September 18, 2001

KCTCS Fall Enrollment sets Record, tops 60,000

Fall enrollment in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is reaching a record level of more than 60,000 students signed up for credit courses.

The fall 2001 enrollment estimate of 60,031 full- and part-time students represents increases of 15 percent over fall 2000, when 52,201 students enrolled; and 31 percent over fall 1999, when KCTCS enrollment was 45,988.

"These strong numbers all over the state demonstrate that our colleges are fulfilling their mission of serving as Kentuckians' primary gateway to quality postsecondary education," said Michael B. McCall, KCTCS president.

Each of the 16 districts in KCTCS posted an increase in enrollment from fall 2000 to fall 2001. McCall attributed the systemwide increase to a variety of factors, including:

• Expanded options for students. Since January 1998, the KCTCS Board of Regents has approved nearly 300 new academic and technical programs. "The enrollment records that we continue to set show that KCTCS truly is changing the lives of students," McCall said.
• Enrollment management plans. Each KCTCS district has in place a plan to recruit and retain students. "The time and resources our colleges have invested are paying dividends," McCall said.
• Increased popularity of distance learning. Enrollment in Internet-based or Internet-enhanced courses increased three-fold -- to more than 5,100 students -- from fall 2000 to fall 2001.
• Enhanced relationships with high schools and secondary technical schools. Opportunities for advanced placement and dual credit are encouraging more high school students to take college courses.
• College courses for workforce training. KCTCS is offering college credit where appropriate to recipients of workforce and fire/rescue training. Incumbent employees of companies and emergency workers who come to KCTCS for training can get a head start on a college degree.

Enrollment estimates for fall 2001 include figures for some course sections that will open in the coming weeks. The following district-by-district chart compares final enrollment figures from fall 2000 with fall 2001 estimated numbers.

Colleges, System Office Hold Memorial Services

Several KCTCS colleges and the system office held memorial services on Friday, September 14, to honor and remember those lost and missing as a result of the tragedies in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. For example, Sandy Baker, dean of student affairs at Rowan Technical College, reported that students, faculty and staff joined hands around the flagpole at noon on Friday and prayed for all those affected by the attacks. Many at Rowan wore red, white and blue ribbons and the campus was decorated with flags. Linda Lyon said that students, faculty and staff at Mayo Technical College gathered at midday for a memorial service. John McGlone reported that Dan Pancake (left in photo) and Bob Chaffins (right), instructors at Ashland Technical College who also pastor churches in the area, helped lead services at ATC.

The system office also met at noon for a program that began with the presentation of colors by members of the Georgetown Fire Department. Dr. McCall made remarks which were followed by the reading of "A Fireman's Prayer" by Larry Collier, executive director of the Kentucky Fire Commission; and a memorial prayer led by KCTCS vice president Ken Walker. Lawrence Fortson, executive director of diversity programs, sang a patriotic song and then led those attending in singing "God Bless America." The program ended when the group went outside and joined hands under a huge American flag hoisted high in the air by equipment from the Georgetown Fire Department.

Annual Teaching/Learning Conference
Scheduled for Nov. 9-10 at Ashland

Faculty, administrators and staff development directors will be among those attending the annual teaching/learning conference at Ashland November 9-10. The cost for the 2001 conference, "innovations for learning enhancement", is $99 with a registration deadline of October 15. After October 15, the registration fee will be $130.

The conference, which will be held at the Ashland Plaza Hotel, will include a component dealing with brain-compatible learning. Educators from throughout the nation will be presenters at special sessions, general sessions and concurrent sessions.

For registration and other information contact the Ashland Community College resource development office at (606) 326-2071 or call (800) 370-7191. Detailed conference information is available on the web at http://tlc.ashlandcc.org .

News from the Colleges

West Kentucky District

Dr. Scott Garrett, associate professor of history at Paducah Community College, was recently in Bucharest, Romania, as a member of the Military History Working Group (MHWG) of the Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes. The Partnership for Peace (PfP) was established in 1994, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and subsequent end of the Cold War, as an effort to normalize relations between former enemies.

This was a senior-level foreign military exchange with diplomatic implications. The topic of this international seminar was "Case Studies of the Cold War." A parallel issue is Romania's desire to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

There were 38 accredited participants from 13 NATO and former Communist Bloc countries. Garrett was a member of the five-person US delegation lead by Brigadier General John S. Brown, Chief of Military History, who is also a NATO force integration specialist.

Garrett serves in two distinct, yet interrelated, capacities at the US Army Center of Military History. He is a historian in the Field & International Branch as well as Command Sergeant Major for the 25 Military History Detachments worldwide.

Owensboro District

Chris Dayman, Associate Professor of Art at Owensboro Community College, is one of the artists participating in an exhibit at the Kentucky Art & Craft Gallery entitled "Hoopla: Kentuckiana Basketball and All That Noise." The exhibit, which ends October 27, showcases artwork that comments on the nature and character of the regional phenomenon known as basketball and its impact on Kentuckiana.

----------

Karen Kemp, Business & Industry Coordinator for the Owensboro College District's Center for Community & Economic Development, is participating in the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) Learning System courses being offered at OCC. Kemp is presenting a portion of the program entitled Human Resource Development.

The SHRM Learning System is part of the National Honor Society of Human Resources. These courses prepare participants for examinations to qualify for the certification options of PHR (Professional of Human Resources) or SPHR (Senior Professional of Human Resources). Kemp plans to sit for the PHR exam following completion of the courses.

Big Sandy District

The Big Sandy District library staff is planning an open house at the Mayo Technical College library from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on September 24. Sandra Robinson, librarian for the district, said the purpose of the event is to provide information to the Mayo community regarding library services and how they can be accessed; and to give those attending an opportunity to know Carol Talbert better. Talbert is the library associate at the Mayo TC Paintsville campus.

Madisonville District

Bob Adkins, Madisonville Community College associate professor of history, is offering a CE class that is both educational and entertaining. Adkins also is taking the class, "One Tank of Gas Plus One Day of Time Equals a Memorable Museum Visit", to the senior citizens centers in Dawson Springs and Madisonville. In addition, Adkins is teaching a new history survey course this year, "HIS 106/107: Western Culture: Science and Technology I and II."

----------

Dr. Bill Winstead, Madisonville CC assistant professor of history, plans to attend the 26th Annual Kentucky Association of Teachers of History meeting scheduled for Centre College this month. This year's conference theme is "Politics: Democracy is Messy Business." Several sessions will focus on the 2000 Presidential election.

----------

Judy Moore, Madisonville CC professor of Business Technology, is program chair of the Leadership Hopkins County class of 2001-2002. The program format has changed to place more emphasis on the development of leadership skills.

----------

Nena Matheny, Madisonville District advancement/development office staff member, has been named ambassador of the quarter by the Madisonville/Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce.

----------

Dr. Scott Vander Ploeg, Madisonville CC professor of English, has submitted two articles, "Richard II" by Williams Shakespeare and "Doctor Faustus" by Christopher Marlowe, for publication by Salem Press in the new work, Cyclopedia of Literary Places. The three-volume reference work is slated for publication in 2002. Vander Ploeg has previously contributed to several other Salem Press publications.

Hopkinsville District

The Hoptown Reading Series kicks off its fifth season on September 28 with a performance by award-winning poet, Davis McCombs. The reading will be held in the Auditorium Gallery of Hopkinsville CC.

----------

Hopkinsville CC recently provided 15 Pentium I computers to the Lyon County School System elementary schools. Although Hopkinsville CC needs upgraded computer equipment to remain current with industry standards, the donated machines will be useful in the elementary school setting according to Terry Duncan, information technology coordinator.

Southeast District

Jamie H. Vaught, associate professor at Southeast CC, wrote an article about the new $10 million golf course at Pine Mountain State Resort Park that was published in the recent edition of Kentucky Monthly magazine. The article is the second one penned by Vaught for Kentucky Monthly. He also is writing his fourth book about University of Kentucky basketball.

----------

David Hurt will portray coal baron John Caldwell Calhoun Mayo in a one-man show at Southeast Community College's Godbey Appalachian Center Theatre on September 20. The program is sponsored by the Harlan Area Performing Arts Series and is a Kentucky Chautauqua presentation.

#