CARROLLTON — Country artist Kellie Pickler performed in front of a sold out crowd at the West Georgia Tech Murphy Campus Conference Center in Waco on Saturday for the 15th Anniversary Black Tie & Boots Fundraiser.

The West Georgia Technical College Foundation also awarded its annual Spirit of Giving Award to Coweta-Fayette EMC at the fundraiser. The Spirit of Giving Award recognizes outstanding commitment and generosity to the West Georgia Technical College Foundation and technical education.

Coweta-Fayette EMC board vice chairman Therol Brown accepted the award prior to the concert.

“Coweta-Fayette EMC serves as a true example of a community leader that supports students who want to make a better life for themselves and their families, while supporting economic development in the region through a highly skilled workforce,” West Georgia Technical College President Steve G. Daniel said. “Coweta-Fayette EMC has become a great partner as we have enlarged our presence in Coweta County with construction and expansion of the Coweta Campus in Newnan.”

Coweta-Fayette EMC is a consumer-owned cooperative providing electricity and related services to more than 76,000 member accounts in Coweta, Fayette, Heard, South Fulton, Clayton, Spalding, Troup and Meriwether counties.

Coweta-Fayette EMC becomes the third electric membership corporation to receive the Spirit of Giving Award, joining GreyStone Power and Carroll EMC. The award has been given annually since 2008.

The WGTC Foundation raised more than $35,000 for student scholarships at this year’s fundraiser.

“For the first time ever, the majority of our tickets were sold through sponsorships,” said WGTC Executive Director of Institutional Advancement Kim Learnard. “That shows you the tremendous support that we have from our business and community partners. I want to thank everyone who came to the concert. Not only did everyone have a great time, but it was for a great cause — supporting students who are working hard to better their lives through education.”

Prior to the concert, WGTC Foundation scholarship recipients Cynthia West and Brandon Heaton thanked the audience in prepared remarks.

“I can’t thank the WGTC Foundation enough for awarding me the scholarship,” West said. “Receiving the scholarship lessens the financial burdens that come with attending school, which allows me to better focus on my coursework.”

West, a Sharpsburg resident, is in the registered nursing program at West Georgia Tech.