Records are meant to be broken. This year’s Bounty of the Valley Scholarship Dinner didn’t just break the record; it smashed it!

At the end of the evening, when the last bid number went down, the total raised was a heart-stopping $1,297,744! This bypassed last year’s amount by almost $190,000, making it the most successful event in the university’s history.

“This incredible show of support from our community is more than just a number—it represents opportunity, transformation, and hope for our students,” said David Wise, vice president for Marketing and Advancement. “Each dollar raised goes directly toward opening doors and helping students achieve their dreams.”

This year’s event was more like two events as Heritage simulcast the program between the Toppenish campus and a second celebration in Seattle.

“Bringing Scholarship Dinner to Seattle allowed many of our most passionate supporters to share the Heritage experience with their friends on the west side of the Cascades,” he said. “It created a meaningful opportunity for connection, storytelling, and celebration that extended the spirit of the event far beyond our campus. The energy in both rooms was electric, and the impact of uniting these two communities was truly powerful.”

A combined total of 300 supporters attended the sold-out event, including four Heritage University presidents: Founding president Dr. Kathleen Ross SNJM, her successor Dr. John Bassett, outgoing president Dr. Andrew Sund, and Dr. Chris Gilmer, who became president of Heritage in July.

“We are grateful beyond words to everyone who contributed to this unforgettable evening,” said Wise. “Your support will have a long-lasting impact on our students for generations.”