Kentucky River Community and Technical College District
Benefactors of the Year, 2001

Dr. V. R. Goli, Hazard
Being Honored by the Kentucky River Community and Technical College District  

Dr. V. R. Goli�s love of the eastern Kentucky region is exemplified by the generosity that he has demonstrated in his support of Hazard Community College.  Dr. Goli has served on the Hazard Independent College Foundation board since 1990 contributing his time, influence and money, which have benefited the students of the College.  Dr. Goli and his family established the College�s first-ever endowed scholarship, the Goli First Family Scholarship Endowment during the Campaign for Hazard Community College in 1988.  He established the Goli Family Scholarship Fund in 1990. In 2001, he established the Goli Family Foundation Scholarship fund administered by the Hazard Independent College Foundation to provide scholarships to Hazard Community and Technical Colleges and to other higher education institutions.

Lewis A. Hopper, Hazard
Being Honored by the Kentucky River Community and Technical College District

Lewis A. Hopper has been a long-life supporter of Hazard Community College.  He was a charter member of the HCC Advisory Board, serving as a member for many years; charter member of the Hazard Independent College Foundation, with continuous membership for 33 years. He served as chairman for 8 years and is now Chairman Emeritus.  Mr. Hopper was the recipient of the 1999 Distinguished Service Award and also served as the Chairman of the Board Division of the Endowment Challenge Campaign in 1989.  In 1997, the Board of Directors of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Hazard committed $100,000 to the Campaign for Hazard Community College and resolved that their gift would be made in tribute to Mr. Hopper in recognition of his service to First Federal Savings and Loan, Hazard Community College, and the citizens of Eastern Kentucky.  The Lewis A. Hopper Student Center is named in his honor.

Dr. Nizar Tannir, Hazard
Being honored by the  Kentucky River Community and Technical College District  

To accept the award is Dr. Nizar Tannir

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Dr. Nazir Tannir has served the citizens of the eastern Kentucky region as an oncologist at the Hazard Appalachian Regional Hospital since the 1980s and has been a long time supporter of Hazard Community College, especially the students, many of whom were relatives of his patients.  In 1990, he contributed to the Endowment Challenge Campaign and at the time indicated that he wanted to provide additional support to the College.  In 1999, Dr. Tannir was offered a position to do research at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. Before he left the eastern Kentucky Mountains, he donated $100,000 to Hazard Community College to establish an endowed scholarship fund for allied health students at Hazard Community and Technical Colleges.  A quiet and humble person, Dr. Tannir has extended his love of the people of the Appalachian Mountains through his gift to the colleges.  He has established a living legacy in the region that he calls home.

Bank of Hindman  
Being Honored by the Kentucky River Community and Technical College District  

To accept the award is Mr. J. Phil Smith, member of the Board of Directors

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The Bank of Hindman and Hazard Community College have been a �family affair� since the founding of the College in 1968.  Billy Miller Smith, known as �banker Bill� and President of the Bank of Hindman was one of the original members of HCC�s Advisory Board having been appointed by Governor Nunn.   His son, Billy M. Smith, President of the Bank of Hindman, served on the Hazard Independent College Foundation Board from 1992 to 1999, serving as treasurer for three years. Upon his passing, his daughter Valerie Smith Bartley is the third generation family member to serve in a strong supportive role for HCC. Mrs. Bartley, now President and Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Hindman, serves on the Hazard Independent College Foundation Board and has generously provided ongoing support to the Hazard Community College Campaign, the Hazard Golf Classic, Evening with Scholars, the Arts in Education Endowment, and the Performing Arts Series

Hazard Clinic, Hazard
Being honored by the Kentucky River Community and Technical College District  

To accept the award is Dr. Mitchell Wicker, Jr., President and Owner

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Dr. Mitchell Wicker, Jr., President and Owner of Hazard Clinic, and his wife, Helen Williams Wicker, have been long-time supporters of Hazard Community College�s programs and students. In 1991, Helen�s family established the Cordell H. Williams, M.D. Memorial Scholarship Fund, in memory of their father. The Wickers have been significant contributors to that fund in addition to their longstanding support for the Performing Arts Series and the HCC Golf Classic Tournament.  In 2001, the Wicker Family Scholarship Endowment fund was created, in memory of Mitch�s son after his tragic death.   Dr. Wicker has served on the Hazard Independent College Foundation and is presently treasurer of that organization.

Perry County Farm Bureau Federation
Being honored by the  Kentucky River Community and Technical College District

To accept the award is Ms. Judy Strong, President

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In 2001, Perry County Farm Bureau Federation established a scholarship endowment for their employees� children to attend Hazard Community and Technical Colleges.  Through their generosity, generations of students will be able to continue their education.  Mr. Ryder Strong was the founding owner of Perry County Farm Bureau Insurance Agency in Hazard and his son, Mr. William Strong, took over upon his father�s retirement. Mrs. William Strong is currently serving as President of the Perry County Farm Bureau Federation.   The colleges are very grateful for the considerable support that the Strongs and the Perry County Farm Bureau Federation have given to the colleges.

 

Eugene Sebastian, Jackson
Being Honored by Lees College,  Inc.

Eugene Sebastian�s ties to Lees College (now Lees College Campus of Hazard Community College) date back to his early days as a student on the campus in the 1940�s.  In addition to meeting his lovely wife, Vada, during this time, Eugene successfully started his own pursuit of higher education, going on to earn additional B.S. and M.A. degrees at Eastern Kentucky State Teachers College and an Ed.S. from George Peabody College for Teachers.  His distinguished career has included 16 years as Superintendent of Breathitt County Schools; Sebastian Middle School is named in his honor.  Throughout the years, he has been a loyal supporter of the campus through both his financial contributions (including the award of at least 5 Eugene Sebastian Scholarships each year) and his personal service as an adjunct in education (training the teachers of tomorrow).  Few individuals have shown the dedication to the profession of education and/or the unselfish loyalty to an institution of higher education as Mr. Sebastian, for which the Lees College Campus of Hazard Community College is truly grateful.

E. O. Robinson Mountain Fund, Jackson
Being Honored by Lees College, Inc.  

To accept the award is Mr. J. Phil Smith, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors

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E. O. Robinson (1867-1934) businessman and philanthropist, established the E. O. Robinson Mountain Fund in 1922 as a vehicle for expressing his compassion and concern for the people of Breathitt and surrounding counties.  The Fund has been a major benefactor for Hazard Community College in general, and the Lees College Campus in particular, since the 1960�s.  Among other projects, the Fund supported the construction of the E. O. Robinson Library-Science Building located on the Lees College Campus; funding for tutors and other support for the Learning Centers at both campuses; start-up expenses for the initiation of the Forest and Wood Technology Program; student leadership scholarships as part of the Residence Life Program; creation of a second Nursing Program laboratory on the Lees College Campus; and the annual support of $11,000 for Nursing Scholarships to deserving students.  We appreciate very much the continued support of the E.O. Robinson Mountain Fund to our students and our institution.