheryl Currens, Chérie Dodd, Diana Goodnight, Ginny Hingst, Debbie King, Mae Padfield, Maryann Redmon, Kathy Reel and Jean Rinehart. The Student Ambassadors will assist on the evening of the Gala. Major sponsors supporting the 2004 Gala include Z92FIVE/WIOU, Cinergy PSI, Walter C. Brown II, D.D.S., P.C., First National Bank, Howard Regional Health System, Community First Bank of Howard County, and St. Vincent Health St. Joseph Hospital. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, donate an auction item, purchase tickets, or donate to student scholarships, contact Director of Annual Giving Susan Kinsella at (765) 455-9412 or by e-mail. Details are also available at www.iuk.edu/gala. Tickets are $60 per person. The reservation deadline is September 3. John and Hilda Hingst John and Hilda Hingst of Kokomo “are among the very finest people I have ever met,” said Ron Harper, president of the Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. “I delight in having a small part in recognizing them for the countless good things they have done here.” Born in Texas, John Hingst met Hilda Miller of Kokomo when they were students at Purdue University. After graduating, they married in 1949 and began investing in real estate development in Kokomo and other Midwestern communities. In 1962, Hilda became president and John, the CEO, of Mid America Beverage Inc., a Kokomo-based beer distributorship founded by Hilda’s father, Albert R. Miller. Today, the Hingsts’ sons Bob and Bill direct operations at Mid America, which employs 50 people. The business continues to thrive because of the family’s “hard work, outstanding customer service, and excellent management and planning,” Harper said. (The Hingsts’ third son, Ted, lives in West Lafayette and manages real estate.) John and Hilda Hingst also have helped north central Indiana grow through their personal leadership of and financial support for numerous community organizations, including Indiana University Kokomo and the Purdue University School of Technology Kokomo. The Hingsts created an endowed scholarship for Purdue students on the Kokomo campus. John is a member of the IU Kokomo Chancellor’s Board of Advisors. He helped found and direct the Purdue 400 Club, which has generated more than $325,000 in scholarship funding for local Purdue students. In 2000, of the Community Foundation of Howard County, Inc. presented its David Foster Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy to John and Hilda, citing • Hilda’s active involvement in Hospital Cheer Guild, American Field Service, United Way and PEO sorority • John’s service on the Kokomo-Center Township School board and the St. Joseph Hospital board, as well as his work on behalf of Boy Scouts of America, Kokomo Chamber of Commerce and Kokomo/Howard County Development Corporation • The couple’s long-term commitment to Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, as congregants, Sunday school and catechism teachers, and active volunteers in youth programming, education and service committees. • Their participation in capital campaigns for the YMCA, YWCA, St. Joseph Hospital, Bona Vista, Carver Center and other organizations Even more important than their generous financial contributions, Hilda and John Hingst “have given thousands of hours in very high level community service as volunteers,” said Harper. “This family is a real treasure for this community.”
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