November 1, 2001

System Office, Colleges to Honor Benefactors

The KCTCS system office and colleges will honor some of their most valuable benefactors November 3. That's when KCTCS President Dr. Michael B. McCall will present awards to 55 of the system's major donors at the 2001 President's Gala and Benefactors Awards Dinner at the Lexington Marriott Griffin Gate Resort. Gov. Paul E. Patton is participating in the annual event, and more than 700 of the state's leading citizens and education and business leaders are expected to attend.

At the system level, KCTCS is honoring the University of Louisville, which provided extensive administrative support and expertise during the early years of the system. Soon after KCTCS was formed by the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997, U of L President John Shumaker stepped forward and loaned KCTCS the services of Ron Moore, vice president for information technology. For a year and a half, Moore's vision, spirit and leadership led to the creation of the state-of-the-art, system-wide technological infrastructure that has enabled the KCTCS' 28 colleges to communicate and conduct business efficiently and effectively as the Commonwealth's newest and largest institution of higher education.

U of L continues to support KCTCS by hosting computer servers and by providing training for KCTCS faculty in the development of distance learning courses.

"The value of the University of Louisville's contribution to the early success of KCTCS is immeasurable," McCall said.

Also, the KCTCS Foundation, Inc., is honoring Toyota Motor Manufacturing-Kentucky. TMMK is the largest donor to the KCTCS Foundation, with contributions totaling more than $404,500. Tom Zawacki, TMMK general manager-administration, is a charter member on the KCTCS Foundation Board of Directors and has been instrumental in the early success of the Foundation.

This year, Toyota provided 40 robots and six programmable logic units that were distributed to 14 community and technical colleges for instructional use by faculty and staff.

"Toyota has been a generous supporter of many of the KCTCS colleges over the years and is truly a statewide benefactor worthy of system recognition," said Timothy C. Mosher, chair of the KCTCS Foundation Board of Directors.

Because of the generosity of companies, foundations and individuals, KCTCS and its institutions and foundations received nearly $7 million in donations in fiscal year 2000-01.

"The support that we receive from private sources is key to achieving the quality for which KCTCS is known," McCall said.

Cisco Systems, Inc., is the underwriter of the President's Gala and Benefactors Awards Dinner. Gold-level sponsors are American Electric Power; Ashland, Inc.; Associated Industries of Kentucky; Cambridge Technology Partners; Clements Group; and Fifth Third Bank. Silver-level sponsors are CHA Health; Community Trust Bancorp; Deters, Benzinger & La Velle; Greenebaum Doll & McDonald; Hammond Design; Kentucky American Water Co.; Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; and Verizon. Bronze-level sponsors are Kentucky Utilities; Tapke Hartman Asset Management; Trapp Communications; and UPS Aviation Services, Inc.

Tim Burcham, CFRE, KCTCS vice president and executive director of the KCTCS Foundation, Inc., is the chair of the planning committee.

Here are the individuals, corporations and organizations that will be honored Nov. 3. Unless otherwise noted, award recipients are from the same town as the college or foundation that is honoring them.

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System Office Raises $4,145.50 for KECC in One Day!

A bread pudding was sold at auction for $100, a plate of brownies for another $100 and a cake for $75. Those are examples of how the system office raised $4,145.50 for the Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign during an October 29 employee forum in Lexington.

The Fire Commission provided a chili lunch (photo at left) for the forum, which was followed by a dessert auction with all proceeds going to the KECC. System office employees provided the desserts and the auctioneer was Bruce Bailey (photo at right), KCTCS director of property management. Bailey persuaded bidders to pay generously for the treats. For example, in addition to the items already mentioned, he sold a cinnamon pie for $70, a cheesecake for $60, and a key lime pie for $57.50.

Several system office employees signed KECC pledge forms during the forum and others made cash donations, according to Stephanie McBrayer, HR/benefits data specialist.

The forum also included the auction of an American flag, donated by the Fire Commission, with proceeds going to the William's Toys program. Jim Byford, KCTCS executive director budget and financial planning, bought the flag for $225.00. There also was a pumpkin-decorating contest with the grand prize winning entry submitted by a team from budgeting (photo at right). Dr. McCall, Vice President Dr. Candace Gosnell and others complimented the Fire Commission for its part in the forum. The commission not only provided lunch and the flag that was sold at auction, but also prepared treats for the dessert auction and had an entry in the pumpkin decorating contest.

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Cabinet Planning for Board of Regents Meeting

The President's Cabinet met this week and focused on plans for the November 29-30 Board of Regents meeting, which will be held in Lexington. The Cabinet also:

• reviewed fall enrollment updates;
• discussed plans for the November 5 Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) meeting; and
• planned for the November 13-14 President's Leadership Team (PLT) meeting.

The Cabinet discussed the need for district logos, and will ask for an estimate on developing the logos.

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Wellness Survey Participants Can Win Prizes

KCTCS employees who participate in a wellness survey that begins next week will be eligible for prizes. Those who complete the survey will have their names entered in a drawing for a wellness sweat shirt, long-sleeved T-shirt and a gym bag, according to Tracy Gibson, wellness program coordinator.

Gibson says the survey will be system-wide and will give employees an opportunity to voice what they want in a wellness program. It will be emailed to employees and is called "KCTCS Wellness Program Survey."

Those who have questions can contact Gibson at (859) 246-3113, extension 2355, or via email at tracy.gibson@kctcs.edu

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News from the Colleges

Somerset District

Somerset Technical College recently had a very successful accreditation visit. The college received a commendation from the Council on Occupational Education (COE) accreditation team, and only one recommendation. Dr. Carol Ann VanHook, Somerset TC chief administrative officer, commended the faculty and staff for "providing education and training that meets the highest standards."

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The Education Committee of the London-Laurel County Chamber of Commerce invited three Laurel Technical College students to its October meeting. The students were recognized by the Chamber since they represent the broad spectrum of those attending KCTCS colleges. One holds a B.A. degree, another recently earned a GED, and the third began his technical program as a high school student.

Maysville District

KCTCS President Dr. Michael B. McCall, Governor Paul Patton, and House Speaker Jody Richards were among the speakers at the October 30 groundbreaking for the Maysville Community College Technical Center. The $8.6 million project is projected to be completed in December 2002.

Jefferson District

Dr. Phyllis C. Alderdice, professor of management at Jefferson Community College, was elected vice president of the Southern Business Education Association at its annual conference in Mobile, Alabama, October 24-27. Dr. Alderdice has been a member of the Business Technology faculty at Jefferson since 1986, and served two terms as Business Division chair. She also has served as president of the Kentucky Business Education Association, and is president elect of the Kentucky Association of Career and Technical Education.

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Kevin Stokes, associate professor of economics at Jefferson Community College, had a paper, entitled "The Economic Impact of A Proposed Poison Control Center in Ecuador," presented at the North American Congress of Clinical Toxicology in Montreal, Quebec on October 8. Also, Stokes attended a conference on "New Roles of Community Colleges" held at the Community College Research Center of Teachers College, Columbia University, New York City, on October 12.

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Thomas Rogers, Jefferson Community College, recently completed the fourth semester of the CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) Academy program. He is one of the first CCNP instructors to complete all four semesters.

Ashland District

The Ashland District sponsored an Anthrax/Public Safety Forum on October 24, Kentucky's United Nations/Rotary International Day. Held at Ashland CC, the forum on terrorism and bio-terrorism was attended by more than 80 area residents; and students, faculty and staff from both Ashland colleges. Panelists included Dr. Elizabeth Hoffman, associate professor of biology at Ashland CC; and Jack Trautwein, acting dean of academic affairs at Ashland TC. Stu Taylor, acting chief administrative officer of Ashland TC, was the moderator.

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Ashland Community College held a tree planting ceremony October 26 as a memorial for the late Danny L. Kemper. An electronic technician, Kemper had been a college employee for 29 years before he passed away in August. Friends, family members and college colleagues were present at the ceremony.

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The American Brass Quintet will perform Friday, Nov. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the J. B. Sowards Theatre at Ashland CC. The performance is part of the Artists in Concert Series supported by ACC.

Hopkinsville District

The Hopkinsville CC speech team won several awards during the Barbeque Capital of the World competition in Owensboro on October 20. Faculty advisors for the team are David Carter, Ph.D., and Alissa Young.

Madisonville District

The Governor will be at the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts at Madisonville Community College on November 10 as KET comes to Madisonville for the taping of "In Performance at the Governor's Mansion," a series showcasing the depth and breadth of outstanding Kentucky artists and arts groups. Governor Paul E. Patton and his wife, Judi, initiated the series and welcome artists - and a statewide audience via KET - to the mansion or a regional arts facility three times each year. The artists for the concert will include Jim Walker, Murray State University Symphony Orchestra, Janet Cunningham, and a choral ensemble from the Governor's School for the Arts.

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Madisonville Community College hosted the Commonwealth of Kentucky Financial Institutions Board meeting on October 19 in the Ann Baker Gallery of the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts. Dr. Judith Rhoads, Madisonville CC president and district CEO, welcomed the staff and board members who represent banks, credit unions, investments institutions, and members at large. Commissioner Ella Robinson chaired the meeting, which included division updates and future actions of the financial department. Brenda M. Saunders, Madisonville CC professor of economics and business, represents the public on the board as a member at large. Governor Jones appointed Ms. Saunders to the board in 1994, and Governor Patton reappointed her in 1998.

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Dr. Judith Rhoads, Madisonville CC president and district CEO, was named "Woman of Achievement" by the NIKE Business and Professional Women's Club. Cris Crowley, director of the Adult Center for Educational Excellence, was named "Woman of Achievement" by the Madisonville Business and Professional Women's Club.

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