Dec. 9, 2009

Barton Community College was named an “8 Wonders” Winner in the Commerce Category this week. It was noted by the Chamber’s Marketing Coordinator Rachel Mawhirter that Barton received 60 percent of the votes by more than 600 voters to earn distinction as the “8 Wonders” winner in the Commerce category.

 “Barton Community College is honored to receive distinction as one of the ‘8 Wonders of Great Bend,’” said Barton President Carl Heilman. “Through 40 years, we have truly been blessed with the backing from our community and this is a nice indication that we are continuing to effectively serve in the lives of our stakeholders.

 “Through four decades, our doors have remained open to the needs of our community, and they will remain open. Thank you to all who voted for Barton Community College and to all those people who continue to support our Community’s College.”

The information below was provided by the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development on Monday.

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The Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development would like to thank local businesses and community members for submitting their nominations and votes during the “8 Wonders of Great Bend” promotion. This special new promotion took place right here in Great Bend is a spin-off of the Kansas Sampler Foundation’s “8 Wonders of Kansas” promotion. However, this local version gave businesses, organizations, community servants, architectural landmarks, and cultural traditions the chance to be recognized for their significance in shaping the Great Bend community as we know it today.

Nominations were accepted during the month of October, and then votes were accepted throughout November. Now the votes have been tallied, and the winners have been chosen in each of the 8 categories!

1. ARCHITECTURE - Lustron Homes
2. ART - Argonne Rebels Drum & Bugle Corps
3. COMMERCE - Barton Community College
4. CUISINE - 4 Legs Up BBQ
5. CUSTOMS - Great Bend Zoo & Raptor Center
6. GEOGRAPHY - Cheyenne Bottoms
7. HISTORY - The Dominican Sisters
8. PEOPLE - Jack Kilby

 Each of the winners in the 8 Wonders of Great Bend promotion will be posted on the web sites for the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce, the Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Kansas Sampler Foundation. “The idea behind doing a promotion like this is to show Great Bend residents and visitors all the unique things about Great Bend,” CVB Director Cris Collier says. “The winners will be highlighted for years to come as the 8 Wonders of Great Bend.”

 Winners will also receive an award certificate to be hung in their honor. For more information about any of the 8 Wonders of Great Bend winners, contact the Great Bend Convention & Visitors Bureau at 620-792-2750.