Writer: CRIS RITCHIE
Hazard Herald

A fundraising campaign kicked off at Hazard Community and Technical College Friday morning as HCTC President Dr. Jay K. Box outlined the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign which will seek to raise $4 million for the college.

Dr. Box said Friday that the funds raised during the campaign will be used to further five initiatives, one involving the expansion of college scholarships. He noted that scholarships will be eligible to a variety of students, including local students who are seeking a four year degree and will begin at HCTC and complete degree requirements within the University Center of the Mountains umbrella.

The second initiative Box mentioned is to enhance equipment and technology which will allow for better training for HCTC's students and prepare them to work in a global economy environment. The final three initiatives Box noted were promoting college preparedness through the Challenger Learning Center of Kentucky on the Hazard campus of HCTC, to invest in the arts such as beginning programs in the field of music and graphic/visual arts while also adding programs with the Kentucky School of Craft, and finally to fund an unrestricted initiative that will allow the college to fund areas of greatest need.

"I have a vision for a better region," Dr. Box said Friday morning. "We want to enjoy a standard of living that meets or exceeds the national average."

Box announced during Friday's lunch that the goal of $4 million is already close to being accomplished as donations from corporations and private donors has totaled over $3 million thus far. The General Campaign Co-Chairs were also announced during Friday's lunch. Leon Hollon, Chairman, CEO, and President of People's Bank and Trust of Hazard and Fred Brashear, President of Hyden Citizen Bank, were named to the positions.

Speaking during Friday's meeting in addition to Dr. Box was Danny Maggard, Lead Gift Chairman, Janice Brafford-King, Major Gift Committee Chairman, and Fred Brashear.