Contact: Terry W. Brown
(270) 707-3732
tbrown0058@kctcs.edu / www.hopkinsville.kctcs.edu
Fax: (270) 707-3734

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (March 10, 2006) - Longtime Trigg County residents Billy and Kathleen S. Burke have been memorialized in a significant perpetual endowment gift to Hopkinsville Community College for the benefit of Trigg County students.  

In memory of the Burkes, Mr. and Mrs. William Rhodes of Fredericksburg, VA, have contributed $10,000 to establish an open-ended endowment which will enable Trigg students to continue their studies at Hopkinsville Community College in the agriculture technology or agricultural economics areas. William Rhodes is a nephew of the Burkes.

Kathleen Burke, deceased Aug. 3, 2001, is a former area banking executive and served as a member of HCC's Advisory Board from 1979-1991. Billy Burke, deceased Aug. 10, 2004, was a civic leader and the owner of Burke and Thomas Tractor Supply in Cadiz for many years. 

"We are delighted to be in a position to create this scholarship endowment at HCC and are hopeful that others will help perpetuate this legacy which will benefit deserving Trigg County students," William Rhodes said. "Given that Billy Burke dedicated so much of his life to agriculture and community life in Trigg County and Kathleen had such a close association with the college, we thought this would be a most appropriate memorial gift."

Hill Ferguson, executive director of the HCC Foundation, Inc., said, "The Foundation is honored by the Rhodes' most generous gift. It is our hope that other friends and associates of the Burke/Rhodes family will add to this fund until it grows to the $25,000 or greater level."

Ferguson also encouraged others in the region to consider initiating similar family legacy endowments to the college.  "Through the inspiration of this Rhodes/Burke family tribute, we hope others will likewise consider establishing a lasting memorial in the name of their family," he added.

Area residents interested in contributing any amount to the Burke Endowment, or initiating their own family endowment, should contact Ferguson at HCC, P.O. Box 2100, Hopkinsville, KY 42241-2100 or call 270 - 707-3731.