Rio’s Annual Fundraising Dinner to Support Student Success and Launch a New Era of Football Excellence

University of Rio Grande and Rio Grande Community College’s annual fundraising dinner will be held on Tuesday, April 7, at the Holzer Leadership & Innovation Center, located at 254 Jackson Pike, Gallipolis. Doors open at 5:30 pm for social hour, followed by opening remarks and dinner at 6:30 pm. 

The evening is designed to raise money to directly support academic excellence, student success, campus enhancement, and the continued development of the Rio Grande Football program under the leadership of Head Coach Mike Bartrum. A native of southern Ohio, the former Marshall University standout and 13-year NFL veteran joined Rio earlier this year. 

Bartrum spent seven seasons as the head coach at Meigs High School before spending two seasons as an assistant tight ends coach with the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2021, Bartrum was hired at Marshall University as a senior analyst and special assistant to the head coach.

Capped off by a message from Coach Bartrum, this year’s event will feature raffles, a live auction, social hour, a Rio update from President Ryan Smith, and inspiring stories from students. 

Last spring, the event raised nearly $40,000 for Rio students. President Smith hopes that this year’s event will be even more successful. 

“This is a great time to be involved with Rio,” said Smith. “As we continue building a vibrant future for our students and our community, your investment helps fuel the momentum that we are seeing at Rio.” 

Individual dinner tickets can be purchased for $100. A limited amount of raffle tickets will be made available online for those who cannot attend the event. To purchase tickets, learn about sponsorships, or see a list of raffle/auction items, please visit www.rio.edu/fundraising-dinner. 

To ask questions or confirm support, please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement at giving@rio.edu or 740-245-7214.