Butte College
News Announcement

Butte College to Honor Outstanding Alumni of the Year Saturday, March 17

Butte College's largest fundraising event, the Butte College Spring Gala, will honor outstanding alumni of the year on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the Sierra Nevada Big Room, 1075 E. 20th Street in Chico, beginning at 6 p.m. This year’s theme “Proud history. Promising Future,” celebrates Butte College’s 50 year history.

The outstanding alumni of the year to be honored this year include Veronica Hooper and first-ever couple: Marisa and Travis MacKenzie.

Dr. Veronica Hooper is the Physician Executive for Multi Care in Tacoma Washington. Veronica grew up in Durham and became the first in her family to attend college when she enrolled at Butte in 1992. Although her parents had not completed high school, they stressed the importance of higher education and Veronica says she knew by the 7th grade that she wanted to become a doctor. Veronica says Butte College helped her gain her confidence as she served as an orientation leader and was active in student government. Veronica transferred to UC Davis where she earned a bachelor of science degree in genetics in 1996. She attended Western University of Health Sciences Pomona and became a doctor of osteopathic medicine in 2000. Veronica has three children and resides in Gig Harbor, Washington.
 
 Marisa and Travis MacKenzie will be honored together which is fitting since they met at Butte College. Marisa said her Butte family changed her life by helping her learn to trust herself and gave her confidence in her abilities. Marisa transferred to UC Davis, earning a bachelor of science in exercise biology and she competed in track & field. She later enrolled in the UC Davis Physician Assistant Program and is a Physician Assistant for Shasta Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. Travis MacKenzie came to Butte College by way of British Columbia, Canada to play football in 2001. Travis says he chose Butte College for its football program and his experience was “extraordinary.” Travis planned to major in English but discovered athletic training. He earned a scholarship to NorthWest Missouri State University and later attended Saint Georges University, School of Medicine. Travis is the Director of Emergency Services, Trauma, Sepsis, Chest Pain  & Stroke at Abilene Regional Medical Center in Texas. Marisa and Travis have two children with one on the way, and reside in Redding, CA.

This special event is hosted by the Butte College Foundation and benefits scholarships, athletics, and Foundation endeavors that benefit Butte College and its students. The evening includes dinner, a silent auction, dessert auction, and live auction.

“Butte College celebrates its 50 year history at our Spring Gala this year. We are proud to provide an educational experience for over 500,000 alumni. This event recognizes several outstanding alumni and supports the Butte College Foundation which serves 11,000 students a semester with scholarships, programs, and services, in addition to raising funds for our athletics program," said Samia Yaqub, Butte College President.

Tickets for the event are sold out. The event's title sponsor is Tri Counties Bank.