GCCC Receives $15,500 Donation from Frazee Foundation to Support Band Program
[Garden City, KS] June 15, 2026 -- Garden City Community College (GCCC) is proud to announce a $15,500 donation from the Perle and Catherine Frazee Foundation to support the college’s Band program. The gift will fund the purchase of new drumline equipment and provide scholarship assistance for student musicians.
The donation includes $14,000 designated for replacing drumline instruments and equipment, along with $1,500 for student scholarships. The funding will help modernize the band's drumline equipment while expanding educational opportunities for student musicians.
The Perle and Catherine Frazee Foundation, administered by Commerce Trust, a division of Commerce Bank, has been a longtime supporter of GCCC. Previous gifts from the Foundation have benefited numerous campus initiatives, including the Medical Assistant, Robotics, and Art programs, as well as equipment purchases and campus beautification projects.
"We are incredibly grateful to the Perle and Catherine Frazee Foundation for its continued investment in our students and programs," said Dr. Ryan Ruda, President of GCCC. "This generous gift will provide our Band students with updated equipment and scholarship support, helping them succeed both in and out of the classroom."
Garden City Community College is home to the only community college marching band in Kansas. The program continues to attract students from across the region, with members of the upcoming band class representing 17 communities throughout western Kansas and the surrounding area.
The college’s current drumline equipment has served students for more than a decade through performances, athletic events, campus activities, and community engagements. This investment from the Frazee Foundation will strengthen the Band program and help ensure future Broncbuster musicians have the resources they need to excel.
“Perle and Catherine Frazee would be delighted to see the impact their gift is making to Garden City Community College,” stated Dennis Burns, Vice President of Commerce Trust. “Seeing their gift utilized in the support of the fine arts reflects the college’s dedication to nurturing creativity, talent, and opportunity for their students.”
The donation reflects the Frazee Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting education and student success throughout southwest Kansas.
For more information about supporting Garden City Community College programs and scholarships, contact the GCCC Endowment Association at (620) 276-0412.
Pictured from left: Dr. Ryan Ruda, GCCC President; John Koons, Commerce Bank Market President; Makenzi Johnson, GCCC Associate Professor of Music and Co-Band Director; Dennis Burns, Commerce Trust Vice President; and Scott Kedrowski, GCCC Dean of Advancement and Alumni Relations.
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Garden City Community College exists to produce positive contributors to the economic and social well-being of society.