Lori Harrison - Madisonville Messenger

Madisonville Community College's Fulfilling the Promise fundraising campaign has raised $9.35 million so far.

The new total -- more than double the original goal -- was announced Wednesday by MCC President Dr. Judy Rhoads during a ceremony at the college honoring the campaign chairman and his family.


Steve Cox, chairman of the Madisonville Community College gifts campaign, speaks Wednesday during a ceremony honoring his family. (Messenger Photo by Lowell Mendyk)

Steve Cox, who has served as general chairman of Fulfilling the Promise since 2004, was recognized, along with his mother, Dorothy Cox, and his late father, William Cox.

The community/public lecture room in the Joe C. Davis Science Building is being named in the family's honor, college officials announced.

"Bill -- 'lending Bill' to many of you -- was a founding father of the college," said John Peters, advancement director. "In time, he passed that value on to Steve."

Over the years, the Cox family has given generously to the college, Peters said.

"Steve has been one of this area's recognized leaders, not just in business circles, but in advocacy of postsecondary programs, also," Rhoads said.

Steve Cox spoke about his father, who died about six years ago.

"I probably can't talk too much, because I'll break up talking about my dad," he said. "I've found out more about my dad since he's passed away than I had known before.

"Dad would be really proud," Steve said. "I think he was probably most proud of his association with the college here and with the fine arts center that was being built."

He thanked college officials, saying, "What you all have done for us really is quite magnificent."

The campaign has raised $70 million throughout the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

The total pledged to MCC's campaign includes $1.7 million for the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts, $1 million for the Muhlenberg County campus, $4.1 million for scholarships and $1.7 million for the Brown Badgett Sr. Energy and Advanced Technology Center, which is now being built. The local campaign is expected to continue until spring 2008.

Since 2002, MCC's endowment has more than doubled, going from $2.4 million to $6.4 million.