Speaker Allan and Tonie Bense Strengthen Educational Opportunity with $150,000 Gift to Gulf Coast Guarantee

Panama City, FL — The Gulf Coast State College Foundation is honored to announce a generous gift of $150,000 from Speaker Allan Bense and his wife, Tonie Bense, to support the Gulf Coast Guarantee, a scholarship program that ensures graduating high school seniors in Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties have access to a quality college education close to home.

The announcement was made during the Foundation’s 2025 Annual Dinner at Hotel Indigo, where Speaker Bense was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Gulf Coast State College Alumni Emeritus Award. The evening took a generous turn when Bense surprised the audience by announcing a $103,000 gift to the Gulf Coast Guarantee.

In the weeks following the event, Allan and Tonie Bense increased their total contribution to $150,000, reaffirming their deep and enduring commitment to expanding educational access and opportunity for local students. Their contribution will directly enhance the Gulf Coast Guarantee fund, helping more graduates pursue their college dreams without financial barriers.

“I have always loved Gulf Coast State College. It plays a vital role in helping to make sure we have a strong, well educated, and robust workforce available to entice corporations to locate here and create high paying jobs,” said Speaker Bense.  “As a Gulf Coast State College 1970 graduate, I can say with great certainty that I never would have amounted much with that diploma. Ronald Reagan called America the shining country upon a hill. Well, Gulf Coast is the shining college upon a hill in Northwestern Florida.”

The Gulf Coast Guarantee is a first-dollar scholarship program designed to ensure graduating high-school students have access to the training and education they need to become part of the region’s evolving workforce. To learn how you can give towards the Gulf Coast Guarantee program, click here.

“By removing financial barriers to higher education, the Guarantee provides upfront financial assistance to graduating high school seniors from Bay, Gulf, or Franklin counties who enroll full-time at Gulf Coast State College the fall after graduation,” shared Ashlin Glatthar, Executive Director of GCSC Foundation. “Allan and Tonie Bense’s generosity go beyond the dollars. Their heart for helping individuals achieve a better life is exemplified in everything they do—and we’re so grateful they’ve decided to support the mission of the Guarantee scholarship.”

Speaker Bense’s leadership has been transformational for Gulf Coast State College. His vision and advocacy over the years have helped generate more than $65 million in support for programs, facilities, and scholarships – investments that have strengthened both the College and the broader Northwest Florida community. A respected business leader and former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, Bense continues to champion education and workforce development throughout the Panhandle.

Together, Allan and Tonie Bense exemplify the spirit of philanthropy and community leadership that defines Gulf Coast State College. Their generosity will create lasting opportunities for students and families across the region.

About the Gulf Coast State College Foundation
The Gulf Coast State College Foundation is dedicated to transforming lives through education by providing scholarships, program enhancements, and direct student support. Through the generosity of community partners and donors, the Foundation helps remove financial barriers and empower students to achieve their academic and professional dreams. To learn more, apply for scholarships, or make a gift, visit www.gcscfoundation.org.

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For more information, please contact Dayna Headrick, Communications Manager: [email protected] or (850) 872-3815