Sherman, Texas — The Austin College Service Station will host a silent auction of student artwork to raise funds for Tostan. The event will be held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Wright Campus Center, Johnson Reception Gallery.  A dinner in Mabee Hall will follow the silent auction. Registration for the event is required and open now.

“Tostan” is a word from the Wolof language, primarily spoken in Senegal, Mauritania, and The Gambia, meaning “breakthrough.”  The organization’s mission is to empower communities to develop and achieve their vision for the future and inspire large-scale movements leading to dignity for all. Tostan believes in the power of community-led development and empowering education. Austin College has collaborated with the organization for 16 years, with last year’s event raising over $1,000.

Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, pre-professional foundations, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 44 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and an expert faculty of more than 100 educators allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. Related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA), Austin College cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. The College, founded in 1849, is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.